FG, Boko Haram battle for control of Gwoza By Kingsley

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62216

N150

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

IMPEACHMENT:

I'll return to my seat — Nyako

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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List of 54 states recommended by National Confab

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FG, Boko Haram battle for control of Gwoza •Fighting ongoing — DHQTRS; We're in control — B'Haram •Governor Shettima pledges support for military •Urges media to be patriotic in reporting security issues

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE De fence Headquarters, yesterday, declared that military operations to secure Gwoza town seized by the insurgents earlier this month was ongoing even as Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau was defiant, proclaiming Islamic caliphate in the town which he said was now Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

Economic contradictions and mute victims P.40

Confab’s real winners and “losers” •P.46

Mr & Mrs

BOKO HARAM—A photo grab from a video clip, yesterday, showing men lined up for execution by members of Boko Haram at an undisclosed location. Below: Boko Haram fighters (left) and leader, Shekau in the video released to AFP. Photo: AFP.

EBOLA: Doctors suspend strike •Ebola victims cremated in Lagos C M Y

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POCKET CARTOON

BOKO HARAM—Another screengrab from a video released by Boko Haram, yesterday, showing other people lined up for execution by members of Islamic sect at an undisclosed location.

FG, Boko Haram battle for control of Gwoza Continues from page 1 firmly in the grip of the sect.

Responding to the claim by the sect leader that Gwoza town seized by the insurgents earlier this month has been placed under an Islamic caliphate, the military authorities said “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact”.

The Boko Haram leader had in a new video, yesterday, claimed that he has created an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza. In the 52-minutes video obtained by AFP, Shekau said: “Thanks be to Allah who gave victory to our brethren in Gwoza and made it part of the Islamic caliphate.

Gwoza, has nothing to do with Nigeria. By the grace of Allah we will not leave the town. We have come to stay”.

Boko Haram claim empty — Military The Defence Headquarters, however, in a tweet on its twitter handle stated that “the claim is empty. Any group of terrorists laying claim to any portion of the country will not be allowed to get away with the expression of delusion and crime. Appropriate military operations to secure that area from the activities of the bandits are still ongoing”.

The United Nations humanitarian office

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Yes, God will bless you with money (Deut8:18).

And He will do it for two reasons: -Because He delights in seeing His redeemed children walk in His blessings (Psalms 35:27).

-Because He expects you to use your money to reach a hurting world with God’s love.

If you keep those two things in mind, you’ll be living for the right reasons.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The world is perfect. As you question your thoughts, this becomes more and more obvious.

Mind changes, and as a result, the world changes.

A clear mind heals everything that needs to be healed. It can never be fooled into believing that there is one speck out of order — Byron Katie

H

ENRY David Thoreau wrote: “What a man thinks of himself, that it is which determines, or rather indicates, his fate.” It is this peculiarity of the ego that it can only see what it already is, that blinds us to the vast possibilities of our lives. If the ego feels unloved, it finds only an unloving world.

If it hates, the world hates it. If it is bitter and cynical, it knows only a bitter and cynical world. Rare is the man and wise who perceives that all possibilities are right where he is. He needs only change his perception to see them. He doesn’t create them by changing his perception. He only becomes aware that they are there; they existed all the time.

(OCHA) earlier this month confirmed reports that Gwoza was under rebel control.

Boko Haram is also believed to be in control of other areas near Gwoza in southern Borno, as well as large swathes of territory in northern Borno and at least one town in neighbouring Yobe State.

Troops recently stormed communities close to Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted two days. Prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa State with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.

During the operation, terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely dislodged while some were captured. Among those captured were two foreigners who were suspected to be mercenaries.

Also captured were several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils.

Governor Shettima reacts In his reaction to the reported declaration of Gwoza as a territory of the Islamic sect, Governor Kashim Shettima said: ‘I cannot comment on the authenticity or otherwise of that video in question, I will leave that to security experts.

I also cannot disclose measures being adopted by security agencies on whatever development in Gwoza or any part of

Borno State but I can assure the good people of Borno State and other members of the public that the State Government is actively in touch and supporting security agencies deployed to Borno State in the counter insurgency efforts and insha Allah, the combined efforts will not be in vain.

"We are not just studying the situation with collaborative tact and urgency but indeed, appropriate measures are being taken by the right authorities. For now, I urge the good people of Borno State to remain calm and resolute in their support for security agencies, abiding faith and prayers. The security agencies, I am sure, are in the position to analyse the content of the said new video, compare with the facts on ground in Gwoza and brief the Nigerian public as they deem professionally appropriate, bearing in mind the National interest and patriotism as well as the overall safety of citizens.

"Let me use this opportunity to, while thanking members of the Nigerian and International media for their firm support for Borno people and its government since this insurgency crisis in 2009, make a strong appeal that we do not dramatise and sensationalise issues such as the one connected with Gwoza, so that we all do not fall for the objective of insurgents, which is to at all times, claim victory over our sovereign State, our rights to existence, our freedom and our liberty, as it is always their goal to create so much panic that would make anyone who doesn’t share their ideology feel unsafe and defeated.

"Even as those of us in the media work tirelessly to disseminate information in the discharge of important duties that aim to protect the fundamental rights of the public to know happenings within and around them, we must at this moment, more than ever before, do our jobs with patriotic support for our country and its security forces as well as our passion for humanity as against those that seek to send humanity into extinction.

As disturbing as what is said to be the development is, I remain very optimistic that victory will never go the way of those that violently stand between fellow human beings and their divine rights to exist as God’s creatures on earth”

Bodies of Ebola victims cremated in Lagos

By Sola Ogundipe & Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—BODIES of the four Nigerians, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, have been cremated in line with World Health Organisation, WHO, requirements for disposal of such corpses. The body of the index (first) case, Patrick Sawyer was the first to be cremated on July 25, 2014.

The decision to cremate the bodies, it was gathered, may not be unconnected with the deadly nature of the Ebola Virus which is known to be easily transmissible from human to human during handling of corpses of victims.

A health official at the Emergency Operation Centre, EOC, of the Mainland Hospital, Lagos, who confirmed the development, said the Lagos State Government in following strict guidelines for disposal of the bodies, authorised cremation of all the bodies.

The official who pleaded anonymity said the decision to cremate all bodies was to ensure appropriate containment measures and guarantee proper handling of the bodies.

“All the bodies of those who died of Ebola from this centre have been cremated. None was allowed to undergo traditional burial because extreme care is being taken to prevent further infections,” the official noted.

The WHO in recommending that people who die from Ebola should be promptly and safely buried, notes that cremation, which is the application of high temperature to reduce bodies to basic chemical components (ashes), is ideal for safe disposal of bodies of such persons in order to minimise further transmission.

In a statement week-

end, the ECOWAS Commission stated that the remains of its Protocol Assistant at the Lagos Liaison Office, Mr. Salihu Abdulqudir Jatto, who succumbed to the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, on August 12, 2014, had been laid to rest in a private ceremony in Ikorodu, Lagos state.

The statement said a delegation from the Commission had earlier paid a condolence visit to the deceased’s widow and other members of his family.

Jatto was among persons that assisted the American-Liberian Mr. Patrick Sawyer, and contracted the disease from the late Sawyer who took ill on arrival in Nigeria on July 20, 2014 on his way to a regional conference in Calabar, and later died in a Lagos hospital of the EVD. The statement noted that prior to the burial last Friday, a special prayer service in honour of the deceased was held at the Commission’s Abuja Headquarters. The activity was presided over by Vice President of the Commission Dr. Toga Gayewea McIntosh who represented the President of the Commission, Kadré Desire Ouédraogo.

Glowing tributes were paid in memory of Jatto, who was variously described as a diligent, passionate, humble and hardworking staff, who died a hero in the course of duty.

Leading the other mourning colleagues in the outpouring of grief, McIntosh described Jatto as “a sharp, young, aggressive goal-getter and a personal friend.

“We are all touched by his death, which is both a personal and collectively loss,” McIntosh said, praying for the repose of Jatto’s soul.

6—Vanguard , MONDAY MONDAY,, AUGUST 25, 2014

10 nabbed as Lagos task-force raids adulterated diesel joint L

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS — Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences, Enforcement Unit, at the weekend stormed the hideout of a diesel adulterating syndicate at Opebi area of the state, arresting 10 persons in the process The team also impounded three oil tankers from the scene. One of the trucks has number plate LAGOS- EKY-251 XF. The suspects, who were arrested under the Opebi Linkbridge, Ikeja Local Government Area, used to produce and sell adulterated diesel to the unsuspecting members of the public.

The team also impounded several litres of adulterated diesel from the hideout.

It was gathered that the adulterated diesel was produced by mixing large quantity of kerosene with some diesel.

The illegal activities, according to government officials, have impacted negatively on the ecosystem within 100 metres radius.

It's not adulterated diesel —Suspect

However, one of those arrested, Mr. Saheed Ibrahim, said they were not producing adulterated diesel.

According to him, “the products were bought from the tank farms in Apapa and other authorised locations.”

Ibrahim, who presented some of the bills of laden issued at the ports and the receipts issued to their prospective buyers, said: “We sell kerosene and diesel products in smaller quantity to those who could not approach the tank farms.”

On why they were operating from a hidden environment as against others who do such businesses at the depots, he said: “This is the only location we can carry out the business.”

Ismaila Ashiribo, the driver of one of the impounded tankers, explained that some of the products, especially kerosene, were purchased from a tank farm (name withheld) at Abule-Ado, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Economic sabotage

Taskforce chairman, Chief Superintendent of Police Bayo Sulaimon, who led the raid, described the activities as sabotaging the country ’s economy.

He said: “This is a situation where some people perpetrate illegal activities. They buy small diesel and kerosene and mix them up. Adulteration is going on here at will. The trucks come into the premises and discharge the products and leave.”

Sulaimon added that after the production exercise, “they approach consumers in the name of registered oil and gas companies and sell these contaminated products to the public.”

The chairman lamented that those arrested used to engage in the activities with business names without known addresses adding: “It is alarming that a lot of vehicles and generating sets would have been damaged by these adulterated products. It is unfortunate.

"We got the information and the combined team of the state Ministry of the Environment and the officers of the taskforce decided that such act must not continue in the state.”

Sources said although the suspects were licensed to operate but not under the bridge. “They do not have approval to operate here. This is a government scheme,” the source said.

He explained that the operators seized the opportunity of the presence of artisans

operating few metres from the hideout to carry out their nefarious acts.

“They (artisans) have been asked to vacate the land few months ago but they refused.

After today, I assure you that we will not allow them to operate here again. We will be removing the vehicles and the adulterated diesel from this place and the suspects charged to court.”

Sulaimon continued, “Aside the economic sabotage, their

The suspects and the recovered adulterated diesel

activities have impacted negatively on the community. It has led to water pollution and the

impact is very severe. We will ensure that due process is followed.”

N93m property deal goes sour as FCID goes after bizman, wife •We've refunded his money in full — Property owner

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS — Detectives from Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Abuja at the weekend said they were on the trail of a Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi and his wife, Shade, over alleged property scam.

The couple, who runs Redbricks Homes International Limited, are said to be evading detectives who are investigating a case of criminal breach of trust.

Gbadamosi, however, told Vanguard that the allegation was not only unfounded but a calculated attempt to tarnish his image.

It was learnt that the detectives, after securing warrant of arrest from the FCID, Lagos and other necessary documents needed to effect the arrest were denied entry into Amen Estate by Mobile Policemen from Squadron 49, guarding the estate on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

The genesis

According to Edojah's petition to the FCID, “sometime in 2013, Gbadamosi accompanied by his wife approached Hon Solomon Edojah with an offer to purchase a fully furnished seven-bedroom detached house at Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos for N93 million.

"The terms of the offer included

a scheduled payment plan over periodic instalments within one year. It was agreed that fixtures of certain quality and specifications will be used in the interior and exterior finishing of the property as contained in the offer letter."

Based on this understanding, Edojah said he agreed to purchase the property for his daughter and consequently commenced payment with an initial deposit of N25 million and has not defaulted on any of the instalments.”

Discrepancies

Trouble, as gathered, started sometime in February 2014, after Edojah visited the property to observe the extent of work only to discover that the fixtures being installed were below the agreed specifications.

According to Edojah, “immediately I alerted Mrs. Gbadamosi to the discrepancies and a meeting was scheduled at her instance.

"At the meeting on July 20, some of the substandard fixtures were itemized and it was agreed that those substandard fixtures already installed be removed and their cost deducted from the original price of the property. ‘’These calculations were done

by Mrs Gbadamosi with the assurance that the already installed Chinese tiles will be replaced with the earlier agreed granite and marble before the next instalment was made.

"Unfortunately, what actually began as a mutual transaction between both parties eventually turned sour irretrievably.

“In line with the payment schedule, the next instalment was due by July 31, 2014 and in view of this I wrote a letter to Mrs. Gbadamosi with the intention of formalising the agreements but they refused to respond to the said letter and have consistently avoided and shut doors to any possible discussions.

"Mrs Gbadamosi in furtherance of her ill motives refused to pick up the cheque for the July instalment as was the previous practice. To avoid falling foul of the agreed schedule, I forwarded a cheque for the outstanding balance less the agreed deductions to Mrs Gbadamosi but she directed one Emmanuel Edward (her security staff) to reject the cheque and has been avoiding me since then.

N53,615,000 paid

“I have paid a cumulative sum of N53,615,000 towards the purchase of the property leaving a balance of N39,385, 000.

He alleged that these antics by Mr and Mrs Gbadamosi are geared towards fraudulently depriving him of the peaceable enjoyment of the property he laboured to pay for.

Allegation false — Gbadamosi

When Vanguard contacted Gbadamosi on phone, he described the allegation as

unfounded, false and a calculated attempt to tarnish his image.

He said Mr Edojah only tried to purchase a property in Amen Estate located at Ibeju-Lekki.

According to him,“he is trying to purchase the property. At a point he started insisting that we change some of the fixtures to a point where the property started losing the primary concept and we decided to refund his money to him.

"He told us that if we could not meet up with the contract, we should refund his money.

What else does he want? Where is this false allegation coming from? We didn’t defraud him, rather we have refused to sell anymore.”

In an attempt to set the records straight, he said: “The reason why I couldn’t see the detectives from Abuja is because I was very busy; I had to go to Abuja on emergency.

"Moreover, what we had was a commercial transaction, and there is no fraud here because his money has been returned to him in full.

"We paid N47 million plus to his account. We will resolve the involvement of the police when I get to Abuja tomorrow. I will be seeing the DIG tomorrow because this is a commercial transaction."

“We decided to refund his money because we couldn’t go ahead with the alterations he wanted, because if we do it will be in contravention of the law of Lagos State."

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 —7

NMA bows to Ebola threat

By Sola Ogundipe & Chioma Obinna & Favour Nwabuogwu

F

OLLOWING SERIES of appeals from stakeholders and the health challenges and threats posed by the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the country, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, midnight (Saturday) suspended its protracted seven-week old strike it commenced July 1, 2014.

Consequently, all medical and dental doctors have been directed to resume duty at their working posts with effect from 8.00 hours today, Monday, August 25, 2014.

Announcing the suspension in a communiqué at the end of its Emergency Delegates Meeting in Abuja on Saturday, August 24, 2014, the association said it resolved to suspend the strike action in the interest of what it described as “urgent national emergencies,” while negotiations with the Federal Government continue.

At the emergency session which was specifically to consider the updates of the strike action, the strike was suspended following the outcome of voting by members in which 199 voted for suspension, while 96 voted against, out of the total 265 votes cast.

In their resolution, the delegates demanded immediate withdrawal of the government circular (Reference No. C3132/v/ 46 of August 13, 2014) suspending the residency training programme and sacking of over 16,000 resident doctors, who constitute about 70 per cent of doctors’ workforce in Nigeria.

Also, the NMA urged government, on its part, to reciprocate her good will in ensuring that resident doctors whose appointments were so terminated are reinstated immediately without any punitive measures.

Stating its commitment towards the health of Nigerians, and reiterating not to renege in her resolve and total support for the government in the effort to provide qualitative, affordable and accessible health services for the Nigerian people, the delegates commended the efforts of the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government in containing the spread of EVD, and for the establishment of isolation centres in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. “Delegates commended the efforts of the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government in containing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, and for the establishment of isolation centres in the 36 states of the Federation and FCT. “The NMA mandates her State Ebola Monitoring Committees, SEMCs, to continue to liaise with their state governments to immediately set up emergency response teams for the prevention

and treatment of any out-break of the Ebola virus in their various states,“ the statement read.

Expressing gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, National Assembly, senior government officials, the various ministries and agencies of government, friends of the association and other well-meaning Nigerians towards resolving the face-off.

Confirming the suspension, the Public Relations Officer of the NMA Lagos State branch, Dr. Peters Ogunbiyi, who spoke to Vanguard in a telephone chat, said the association decided to listen to the voice of reasoning.

“President Jonathan has promised to meet all our demands through the Senate President.

Specifically, he promised to suspend the circular on the suspension of Residency Training in the country.

We also considered the fact that we have new cases of Ebola from secondary contacts. So we decided to suspend the strike to save Nigerians from unnecessary deaths.”

“The NMA remains committed towards the health of Nigerians, and reiterate that she will not renege in her resolve and total support for the government in the effort to provide qualitative, affordable and accessible health services for the Nigerian people.

Also speaking, the National President of AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolola described it as a welcome development.

“The suspension has actually come and doctors will resume tomorrow. I am one of those who support the suspension of the strike so that we can start moving our health system forward. Also, we want to begin a robust dialogue towards having a vibrant health system.”

Amosun commends NMA Commending the NMA for suspending the strike, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun noted that the decision could not have come at a better time when the nation is battling to curb the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus, which he noted, is fast becoming an epidemic.

Amosun, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun said: “People should always find amicable ways

…suspends indefinite strike

of resolving crisis. I want to commend the leadership of NMA, for having found a way round the issues that led to the industrial action in the first place.

“I am happy that the strike has been called off at this very crucial time, when the guidance and expertise of our medical personnel are most crucial in containing the Ebola Virus,” he said.

Amosun also commended the efforts of the NMA National President, Dr. Kayode Obembe, the Senate President, David Mark, as well as others who were able to prevail on the concerned parties for the favourable outcome. He expressed the hope that stakeholders would be able to find a final resolution of the dispute while negotiations continue.

Suspension belated but still good – NUAP On his own part, National President, Nigeria Union of Allied Professionals, NUAP, Comrade Felix Faniran, said the suspension, though overdue, was welcome.

“Suspension of strike is welcome. It is long overdue but it is still good. The NMA is our partner in progress. What the other unions are telling the NMA is that health work is teamwork and should always relate with the

other professionals.

“Rather than oppose whatever benefit government is giving to us. What made them to go on strike on that their 24-point demand is not necessary at all.

NMA is not a registered trade union and they have no right to embark on strike at all.

“Since they went on strike and government was so magnanimous in talking with them, they should cash in on that opportunity and use it to the benefit of Nigerians. They have not done well by not calling off the strike despite the fact government has met all their demands.

"We would have been on strike but we used maturity and showed signs of reasoning because of the issues at stake such as security and Ebola. And we decided not to go on strike but continue with dialogue. We are still negotiating even though government has not met our demand.

“I think the doctors will learn a lesson from what has just happened. Possibly the suspension of the resident doctors forced them to come on, but we are happy they are back. I advised the NMA to desist from illegalities they have been perpetrating for years and know that this country belongs to all of us. They should close ranks and work together with other

professionals in the interest of the nation.”

Lagos State ACPN reacts Reacting to the development, Chairman, Lagos State Association of Community Phatrmacists, ACPN, Pharm.

Abdulsalam Yinka described the suspension as a good development.

“Suspension of strike is a good development because in the first place, strike in the health sector is not good. This is because all of us in the sector are there because somebody must be sick one time or the other.

"Therefore, it is a belated decision if you consider the plight of the sick. There wouldn’t have been doctors or pharmacists or any other profession, so the plight of any patient should be paramount in our mind.

“If the doctors have decided to call off their strike, it is what every Nigerian has expected they should have done because healthcare services are to save lives. Therefore, to me suspending the strike is a good thing, but dialogue would have been the best option, especially this time the nation is plagued with Ebola Virus Disease. They need to join hands with the government and tackle the dreaded disease.”

PRAYER RALLY: From left, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Convener and Chairman, Nigeria Prays, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), and Vice Chairman,Nigeria Prays, Capt.

Paul Thahal (rtd), at the South West zone of the National Prayer Rally, at the Cathedral Church of St, David, Akure, weekend.

Ejelonu’s fiance certified Ebola free, discharged

By Sola Ogundipe & Chioma Obinna

D

ENNIS, THE widow of the late Justina Ejelonu, the nurse who attended to the index (first) Patrick Sawyer at the First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, and later died of the Ebola Virus Disease contracted during the encounter, has been discharged from the Ebola control and treatment centre in Lagos.

The late nurse’s spouse, who

had been under observation as one of the suspected cases, was discharged after testing negative to Ebola following series of tests conducted on him to certify his status.

A source at the treatment centre, told Vanguard that Dennis was discharged, weekend after he was certified Ebola free.

He is the sixth person to be discharged from the Ebola Isolation Centre in Yaba, Lagos.

However, Special Adviser on

Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Dan Nwomeh, denied knowledge of the development.

“We are not aware of that development, but to avoid any confusion, the Minister of Health reiterates that he has the sole authority to announce confirmed and discharged cases of disease epidemics in Nigeria.

"The Minister reassured Nigerians that any new confirmed or discharged cases of

EVD in Nigeria will be announced by his office promptly.

“Any doubtful information on the out-break of EVD should be verified from the office of the Minister of Health.”

On Saturday, Chukwu, had confirmed that two of the spouses of the dead Ebola victims had tested positive to the virus, a development that brought to four the total number of Ebola patients being treated at the isolation ward.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Confab lists 54 states for Nigeria

By Henry Umoru

N

IGERIA WILL now have 54 states as against the present 36 states should President Goodluck Jonathan implement the recommendation of the National Conference contained in the final report submitted to the President last week.

According to the recommendation on creation of additional states, “Alteration of section 3 Section 3 of the principal Act is altered - (a) by replacing the existing subsection (1) with the following as new subsection (1) -”(1) There shall be fifty-four states in Nigeria, that is to say, Aba, Abia, Adada, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Amana, Anarribra, Anioma, Apa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Edu, Piciti, Enugu, Etiti, Ghari, Gombe, Gurara, Ijebu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kainji, Kano, Katagum, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, New Oyo, Njaba-Anim, Niger, Ogoja, Ogun, Oil Rivers, Ondo, Ose, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers,

Savannah, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara,” and (b) by deleting subsections) (2) and (6); and ( c) in subsection (3) by replacing the word “third” with the word “second.”

The long standing agitation for the creation of a mayoral status for the Federal Capital City was approved, just as additional two area councils were approved for the FCT in addition to the existing six area councils with strong warning that all compensations be paid.

The conference also resolved that the Minister of Finance, not the President will now present the annual budget to the National Assembly, even as it threw out recommendation for a unicameral legislature and voted that the bicameral legislature be maintained.

The report also stated that public schools taken over by various state governments across the country 42 years ago would henceforth be returned to the religious missions which were the original owners.

The conference further voted in favour of Modified Presidential

System of Government as recommended by the committee; described as "home-made model of government that combines the attributes of parliamentary and presidential systems." The concept has the potentials of entrenching the principle of separation of powers as practised in presidential system and promotion of co-operation and harmony between executive and the legislature as operated under the parliamentary system.

The President elected under the new system shall exercise full responsibility for his government and shall select ministers, not more than 18 of them, from the six geo-political zones of the country, and in the modified presidential system the president shall pick the vice president from the legislature.

On local government administration, the conference also voted that states should own their own constitutions while the functions of local governments as contained in schedule 4 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) has been transferred to the states subject to the power of the state

Houses of Assembly to add or reduce the said functions of the local governments.

Conference also voted against the local government as a different tier of government, saying that the House of Assembly of a state may confer other functions on local government and agreed that the constitution shall fix the tenures for local government councils.

Delegates approved the scrapping of joint state and local government accounts; to be replaced with a State Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, adding that the body would be expected to have as members, representatives of local government areas and a chairman nominated by the state governor for confirmation by the state House of Assembly.

In addition to the functions conferred on the local government councils as specified in the Fourth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended, a state House of Assembly may by law, confer other functions on the local government.

Henceforth, and except

DINNER: From left, Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-makura, bride's father; his Imo State counterpart and chairman of the occasion, Owele Rochas Okorocha; bride, Maimuna and her husband, Moyi Mai-Dunama; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tanbuwal and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during a dinner in honour of Almakura' s daughter's wedding, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, weekend.

APC cries over plans to revive ACN, ANPP, CPC

.We are receiving several applications – INEC

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

THE ALL Progressives Congress, APC, has alleged a plan by those it described as unscrupulous elements to confuse voters ahead of the 2015 general elections through the registration of parties with same acronyms with the legacy parties that formed the APC. The party said the plan to register new parties with acronyms - ACN, CPC and ANPP - was to confuse voters and remove from the APC’s votes in the forthcoming elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in its reaction, however, claimed

ignorance of any deliberate plan against the APC even as it said that requests for registration of parties which come in dozens weekly are being treated according to merit.

The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, alleged that a request had been filed before INEC for the registration of Allied Council of Nigeria ACN; Advanced National Patriotic Party, ANPP and Conservative People’s Congress, CPC. The three applications, according to Mohammed, were filed the same day.

The application for the registration of the three parties, he said, was to confuse voters with

the three legacy parties, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP that merged to form the APC last year.

“It is worthy of note that the three applications to INEC for the registration of the three organisations as political parties were made on the same day.

Apparently, common sense takes flight in the face of great desperation! ‘’Their plan is simple: Once the parties are registered, they will then apply to change their logos to those of the original ACN, ANPP and CPC, and then hope to be on the ballot for next year’s general elections.

"Just before the elections, the sponsors of the phantom parties will then send out messages saying the APC has splintered into its component parties for the purpose of the election. Whatever happens, their plan is to confuse the electorate and hamper the electoral fortunes of the APC.’’ ‘’This acronym battle is a part of the larger war against our party to prevent its registration.

Nigerians will recollect that the same people, apparently, applied to register a phantom APC the moment it became clear that our merger would succeed and that INEC would register our party, having met all the requirements to consummate the merger," the statement said.

otherwise overturned, conference also conferred financial autonomy on state Houses of Assembly as a way of freeing them from direct control by the executive and voted that for functionality, local government should be politically and economically independent.

The report recommended that there should be complete abolition of the concept of plea bargain by accused public functionaries and also agreed for the establishment of special courts, for instance, anticorruption courts to handle cases involving corrupt practices.

Also in the report, henceforth, anybody arraigned before the court by EFCC, ICPC and by any law enforcement agencies, the accused person is regarded as guilty, unlike the present situation where he is regarded as innocent until the accused is proven not guilty. Now he is regarded as guilty until he proves himself innocent.

The issue of state police as controversial as it appeared, a decision was taken that those who want it should go and have state police, but those who do not want it, the recommendation of the conference was that the present status of the Nigerian police should remain. But from ASP downwards should be indigenes of every state and that on its own, is like state police.

Churches and mosques Henceforth, there will be no sponsoring of both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages to the holy lands and that churches and mosques will now pay tax to the Federal Government.

It was also agreed that payment of pension, severance, life insurance for legislators at all levels be cancelled and according to the delegates, same would apply to governors and their deputies, just as lawmakers, governors and their deputies will now receive salaries and allowances commensurate to the functions they perform.

Henceforth, civil servants, who engage in contract for pecuniary gains, will be dismissed from service, just as there was the retention of status quo of retirement age of 60 for workers in public service.

There was also succour for people living with disabilities as delegates voted that governments at all levels should grant allowances to them which will be equivalent of government workers on grade level 06 as that would enable them employ the services of private aides to assist them in carrying out some private and domestic activities.

Also contained in the report is sharing of funds to the Federation Account among the three tiers of government should be: Federal Government (42.5 per cent), State governments (35 per cent) and Local governments (22.5 per cent).

The conference also

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 —9

Lagos Airport gets more Ebola screening equipment

By Lawani Mikairu

L

AG O S — M U R I TA L A M u h a m m e d International Airport, MMA, Lagos, weekend got additional Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, screen equipment from the United States, US government to boost screening capacity at the airport.

Making the donation at the airport, the US ConsulGeneral in Nigeria, Joff Hawkins, expressed satisfaction with the response of the Nigerian Government to the contagious disease since its importation into the country by Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian a month ago.

According to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, General Manager, Corporate Communication, Mr Yakubu Dati, Hawkins “ commended the measures already in place at MMA, pointing out that EVD is neither a Nigerian nor WesAfrican problem but a problem to humanity as a whole. He said the donation of the equipment is a symbol of willingness on the part of the American Government to assist Nigeria in any way possible to combat the scourge.”

Known as infrared thermometers or non-contact

thermometers, the portable hand held equipment has the ability to measure body temperature of in-bound and out- bound passengers for possible Ebola symptoms from a distance.

Present at the occasion were, Dr. Alex-Okoh, Head of Port Health, Lagos, Dr. Gary Bronette of Centre for Disease

Control, CDC, Heads Agencies at MMA, Airlines/ Handling Companies Representatives, Health Personnels at the Airport, Airport workers, among others.

Agencies at the airport were also praised for their collaboration since the first reported case of the virus in Nigeria.

FAAN was particularly

applauded for providing the necessary infrastructure for the Port Health Services, PHS, and collaborating agencies to effectively discharge their duties in the face of the threat posed by the rampaging virus.

Screening of passengers, which was initially restricted to in-bound passengers from the West-African countries has since been expanded to include all inbound and out-bound passengers from all destinations.

OSUN OSOGBO: Crowd at the 'Osun Osogbo' celebration in Osogbo, Osun State on saturday. (INSET) HRM, Oba Iyiola Matanmi III, Ataoja of Osogbo with his wives.

Nigeria's external debt profile worries Labour

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

L

AGOS—TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, weekend in Lagos,expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising external debt profile, which the Debt Management Office, DMO, now puts at $9.38 billion, warning that excessive foreign loans that could mortgage Nigeria’s future to foreign creditors.

The Director-General of the DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, had told newsmen in Abuja that the country’s domestic and foreign debt was now $66 billion dollars (over N10 trillion), the external component being $9.38 billion.

TUC in a statement by its President, Mr. Bobboi Bala Kaigama, lamented that while Nigeria celebrated with fanfare the external debt exit in 2005 under the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo, by December 2010, the external debt portfolio rose to $4.78 billion.

According to the statement, “So, if the foreign debt regime now stands at $9.38 billion, it follows that external debt

profile has risen by about $5 billion i.e about 100% in less than four years. This is very unfortunate more-so when the impact of the foreign loans are not being positively felt by the generality of the citizens.

Nobody should be carried away by the argument that the country’s debt stock is still less than 26% of GDP, the so-called international standard. ''The fact of the matter is that the country went through hell when its debt stock was about $35 billion. We should therefore be concerned that we are going back to where we were before.”

According to TUC, although the DMO stated that part of the loan was injected into the power sector, there was nothing on ground to show that electricity supply had improved because as at May 2014, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, stated that Nigeria was generating 3,800mw for about 170 million population whereas experts estimated that Lagos State alone needed about 15,000mw.

TUC President faulted claims

by Dr. Nwankwo that part of the

loan was also used to finance roads including Abuja International Airport Road that had not been completed for years and organised labour, the civil society groups, and other well-meaning Nigerians to rise up and ensure that the Federal Government stopped further foreign borrowing forthwith.He

said “We also demand that the Federal Government should curtail unnecessary expenditure, prune down the obscene emoluments of political office holders, and block other leakages through which billions of naira are looted from the Treasuries leaving virtually nothing for capital development.''

Why I left APC —SENATOR

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—ONE of the senators who left the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin has said his defection to the Accord Party was occasioned by alleged unfounded suspicion of Governor Abiola Ajimobi that he wanted to contest the governorship election with him in 2015 election.

Lanlehin, who spoke with newsmen yesterday in his Inalende Senatorial office in Ibadan said since the governor assumed the mantle of leadership over three years ago, the relationship between them was not politically cordial.

But reacting on behalf of the governor, the state APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; “Do they want to run the affairs of government together. If he is honest, he should be specific as to what area did the governor reject his advice.

What is worrying most of them is personal ambition to be the governor rather than giving excuses. ''Again, they are afraid about their second term would be at stake because they have written the governor off that he would not make the second term.

They are stretching their luck too much forgetting that it is God that gives power to man. I am sure that the governor will break the jinx this time around.”

However, Lanlehin claimed Governor Ajimobi's refusal to carry other party members along in most of the policies forced him and others out of APC.

Falana knocks FG over prisoners’ death

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

L

AGOS—LAGOS lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has petitioned the Federal Government, accusing it of being responsible for the death of prison inmates across the country through alleged poor or no medical attention.

In a petition to the Interior Minister, Mr. Abba Moro, Falana noted that more than ten inmates of the Kirikiri maximum prisons, Lagos had died in the last three years due to perceived failure of government to provide adequate medical care for the inmates.

He called on the National Human Rights Commission, to investigate what he described as

“illegal killing of convicts and awaiting trial inmates in prison custody in Nigeria,” in a view to recommend payment of exemplary damages to their families.

According to him, ''In the last three years, several prisoners have been brutally killed by terrorists and other armed gangs who stormed a number of prisons to free their detained members.

Since the prisons are not well secured the Federal Government is vicariously liable for the premature death of such prison inmates. More worrisome is the fact that several prison inmates, who are terminally ill may soon die due to lack of medical attention by the prison

authorities. It is hoped that all measures are being put in place to keep the highly infectious Ebola virus away from the prisons.

“Mr. Abba Moro has failed to ensure the provision of adequate medical facilities in the prisons, we request the National Human Rights commission to investigate the illegal killing of convicts and awaiting trial inmates in prison custody in Nigeria.' ''The Commission may wish to recommend the payment of exemplary damages to the families of prison inmates who had lost their lives on account of medical neglect and the trial of all public officers whose negligence has contributed to the killing of prison inmates.”

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

INEC should extend PVC collection date — ONDO GOVT

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—ONDO State government weekend called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to extend the days for the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVC, and for the registration of new voters in the state.

Information and Community Development and Co-operative Services commissioners, Mr. Kayode Akinmade and Clement Faboyede made the government's position known in Akure at a briefing.

They claimed the exercise had been marred with hiccups since it began.

Faboyede said the five days allocated for the registration was grossly inadequate as 60 per cent of would-be voters were yet to be registered.

He said the first day of the exercise was nothing to write home about as the machines sent to the centres were malfunctioning.

On the second and third day, the Commissioner said heavy downpour coupled with machine problem did not allow any intended voter to get near the collation centers.

MIMIKO: PDP chieftains differ over defection ...His move a minus for PDP — APC

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State are divided over purported 60/40 agreement reached in favour of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State with the national leaders of PDP without the input of the state chapter, paving way for Mimiko’s defection to the party, This came as All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state said the defection was a minus to PDP. Several meetings have been held

by PDP members and more still ongoing at the time of this report in the state since the weekend defection became public.

Political appointees in the former Labour Party, LP, administration have however started crossing to PDP in their constituencies following a directive by the governor, who also asked them to pass the message of defection down to the grassroots.

Many of the LP members, who left the PDP in 2009 still have their PDP registration cards.

However, some chieftains of party told Vanguard in confidence that the governor failed to carry them along at the state level.

They lamented that the governor preferred to talk with the leaders in Abuja instead of those in the state, wondering how it would be easy for him to sail through. According to them, they read about the defection on pages of newspapers.

Some of them claimed the governor started phoning them just this weekend for a meeting.

However, other leaders who have

Osun: We've not received any petition — TRIBUNAL

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—FIFTEEN days after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, winner of the August 9 Osun State governorship election, the election petition tribunal, has declared that it has not received petition from any of the political parties.

The Secretary of the Osun State governorship election tribunal, Mr. Adamu Mohammed Aliyu,weekend told Vanguard that the candidates, however still had seven days to file their petitions.

The main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate in the election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had after the announcement of the results, hinted of their intention to appeal the results, claiming the election was fraught with irregularities.

Aliyu, who hinted that some politicians had inquired if the tribunal had been opened, declared that “no political party has filed any petition so far.”

The election was keenly contested by 20 political parties.

Aliyu disclosed that the tribunal had been constituted before the August 9 election in compliance with electoral law.

Quoting Section 133 (3) of the Electoral Act, Aliyu said, “according to the law, election tribunals shall be constituted not later than 14 days before the election, and that has been complied with by the president of the court of Appeal.”

sympathy for the governor welcomed him to party, saying the more, the merrier.

It was gathered that leaders complaining are disturbed that as the governor, he automatically becomes the leader of the party in the state, expressing fears that many of them who had criticised him (Mimiko) when he was in LP, may victimise them now that he has taken control of the party.

But the Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state, Chief Wale Ozogoro, said LP members were welcomed into the ‘biggest party in Africa.’

Ozogoro, who said although the party had not been formally notified at the state level, noted that “there is free entry and exit in political parties in the country and nobody has the right to block Mimiko’s entrance into the party.”

However, he declared that the new defectors would be trained on PDP’s philosophy based on the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said “by the time the party is officially informed, we will meet with the party elders' caucus and with the incoming members and we will give them a rousing welcome.''

Some leaders of the PDP in the state led by Professor Olu Agbi and Chief Segun Adegoke, said the defection of Mimiko into the PDP justified their support for his second term election.

Agbi and Adegoke said by the time the two parties merged, the next election would be a free ride for the party and its candidates.

Meanwhile, the state APC in its reaction to the development said “the defection of the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko to the PDP did not come as a surprise to us.

Mimiko has been hobnobbing with the PDP at the national level for a very long time, even though he had no good relationship with the state chapter.''

A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya in Akure said “that Dr Olusegun Mimiko is joining or has joined PDP will not

help the party win any election, but to help President Goodluck Jonathan win the PDP presidential primaries. ''To us in Ondo APC, our doors are opened for credible individuals that are still in the Labour Party, especially the House of Assembly members to join. Our doors are also opened to the serving commissioners and also PDP members that would not be comfortable with Mimiko joining the PDP because of his political antecedents. They are all welcomed to join our great party to realise their dreams. To us all animals are equal.”

Fayose pledges to upgrade Ado Ekiti

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI—EKITI State governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose has pledged to give Ado Ekiti, the state capital, a face-lift when he assumes office. He also promised to complete the multi-million naira ongoing Ado Ekiti palace pavilion project within the one year.

Speaking during the celebration of the Idiroko festival at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe weekend, the governor-elect, said he would continue with the developmental stride going on in the state capital, since according to him, Ado Ekiti was strategically located as

the state capital.

He lauded Oba Adejugbe for what he described as his sterling qualities and commended the people of Ado Ekiti for their massive support during the June 21 governorship election.

According to him, “There is no doubt that Ado Ekiti will continue to be relevant in the state because of its numerical strength and the fact that it is the capital of our state.

My performance will surpass what I was able to achieve during my first term in office.”

Fayose commended the outgoing administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi for his contribution to the development of the state, saying every government that had ruled the state since its creation had contributed their quota to its development.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 —11

Uduaghan, Oritsejafor task parents on child upbringing

By Emma Amaize

W

ARRI — GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and prominent Deltans, weekend, challenged parents to pay greater attention to the upbringing of their children.

Uduaghan and Oritsejafor observed that the failure of parents in inculcating right values in their children was responsible for the increasing rate of deviants in the society.

They spoke in Warri at the 90th birthday thanksgiving service of Justice Silvanus Ajuyah, father of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, SAN. Governor Uduaghan said: “I want to urge parents to please bring up their children in the way that when they leave you, people can give positive testimony of those children.

“I keep saying that in life, three things are important: God first; your family, second and your work, third. Do not

let your work overshadow your family, do not be too busy that you have no time for your family.

“It is true that most of the criminals we see today are

people who have challenges at home,” he said, noting that such deviant children in the long run turn around to harm and hunt their parents.

Orisejafor, who said Justice Ajuyah and his wife played a significant role in his upbringing and described him as “my pride and that of so many people.”

PDP accuses Edo govt of oppressive tax regime

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN —THE EDO State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the state government of making live difficult for its citizens through oppressive tax regimes, levies and policies.

It said the state government had remained clueless in tackling flooding in different parts of the state, warning that the 2012 flooding which washed away riverine communities in the state may be a child’s play if there was no plan to contain flooding in the next months of the raining season.

The state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke at Igueben, where he received defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP, accused the state government of not putting

contingency plans on ground should the dreaded Ebola virus be recorded in the state.

He said: “From the formal to the informal sector, the stories are all the same. Today, the indoor sports hall and pitch of the Samuel Ogbemudia are usually flooded anytime it rains. As for the swimming pool, it is more like a pond where toads and lizards now flourish.

“The levy paid by drivers was increased from N150 to N2000.

You don’t need to be told the impact of that. Now, they can’t

meet up with their daily returns and are finding live very difficult.

“The governor announced the recall of sacked teachers and promised to pay their entitlements. It will, however, interest you to know that the teachers have not been recalled and neither their entitlements paid. The statement was a television political statement.”

He said the failure of the APCled government had given the PDP the belief that they can take back Edo State, adding: “The only person left in APC in Igueben would soon join the PDP.”

Delta pensioners sensitised on how to manage post-retirement years

By Austin Ogwuda

A

SABA — RETIREES and those at the point of retiring from the Delta State Civil Service have been exposed to how to manage their p o s t retirement years and easily access their fund after retirement.

Speaking at t h e sensitisation workshop in

Asaba, weekend, Managing Director of Oak Pension, Mr. Sam Inyang, organisers of the event, said: “The essence is to bring them (retirees) together once they are about to retire and let them know what lies ahead. We guide them on what they need to put in place to enable them access their funds also with ease.”

The workshop exposed participants to how best to manage their resources and the type of business to engage in after retiring, while the participants noted that the event was a welcomed development.

Bayelsa communities warn Agip over agreement

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA — Communities in Biseni area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, weekend, warned Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, over its alleged reluctance to implement agreement reached on community development obligations.

They threatened that failure to commence full implementation may lead to disruption of oil production in the area.

The communities had shut five oil wells in Idu Oil Fields operated by Agip over the company’s non fulfillment of community development obligations to its host communities.

The oil wells 3, 6, 8, 11 and 12 earlier shut down and put out of production by youths of the area were reopened after a meeting between community representatives and Agip officials on August 5, 2014.

Secretary to Egbebiri community, one of the aggrieved communities, Chief Solomon Ogiama, yesterday, confirmed that the refusal of Agip to commence implementation of the agreement reached on the re-opening of the shut oil wells was generating fresh tension and that the communities had written to the state government to intervene in the matter.

Delta electorate urged to register with INEC

G

ENERAL Secretary, Egbema Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation, Mr Jude Ukori, has urged electorate in Egbema and Gbaramatu Kingdoms in Delta State to utilise the ongoing continuous voters’ registration, CVR, exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to validate or register their names.

Ukori said yesterday in Warri that INEC had fulfilled its responsibility as contained in the 2010 Electoral Act (as Amended) on CVR preparatory to the forthcoming elections in Delta State.

He said: “I appeal to the good people of Egbema and Gbaramatu of voting age to use the remaining day ’s window of opportunity provided by INEC to go out, check and register their names.

This will qualify them to vote in the October 2014 local government elections and February 2015 general elections across the country."

Native and Vogue to hold fashion week

By Esther Onyegbula

A

LL is set for the second edition of the Native and Vogue Port Harcourt International Fashion Week in Rivers State next month.

With a successful maiden edition held last year, the organisers of the event are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Native and Vogue makes headlines for all the right reasons, locally and internationally.

The event co-sponsored by the Rivers State Government and organised by NeoMantra, Bunor Creazioni and Vanguard Allure, is to assist aspiring models on their way to fulfilling their ambitions.

According to Nkiruka Oguadinma, Managing Director Neo-Mantra, “the event is a platform for top end designers and models across Africa to celebrate the totality of Africa fashion. This will serve the dual purpose of grooming emerging designers while showcasing established brands, and also provide an opportunity for aspiring models in Rivers State. "

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Ikimi set to dump APC for PDP

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY— THERE are indications that the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, may soon dump the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the APC leader was said to have shunned the caucus meeting of the party which took place in Abuja last week.

Vanguard gathered that Ikimi was invited for the caucus meeting as well as that of the national leadership of the party with a view to make him remain in the party.

It will be recalled that Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and other leaders of the party in the state had begged Ikimi not to leave the party after he condemned the processes that led to the emergence of Chief John Odigie Oyegun as the National Chairman of APC. Chief Ikimi had stayed away from all political activities of the APC since the convention of the party. Vanguard gathered that he was being wooed by the top hierarchy of the PDP to join the party.

However, Ikimi who broke his silence to Vanguard, said he still does not recognise

Oyegun as the National Chairman of the party because of what he described as the alleged undemocratic manner he emerged.

He said “I have decided to watch the party from afar because I believe that things are not right. If we are talking about democracy and being a credible alternative to the PDP, we must learn how to do things the proper way. If Tinubu and others know that they don’t own the party, then we can now

A/Ibom gets CBN's N260m MSME fund

By Tom Moses

U

YO—AKWA Ibom State has benefited from the N260 million Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s Micro Small Medium Enterprises, MSME, Development Fund for employment generation and economic empowerment of people of the state.

The N260 million is said to be the initial part of the fund released to the state having fulfilled the apex bank’s requirements for economic rejuvenation.

Speaking in Uyo,

NUPENG to partner FG to end oil theft in N-Delta

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers, NUPENG, has promised to partner the Federal Government to end oil theft and incidents of adulterated petroleum products in the Niger Delta region.

Chairman, Port Harcourt unit of Marine Equipment and Oil Suppliers unit of NUPENG, Mr Wonodi Henry, who spoke in Port Harcourt, yesterday, after being sworn in alongside other executive members of various branches of the body in the eastern zone of NUPENG also warned members of his union not to be involved in any act that could soil the reputation of the body.

Thanking the National President of NUPENG, Mr Igwe Achese and the National Chairman, Marine Equipment and Oil Suppliers Branch of NUPENG, Mr Best

talk. There are still some fundamental issues that are still unresolved.

“I don’t mind working with anybody as national chairman of the party, whether from Kogi or Kwara but what I am saying is that no one man should arrogate himself as the owner of the party. That is why people are leaving the party. And people are tolerating it because they don’t want to lose presidential or vice presidential tickets. The day they lose those tickets, they will leave the party."

Enuyiese for their support, Henry said they would assist security operatives on the waterways with the needed information to enhance their crusade against illegal oil bunkering.

weekend, state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Bassey, said Governor Godswill Akpabio was presented with the cheque by President Goodluck Jonathan at the just concluded CBN’s 8th Annual MSME finance conference in Abuja.

According to Bassey, who was one of the delegates at the conference, the MSME fund is a proactive initiative of the Federal Government in partnership with states to achieve a common goal of economic empowerment of the people with regards to employment generation and wealth creation.

He expressed optimism that the loan with a single digit interest rate of one to five years tenure will provide the needed capital for operators in the MSME sub-sectors such as micro entrepreneurs, low income earners, farmers and artisans who had challenges with funds to set up their businesses.

Edo community protests govt take over of land

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

E N I N — INDIGENES of Igbei community in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, have protested the alleged the takeover of their land by the state government despite a court order.

The placard-carrying protesters, through their spokesman, Mr. Amin Abdulai, lamented that the state government in flagrant disobedient to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction,

which restrained it, was still laying claim to the said land.

Abdulai, who is also the chairman of the community, said the state high court and the Court of Appeal had in 2003 in their judgments ruled in the community’s favour and wondered why the government was still laying claim to the land.

“The government has erected signpost on the land and I wonder why the government is still harassing us and claiming ownership of the land,” he said.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014—13

EBOLA: Health workers demand increased hazard allowance ...As Catholic church cautions priests

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — THE new executive of Imo State Joint Health Sector Union, JHSU, has called on Governor Rochas Okorocha to upwardly review the hazard allowance for health workers, in view of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, scare.

This came at a time the Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province ordered priests to exercise caution and discretion when they go on sick calls, in view of the current outbreak of EVD. JSHU Chairman, Comrade Francis Nzenwata, who made the call in his post-election speech in Owerri, also reasoned that since health workers were the major victims of the EVD scourge, it became pertinent to increase the financial grants to the sector.

He said: “Members of JHSU are the most vulnerable as they come in close contact with all infected persons. I becomes imperative that their health hazard allowance be reviewed upwardly from the present N5,000.”

He said since the disease had no known cure for now, preventive actions must be taken to avoid its spread.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province has ordered priests to exercise caution and discretion when they go on sick calls in view of the current outbreak of EVD. The directive was part of a 13-point Ebola Pastoral Directive issued in Owerri and signed by the Metropolitan Chairman and Secretary, Archbishop Anthony J. V. Obinna and Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma respectively.

“Priests should exercise caution and discretion when they go on sick calls, particularly when they have to administer

AKUNYILI: Ezeife regretted not making her commissioner —Ogbuefi

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA — THE man who drafted the late Professor Dora Akunyili from the lecture halls of the University of Nigeria to politics, Chief Dan Ogbuefi, has said the first civilian governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, confessed to him that he would have made her a member of his cabinet, if he knew she possessed so much quality.

Why I want to be in Senate —Ohuabunwa

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — FORMER Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, who is aspiring to contest Abia North senatorial seat in 2015, said his desire arose out of the general feeling that the zone had lost out in the share of political and infrastructure development in the last 12 years of Senator Uche Chukwumerije‘s occupation of the position.

Ohuabunwa, who represented Arochukwu/ Ohafia in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, explained that the desire to to fill this gap had made him reject an appointment from the Presidency.

He lamented that Abia North senatorial zone had

the sacrament of anointing of the sick,” the bishops directed.

The chuch urged Catholic faithful not to panic, adding that they must resist the temptation of allowing fear, anxiety and rumour to becloud their common sense.

On how to handle funerals, the bishops said: “The remains of the dead should be very carefully handled before and during funerals to avoid the risk and threat of infection.

“In case of outright death through the Ebola virus disease, special arrangements will be made in consultation with the diocese and medical practitioners.”

nothing to show for the 12 years of Senator Uche Chukwumerije’s representation.

The zone, he said, had not had a vibrant senatorial representation in the last 12 years, saying he wanted to go there to fill the gap.

He said: “In 2007, I returned on my volition because I felt that I should move. As you grow, you give others chance and as we grow in democracy, zoning will no longer matter, merit will take over.

“At the time I wanted to go to the Senate the state had been polarized along political lines and then the agreement of return of all political office holders in the PDP in the state denied me the opportunity."

Akunyili served Mrs. Njideka Ezeife, the then Anambra State first lady, in various capacities.

Ogbuefi, who is the Ide of Agulu, Akunyili’s home town, said in a tribute to the former Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, who died of cancer on June 7, 2014, that the performance of Akunyili in all the offices she handled after serving his wife showed that she was an embodiment of knowledge.

She would be buried on Thursday.

According to Ogbuefi, when he first met Dora in the late 1980s, he did not know that she will turn out to be an excellent leader, adding that Ezeife told him that he regretted not making her a commissioner when he came in contact with her.

He said: “When my wife and I met Professor Akunyili at her Agulu residence few weeks before her death, little did we know that we were meeting for the last time.

When I met her in the late 1980s through her husband Chike, I saw in her humility, openness, service to humanity, and desire to serve others.

“I didn’t hesitate to push her into political appointment away from her lectureship at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. She impressed me so much anytime we were holding Agulu Peoples Union, APU, action committee meetings or during functions as she humbled herself to serve people cheerfully."

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Impeachment: I will return to my seat —Nyako …says he cannot support PDP

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

A

BUJA — FORTY days after being removed from office, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) has expressed hope that he will return to his post since his traducers did not follow the laid down procedure in ousting him.

Nyako, who has already filed an appeal at the Appeal Court against his impeachment, said there were justifiable reasons to prove that he was unjustly sent packing from his office by his opponents, who breached all the rules all in their desperate bid to get him out.

Nyako in a statement made available to Vanguard in Abuja yesterday, by his media adviser, Mr. Sajoh Ahmed, said he was confident that the court would return him to office since the process leading to his forceful and undemocratic sack was illegal.

The former governor said he was optimistic the Nigerian judiciary, which is blessed with men of integrity and honour, would not find it difficult to restore him to his position given

the gamut of evidence that his opponents violated all the provisions of the law in edging him out for political reasons.

He said he was confident that since the judiciary had in the past upturned the removal of governors Joshua Dariye of Plateau, Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo and Peter Obi of Anambra, it would not be difficult for him to be restored since he was forced out of office by desperate elements.

While remaining upbeat about his return to office, Nyako urged his supporters in the state to embrace the current reality and prepare for the October 15 byelection, which he believes would be a repeat of the case in Anambra State when Andy Uba assumed office after winning an election, only to vacate office after 16 days when the courts returned Peter Obi.

I can't support PDP

Nyako also vowed to remain within the APC and support only APC candidates in all elections at all levels and at all times.

He said his faith in the APC was bolstered by the fact that the

party has proved to be truly democratic and progressive by the manner it has handed over its nomination process to the people at the grassroots as opposed to those who hand over the process to some unknown political godfathers in Abuja or the state capitals.

The former governor denied claims that he was supporting a certain PDP governorship aspirant for the forthcoming byelection, saying that his support

remains with the APC at all times.

He said: “Anyone who supports a PDP candidate in the state has done so in exercise of his or her democratic rights as citizens but not as a result of a directive from Admiral Nyako or in support of his political position.

“This clarification is necessary in order to debunk the rumour being peddled by some mischief makers in Adamawa State.”

Atedo Peterside appointed to Standard Bank Group Board

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TANDARD Bank Group Limited has announced the appointment of Atedo Peterside as a non executive director to its board and the board of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited with effect from August 22, 2014.

Mrs. Sola David-Borha, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, in a statement, said she was pleased that Mr. Atedo Peterside, Chairman and Founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc was joining the board of directors of Standard Bank Group Limited as well as the board of directors of The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

Reacting to his appointment, Peterside said that he will be shedding some of his private sector responsibilities in Nigeria in order to discharge his new overseas role effectively.

Peterside obtained a B.Sc. degree in Economics from The City University, London and M.Sc. in Economics from London School of Economics & Political Science and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Science.

He is currently the chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, which is part of the Standard Bank Group and a director of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Presco Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and the chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc. He was the chairman of the Committee on Corporate Governance of Public Companies in Nigeria.

JAMB bars candidates without ICT knowledge

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

C M Y K

BUJA—THE Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, has stated that students and candidates not computer literate will not be allowed to write any examination coordinated by the board from 2015.

This came on a day the Senate President, Senator David Mark, and JAMB registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, harped on the importance of proper education among youths, saying it was the panacea to curb youth restiveness and other social vices in a country.

The JAMB registrar, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the memorial Golf tournament in honour of his late wife, Professor Odusola Ojerinde, in Otukpo, Benue State, said part of efforts to improve education in Nigeria, in line with global best practices, was the introduction of Computer Based Test, CBT, for all the board’s examinations.

He announced that any student or candidate who was not computer (ICT) literate with effect from 2015, would have no business with JAMB examinations, adding that the Board of JAMB would not compromise on it.

Ojerinde, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said it was for that reason that JAMB embarked on the establishment of Computer Based Centres across the country preparatory for all its examinations.

FG charges NIS on tight security at borders

By Favour Nnabugwu

A

BUJA—INTERIOR Minister, Abba Moro, has charged the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to collaborate with other security agencies at the nation’s borders to fight insurgency and cross border crimes.

Moro, who gave the charge at the 2014 ComptrollerGeneral’s annual conference and stakeholder’s forum in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the service in Abuja last weekend, urged immigration officers to double their efforts in the fight against crime, insurgency and the spread of Ebola throughout the borders.

“We owe Nigeria and Nigerians the duty of securing our borders in spite of the security challenges the country is facing now.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service has been participating actively in the fight against insurgency in the North East and cross border organised crimes and criminality.

“We have lost some officers in the line of duty but I am pleased to note that in spite of all odds and challenges, our officers and men are fighting on,” he said.

The Minister expressed concern over the unmanned 1,400 illegal border routes in the country, noting that while there were only 84 approved land routes across the over 4,000 square kilometre border, the over 1,400 illegal routes caused serious security implications for the country.

“The un-demarcated and poorly marked borders make settlement of people in border communities intertwined and stringent control by the service apparently difficult,” he added.

He also called for the construction of border plazas, equipped with radars, sensors, cargo and document scanners and modern border patrol aircraft, boats, vehicles and communication gadgets.

The minister noted that through enhanced border patrols, and collaboration with Port Health Officials, the spread of the Ebola virus disease had been curtailed.

The Minister of Interior also informed that the Federal Government planned to recruit 5,000 officers into the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, over the next five years.

He said recruitment was aimed at enabling the service increase the number of officers manning the country’s 4,400 square kilometer borders.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 —15

Alpha May Club holds Itsekiri family meeting

MEETING: From left, Mr. E. Amomuogharan, Mr. B Eyoyibo, Chairman, Alpha May Club; Mr. Johson Ayomike, and Mr. Ekpoko Edward, during family meeting of Itsekiri leaders of thoughts, at Chevron Recreation Club, Gbagada, Lagos, weekend. Photos: Shola Oyelese

ADAMAWA ELECTION: Idi Hong promises to foster

unity

By Umar Yusuf

F

ORMER MINISTER of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, weekend, said his intention to join the gubernatorial race in Adamawa State on the platform of the PDP was to unite the various ethnic groups as a basis for social and economic development of the state.

The one-time secretary of the PDP in the state, who made this known at the formal announcement of his intent to the party leadership in Yola, promised to turn around the fortune of the state.

The former minister told newsmen in an interview that he obtained the form for a rescue mission to save Adamawa State from total collapse and wished to use his

privileged position as one of the most conversant with the plights of the state and therefore, regard the aspiration to bring about social transformation of the state.

According to Hong: "Adamawa had never been so polarised as in the last regime. I am out to vie for the office of Governor of Adamawa State for rescue mission urgently as the state is in the lowest stage of its development, hence the need to rescue it from imminent disasters that may follow its collapse.

"We have not seen impressive progress and improvements as other states have witnessed in term of infrastructure and social transformation which require serious-minded people to rise to the occasion and rescue it from total collapse.�

From left, Mr. Ekpoko Edward, Mr. Mene Brown, Mr. Oti Agboghoroma, and Tony Ede.

From left, Mrs. Olatilewa Edward, Mr. Hector Amiwero, and Dr. M. E. Ugbeye.

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 THE greatest threat facing the nation’s war against the Boko Haram and other Islamist insurgents has to do with the unprecedented acts of sabotage that the national assignment is facing. Never at any other time in the history of Nigeria had the army been so bedeviled by internal and external undermining of efforts to rid the country of terrorists and other enemies of her unity and progress.

The sabotage comes in so many forms.

It is both within and outside the confines of the armed forces. According to media reports, some military officers with sympathy for the cause of the insurgents sometimes reportedly divulge critical information about the plans of the military to undertake campaigns or even funnel military equipment to their partisans in the enemy camp. This, we learnt, has led to the unceremonious cancellation of such campaigns to avoid putting officers and men in danger of running into ambushes.

One of the greatest forms of the sabo tage is misinformation. Many sympathisers of Boko Haram are very eager to approach, mainly, the foreign media to say uncomplimentary things about our armed

Going tough against saboteurs forces . They create an impression of Boko Haram as an invincible force and Sambisa, their chosen camp, as an impregnable fortress. It is this misinformation and the subsequent avoidable losses in men and military material that give rise to the tales of real or imagined “mutinies” and protests among our men under arms.

The military high command, as well as their supervisory political authorities, must take firm steps to discourage acts of sabotage against our men and women confronting the terrorists. We are fully in support of the assurance by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Kenneth Minimah,

that the army will henceforth go tough on saboteurs and visit them with the strictest dictates of the law when nabbed and convicted of the crime.

We are also gratified to note that the army is on the verge of taking delivery of sophisticated equipment. It will surely boost morale among the troops and spur them to greater effort to flush the terrorists out of Nigeria.

We call on the mass media to redouble their efforts and throw their full support for the armed forces. More efforts should be made to de-emphasise the dissemination of sensational and unsubstantiated information because we may be unwittingly playing into the hands of the terrorists. It is important for media houses to take a closer hold of their online editions and minimise their use by the terrorists and their supporters to achieve their evil purposes.

The war on ter ror is not for the ar my, security agencies or the federal government alone. It is a collective effort. We must report suspected saboteurs to the appropriate authorities and keep our communities safe.

OPINION

By Okofu Ubaka

I

C M Y K

T is baffling that Itsekiris and Ijaws are still folding their hands and watching while policies that ought to be beneficial to their people are confined permanently to office drawers. It hurts to know that the Delta State government is most insensitive to the transportation problem prevalent in the riverine communities of the state.

No matter how it is explained, there is no justification in having so many buses in the hinterland, while the coastal communities of the state are neglected. In view of the sordid neglect, it is imperative to state here that the resources of these communities remain the economic mainstay of the state.

Yet, no meaningful development is taking place in the riverine communities of the state. At least, I can speak authoritatively on the neglect of the riverine communities.

While growing up, I drank water from oil platforms without minding whether it was drinkable or not.

Rather than draw up a master plan and embark on convincing development projects in the riverine communities of the state, the Delta government keeps feeding the people with the hoax that riverine communities are inaccessible, hence grossly underdeveloped. The riverine communities of the state are mainly in Burutu, Patani, Warri South-West, WarriNorth and Warri South, and part of Aboh in Ndukwa-East. These communities provide well over 97% of the state's collective resources, yet the inhabitants of these

Missing waterbuses for Delta coastal communities communities are denied all the basic social amenities. When I say all the basic amenities of life, I should be taken seriously here!

Last June, the Delta state Commissioner of Transport told the people of these communities , and Deltans in general, that the state government had acquired 130 waterbuses for the purpose of easing transportation in the creeks. Another June is here, yet nothing has been heard of government's plan to rescue the indigent people of these coastal communities from the claws of shylock private transporters.

For how long will government continue with this kind of policy somersault? For how long will successive Delta governments toy with the lives of the riverine dwellers?

The case is more pathetic when you take into account the fact that in spite of the fact that 3,533 tricycles, 750,600 regular buses and 50 Marco Polo buses were acquired by government, not one boat was sent to any of the riverine communities of the state! It is most unfortunate that we have people as representatives of these communities in government who are feigning ignorance of this glaring neglect.

Emotoghan Focados was a university mate at Delta State University, Abraka. Back home at Ayakuromo, his father was a teacher who must travel to Asaba, the state capital at the end of each passing month.

Today Emotoghan laments the economic

hardship and pains of travelling to Asaba.

This is similar to the hardship and pains Emotoghan's father suffered 12 years ago.

In the 1990s, Emotoghan's father spent between N250 and N400 to ferry down to Warri. Today, the cost of ferry ride from Ayakuromo to Warri has risen to between N3,000 and N3,500. There can not be any doubt that the exorbitant cost of riverine transportation has further worsened the economic situation in the coastal communities of the state. It beats one's imagination that the Delta State government could look on while people in these communities suffer abject neglect.

I have been to Tsekelewu, an Ijaw community in Warri-North. My stay at the community was hellish. It wasn't because the inhabitants were hostile, rather living in Tsekelewu was awful. A small bottle of Eva water sells for N150 while the big bottle goes for N250. I complained about the cost, and the seller, a native, and a woman of average age, drew my attention to the cost of transportation. I knew she had a reason, for I also paid through my nose to get to Tsekelewu. This is one of several economic hardships the people of Tsekelewu and several other riverine communities are exposed to daily.

In the late 1970s, the military administrator of then Bendel State was able to alleviated the hardship of the riverine dwellers through the introduction of ferry transportation across the costal communities of the state.

As a boy growing up in Koko, it was a pasttime for me and my siblings to troop down to the waterfront at the Beach area of Koko to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Odokun ferry boat whenever it was passing through Koko, en-route Oghoye. It was a ritual to us as children then . I was so much obsessed with the beauty of the Odokun that I longed for a voyage in it, but this could not be.

Former governor James Ibori made an effort in this direction, but he failed.

It cost N3000 to travel by speedboat from Sapele to Tsekelewu or Oghoye in WarriNorth. A journey from Koko to Sapele in Uduaghan's mass transit bus costs just N200. Sapele to Warri also costs the same amount of money. Ughelli to Warri is also about the same amount. This is also the situation for Abraka to Agbor Abraka to Sapele which used to cost N600 before the introduction of the Uduaghan mass transit scheme.

What does one make out of a situation where he has to up to N3000 travelling from where he lives to a point not particularly far away? Suffice to say that this injustice to people of the affected communities. We have seen the tricycle and the buses, we wait to the see the 130 waterbuses purchased by the Uduaghan administration. *Mr. Ubaka, a social critic, wrote from Koko, Warri- North LGA, Delta State.

AUGUST 25, 2014

AMCON offloads shares as stock market recovers N8.5trn in 5 yrs

By PETER EGWUATU

T

HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON may have begun to offload some of the shares it acquired from the non-performing loans of banks and other companies as the value of shares listed on the Nigerian stock market have rebounded to the level of 160.2 per cent or N8.5 trillion in five years.

Specifically, the market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE which represents the total value of shares listed on the exchange rose from N5.3 trillion in 2009 to close last week Thursday at N13.8 trillion. This shows that many companies whose share prices crashed to the lowest in 2009 have climbed up tremendously.

In the same vein, another stock market gauge, the All-Share Index , which reflects the price movement of shares rose by 84.9 per cent or 19,178 points from 22, 589 points in 2009 to close last week Thursday at 41,767 points.

AMCON spokesperson, Mr. Kayode Lambo, confirmed the upsurge in the share prices of listed stocks on the NSE to Vanguard, saying: “Yes, we know that the stock market has started bouncing back, so the shares that AMCON acquired by way of buying non-performing loans are being sold or will be sold. AMCON is holding shares in a lot of quoted companies.

The shares were used as collateral for the non-performing loans that AMCON was mandated to purchase and resolve. The shares came to AMCON’s possession as a result of settlements /resolutions."

When asked the volume of shares with AMCON, Lambo said: “We cannot get you the right figure now but remember that AMCON did not acquire all of them; some were given

to AMCON in settlement of debt.”

Continuing, he said: “AMCON acquired non-performing loans, backed by shares of listed companies.

The end process is that the corporation takes delivery of the non-performing loans, and the banks, instead of being stuck with illiquid, non-performing assets, have bonds that they will cash as they make new loans, and use the proceeds to fund the new loans. They

can create new portfolio of loans in line with CBN‘s prudential guidelines.

And as they make loans, they will be able to fund them.”

On the issue of sinking fund, the spokesperson for AMCON, had reassured banks under its debt recovery administration that contributions to the sinking fund would not go beyond the repayment period

Continues on page 18

FOUNDATION - President of ICAN, Mr. Chidi Ajaegbu, laying the foundation for the Accountancy lecture theatre donated by ICAN at the University of Benin

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Cover Story

Vocation and Technical Education – Key to improving Nigeria’s development. Part 4

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*MARKET ACCESS - From left: Director, Enterprise Development Center, Mr Peter Bankole; Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga; Head, Business Segment, Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Bidemi Ladipo, and Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Small Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Bature Masari, at Market Access Nigeria in Abuja, held at Ibeto Hotels, Gudu District, Abuja.

AMCON offloads shares as stock market recovers N8.5trn in 5 yrs of their loans.

S

ome shareholders have repeatedly claimed that commercial banks’ contributions to the sinking fund had eroded their dividend. The sinking fund was set up to assist AMCON meet its goals and also ensure that government will not bear the cost of financial crisis.

Under the sinking fund arrangement, each bank contributes 0.5 per cent of its total asset and another 0.5 per cent of 33 per cent of their off balance sheet items to the sinking fund.

Mr. Lambo said that banks would not contribute to the sinking fund beyond the 10 years when AMCON assignment would have been completed. He said that the loan (bond) was used to rescue the banks during the financial crisis that affected the financial industry in 2008.

“Contributing to the sinking fund stops immediately the loans are paid back. “The plan is that in 10 years, we believe that everything would have been resolved,” said Lambo.

He said that AMCON had already retired N1 trillion in 2013 out of the N3.8 trillion it owed, while it expected to redeem N800 billion in 2014.

On the divestment from the bridge banks, Lambo said that the corporation decided to start with Enterprise Bank and Mainstreet Bank, stressing that Keystone would be sold last.

Shareholders' reactions:

Reacting on the sale of some shares of AMCON, the Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PSAN, Mr. Boniface

Okezie, who spoke the minds of his the group said: “There is need for the corporation to be transparent in its dealings.

This is because the corporation is being run by tax payers' money. In the first place, if it is true that it has commenced the sale of those shares without the knowledge of the entire investing public, it is wrong. There should be public notice if any share is to be offloaded by AMCON so that people who are interested in buying them will do so in a

,

Continues from page 17

past when the market crashed. The upsurge in those shares is an indication that many of the companies quoted on the NSE are doing well. So my advice to my fellow shareholders is to forget the past and invest more in the market so that we don’t allow the foreign investors to take all the gains and dictate the direction of the market for us. The market is not bad, even in the past.

If it is true that it has commenced the sale of those shares without the knowledge of the entire investing public, it is wrong. There should be public notice if any share is to be offloaded by AMCON

transparent manner.”

Continuing, he said: “I keep saying it, there should be accountability in whatever AMCON does especially with regards to acquisition and sale of shares, so that the entire public knows what they spend and realise in their operations.

Most times, it is the banks' shareholders that bear the brunt of some of their activities such as the sinking fund and what have you. The shareholders are suffering from all those acquisitions they made in the past. It is illegality. Are the so called bridge banks not making it now?"

On the issue of the upsurge in the stock market, Okezie said: “Yes, the market is doing well, the issue is that the retail local investors are not taking opportunity because of the

,

The crash that we experienced was as a result of bad management of some companies. But, I still hope that the recent upsurge would be sustained if regulators and operators play the game very well to ensure that malpractices are checked.”

Reacting as well, the National Coordinator, Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PROSAN, Mr. Oderinde Taiwo said: “First, AMCON operations and conducts are anti-investment since inception.

Minority shareholders through various shareholders associations have in various fora criticized the activities of AMCON officials.

"To me, the sale of shares

Continues on page 19

HE focus is on the roles of technology and vocational education in enhancing entrepreneurial skills that will equip students for entrepreneurship education in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-driven technological environment. The world has become globalized and the future prosperity depends on comparative advantage. This comparative advantage hinges on people and their technical or technological sophistication.

Towards this, some crucial entrepreneurial and technical skills needed by the students in colleges of education (technical), polytechnics and universities to meet the trends in a global economy is analyzed.

Technology education is to be considered as the key agent of technology development, either as a way of developing human capacity, increasing the shield work force for modernization, industrialization, environmental development or as a matter of personnel freedom, developing capability and empowerment.

Technology education is increasingly recognized to be central to both the origins of technological development and challenges and to the prospects for successfully dealing with them (Alam, 2009).

Decision makers at all levels, need timely, reliable access to knowledge generated by technology and technical education to introduce rational policies that reflect a better global understanding of complex technical, economic, social, cultural and article issues concerning the society, and our environment. Technical decision making and priority setting is an integral part of overall development planning and formation of technology development strategies. Above all, technology education is a human right and, as such, should receive priority in the allocation of national resources. It has become very necessary not to only keep technology education bound to the role of manufacturing skilled manpower but also to economic development and global economy. In Nigeria, technology education was previously not seen as fundamental for national development, or for the economic development, but for the school dropouts, and other social and political development within the nation and for individuals. Hallak (1990) argues that technology education is also linked to human resources development and that this has an impact on more than just economic growth, but also an impact on the wider development of individuals and societies. According to him, it contributes to: (a). Individual creativity, improved participation in the economic, social and cultural roles in society. (b). Improved understanding of an individual and heir respect for others, thus promoting social cohesion and material understanding (c) Improvement in health and nutrition. (d). Improved chances of economic development. (e). Improved technological development. (f). Socio-cultural change. (g). Democracy and equality (h). Ecological development/quality of life (increasing people’s awareness of their environments).

From our analysis so far, it is clear that modernization and economic development, depends on investment and appreciation of modern trends in technology education. According to Woodhall (1997) investment in technological education and training produces benefits for the individual and for society as whole.

The roles of technical and vocational education in enhancing entrepreneurial skills using information and communication technology is very important in training for self-employment, selfreliance and skills acquisition now that government cannot employ every graduate. This could be achieved through the development of entrepreneurial skills in technology and vocational education through information and communication technology.

Technology and vocational education programme of our tertiary institutions should be directed to focus on enhancing the training for entrepreneurship in ICT so as to be functional in today’s world of work and the global economy. In this period of mass unemployment and global economic fortunes, only the best can survive by being self-employed. The tertiary institutions where technology and vocational education programme is offered should encourage and enhance entrepreneurial skills of students through constant review of the curriculum to reflect the technological changes and emerging technology in today’s ICT driven technical environment. Technical educators should involve technological, technical, and business organization, government, NGOs and even successful industrialists in their service delivery to the students.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 19

N

IGERIA is again on the path towards a debt trap set as usual by its quest and taste for nice things. The country is accumulating debt without any visible alternative of paying back the loans apart from oil. In other parts of the world, countries borrow to improve their capital infrastructure that aid further production. This helps in no small way to pay off such debt. In those other countries, citizens and corporate bodies pay their taxes regularly to aid development. Nigeria’s tax to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world.

With oil prices swinging and with more oil being found around the world, Nigeria

Nigeria climbing another debt cliff of concern to all Nigerians considering the nation’s recent experience with the Paris Club of creditors.

Nigerians will remember that in 1985, Nigeria owed $8 billion to the Paris Club of creditors out of $19 billion of its foreign debt.

By the end of 2004, about 11 years after, Nigeria owed the Paris Club $31 billion out of $36 billion of its foreign debt. The rise in the debt stock was as a result of interest rates, interest arrears and interest charged on the arrears. These are huge arrears, penalties and interests accumulated over the years. In December 2000, rescheduling agreements made by the Federal Government showed the principal balance of the nation’s debt was $1.48 billion. But the principal arrears were $10.31 billion; interest arrears $4.45 billion and late interest $5.18 billion. As a result, over $6 billion increase was recorded on Nigeria’s debt profile between 2002-2004. This added up to $31.42 billion that Nigeria was said to be owing the Paris Club as at 2002. To exit the Paris Club, Nigeria made the total payment of $12.4 billion to Paris Club and Britain, the largest creditor received $3 billion.

Years after, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala who assisted Nigeria to exit the club of creditors is again presiding over the accumulation of another round of debt that could snowball into a debt trap.

In an attempt to comfort

Nigerians that all is well, the Director-General, Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo assured that the debt remained sustainable at a ratio of 12.51 to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. But he contradicted himself immediately by saying that the managers of the nation’s debt would apply more caution in further borrowing in order not to run into the crisis of debt overhang, which the

appreciable progress. The nation has continued to import goods it has no business importing. Nothing has changed, just the faces of the economic managers whose major concern is gathering in Abuja at the end of every month to share oil money.

DMO-DG said: “The sovereign debt is doing well.

Currently, our total sovereign domestic debt for federal, states and the FCT is about N8.9

,

has been growing its debt profile.

Nigeria’s total debt stock has risen to a very high level of N10.4 trillion as at June 2014.

The rising debt profile of the country is made up of external debt stock of N1.46 trillion ($9.377billion) and Federal Government domestic debt of N7.421 trillion ($47.653billion).

States in the federation have a domestic debt stock of N1.551trillion or $9.963 billion. The Federal Government share of the rising external debt stock stands at $6.363billion. As at December 2013, however, the total stock of external debt was $8.821 billion, indicating a rise of $556 million in the first half of 2014. But as at 31st December 2012, Federal Government’s external debt was $4.14 billion as against a total debt stock of both federal and state governments of $6.5 billion.

A break down of the rising debt profile showed that Federal Government’s external and domestic debts amounted to N8.8 trillion or $57.030 billion as at the end of June 2014. Federal Government borrowing from multilateral institutions amounted to $3.826 billion while loans from bilateral sources mainly China Exim Bank and Eurobond amounted to $2.537 billion. In the case of states, a total of $2.904 billion was sourced from multilateral institutions, $108.9 million was obtained as loans from bilateral sources, thus making states' total outstanding external debt as at June 2013, $3.013 billion.

The growing debt should be

The frightening thing is that the Federal Government raised additional $1 billion from the international capital market in 2013 following which several Nigerian firms, especially banks, have also gone to the international capital market to raise funds for their operations

nation once suffered. Nwankwo is just being a clever civil servant. All is not well. The debt is mounting and the nation’s revenue profile is dwindling.

Oil production is dropping, traditional buyers of Nigeria's oil are finding alternatives. If the prices of crude crash as it did in the 80s that led to the nation’s inability to pay its debt as at when due, the country will once again be in a strait. For several years, Nigeria has been preaching economic diversification without any

,

trillion and external debt is about $9.38 billion. The question to ask Dr. Nwankwo is: how well is the debt doing? A debt is a debt.

These men should stop deceiving Nigerians. You are accumulating debt for the next generation of Nigerians. The last debt overhang is what has caused the level of unemployment in the country today.

The present insecurity ravaging the unity of the country was as a result of the indiscretion of those who led the nation to

wanton borrowing in the 70s.

Today, while those men and their children are living in luxury, the younger generation is wallowing in abject poverty.

The government would want Nigerians to swallow the bait that the nation’s current debt/ G.P. ratio is about 12.51 per cent which is much lower than the 56 per cent total public to G.P for countries in Nigeria’s group saying that this is not an indication that Nigeria can afford to borrow without caution.

In spite of the rebasing which means we have more capacity to borrow, we are not going to borrow without caution. In fact, we are going to be more cautious, especially because our tax-G.P ratio is low. Many economic agents do not pay their taxes.” This is where this government has failed. If many economic agents are not paying their taxes and oil revenue is dwindling, what has it done to fill the gap? This is dangerous for the future.

The frightening thing is that the Federal Government raised additional $1 billion from the international capital market in 2013 following which several Nigerian firms, especially banks have also gone to the international capital market to raise funds for their operations.

Six companies issued nine bonds within the last one year, from which about $3.4 billion was raised. This development does not look promising considering Nigeria's previous experience with borrowing from the international capital market.

Cover Story Continues from page 18 of some of these companies without public awareness is wrong. Even the issue of the nationalized banks is still not settled as cases still in court are unresolved. So if AMCON is selling some of those shares acquired as a result of bad debts, then it should be disclosed that certain volume of shares would be sold on the NSE. Meanwhile, it will be difficult for AMCON to get foreign investors because of lack of respect for the rule of law. Also, the Federal Government should call AMCON to order.

On the assessment of the stock market, he said: “My assessment of the recent upsurge to over N13 trillion capitalisation is good for our market. I think it will be difficult to sustain this trend since we are approaching election period. However,

AMCON offloads shares as stock market recovers N8.5trn in 5 yrs aggressive education and regulation from the regulators are needed.

Also, stakeholders’ positive contribution is also needed.

Lastly, another hindering factor is the fact that 2015 is our election year and experience has shown that politicians do mop fund from all the sectors of the economy including the capital market.

The twin market indicators dipped marginally by 0.05 per cent (5 basis points) to both close on Wednesday last week at 41,789.56 and N13.80 trillion respectively. Also, investment activity and levels plunged by 36.70 per cent and 49.58 per cent, respectively.

Insurance and consumer good stocks were not spared as the NSE Insurance Index and NSE

Consumer Good Index dipped by 0.17 per cent and 0.21 perv cent, respectively.

Analyst’s opinion:

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eanwhile, further analysis of the market shows that the market experienced significant sell-offs in most high cap stocks on Wednesday last week, led by Seplat

Petroleum, Nestle and Nigerian Breweries Plc which shed 2.16 per cent, 0.36 per cent and 0.28 per cent, respectively. Also, the market breadth tilted in favour of 26 losers to 18 gainers.

“Barring significant gains by the blue chip stocks, we expect the prevailing market posture to continue due to investors’ current apathy to the market,

analysts opined.

According to them: “Whilst we await inflows in form of Federal Account Allocation funds (FAA), rates are expected to take a cue from the marginal rates. The bond market was bullish across most of the traded maturities. The biggest loser in yield terms was the June 2019 series, shedding about 20 points on the day. We expect demand to persist as both local and offshore interests keep bond prices elevated for the rest of the week.

We have confidence in Nigerian economy — Sona Agro

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he Managing Director of Sona Agro Allied Foods, Mr. Subramanian Murugesan said the company has confidence in the Nigerian economy.

The Managing Director made this assertion at the unveiling of the new biscuits production lines

at the company’s Ota factory, where he said: “our investment in this country and the continuous upgrading of equipment and expansion of production facilities is a vote of confidence on the Nigerian economy.” Continuing, he stated; “We believe that there is huge

market for our products and we are already planning for future expansion in other product portfolios also. We also see Nigeria as the export hub of products to other parts of Africa in future. We quite focused on our vision of producing top quality products for the world from here.”

20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Business & Economy

Entrepreneur decries banks non-chalance toward home grown businesses

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inventor and entrepreneur, Mr Valentine Olawani, has attributed the poor level of commercialisation of domestic scientific breakthroughs to refusal of financial institutions to buy into home grown businesses. Olawani who is the Chief Executive Officer, Value Otentic Antenna Ltd, Lagos, said in Lagos that entrepreneurs’ inability to access credits were responsible for their stunted growth.

The Value Otentic Antenna boss, who lauded the Federal Government policies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs’), urged it to go a step further by subsidising raw materials and providing interest-free loans for local investors and manufacturers.

“The raw materials could be subsidised using a policy instrument that will reduce the price of materials by about 80 per cent. The price reduction will be possible through the national and state assemblies enactment of friendly laws targeted primarily at stimulating local manufacturing,” he said.

Olawani also canvassed for the government to re-study subsisting regulations on domestic manufacturing and importation with a view to encouraging interested Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Customs destroy prohibited poultry products in Badagry

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he Marine Western Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it has seized and destroyed 42 cartons of prohibited frozen poultry products in Badagry, Lagos State.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ms Ngozi Okwara, told journalists in Lagos that the products were intercepted in Badagry.

Okwara said that the products destroyed were valued at N273,000 and urged smugglers to desist from bringing prohibited items into the country. She added that the command’s Controller, Zakka Audu, had zerotolerance for the smuggling of prohibited items.

Nigeria waiting for G-20 deal on ‘bail-in’ bond for banks

By OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor, with agency reports

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HE Federal Government and the Financial Regulatory Authority may tap into the G-20 proposal that will require the top banks in the country to issue special bonds as capital that can assist them in times of crises. Sources close to the Presidency disclosed that if the G-20 proposal scales through, Nigeria will take a cue from it.

In the international financial community, government leaders are expected to agree in November after the IMF/ World Bank meeting in October that the world’s top banks must issue special bonds to increase the amount of capital which can be tapped in a crisis instead of calling on taxpayers to come to the rescue.

The bonds, to be known as “Gone Concern Loss Absorption capacity” or GLAC, are seen by regulators as essential to stopping the world’s biggest lenders from being “too big to fail,” Reuters reported.

According to international financial sources, the plans are being drafted by the Financial Stability Board, the regulatory task force of the Group of 20 economies which declined to comment ahead of a G20 summit in November, when G20 leaders will discuss the reform before it is put out to public consultation.

The reform would put in place the final major piece of G20 regulation on banking as the global body turns to a “postcrisis” agenda of fostering economic growth and bedding down the rules it has approved.

There had been unease in Asia and parts of Europe over how big the bond issues need to be to provide this cushion but there is now a new optimism amongst bankers and regulators that the G20 will reach a deal in November. “The industry is definitely in favour of making resolution, supported by an appropriately flexible concept of GLAC, work. That is the key pending aspect on ending toobig-to-fail,” said Andres Portilla, director of regulatory affairs at the Institute of International Finance, a Washington-based banking and insurance lobby.

“What is likely to happen is that there will be a consultative proposal, but without all the detail that a lot of people would like,” Portilla added. However, a G20 source said a deal was not only expected but would also be more detailed than some parties anticipate, which is essential for conducting a thorough impact assessment

before finalizing the rules.

“The authorities and the FSB are working to have a proposal that will contain sufficient granularity of numbers to be a meaningful consultation and quantitative impact study to calibrate the final rule,” the source said.

Top banks expect they will have to hold GLAC bond capital equivalent to about 10 per cent of their risk-weighted assets on top of their core capital buffers which currently stand at around 10 per cent. But they hope for some leeway if they can show that they can already be wound down smoothly in a crisis because of simplified structures.

The G20 source poured cold water on this, saying regulators believe all the world’s top 29

banks earmarked for tougher supervision will need a significant cushion of such socalled “bail-in” bonds for some time to show they can be shut without public aid.

Regulators ultimately want to price bank debt better and end the cheaper funding that toobig-to-fail banks enjoy because markets assume governments would never allow them to collapse.

Efforts by the authorities so far are having an impact. “We have been lowering our systemic support assumptions for banks or changing their outlooks to ‘negative’ to reflect the ongoing effort by governments to try to eliminate that support,” said Johannes Wassenberg, managing director of banking

at Moody’s credit rating agency in Europe.

In May, Moody’s lowered its outlook to ‘negative’ on more than 80 banks in the European Union after the bloc approved a law requiring banks to hold a buffer of potential bail-in debt like GLAC. “Adopting GLAC is the final chapter in reforming the condition of banks,” said Thomas Huertas, a former UK banks supervisor and now a regulatory consultant with EY. The plans for bail-in bonds are among the last of what G20 officials call the “heavy lifting” on banking industry reforms that came in the aftermath of the financial crisis.

With much of the work on defining how to make banking safer completed, the G20’s focus will shift to implementation of its rules and behaviour at banks after lenders were fined for rigging the LIBOR interest rate benchmark, with similar allegations in the currency markets now emerging.

*PRESENTATION - From left: Second runner-up in the 30 and above category, Nnamani Chinyere, overall winner, Ifeabunike Nkiruka, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Wole Adedeji and first runner-up, Egublonupius Cornelius during presentation of prize at the Maltina Dance All season eight (MDA8) audition in Abuja.

ICPC, NAICOM agree to jointly move against insurance fraudsters

By CALEB AYANSINA

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HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have agreed to collaborate to rid insurance sector of fraudsters.

To this end, ICPC will draw guidelines for over 600 brokers and 59 insurance companies to address corrupt prone-processes in the Insurance sector. Chairman of ICPC, Barrister Ekpo Nta stated this while hosting a NAICOM delegation led by the chairman of its governing board, Prince Chibudom Nwuche during a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Nta noted that people did not know the value of insurance, be it property or health insurance, until they are confronted with problems.

He further said that the sector was facing challenges of acceptance because people who know about insurance had lost confidence in it due to the activities of unscrupulous elements in the sector. ICPC boss maintained that most Nigerians walk

about with insurance document of their properties like car, thinking that they have insurance cover, only to discover when they have problem that the paper was fake, promising to work with NAICOM to restore integrity back into the sector.

According to him, “biggest product of insurance is integrity. If you take integrity out of the sector, nobody will patronize you.” Nta admonished NAICOM to evolve a strategy that will restore people’s confidence back to the sector, calling on car dealers to concentrate on car product and leave insurance issue for the specialists.

He also called on NAICOM to embark on massive sensitization programme for people to be acquainted with insurance matters, adding that such seminar would be needed by ICPC operatives to be able to handle insurance matters, taking cognizance of the fact that insurance is a specialized area in the financial sector.

Earlier, Nwuche said the purpose of the visit was to deepen the role of insurance in the country’s economy.

He said insurance in western countries plays pivotal roles in the development of the economy, “but here, the case is deferent,” noting the situation necessitates their collaboration with ICPC.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 21

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he NATION’s second editorial for that day focused on the stagnation in oil exploration as a result of which Nigeria is now lagging behind Angola in sub-Saharan Africa.

Angola is also gradually moving to overtake Nigeria in crude production. Several reasons, all familiar to knowledgeable observers, have been adduced for this.

Chief among these is unchecked oil theft, divestment by multinational oil companies, vandalism, and insecurity in the Niger Delta. Expatriates and other highly skilled technical employees of oil companies are still at risk of being kidnapped and held for ransom – more than five years after amnesty with so called dissidents. The failure to pass the PIB 2, after a similar failure to pass PIB 1 in 2011 is also a critical factor. Thus, oil export, which continues to be the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, is no longer the engine of growth it once was and instead is leading the retreat from stronger GDP growth.

Even then the future of crude oil, as the dominant element in the Nigerian economy, is demonstrably bleak. The United States of America, once the nation’s largest customer, no longer purchases Nigerian oil; and, it is now an exporter – eager to expand its market share globally. The US is not alone in the search for more oil customers worldwide.

Mexico, Angola, and Ghana,

as well as Sudan, also aim to increase their crude exports.

When they do, the downward pressure on prices will be irresistible.

Some oil producing countries in the Arab world, notably Iraq, Libya and Iran are currently producing well below their capacity. Resolution of the conflicts in those countries will certainly bring more supplies to the global market and prices will plummet.

Quite clearly, the current crude oil price globally is unsustainable in the long run and the volume of our exports is also not guaranteed. In fact, both now depend on continued turmoil in the oil producing Arab countries – since global growth forecasts have been trimmed down by the International Monetary Fund, IMF. Nothing demonstrates this fact better than the decline in crude oil revenue which had also driven down the Federal Allocated Revenue to the three tiers of government.

Consequently, several states are now struggling to pay their staff salaries and close to half of them actually owe their employees up to two months unpaid salaries. With only four months to go in the year, it is almost certain that all governments, in Nigeria, will experience shortfall in revenue estimates. One Federal Government agency, whose Chairman of the Board spoke to me on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the institute he heads had received only 25% of its

Nigerian Economy: Driving furiously into sunset capital expenditure budget; and it is not expecting more than 40% for the year. He is not alone. The Minimum Wage of N18,000, which the NLC secured for public servants have now become a mere paper agreement – while Labor appears helpless

,

“One of the most interesting ironies of the Nigerian economic situation is the way in which some of the most crucial indicators of growth have actually declined….”. THE NATION, August 20, 2014

rising at only about 2.8%.

Over time that is the maximum growth the sector can hope to acvieve. So, for the Nigerian economy to continue to grow at 5%, or more, there is a need to look elsewhere.

Two major sectors, oil and telecoms are

With only four months to go in the year, it is almost certain that all governments, in Nigeria, will experience shortfall in revenue estimates

in the face of the realities that have rendered the agreement they signed with government in 2011 null and void in practice. With government spending constituting a major proportion of GDP, not even a miracle can produce anything other than slower growth in 2014.

Rebasing the economy, which propelled the Nigerian economy to the top in Africa, also revealed that telecoms, especially the GSM had increased its share of the GDP. But, frequently overlooked is the fact that Nigeria had achieved teledensity of close to 90% faster than, perhaps, any other country in history. At any rate, GSM growth is selflimiting. Once 100% of the population is hooked to it, the growth slows down to, at most, the rate of growth of the population itself. In the case of Nigeria, population is

,

already leading the drive into slow growth.

Agriculture is another sector which will suffer setbacks – as long as the war in the Northeast zone persists. Nobody needs a Ph.D in economics to know that with vast areas of the zone under siege by Boko Haram, no farming is taking place in the worst hit areas.

And as the insurgents demonstrate their increasing capability to occasionally hit some parts of the Northwest as well, the areas which will experience reduced output of agricultural products will widen. In the Middle Belt, Benue in particular, the face off between Fulani herdsmen and farmers point to another zone where food cultivation will be sharply reduced.

As if those were not enough calamities to contend with, Ebola, has now taken centre

stage across the ECOWAS region with immeasurable economic consequences.

ECOWAS nations constitute Nigeria’s largest export market and the also account for a good chunk of international travel. Since the Ebola epidemic erupted, bothers have been closed and the lengthy queues at airlines counters by passengers ECOWAS-bound have disappeared. Airlines are counting mounting losses; so are traders. Meanwhile, foreigners from outside ECOWAS, who can afford to postpone their trips to Nigeria, are staying away until it is safe to travel to Nigeria again. That may not happen until next year. The earnings this year are gone for good. Most of the businesses directly affected are hoping that the situation will be brought under control soon. Otherwise, most of 2015 might also be gone by the time normalcy is restored.

GSM NETWORKS SERVICE Once upon a time, we honestly believed that the private sector delivers better services than the public sector. But, in less than ten years, Nigeria’s GSM service providers are already forcing us to ask a question Babangida asked when SAP was failing. “Why is it that something that works well elsewhere fails in Nigeria?” I subscribe to the three largest networks – all of which now provide atrocious service. Only a blockhead will port. It serves no purpose.

Visit: www.delesobowale.com or www.facebook.com/ biolasobowale

E-Commerce 'Internet fraud plagues online business in Nigeria' STORIES BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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o-Founder of Nigeria’s online letting agency, Tolet.com.ng, Mr. Suleiman Balogun has said that online related fraud that has come to be associated with Nigeria over time, has continued to threaten the growth of online business in the country.

Tolet.com.ng, an online letting agency based in Lagos, helps people find apartment houses to rent.

Balogun said this has led to continued mistrust and scepticism about online business among the people thereby slowing the growth of the sector. “The Yahoo Yahoo stigma is still bedevilling the online industry in Nigeria. For us as a business, trying to ward off the toga of fraud associated with anything online has been a great challenge. For instance you have people,

especially older citizens who are persuaded to embrace our services but who still exhibit lots of scepticisms.

They are still concerned about the genuineness and legitimacy of online services, so they end up visiting physically to see and identify with the people behind the business before making a decision to explore the services,” he said.

While admitting that the perception is gradually reducing, he noted that tolet.com.ng, as a way of tackling that perception challenge, has tried to live up to the expectations of clients.

“To deal with that, we ensure that we keep our promises to our clients because one bad experience from one customer can easily spread and then cause discontent and mistrust among the users of our service,” he said.

On the operations of the company, Balogun said the company using its web

platform has made significant impacts on the letting space in Nigeria as it has helped thousands of Nigerians solve their accommodation needs conveniently and within a short period of time. With over 25,000 web traffic daily he said, Tolet.com team will continue to focus on providing transparency in apartment rental process as well as facilitating easy access to available properties and basic information needed to make the right decisions.

“Without these,” he argued, “one would have little option but to be subjected to undue stress by estate agents and will sometimes have to drive through an area for hours and wouldn’t be able to know which properties are up for rent. So we have made it very much easier for people to access properties that are available for rent. And

instead of someone looking for a house visiting ten to fifteen properties trying to make a decision, our

platform allows one to visit as much as thousands of listings available on our website."

Acess Bank, Visa partner Shoptomydoor on online shipping

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ccess Bank Plc, in conjunction with international payment processor, Visa has entered into partnership with shoptomydoor.com, an online shipping company to allow the bank’s Visa Card holders the opportunity to shop online in the U.S, U.K. and China.

In a statement, the bank said the partnership will also allow the card holders enjoy exclusive shipping discounts directly to their doorsteps, and shop from the world’s major international retailers online as if they are local residents and also have it shipped in a few business days.

Speaking on the

partnership, Acess Bank’s Executive Director, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu, said that the introduction of Shoptomydoor.com platform was a deliberate attempt by the bank to make financial services easy and accessible to its customers.

“This partnership offers Access Bank Visa Card holders various discount services which include free sign up on shoptomydoor.com portal, free 12 month premium account, continuous discount from selected online stores and 10 per cent discount on low shipping cost till 31 st December, 2014, among others.

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Banking & Finance

Skye Bank, others launch multi purpose card for NURTW

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kye Bank Plc has introduced a Security Verified Identity Card (S-Vid) for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) as part of measures to build a reliable data base for the NURTW and integrating its members into the financial system.

The card which was launched in Abuja on Thursday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, is a multi-functional card which includes features like insurance purse, mobile wallet and an identity card.

Skye Bank which is the lead bank on the project is working in partnership with other organisations like Globacom, G 3 Limited. A few other banks are also working on the project.

While speaking at the launch of the card in Abuja, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the card is aimed at reducing financial crimes and identity theft, describing it as not just a card but ‘it’s your identity, it’s your security, and it’s your gift to posterity’ According to him, the card will bear the holder’s photo, the logo of the holder’s organization, the s-vid logo and the bank’s logo.

Oguntayo who said the card would boost the cashless initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also said it would serve as a useful tool of financial inclusion.

The Skye Bank boss said the card would serve as a corporate identity card, mobile wallet and insurance purse. He listed the features of the card as personal accident insurance cover to card holder of N 1 million against accidental death and N850,000 against permanent disability.

CBN clarifies charges on ATM

BY PETER EGWUATU

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has thrown more light on the introduction of Fees on Remote–On- Us, Automated Teller Machine, ATM transaction, saying cash withdrawal on ATM of a customer's bank is free.

The CBN noted that the clarification became necessary following mixed reactions from the general public when the announcement of introduction of Fees on Remote-On-Us was made.

The CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Ibrahim Mu’azu, in statement said “ The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has noted some public comments on its recent circular in respect of fees/ charges on the extended use of other banks’ Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). These reactions have been mixed with most commentators showing great understanding and other stakeholders expressing clear lack of understanding of the rationale

for this decision of the Bankers’ Committee.”

According to him “Cash withdrawal at the ATMs of a customer ’s bank is free.” He explained that Remote-on-Us” transaction is when a card holder goes to the ATM machine of another Bank other than his or her own bank to make a withdrawal.

Continuing, Mu’azu, said “In December 2012, the CBN, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, transferred the payment of N100 fee on “Remoteon-us” ATM cash withdrawal transactions to issuing banks. The N100 was never removed. It was only transferred to customer’s bank to pay, and this was intended to encourage/promote the use of ATMs nationwide. Having sufficiently raised customers awareness, the first three “Remote-on-Us” transactions in a month are FREE for the card holder but paid for by the issuing bank. The N65 charge only applies when a customer withdraws cash from another bank’s

ATM other than that of his/her bank.

The N65 starts to apply from the 4th transaction at another banks’ ATM in a month.”

Buttressing further on the introduction of Remote- on- Us, he said “The charge is not intended to discourage financial inclusion. The CBN will not endorse any anticustomer policy. Charging of fees on interbank networks is a widely acceptable practice globally.”

On the reasons for ATM charges, he said “This to ensure customers get better services; To increase healthy competition among the banks; Transaction volumes at other banks’ ATM have increased astronomically due to the free Cash withdrawal at other banks’ ATM; The wear and tear as well as the frequency of servicing the ATMs have increased significantly. Indeed, some customers were beginning to abuse the use of ATMs through countless daily withdrawals; This development has led to increase in cash transactions, which negate the Bank’s Cash-less policy.”

Nigerian banking sector report for launch September 9 The 2014 Nigerian Banking Sector Report, produced by wealth advisory firm, Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited is set to be launched on Tuesday, September 9, 2014.

In a statement released by Afrinvest, Ike Chioke, Managing Director of the company said, “We are pleased to announce that our much anticipated annual report on the Nigerian Banking Sector will be launched on September 9, 2014.”

According to Chioke, “This year’s report titled, “Navigating Growth in a Challenging Environment”, x-rays the current conditions of the Nigerian Banking Landscape within the context of the domestic and global economy.”

Principal stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial services industry, from both the public and private sector, will attend the launch. The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is the Special Guest of Honour, and Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji, will deliver the keynote address.

Started in 2010, the Afrinvest annual “Nigerian Banking Sector Report” has come to be recognized as the leading and most incisive report on Nigeria’s banking industry and a valuable reference for local and international investors in the Nigerian economy.

PRESENTATION - From left: Mr. Olufunwa Akinmade, Head of Retail Marketing, Union Bank Nigeria Plc presenting N1 million cheque to Master Adindiya Michael Oluwatimilehin, the overall winner of its KINDS competition.

Union Bank retains CBN’s best agric bank award

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nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has again been awarded the Best Support Bank in the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGSF) for the 8th consecutive year by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The award is presented to the bank which has demonstrated the highest level of support for the scheme.

Similarly, three customers of Union Bank won the apex bank‘s National Awards in three categories : Sion Economic Allianz, Asaba won the Best Arable Farmer; Professor Vincent Iyawe from Benin won the award for Best Tree Crop award; while Arac Group Farmers‘ Cooperative, Port Harcourt won the award in Fishery.

Mr. Emeka Emuwa, the Group Managing Director of Union Bank received the award from President Goodluck Jonathan at Abuja.

According to Emuwa, “Union Bank remains committed to agriculture financing to drive growth and development in the sector, and to also facilitate economic empowerment for small scale farmers.”

Union Bank has been actively involved in ACGSF since 1977 and to date has disbursed more than N4.2 billion in loans to more than 14,700 beneficiaries. This represents 77.62% and 74.65% respectively of the total amount and number of loans granted by all commercial banks under the scheme as at December 2013.

“Equally significant is the highly impressive loan recovery rate during the year, a record that is attributed to their formidable loan recovery strategies and professional support given to farmers. The bank, no doubt, has made enormous

strides in its bid to transform the agricultural sector through adequate credit purveyance under the ACGSF as well as the rendition of technical support to the farming community”, the CBN said in the citation on Union Bank.

In 2013, Union Bank set N10 billion as the new annual disbursement limit.

This is expected to run through each year and would cover different crops, ecology and farming seasons across Nigeria.

The awards ceremony was the highlight of the 8th Annual Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Finance Conference and Entrepreneurship Awards held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. The event also witnessed the flag off of the disbursement of N220 billion MSME Development Fund and award prizes to State Governments and banks by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 23

Business & Economy

Nigeria’s economy strong amidst security concerns — NIPC

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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ESPITE the security problem facing the country, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC has said the nation’s economy still thrives after all.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Saratu Umar who stated this in a keynote address entitled: Translating Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment, FDI Benefits into a reality, at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG in Abuja said the country’s economy has shown a strong resilience in spite of the security concerns while stressing that the NIPC is reviewing the Pioneer Incentives currently being granted to investors to cover only critical activities.

She assured that NIPC is ever poised and positioned to give a hand-holding support to investors (both local and foreign) that have decided to make the country their preferred investment destination, adding that the Commission is putting various strategies in place to make it more pro-active to investors' needs and demands.

She explained that NIPC is a private sector company within the Government as such, it has a big role to play in the economic growth and advancement of Nigeria. She said: “NIPC is one of the strong vehicles to drive

investment into the economy and it is being re-engineered for better service delivery”.

Umar noted that the economy being the largest in Africa, is consistently among the top three investment destinations on the continent, Speaking on the various measures being implemented by government to sustain the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into the country, Umar said: “Government remains committed to transparent, fair and peaceful electoral process as the country is now on the threshold of her fifth democratic transition process, and is

building efficient socioeconomic infrastructure and strengthening the financial and insurance sector.”

She further stated that government has continued to sustain the simplification and streamlining of business entry procedures as the One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) of NIPC is providing platform for coordinated service delivery and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is committed to 24 hours incorporation of businesses across the country.

In ensuring a globally competitive business

regulatory framework, she stated that “Government is committed to setting a rulebased regulatory framework across all the sectors that is devoid of discretion and a national competition and Consumer Protection Policy is at advanced stages of adoption.” In translating the FDI benefits into reality, the NIPC boss maintained that it has continued to contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and National Product; enhance export potential; promote Import Substitution Industrialization; facilitate skills enhancement and human capital development; improve international image; facilitate technology acquisition transfer; increase capital stock; enhance market development and increased tax generation.

From lef Miss E. T. Sefia, GSA Manager, Delta Air Lines, presenting a free ticket to the US to Miss Karimat Sowemimo, Winner, Secondary Schools Category, NTEC 2013/14; and Mr. Ewos Iroro, Founder, NTEC during a courtesy visit to the airline's office recently.

Stakeholders commend FG’s use MFBs to disburse N220bn MSME fund S

OME stakeholders in the finance industry have commended the Federal Government for its decision to use Micro-Finance Banks (MFBs) in distributing the N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development fund. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the policy demonstrated the government’s determination to improve living standards in rural communities.

According to Mr Alfred Sagai, the Director, Bokkos Micro Finance Bank Limited, the decision will ensure proper disbursement of the fund for the growth of micro and small businesses at the grassroots.

Sagai said that micro-finance banks played a vital role in providing loans to small business owners without collateral, unlike the commercial banks.

“Micro-finance banks are playing a very good role in building the economy from the grassroots. Just as the local governments are created to get closer to the people in political administration, the microfinance banks are established to get closer to the grassroots in economic administration. We ensure that those who cannot get loans from the big banks with collaterals are able to get loans in an easy manner from us and start their small businesses.

“In my local government in Bokkos, we give loans from N10, 000 up to N250,000 to the people without collateral,” he said. According to him, we are able to do this because we know them on one-on-one basis and the transaction is done within the shortest possible time and without rigorous procedures.

Sagai added that the initiative was a “good vision that will

improve the standard of living of indigents and increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.”

He advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to strictly allocate the funds to only qualified micro-finance banks that would disburse it to deserving business owners.

He further said the MFB’s would on their part ensure that the funds are utilized for the purpose for which it is being allocated. An economic expert, Mr Gabriel Okeh, said that though routing the funds to the entrepreneurs through microfinance banks was good, it require proper monitoring by the CBN to ensure effective implementation.

“Commercial banks do not usually do much to support industrialization; they rather go into buying and selling which is not so with the micro-finance

banks,” he said.

He said, “it has become a Nigeria factor that such funds are collected by individuals who eventually use the money for their selfish interests rather than the purpose it is meant for.

“The strength of industrialization in many countries is based on SMEs and Nigeria should not be excluded. “ Most of the products we consume were produced by small industries of not more than 20 staff or less, outside the country such as China and Japan. SME is supposed to be a base for industrialization because from small scale, they mature into bigger companies and are able to employ more people,” he said. Okeh, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for SMEs to would allow them to put the loan to good use.

Kogi Govt solicits ICRC support on PPP

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he Kogi Government has solicited support of the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to set up structure for the new Public Private Partnership (PPP) office in the state. The Special Adviser to Kogi Governor on PPP, Mr Abdul Adama, made the call when he visited the ICRC Director-General, Alhaji Aminu Dikko, in Abuja on Wednesday.

“We really need the support and cooperation of the ICRC in setting up structure for the new PPP office in the state.

“And in particular, we want you to help us in the area of capacity-building to help the office operate effectively,” he said. According to him, the state will be engaging in many infrastructure developments that will require PPP. Adama said that collaborating with the ICRC would go a long way to effectively engage investors in the state.

The ICRC director-general, in his response said the commission was desirous of strengthening collaboration with states on establishment of PPP units across the country.

Dikko said that the commission was ready to support in the area of capacity-building, knowledge and skills transfer, among others. He commended Kogi Government for enacting PPP law, saying that the state had shown particular enthusiasm on PPP and activities of the commission.

NNPC recorded 3,571 pipeline breaks in 2013 — GMD

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it recorded 3,571 pipeline breaks in 2013 due to the activities of vandals and oil theft in the country. The Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr Joseph Dawha, made the disclosure in Lagos.

Dawha was represented by Mr Francis Amego, the Executive Director, Commercial, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Ltd (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC. He said that the activity of vandals was first recorded in 1999 with 497 pipeline breaks, adding that it increased to 3,571 in 2013.

Dawha said that this had led to high cost of operations and deterioration of the refinery system. The group managing director added that the act had resulted to loss of revenue by the government and production capacity.

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Corporate Finance

BY PETER EGWUATU

Sterling Bank is CBNs best performing bank

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HE leading role of Sterling Bank in agricultural financing was rewarded in Abuja as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) conferred on the lender the best performing bank under Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS).

The award, according to a statement was presented to the bank at the CBN’s Annual Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Finance Conference held at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja.

The conferment of the award to the lender “is in recognition of its commitment to the growth of the agricultural sector,” the statement added.

Sterling Bank has disbursed sizeable funds to its customers under the aforementioned scheme.

Speaking at the event, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefele, commended the bank for its support to the agricultural sector, adding that with the support of financial institutions, activities in the agricultural sector will increase and in the process take its right of place in the nation’s economy.

Corroborating the remarks made by the CBN Governor, the Regional Business Executive of Sterling Bank; Japhet John, speaking on behalf of the bank’s MD, Mr Yemi Adeola, assured that the bank will continue to provide funding across the value chain to ensure sustainable growth for the sector.

His words: “Agriculture is an important sector of the economy with high potential for employment generation, food security and poverty reduction.

The sector played a key role in the economic growth of the country before the discovery of oil. At Sterling Bank, we intend to bring back these glorious days for the sector through adequate funding.”

Japhet further commended the Federal Government for introducing the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), which is aimed at making agriculture a main driver of the economy with adequate support from the Government and the private sector, and the apex bank for providing the much needed funding structure under the scheme for onlending.

He disclosed that the bank had achieved about 3.5 per cent of the 5 per cent allocated to the sector just as he assured that allocation to the sector will be increased before the end of the year.

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UARANTY Trust Bank (GTBank) Plc has recorded N132 billion gross earnings in the half year ended June 30 th , 2014, representing a growth of 7 per cent from N124 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013.

A review of the result sent to both Nigerian Stock Exchange, and London Stock Exchange, LSE, shows positive performance across some key financial indices, in spite of an extremely challenging business environment and increasing regulatory headwinds.

Specifically, the Bank posted Profit Before Tax, PBT of N53.40billion, representing a 7 per cent dip from N57.4billion recorded in the corresponding year, due to loan impairment charged to the Profit and Loss account during the period.

According to the company “ This impairment charge was as a result of a significant loan that we decided to provide for following the demise of the obligor; in line with our laid down corporate governance practices. The Bank’s loan book grew by 16 per cent from N899billion recorded in June 2013 to N1.04trillion in June 2014 and total customer deposits increased by 8 per cent to N1.54 trillion as at June 2014.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc attributed the Bank’s performance for the 2014 half year period to the hardwork of its staff, commitment of its Management Team and more importantly, continued

GTBank records N132bn half year gross earnings support from its customers.

He further stated that the second half of the 2014 financial year will be a stronger period during which the bank will make positive improvements in its market positions across its key products and business segments.

A major objective for the Bank this year, as mentioned

by Mr. Segun Agbaje, is to offer our customers greater convenience and accessibility to our services using internet and mobile solutions and we have, to date achieved over a

million downloads of our mobile banking app and experienced a 25% increase in active internet banking users.

Guaranty Trust Bank plc has always been at the forefront of industry service innovations within markets wherein it operates, having successfully replicated its culture for excellence in banking subsidiaries in Cote D’ Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and United Kingdom.

The Bank’s most recent service introductions includes; the GTBank SME MarketHub,

an online e-commerce platform that allows small and medium scale enterprises, companies and all forms of legitimate businesses create online stores and advertise their product and service offerings to millions of buyers that are online and new markets. The Bank also launched another innovative service “GTBank 1 Click Topup”, a service that provides an efficient and easy way to purchase airtime by toppingup their mobile phones from available balances in their bank accounts by dialing *737*AMOUNT#.

SUBMISSION - From left: Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi; Regional Director, Abuja/North Central, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Gbaye Adewuyi; Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada; and the state’s Commissioner of Finance during the submission of the report of the biometric exercise of civil servants in the state to the governor in Lokoja

NSE to revoke licences of inactive stockbroking firms

BY PETER EGWUATU

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HE Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has announced plans to revoke licences of Stockbroking/ Dealing member firms that are inactive for six consecutive months in the capital market transactions.

The exchange stated that the move was to maintain the integrity of the capital market and further protect investors in Nigeria.

According to a statement from the NSE” The intention is being pursued through a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved rule that authorizes the NSE to revoke the Dealing

Member Licences of such inactive firms. The SEC approved Rule provides that where a Dealing Member Firm is inactive for six consecutive months, The Exchange shall revoke its licence. The circumstances of the inactivity are further categorised into voluntary and involuntary inactivity.”

Ms. Tinuade Awe, Head of The Exchange’s Legal and Regulation Division, explained that voluntary inactivity occurs where the Dealing Member Firm has not engaged in any trading activity for a consecutive period of six months without being suspended by The Exchange or The SEC. The Rule provides further that The

Exchange shall forthwith revoke the licence of any Dealing Member Firm that falls into this category.

Involuntary inactivity occurs where a Dealing Member Firm has been suspended from trading activities by The Exchange or the SEC by reason of any infraction committed by that Dealing Member Firm and it has not carried out any trading activity within the stipulated six months period.

Awe noted that “The powers of The Exchange under this SEC approved Rule will be exercised judiciously and will take into account all the circumstances surrounding each individual case as well as the interests of all stakeholders, particularly the investors.

She observed that the majority of the prohibited practices in the market have been linked to inactive firms and so it is important to stress that the new rule is aimed at further sanitizing the market to protect investors.

Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, the Head of Broker Dealer Regulation at the NSE mentioned that the NSE in exercising its regulatory authority over Dealing Member Firms shall continue to use the utmost care and diligence. He noted that the NSE is keen to entrench the required catalysts to stimulate and build a healthy and well regulated market so as to stimulate increasing levels of investor confidence in the market.

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Micro-Finance

Financial literacy: Visa unveils locally made mobile apps Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

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o facilitate financial literacy in Nigeria, Visa Inc. has thrown its weight behind the launch of three locally made mobile applications (apps).

The apps: Money Talk; More Than Money and Money Tinz is

developed by Nigerians and conceptualised by winners of the Financial Literacy Challenge mobile development competition, sponsored

by Visa and delivered by Co-Creation Hub Nigeria in 2013.

They are to create innovative web, mobile apps and games to deliver financial literacy to a broad audience and also designed to help

Nigerians make better financial decisions by providing education about the importance of saving and financial management.

Speaking at the launch, General Manager, Visa West Africa, Mr. Ade Ashaye, said that the initiative was part of its strategy to help Nigerians become more financially aware, saying, “What makes it

unique is that it encourages Nigerians to develop locally-relevant solutions, tailored for their specific environment and needs.

We are always looking to support innovative programmes that can better equip individuals to manage their money more effectively and these apps achieve that.”

The first app, ‘Money Talks,’ is an audio tutorial solution that provides financial information using SMS, voice interactive system and the Web.

Winner of Kia Picanto, Mrs Ifeayinwa Okoro, being presented with the car key by Managing Director of Global Appliances Nigeria Limited, Mr Gurumorthi Sridhar (m), flanked by staff of the company.

Binatone reward customers with car, products

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lectronics manufacturing company, Binatone has rewarded its loyal customers with over 100 products and a car gift for participating in the just concluded football season campaign.

A Kia Picanto car was given as a grand prize to the lucky winner during a grand draw ceremony in Lagos.

Speaking at the occasion, Managing Director of Binatone’s official Nigerian distributor, Global Appliances Nigeria Limited (GANL), Mr. Gurumoorthi Sridhar, said that the customers were able to enter the draw through SMS based electronic registration, which made the draw entry process very transparent and swift. He noted that the national level implementation of the

campaign was a challenge to the company, saying, “We know how much our customers love the sport of football and this football season we chose to engage with them through our unique promotional campaign” Sridhar commended both its teeming customers and dealer network for making the campaign possible and successful.

“Binatone is a preferred brand by customers looking for lifestyle upgrades and we knew the support for the Nigerian national team at this year’s world cup was tremendous and so we combined our campaign with online football trivia contests, held in parallel to allow Binatone’s growing online fan-base a chance to enjoy the football fever that had captured the world.

Accenture expands its enterprise service with new acquisition

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ccenture has a c q u i r e d PureApps, a UK-based Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) provider that helps clients use financial insight and analysis to improve organizational effectiveness through better cost management and strategy execution.

The acquisition will strengthen Accenture’s end-to-end EPM capabilities and enable Accenture to help CFOs transform the finance function using emerging digital technologies, although terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PureApps specializes in implementing p e r f o r m a n c e management solutions based on the Oracle Hyperion Enterprise P e r f o r m a n c e Management and Oracle Business Analytics range of products. The company enables CFOs to report and analyze enterprise performance, accurately forecast business results and work with business units to transform these insights into action. Its solutions integrate strategy, planning and execution across management and operational systems.

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Homes & Housing Finance

Unearthing economic potentials of housing development in Nigeria

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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LOBALLY, there is a strong consensus that housing development is important for stimulating economic growth and job creation in any economy.

Indeed, housing construction is one of the most used indices for gauging the economic situation in most developed countries. As a matter of fact, housing construction indices, such as the Case-Schiller index, are some of the most common measures used by analysts to gauge economic trends in OECD countries and in the US. Available data has however shown that most African countries do not see and treat the housing sector as engine of economic growth. For example, looking at the size of

mortgage finance as a share of GDP of various countries, in the UK, mortgage finance to GDP ratio is about 80 percent and 77 percent in the US. For Hong Kong, this ratio is 50percent, across Europe the average is about 50 percent, and for Malaysia it is 32 percent. For many African countries, the ratio is low: 2 percent for Botswana, 2 percent for Ghana, and only 0.5 percent for Nigeria. South Africa is the outlier with mortgage finance at 31 percent of GDP. At a recent World Bank forum, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, spoke about three crucial roles that the housing sector can play in national development. According to her, the sector can serve as an important contributor to economic growth; support job

creation and economic inclusion; and provide social benefit by contributing to community and nation building.

“Although a non-- tradable sector, the housing sector has a tremendous multiplier effect on the broader economy. We know that housing contributes to GDP through two main channels, namely: private residential investments such as, construction of new homes; and also via the consumption spending on housing services.

For example, in the USA, private residential investments contribute about 5 percent of GDP, while housing services contribute another 13 percent of GDP, summing up to a total housing sector contribution of 18 percent of GDP. There are also secondary economic impacts of the housing sector.

Housing wealth/assets can

Block of luxurious apartments

often be used as collateral to stimulate additional private consumption and investments.

“The housing sector can support job creation and economic inclusion. The job creation potential for the housing sector is enormous. In India, each new housing unit generates 1.5 direct and 8 indirect jobs. In South Africa, each housing unit creates 5.62 direct jobs and 2.5 indirect jobs.

The sector can help promote economic inclusion by creating jobs for craftsmen and artisans such as masons, plumbers, welders, electricians, painters and so on. Also, the housing sector provides social benefits by contributing to communityand nation-building. Homeownership often gives citizens a true stake in their communities.

After owning a home, many citizens tend naturally to be concerned about the provision of public goods in their communities - from schools, to clinics, to security.

These are intangible social benefits which a strong housing sector can help to generate,” she stated.

Nigeria has an estimated housing demand of 17 million units, with an additional 2 million units needed every year.

Labour impact assessment studies in countries with similar demographics and economies as Nigeria, estimate that at least 5.62 direct jobs can be generated with every new home, and 2.48 indirect jobs in housing related expenditure. This translates to about 8 jobs generated with every new house constructed. This means that the housing sector is capable of generating 16 million jobs direct and indirect - every year. So far, our country is yet to realise this potential.

Therefore, addressing the housing deficit will have a game-changing impact on our society and our communities.

High homeownership cost: Nigerians resort to rented accommodation A

report by Residential Auctions Company (RAC) has revealed that 60-65 percent of business professionals in Lagos live in rented accommodation due to the high cost of home ownership and the unavailability of suitable mortgage products. The rental market is highly cyclical, like the buying market.

The report, published on globalpropertyguide.com, noted that the Lagos Island market has experienced continuous rises in average asking prices over the last three years, with surging demand for luxury houses, particularly

from investors and highincome individuals. The Lagos mainland, on the other hand, exhibited marginally decreasing prices in 2013.

Asking rents have been rising. After a lackluster year in 2011 asking rents in both the Lagos markets bounced back in 2012 with double-digit growths. While asking rents are much higher on the Lagos Island, rental yields are generally higher in the mainland due to the surging prices in the Island market.

Yields are moderate at 4.3 percent for the Lagos Mainland and 3.64 percent for the Lagos Island.

According to the RAC report, in 2012, Lagos Island asking rents rose significantly, with rents for a 4-5 bedroom single family unit climbing 28.4 percent to N7,158,333 ($44,201), while the average rent for a 3 bedroom multifamily unit was up 17.7 percent to N6,889,167 ($42,539).

In Ikoyi, the average asking rent on a 3 bedroom apartment rose by 13 percent in 2012, to N10,167,500 ($62,782). The average asking rent on a single family unit was N10,525,000 ($64,989), a rise of 50.4 percent. In Victoria Island, the average asking rent on a 3 bedroom apartment increased

by 28.3 percent to N7,700,000 ($47,546) in 2012. But rents on single family units inched up only 4.2 percent. In Lekki Phase 1, the average asking rent on a 3 bedroom apartment rose 9.6 percent in 2012 to N2,800,000 ($17,289). In contrast, average rents on a 4-5 bedroom single family unit were only up 3.9 percent to N4,700,000 ($29,021).

These rent rises were however a rebound. In 2011, Lagos Island rents had plummeted – with single family unit asking rents falling 25.0 percent and multi-family rents falling 8.8 percent.

BoA agrees $16.7bn mortgage settlement

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ank of America (BoA) has agreed to pay a record $16.7 billion to US authorities for misleading investors about the quality of loans it sold.

The loans were sold by Countrywide Financial and Merrill Lynch before BoA bought them in 2008, at the height of the financial crisis.

The settlement will cut the bank’s third-quarter profits by $5.3 billion.

BoA will pay a total of $9.65 billion in cash and provide consumer relief worth about $7 billion, much of which will go towards homeowners struggling with their mortgages.

The cash component consists of a $5 billion civil penalty and $4.63 billion in compensation payments. The case centred on Countrywide Financial, the biggest lender at the time of the crisis, and Merrill Lynch selling mortgage loans to investors but not explaining the full extent of the risk involved.

UK mortgage lending hits 6-year high

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ortgage lending rose to £19.1 billion in July to reach the highest monthly total since August 2008.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said the figure was 7 percent up from June, and 15 percent higher than July last year. There was a 25 percent rise in property transactions in the first half of 2014, the CML said. Caroline Offord, a CML analyst, said that mortgage lending remained robust, despite regulatory changes earlier this year to toughen lending criteria. She however said that affordability pressures could start to affect the property market.

New rule changes mean lenders must do more checks on borrowers’ ability to repay loans, something that was blamed for slowing the number of loans and transactions earlier this year.

Net mortgage lending for the first six months of the year reached £10.5 billion compared to the past five years when the total barely exceeded £10 billion for the whole 12 months.

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Appointment & Promotion He is currently President/ COO of Heirs Holdings, and served as a non-Executive Director of Transcorp earlier this year.

Previously, he was an Executive Director of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), occupying a number of senior roles leading the Group’s African subsidiaries.

He has also held the position of Group Chief Operating Officer at UBA, with responsibility over information technology, operations, •Emmanuel Nnorom corporate services, marketing and corporate and stabilisation; following the communications regulatory affairs. acquisition of a strategic stake Nnorom is an Alumnus of

by Heirs Holdings, to accelerated growth, as Templeton College, Oxford investments in power, oil & University and a Fellow of gas and real estate & both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria hospitality come to fruition.

Nnorom’s key role will be (ICAN) and the Chartered to lead the acceleration and Institute of Bankers of Nigeria deepening of the Company’s (CIBN).

Speaking, Chairman of investments in its four strategic business sectors — Hospitality, Transcorp, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Power, Agriculture and Oil & thanked out-going Transcorp Gas and to build on Mr. chief Obinna Ufudo for Ufudo’s achievements in delivering on the company’s repositioning Transcorp for objectives under Phase 1 of the turnaround programme. growth.

Transcorp names Nnorom President, CEO

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HE Board of Directors of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Transcorp, has announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom as President/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the corporation.

Mr. Nnorom will formally assume office on September 1, 2014, succeeding Mr. Obinna Ufudo, who led the Company since 2011.

The appointment represents a further important milestone in Transcorp’s transformation, as the Company moves from

NIMN admits Adeyeye into council

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he National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN has admitted the elsewhere factional leader of the institute Mr. Rotimi Adeyeye, into the Council of the Institute.

Adeyeye’s admission into the highest decision making body of NIMN indicates an end to the lingering crisis that has resulted into an age-long judicial confrontation between the two factions that hitherto claimed responsibility of overseeing the practice of marketing in Nigeria.

Speaking, the President, NIMN, said the admission of Adeyeye was in the fulfillment of the earlier promised while Adeyeye emphasized that he was very satisfied with all the procedures that led to the admission. ‘This is to assure the general public that, all is now well with the institute and the

promises earlier made through the memorandum of understanding earlier signed is being fulfilled to the letter ’ Koledoye said.

The admission of Mr. Adeyeye into the Council of NIMN was a follow-up to the agreement reached during last month’s unification and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two factions where they both agreed to put aside their differences and work for the

common good of the institute.

inister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, has received the maiden of the award of the Senior Advocate of Peace instituted by the Peace Corps

Mr. Femi Collins, GM, Human Resources, Bristow Helicopters, presenting a cheque for N150,000 to Miss Temitope Coker, Winner, Tertiary Institutions Category, 5th Bristow Helicopters/Travel & Business News National Travel Essay Competition (NTEC 2013/14).

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oschar is Group has annou nced the appoin tment of season ed banker, Mr. Okey Nwuke, as the Deputy Group Managing Director, DGMD, as part of its bid to consolidate its leadership as a big player in variou s sectors of the economy.

According to a statement by Abiona Babarinde, General Manag er, Marke ting and Corporate Services Coscharis Group, the is to enhance the Group’s focus in creating more value in terms of marke t leader ship vis-a-v is its expansion plans.

Mr. Okey Nwuke began his banking career with Guaranty Trust Bank in 1991, where he worked in several units of the bank and later rose to the position of Assistant General Manag er, Comm ercial Banking Group East, before joining Access Bank Plc in 2002 as General Manager. He was

•Adeyeye

of Nigeria, PCN. The award conferred on the minister in Abuja was as a result of his contributions to the promotion of peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups in the country.

Speaking during the presentation of the award, the National Commandant of PCN, Dr Dickson Akoh, said Nigeria was not exempted from the current global unrest having witnessed a good number of ethno-religious and interstate conflicts.

Akoh recalled the achievements of the Minister when he was the governor of Adamawa State, saying that his youth empowerment programmes served as foundation currently sustaining the state.

subsequently appointed as an Executive Director in Access Bank in 2004 and served in that position till December 2013 when he retired in line with his contract of employment.

Okey holds a B.Sc. degree in Accountancy from University of Nigeria where he graduated as the best student in both the Department of Accountancy & Facult y of Busine ss administration.

He also holds an MBA (Distinction) in International Banking & Finance from the Univer sity of Birmin gham, United Kingd om as a Chevening Scholar.

Nwuke is also a Fellow of the Institu te of Charte red Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation; and an Honor ary memb er of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN.

MD, e c n a r u s n I Staco th i w d e r r e f n o Oyefeso c gree e D e t a r o t c o D

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Youth minister bags award of senior advocate of peace

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Nwuke now Coscharis’ Deputy Group Managing Director

ANAGING Director/ Chief Executive Officer, MD/CEO, of Staco Insurance Plc, Mr. Sakiru Oyefeso, has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration (DBA) by the Commonwealth University, Belize.

The Doctorate Degree Award of the Commonwealth University is a unique award that is reserved for personalities who have distinguished themselves in society •Oyefeso through service, selflessness, business a distinction and was the best acumen and other outstanding graduating student of Master contributions through which of Business Administration the lives of many have been Degree (MBA) from the Lagos touched positively.

State University (LASU), a Commonwealth University graduate of the Chief Executive Belize is an institution set up Programme (CEP) of Lagos under the authority of the Business School (LBS) of the Government of the British Pan African University and a Commonwealth, State of Belize member of the Nigeria Institute in Central America and it is one of Management. of the best awarding Also, he is an Associate of the institutions in the world.

Chartered Insurance Institute Dr. Sakiru Oyefeso is a of Nigeria (CIIN) and also an graduate of Insurance at the Associate of the Chartered School of Management & Insurance Institute of London Business Studies of Lagos and attended several courses State College of Science and on leadership, management Technology, now Lagos State and strategy both locally and Polytechnic. He also obtained internationally.

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Interview

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ai Labode is CEO of Salt & Einstein MTS, a mobile transaction switch and business aggregator representing a single mobile financial platform that facilitates businesses of all sorts.

Educated in various parts of the country, Labode, an accounting graduate of the University of Abuja with higher degrees from the University of Liverpool and Harvard Business School, had worked with Banking Limited, MoneyBox Africa, before going into private consulting. Salt & Einstein parades giants on its board, including Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, former EVC of NCC who is the company’s chairman.

In the interview below, Labode defines what an aggregator is, and enunciates what his company is about in the Nigerian business firmament.

Excerpts: In your own words, what is the firm called Salt & Einstein all about?

I would say we are aggregators. An aggregator is a firm that is able to bring two different parties together to achieve the same purpose, and we are Africa’s first mobile financial service aggregator. It means that we have established a single platform that all mobile financial service providers can fit on and provide service to all of Nigeria and we have done this based on the experience garnered over the years. When GSM came to Nigeria, we had initiated what we call airtime exchange and we projected into the future that for an economy where seventy per cent of the economy is in the informal sector, what are the things we can do with this mobile telephone?

So I wrote a business model called airtime exchange, because there was a concept growing — people were already sending airtime from Abuja to Lagos, the receiver will take it and sell and it becomes cash. We didn’t create that, people started to do it on their own. It means there were some needs and people started to do that to satisfy that need.

So we thought of creating something in the culture that was already growing.

In an economy like Nigeria, where over 70 per cent of cash flow is in the informal sector,

There are issues of cybersecurity since the bulk of your operations will be in cyberspace. What measures have you put in place?

Technology has gone beyond regulation and the technology we have in place has addressed all envisaged cybersecurity issues, but there is room for flexibility and change when the need arises. One, we know the service providers, because it is a platform, however, for the data security for each of the parties, that is protected by the technology put in place which is good enough, though it has been a very rigorous one and in terms of the legal framework, work is going on

Lai Labode, CEO of Salt & Einstein MTS

We must create models that touch lives positively — Lai Labode, CEO, Salt & Einstein

You recently facilitated a deal between MTN, a telco, and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to promote healthcare service delivery to millions of Nigerians via the mobile phones. Can you elucidate?

The mobile healthcare service initiative is of immense benefit to telecoms subscribers in Nigeria and to telecoms service providers as well. Health is wealth and most times people die with their ill-health either as a result of ignorance or poverty. The initiative therefore brings service providers in the health sector, especially the Health Management Organizations (HMOs) and the telecoms service providers, on a single online platform that is accessible to all Nigerians. Healthcare

By ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA services will be provided on that platform, and all telecoms subscribers that register on the platform, will receive medical advice and attention, via their mobile phones. With their mobile phones, they could communicate with any HMO of their choice and get best medical service at affordable cost. This initiative is new and not limited to telecoms operators and NHIS. It is open to all service providers from different sectors of the economy, using a single platform to provide services to Nigerians.

As an aggregator, we facilitated the initiative between MTN and NHIS, which was launched in Lagos few weeks ago, and our platform is open to all sectors of the economy.

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there is need to develop a business model that will address the issue. We have been in the mobile money space for some time now and have discovered that there is so much concentration of people at the bottom of the pyramid, which of course shows the elitist nature of our mobile money sector.

If we truly want to be successful as a nation, and integrate the informal sector with the formal sector, then we need to create models that will touch their lives positively. We have also discovered that there is a lot of emphasis on technology, whereas it is not technology that is the issue, but the business model that is driving the entire process. Today, MPESA in Kenya is successful because of the business model it has deployed that is actually driving the technology.

have varieties of choice to make as to which company they want to deal with, and again, the cost of delivering the services will be reduced.

That means your platform is available to other sectors of the economy as well, not just health insurance?

Having realised the need for a single platform that will accommodate several service providers, we decided to come up with a business model that can

MPESA in Kenya is successful because of the business model it has deployed that is actually driving the technology

You have been talking about NHIS and health insurance. Are you working with other insurance firms?

Yes, we are doing that, we already have about eight insurance companies already lined up for general mobile insurance that will be launched shortly, we are also in talks with NAICOM (National Insurance Commission). By the time we bring in more insurance companies on board, the bouquet of services will increase and customers will

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accommodate industry multiple solutions that should connect the common man. What we did was to look at the entire value chain and came up with business solutions that will address every sector, comprising the regulator, the players and the various ecosystem that will make it happen and that is why our multipurpose single platform can accommodate all manners of businesses, like health insurance, tax collection and revenue generation for their organizations. This is exactly what led to the partnership deal between MTN and NHIS.

How would the payment system be managed?

This is going to be pretty easy since people can pay through their mobile phones or through airtime transfer, where the customer buys a recharge card, loads it and transfers the money via his or her p e r s o n a l identification number. We are going to issue Nigerians digital identity cards that will have unique NHIS numbers from birth to death. With this system in place, the NHIS will be able to develop a database for all customers who deal with any HMO that is registered on the platform, such that every transaction carried out between customers and their HMOs, automatically gets to NHIS, through the database. The advantage of this is that customers will be able to make complaints of shabby treatment meted by any HMO or from any hospital, directly to NHIS, via the mobile phone and the issue will be addressed promptly.

You started with MTN on the mobile healthcare scheme, what is the possibility of other telecoms operators becoming part of the system, if they so desire it?

The platform is a general platform that is open to all and can accommodate as many operators from different sectors of the economy that so desire to belong.

We started first with MTN because we see it as the biggest GSM operator in the country by subscriber number and we felt that should we begin with MTN, more customers will have the opportunity to benefit from the plan.

The platform is therefore open to all operators and we are currently discussing with them and will soon sign some of them onto the platform because it is going to be a massive project, connecting people and touching the lives of millions of people from different sectors of the economy.

Do you have specific software application that customers can download to have access to the service?

Absolutely, we do have. The beauty of it all is that it is an initiative that is the biggest and first of its kind in Nigeria.

Our software application enables operators to reach out to more that 120 million people with ease, and people can download the application on their mobile phones and use it to do all kinds of transactions.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 39

Advertising, Media & Marketing

How hospitality business can shore-up Nigeria’s image

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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EFORE now, Nigeria had made few attempts at nation branding, with not so discernible achievements. This started with the ‘Heart of Africa’ project, to the ‘Good people, Great Nation’ concept, the search for a strong national branding platform that could greatly resonate with Nigeria’s internal and external public cut the picture of a twisted journey. In spite of the efforts, the harvest has not been fruitful: There continued to be many more gloomy stories about Nigeria.

All these give the nation long hours of negative TV film footages and sound bites, as well as miles of negative commentaries in the print media.

In the last few years, there have been concerted efforts by stakeholders on the need to promote Nigeria’s tourism potentials in order to diversify

the revenue generation base of the country and avoid over dependence on oil and gas, in addition to conveying some form of positive news about the nation to the international community. Today however, the potentials inherent in the nation’s culture and tourism sector as a strong unifying factor and nation branding platform now appear to have been discovered, thankfully through a forward looking initiative involving the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and a group of Nigerian private and corporate individuals. This has given birth to what has now come to be known as the Nigeria, Our Heritage Project.

The first bold step took place in July when a stakeholder, Mr Fidelis Ekwunife Anosike, unveiled the ‘Nigeria, Our Heritage’ (NOH) project in Abuja, in collaboration with the ministry of tourism, culture and national orientation, and fully endorsed by the federal ministry of foreign affairs and

Howard University Alumni Association. The NOH project is proudly supported by over 15 companies, some of which include the Nigeria Export Import (NEXIM) Bank, Benue State, Niger State, Ekiti State, Heritage Bank, Eko Atlantic, DSTV, Multichoice, CNN, DAAR communication, NERC and BGL, among others.

On Monday, 5th August 2014, an evening of entertainment centered on the centennial of Nigeria’s commonwealth, took place at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts Concert Hall in Washington D.C. The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National

LAUNCH - From Left: Adebowale Adefuye, Nigerian Ambassador to the US; President Goodluck Jonathan; Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Culture & Tourism and; Sheila Jackson, member, US House of Reps from Texas, during the launch of the international leg of 'Nigeria, Our Heritage' Project in Washington DC.

Orientation to unveil the international leg of the “Nigeria: Our Heritage” project. Present at the event were President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Nigeria’s Ambassador to USA, a few Nigerian and American government and political personalities as well as several Nigerian celebrities, notably Don Jazzy, Rita Dominic, Ali Nuhu, Davido, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Tee Billz, Masterkraft, Tola Odunsi, Leslie Kasumba, Di’Ja, Lola Ogunnaike, Obi Asika, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Ubi Franklin, among others.

In his goodwill message at the event, President Jonathan promised to support the initiators of the project in the noble task of overhauling Nigeria’s image globally and promoting the country ’s tourism and cultural heritage which he said was aimed at wealth creation as well as securing international trust for foreign investment. While noting that the project would celebrate the rich cultural inheritage and vast economic endowment of Nigeria, he regretted that Nigeria had come under global media conspiracy that brought humiliation to her.

40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 Email:lesleba@lesleba.com, lesleba@gmail.com Blog page:www.lesleba.com/blog2 Website: www.lesleba.com Tel:0805 220 1997

Economic contradictions and mute victims bountiful dollar reserves existing simultaneously with deepening poverty and increasing rate of unemployment. The question is, why have we become poorer with increasing income?

Similarly, Nigerians also fail to see the inherent contradiction of an increasing national debt burden existing side-by-side with surplus Naira and equally bountiful dollar reserves. Surely, no rational person borrows what it has in excess at any cost whatsoever. Nonetheless, such brazen contradiction is clearly amplified in the process of accumulating both our domestic and external debts.

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n the domestic front, for example, we have gleefully sustained a culture where government places hundreds of billions of Naira for zero percent yield with the banks only to return shortly thereafter, to borrow back the same funds with oppressive double-digit interest rates; it is also inexplicable that regardless of the attendant oppressive high cost, these loans are simply sequestered and kept idle. Similarly, on the external front, government sits on bountiful reserves of over $40bn which earns little or no yield, while the same government ironically indulges in seeking external loans which conversely carry unusually high interest rates for what are actually risk free sovereign debts.

Curiously, despite over N500bn annual debt service charges, the Debt Management Office lately assured us not to worry about

the size of the bloated current debt of over $65bn, when conversely, our debt burden of barely $35bn in 2004 was adjudged excessive and unsustainable! Regrettably, no satisfactory explanation has been offered for this peculiar volte-face.

The contradiction of unyielding Naira surplus existing side-by-side in the market with scarcity of cheap funds to grow the real sector, also appears lost in the

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popular indigenous artiste cautioned in one of his lyrics that you cannot sow cocoyam and hope to harvest rice.

Notwithstanding the above wise counsel, Nigerians inexplicably hope and believe that in spite of over 70% of our population, reportedly, currently living on less than $2/ day, our country could still blossom to become one of the top 20 economies six years from now.

Clearly, this ambitious expectation is the product of a well choralled propaganda championed by government and its Economic Management Team to sustain hope and distract Nigerians from recognizing the obvious economic contradictions which block our path to economic prosperity. This week, we will examine some of these economic contradictions which must first be resolved before we can realistically expect strident, inclusive economic growth and also witness enhanced social welfare. To begin with, we shall consider the evident contradiction of deepening poverty, despite increasing output and revenue.

Ordinarily, rising real income would normally be expected to improve the economic welfare of any person or community.

Surprisingly, however, despite consistently rising income, Nigeria began to be listed amongst the world’s poorest nations at a time our foreign reserves base regularly exceeded $30bn after the return to civil rule in 1999.

Surprisingly, the social and economic welfare of our people was not positively impacted even when external reserves exceeded $50bn while systemic surplus Naira, unexpectedly also remained a burden three years ago. How do we explain the unusual mix of unyielding surplus Naira and increasingly

Why would any rational person pay any interest whatsoever to borrow money it does not need?

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consciousness of our people.

Worse still, why would CBN, whose prime mandate is to grow the economy, also consciously discourage liberal access to cheap funds to SMEs who invariably constitute the backbone for industrial growth and job creation, by deliberately instigating high Monetary Policy Rates to frustrate and discourage bank lending to the real sector.

Similarly, we do not interrogate why CBN appears to cut its own nose to spite its face by instigating a high Monetary Policy Rate of up to 12%,

knowing fully well that such a high benchmark inevitably also pumps up the cost of servicing not only CBN loans, but also the increasingly precarious debts of governments and its agencies at all levels.

Besides, why would any rational person pay any interest whatsoever to borrow money it does not need?

Evidently, CBN repeatedly commits such faux pas every month whenever it borrows hundreds of billions of Naira with double-digit interest rate from banks only to store away these expensive loans thereafter from any redemptive economic application. Why would anyone condone such reckless anti-social monetary strategy at a time when government itself seeks additional loans to fund annual budgets and remediate our severe deficits in the quantity and quality of infrastructures in the education, health, power and transport subsectors?

In other words, how come obviously “burdensome” surplus Naira and bountiful reserves exist side-by-side with such socially depressing deprivations?

Evidence of blatant contradictions in government’s economic strategies are also apparent in the foreign exchange market where, inspite of increasingly buoyant reserves, the Naira exchange rate has lost over 50 percent of its value in the last 16 years.

For example, in 1996 when the Naira exchanged for N80 = $1.0, our total reserves of $4bn was reported to be adequate cover for only 4 months imports.

Surprisingly, however, when our reserves base of over $50bn

was reported to be adequate for at least 12 months imports payment in 2010, our exchange rate fell to almost N160 = $1.0.

Surely, an extended imports cover should induce an exchange rate that is stronger than N80 = $1.0, and not the other way round!

Similarly, we must wonder why CBN is apparently averse to dollar denominated allocations to government and its agencies, when the same CBN consciously and regularly allocates billions of dollars every month to Bureau De Change, inspite of the clear recognition that the nefarious activities of treasury looters, money launderers, and smugglers are facilitated from CBN’s regular deliberate dollar allocations to BDCs. There is no gain saying the adverse impact such predatory strategy has on our industries and ultimately on our economic and social welfare. It is similarly unbelievable that inspite of the possibility of lower fuel prices and the potential of earning a reasonable sales tax on every litre of fuel, government’s monetary strategy still consciously accommodates a bill of over $12bn to subsidize fuel prices annually.

Undeniably, a stronger exchange rate of N80= $1.0 will immediately reduce fuel prices to below N80, thus wiping off any further payment of fuel subsidy, while enabling government to earn at least N17/liter tax instead, from the daily sale of 35m litres of fuel.

Consequently, in view of these disenabling contradictions in our economic framework, is it realistic or foolhardy to seriously expect a positive transformation that would catapult Nigeria to one of top twenty economies in year 2020? Well, maybe I should let you be the judge.

Save the Naira, Save Nigerians

Business & Economy AAAN seeks APCON’s collaboration tto o build ad industr industryy data base

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ssociation of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN has indicated its intention to collaborate with the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON to build an advertising Industry data base.

Data base for the industry has been an issue that has made it impossible for researchers and writers alike to have record of references in the ad industry in Nigeria.

Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, the newly elected President of AAAN made this assertion

during the association’s visit to APCON Head office in Lagos, where he spoke on several issues bedeviling the industry, but said among other things that the association would like to collaborate with APCON on building a data base for the advertising industry.

He pointed out that what pushed the association to seek for collaboration is the fact that recently the association sought to get advertisements created in the last 20 years, but agencies could not lay their hands on it, a situation he

described as an indication of lose of institutional memory.

“Institutional memory is a strong problem, we will need to work with you and see what we can do to improve upon that so that even if it hosting it on a portal or hosting it in the cloud or whatever method we need to, it is something that we are kin to do.” He reiterated.

He went further to say; “today we specifically will like to mention that on the industry data base we will need to see how to build it, and build it strongly.”

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ebele Orakpo Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Energy Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter

CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Nkiruka Nnorom Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Media/Marketing Capital Market E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

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BRIEFS

We shot down Israeli drone —Iran

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RAN’s elite Revolutionary Guard says it has brought down an Israeli stealth drone above the Natanz uranium enrichment site in the centre of the country.

The Guards issued a statement saying the drone was trying to penetrate the site, state news agency ISNA said on Sunday.

“The downed aircraft was of the stealth, radarevasive type and it intended to penetrate the offlimit nuclear area in Natanz... but was targeted by a ground-to-air missile before it managed to enter the area,” ISNA said, citing a statement by the Revolutionary Guards.

“This act demonstrates a new adventurism by the Zionist regime... The Revolutionary Guard and the other armed forces reserve the right to respond to this act,” the statement added.

The Israeli military said it did not comment on foreign reports.

Natanz is Iran’s main uranium enrichment site, housing more than 16,000 centrifuges. Around 3,000 more are at the Fordo plant, buried inside a mountain and hard to destroy.

Islamist fighters in the Fajr Libya (Libyan Dawn) stand guard at the entrance of Tripoli international airport yesterday, after capturing it from Zintan force, allies of General Khalifa Haftar. Photo: AFP

Unidentified jets attack targets in Libya •As armed militia captures Tripoli airport

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NIDENTIFIED war planes have attacked targets in the Libyan capital hours after fighters from the city of Misrata said they had seized the main airport from a rival fighter brigade.

It was reported that Tripoli residents heard jets followed by explosions at dawn on Saturday but no more details were immediately available.

Meanwhile, Egypt denied taking any part in air strikes on Libyan fighter positions in Tripoli after the armed group that captured the airport accused the country of involvement in the recent attacks.

“Egypt categorically denies press reports that Egyptian warplanes bombarded positions held by armed Islamist

militias in the Libyan capital,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Libyan fighters from Mistrata have charged that Egypt and the United Arab Emirates were behind a raid around Tripoli airport on Friday night that reportedly killed 13 people.

Meanwhile, an armed militia alliance in Libya has captured Tripoli’s

international airport after a battle lasting nearly a month.

Islamist-affiliated forces from Misrata and other cities took over the airport from the Zintan militia, which has held it for three years.

Libya’s new parliament, largely opposed to the Islamists, condemned the move.

Violence in Libya has

Kidnapped US journalist freed in Syria

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N American jour nalist kidnapped nearly two years ago has been freed in Syria and handed over to UN representatives, after Qatari mediation helped lead to his release.

Peter Theo Curtis was freed from captivity on Sunday, after reported-

ly being abducted in Antakya, Turkey, where he planned to enter Syria in October 2012.

Footage of the the American was released on June 30, showing a disheveled Curtis with long hair and beard, but appearing to be in good health.

Envoy tasks Nigerians in Austria on unity

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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HE Nigerian Am bassador to Austria, Mr Abel Adelakun Ayoko, has called on Nigerians resident in Austria to work for the unity of Nigeria.

Ayoko, who said this at the launch of the Oodua People’s Union, OPU, in Austria, held at the Centenary Hall, Vienna, Austria, advised Nigerians to form a united bloc and work for the interest of Nigeria, irrespective of their ethnic background.

Other dignitaries at the event include Mr. and Mrs. George Alaba, the parents of Nigerian-

surged recently between the rival groups who overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 uprising. The airport, Libya’s largest, has been closed for over a month because of the fighting.

Hundreds have died since fighting broke out in Tripoli in July. Millions of dollars in damage has been caused to the airport.

born Bayern Munich defender; Chief Chucks Ugbor; Mr. Valentine Ogunya, Patron, Oodua and OPU coordinators in France, Holland, Germany, Norway and Finland among others.

Commending the organizers of the OPU for their foresight, he urged members and other Nigerians in Austria to be good ambassadors of Nigeria in their daily activities.

Speaking in a video obtained by Al Jazeera, Curtis read from a prepared script stating his name and profession, saying he was a journalist from Boston, Massachusetts.

Commenting on his treatment, Curtis said he “had everything” he needed and ”everything has been perfect, food, clothing, even friends now”.

Earlier this year, thirteen nuns were freed after being kidnapped

by Syrian rebels following Lebanese-Qatari mediation, ending a three-month ordeal in a rare prisoner exchange with the government.

We’re close to identifying Foley’s killer — UK BRITISH Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Peter Westmacott has said that the British government is close to identifying the ISIS militant who beheaded American journalist James Foley.

Westmacott said he couldn’t elaborate on the identity of the killer, who

is seen decapitating Foley in a video posted last week on YouTube.

“We’re putting a great deal into the search,” he said, referring to the use of sophisticated technology to analyze the man’s voice.

In the video, Foley, 40, is seen kneeling next to a man dressed in black.

•Foley

California declares state of emergency following 6.0 earthquake

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N earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 has shaken northern California, causing injuries and damage to buildings.

The USGS said it struck at 03:20 local time (10:20 GMT) four miles (6km) north-west of the town of American Canyon, at a depth of 6.7 miles.

At least 87 people have been taken to hospital in the Napa area, with three of them seriously injured.

California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in order to deal with the effects of the quake.

Officials in Napa said in a statement that the quake had destroyed four mobile homes and caused “approximately 50” gas main breaks and around 30 leaks from water mains.

Three historic buildings in the town had been hit and two commercial buildings “severely damaged”, the statement went on.

More than 10,000 households were without power in Napa, about six miles from the earthquake’s epicentre, and the surrounding area, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company said.

An evacuation centre has been set up in a high school gym

Netanyahu asks Gazans to leave Hamas sites

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SRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Gaza residents to leave any site where Palestinian fighters are operating, saying the locations could be attacked.

“I call on the inhabitants of Gaza to vacate immediately every site from which Hamas is carrying out terrorist activity. Every one of these places is a target for us,” he said.

Hours after Netanyahu spoke, an Israeli air strike killed a mother and three children from the same family in northern Gaza on Sunday, medics said.

The strike hit a home near Jabalia.

Earlier strikes in the day killed a one-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, Qudra said.

A cluster of four homes, were destroyed by strikes in Khan Younis, along with a strike on a car which killed Mohammedal-Ghoul, described as a Hamas official responsible for “terror fund transactions”, taking Sunday’s death toll there to at least 12.

Israel said it hit 20 targets in Gaza on Sunday morning, while Palestinian fighters fired at least 20 rockets rounds at Israel, the army said.

On Saturday, the Israeli military warned residents of Al Zafer Tower, a 13-storey building to leave, shortly before launching air strikes.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 45

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan received the 22-voume, 10,335-page report of the National Conference, along with its 600 resolutions last week Thursday, and went into a poetic rhapsody. He declared: “All those who had predicted the disintegration of our country at the end of our first centenary would wish they chose another country when the possibilities of the new vision for Nigeria are actualised”.

Jonathan had good reasons to be ecstatic. Here was a conference that faced many odds when it was being put together. His political opponents, especially those promoting the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) had discredited and opposed it.

They threatened to boycott it. Even some rebel PDP governors, some of who later decamped to APC, said their states would not be sending delegates.

Eventually, one by one, they sent delegates to go and canvass the interests of their people and states, perhaps after realising that though President Jonathan was convening the conference, it was not a Jonathan conference but one for all Nigerians.

Confab’s real winners and “losers” nationalities” and their opponents who were inspired by rabble-rousing regional irredentists.

There were those who came to ask for the inequalities introduced into the body politic by a region army to be ameliorated to give marginalised Nigerians a sense of belonging. For instance, the Igbo delegates seized the opportunity to revisit the already

The happy thing, for me, is that those who will like to keep Nigeria rooted on the spot for their selfish interests have, over the years, become a miserable minority. They have lost power, though they do not realise it

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The second stage of the debacle took place at the floor of the conference, where delegates came buoyed by different motivations. Some came to find ways of moving Nigeria forward. Those in this group included the delegates genuinely committed to reforms that would promote nation building, citizenship rights, reduce the cost of governance, diversify the economy for prosperity, explore ways of securing the nation and its people from internal and external enemies, expand opportunities to vulnerable groups and generally make Nigeria a better place for all Nigerians. Most of the delegates who fell under this category represented civil society groups, Labour and professional interests. The federal government went out of its way to ensure their adequate representation. These were the bridgebuilders who mediated between the delegates representing “ethnic

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nationally agreed creation of an additional state for the South East Zone to bring it to par with the others. The Yoruba delegates also revisited their age-old demand for a return to the regional setup and devolution of powers.

The Minorities of Southern Nigeria from the oil-bearing Niger Delta came to cash in on the constitutional promise that the 13 per cent derivation on their oil resources can be upped. It was also an opportunity for people from solid mineral-rich areas; especially the northern zones, to ask for a special fund to enable the country develop that sector for the benefit of all.

But unfortunately, some groups allowed themselves to be misled by external influences that were determined to keep Nigeria where it is or move it backward if possible. Some of these delegates came from the Arewa areas of North East and North West. They took

their marching orders from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) a reactionary group of retired technocrats and politicians of the Muslim North who still live in the distant and dark past where Nigeria was seen as a conquered, vassal territory of the Sokoto Fulani Caliphate. The NEF enjoined its disciples among the delegates to make sure that anything that would bring about change or reduce the unmerited privileges of the old, defunct Northern Region would not be allowed to sail through.

New North-South divide

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t was in the process of these truculent exchanges that the new North-South divide, which has been developing over the past 24 years, became evident. The new political “South” in the conference consisted of delegates from the South East, South-South and South West, plus those from Minority areas of the old Northern Region, generally referred to as the Middle Belt; while the new “North” consists mainly of the core Muslim zones of North West and North East, with a sprinkling of conservative Muslims from the North Central sometimes found in their midst. These were the delegates who took their instructions from the NEF and tried – and failed – to frustrate the conference.

They failed because a large number of the Arewa Muslims are also patriotic, progressive and independent-minded enough to know what is good for all Nigerians. They joined the rest of their compatriots to do the right thing.

The conference eventually ended on a victorious note for Nigeria. At least, the minority Arewa group bowed to the superior reason of the rest of the

delegates, and so the victory is also theirs. It is a classic case of “no victor, no vanquished” and everyone is a winner.

The happy thing, for me, is that those who will like to keep Nigeria rooted on the spot for their selfish interests have, over the years, become a miserable minority. They have lost power, though they do not realise it.

It is a great delusion for anyone to make his political calculations based on the defunct Regions created by colonial Britain. It is also becoming unviable to make political projections based on the structures left behind by the rampaging Northern regional army. The truth is that the regions created by Britain collapsed long ago. There is no Eastern, Western or Northern Region anymore. There is no Mid-Western Region anymore.

Nigeria has moved on since. People clinging to such anachronisms will always bite their fingers in frustration at the end of every political process.

The Western Region ended with the creation of the Midwest in 1963. The Yorubas took the creation of the Midwest in their stride and moved on. The Eastern Region ended with the declaration of Biafra and the creation of twelve states in 1967. The Igbos moved on, too, and so have the Southern Minorities. In fact, it was the Igbo elite that fought for the creation of the SouthSouth in the 1994 Abacha Conference to break up the alliance between their Minority neighbours and the North and West. They ended up creating a new regional alliance now popularly known as the South East and South-South, a partnership of equals, not that of master and servant.

But the North, especially Arewa, does not want to accept the fact that the Middle Belt, the zone of the Minorities and non-Muslims, has come to stay, and that their incessant killings and destruction of Minority communities have pushed the Middle Belt into an alliance with the South. It showed in the conference, and helped to ensure its success.

However, it is one thing to have a successful conference and yet another to implement its report. Now, the harder part of the job has started: making the resolutions become change agents to enable the nation to survive and thrive in the second century of its history.

The ball is now in the court of the president and the National Assembly.

OPINION

By Abubakar Galadima INCE former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, indicated interest in moving to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disquiet has reigned in the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). As efforts by the party's hierarchy to discourage his defection failed, disquiet gradually gave way to disdain and Ribadu became the butt of virulent attacks from his former party men. The disgrunted party men now take pot shots at his shining service records: while some said he was power-hungry, others labelled him an ungrateful politician. Like eating sour grapes, bitterness within the APC has never been more profound.

The whining in the APC over Ribadu is understandable.

Not only does it portray the APC in the worst possible light, it defined the rot in the major opposition camp like never before. Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, tried to make their burden lighter by adding a spin, that it (defection) would turn out Ribadu’s loss more than that of the party. It was a bad way to spin. However one looks at it, the situation in the party must be of the worst kind to make the presidential torch-bearer in one of the legacy parties-ACN-in as recent as the 2011 elections to jump ship.

As the APC sulks over Ribadu, the atmosphere is cheery in the PDP which sees it as the arrival of a brother who has been on an endless sojourn in the wilderness. Even as Ribadu was flying the ACN presidential flag in the 2011 elections, many pundits said he was like a stranger in the party. His sojourn in the opposition camp didn’t just add up because he had PDP blood running in his veins, literally. To buttress the fact that the ruling party connected so well with his principles, the former EFCC boss was in February 2012 appointed to chair the 20-member Petroleum Revenue Special Taskforce. It was the first appointment to be accepted by the former EFCC boss whose tenure at the anti-

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Home-return of a sojourner graft agency drew accolades during the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, and as he enthused, it was an opportunity to be part of the Jonathan administration’s efforts to sanitise the petroleum industry.

The question is: was he really a committed opposition politician? The answer, of course, is no; Ribadu has always been a sojourner in the APC. His sojourn, first in the ACN, which later teamed up with others to become APC, was for him an eye opener: the renowned anti-corruption Czar was forced to dine with strange bedfellows who had no respect for either political due process or party internal democracy.

In spite of their ‘progressive’ tag, he must have found out to his dismay that the APC does not practise the ideals it preaches.

While he lasted in the opposition enclave, it was easy for Ribadu to emerge as its moral compass, working hard to ensure the party walks its talk. Whether it earned him the 2011 presidential ticket of the ACN on merit, or he was simply one of the political guinea-pigs in Bola Tinubu’s political laboratory is not the issue here. What was most irritating was the treacherous manner in which Tinubu, the ACN godfather purportedly traded away his support base for a mess of financial pottage, and turned Ribadu into a political orphan.

As far as the 2011 presidential election was concerned, Ribadu who only won in Osun State, was for the most part, on his own. The much support he garnered across the country was largely on the force of his moral persona, and in spite of Tinubu and his band of hangers on. It is still that moral force that is at play in Adamawa, where he has explained that his decision to quit the APC for the PDP was taken in the state’s overriding interest. Any honest man

who seeks to serve requires a platform devoid of deceit and unnecessary baggage.

A few weeks ago, shortly after the impeachment of Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako as governor, the same Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande had committed another faux pax. The APC leaders had asked their former presidential candidate whom they knew was preparing for another shot at the presidency, to forget the idea and go for the governorship of Adamawa state instead. It was perfidy of the worst kind.

Abubakar Atiku whom he had indicted on corruption charges as EFCC chairman in 2006, was no less treacherous.

Though he learnt long ago that Atiku’s politics is defined by his interest and not the collective good, he must have wondered how he co-habited with the man for that long.

The last straw, of course, was the man’s cat-and-mouse game during the battle to save Governor Nyako from imminent impeachment. Unlike Ribadu who had fought doggedly for Nyako’s survival, Atiku clearly worked against the interest of the party in which he was supposed to be one of its leaders. To be saddled with such a character going into the Adamawa poll was to make his aspiration to serve his people, dead on arrival. When you add the insincerity and large baggage of corruption by other known leaders of the APC, Ribadu knew it was time to go.

Ribadu may have returned to where he really belongs but for the APC, the consequences are dire indeed. By joining the PDP which flag he is expected to fly in the Adamawa governorship election in October, if he wins the party primary, Ribadu’s defection can rightly be interpreted that the APC has no fighting chance in a state it only recently lost. Ribadu’s bold move has likely opened the exit door to several other dispirited politicians who are increasingly becoming uncomfortable with the arbitrariness in the APC. *Mr. Galadima, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

—47 Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014—

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The casualties are not only the Chibok girls; the casualties are all of us; even the Boko Haram members are casualties

By Henry Onyekuru

I

T has been over 100 days since the forceful abduction of over 200 girls from their sleeping beds inside their school premises at Chibok in Borno State.

Since then not much has been heard from them save the video that was released by their abductors, the Boko Haram sect.

One hundred days is a long time for a human being to adapt to a new environment and lifestyle. I wonder what those innocent girls might have gone through in the hands of the Boko Haram members, but more importantly, what really is their mood or psyche presently?

The Stockholm syndrome emanated after the hostage situation in Stockholm, Sweden some time ago. Over a period of time the captor and the captive soon develop a bond whereby there seems to be a certain level of comfort for the captives and in extreme cases, the captive even falls in love with their captor(s).

This may seem too theoretical to be true in this case but what exactly is going through the minds of those girls? Are we abandoned? The government doesn’t really care about us?

Maybe these men holding us hostage may be right after all.

Should we follow them in their ideology?

I sincerely believe, and it is my opinion, that whatever is the predominant feelings of those girls as I write this, fear might have been replaced with another emotion. They have lived with these people for a period of time and interacted with them, and probably to some extent, they might have even become sympathetic to their cause.

Communication, including the propaganda variety, is a great tool for information. Those girls, I presume, are held incommunicado. So, maybe they are not aware of the rallies, protests, discussions and the bring back our girls hashtag that has been viral since their abduction.

What this means is that the only information they get is from their abductors. Information which is actually a disinformation.

During the civil war in Sierra Leone, children were abducted, radicalised, given guns, machetes, hard drugs, but worst of all, they had their minds twisted and with all this; they maimed, killed without pity, all because their fragile vulnerable minds had been tampered with. This shows that no matter how innocent a child can be, any trauma and new ideology can negatively affect him.

The government is acting too slowly in this situation and those girls are drifting far away from the

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values that they have been brought up with. They are losing hope in the state and they might rebel against the state. They are not aware of the wailings of their mothers and siblings or the heartache of their fathers who consciously look towards the horizon everyday wishing for them to come home. President Barack Obama recently ordered the swap of five prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay Prison facility in exchange for one American soldier captured way back.

I

f the government has to release some Boko Haram prisoners then it is imperative that they do that to get those girls back. They need not just their freedom back and released to their parents but they need psychologists and trauma experts to mentally guide them back so they can be reintegrated in to the larger society.

We just do not know what the Boko Haram have been feeding their

Ending the Israeli-Palestinian impasse

By Adewale Kupoluyi

T

HE ongoing military action in Gaza, Palestine, fuelled by the continued bombing by the Israeli authorities calls for serious appraisal in view of the precarious situation in the Middle East and indeed, global peace. This latest conflict was precipitated when some yetto-be-identified assailants kidnapped three Israeli teenagers, only for their mutilated corpses to be found a month later. To the Israeli authorities, this dastardly crime could have been hatched by no person or group other than the camp that is sympathetic to the Palestinians. This in turn led to the reprisal murder of a Palestinian youth after weeks of invasive security sweeps by Israeli troops accompanied by mass arrests of several suspects.

Operation Protective Edge, named by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, is the most recent in a long line of military operations against the Palestinians, was a massive onslaught, as the Israelis continue to bomb schools, mosques, cafes, private homes and even facilities for the disabled, which Netanyahu said would continue until Israel was guaranteed "peace and security". Hamas, the militant arm of the Palestinian authorities, retaliated by unleashing rockets on Israeli towns and cities. As a fall-out, nearly 2,000 Palestinians were reported to have been killed out of which 75 per cent are civilians, according to United Nations preliminary information. On the Israeli side, at least 67 people were killed, mostly soldiers. Going down memory lane, Gaza, a small piece of land, was captured by Israel during the Arab-Israeli War and was handed over to Palestine for self-rule after the Oslo Peace Accords of 1993 alongside with West Bank that was administered by the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, C M Y K

PLO. By 2005, the Israeli authorities had removed all Jewish troops and settlements and a year later, this short peace became shattered when Hamas won legislative elections and began launching attacks on Israel. This reaction elicited Israeli reprisals and military action as the Hamas violently dislodged the Fatah faction of the PLO and began a rocket campaign against Israel. This hostility has continued till date.

The Middle East crisis is complex and highly political. There seem to be three divides in understanding the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. For Hamas, its relevance and the loyalty of the Arabs can be sustained solely by its fanaticism and capacity to inflict brute assault, psychological and propaganda damage on Israel and its citizens because its founding charter tends to support the obliteration of the Jewish state, as propagated through bombings, kidnapping and rocket attacks.

Extremist Israeli Jews on the other hand insist that the West Bank should remain part of Israel while the extremist Palestinian Arabs on the other hand are demanding for total possession of the West Bank and the rest of Israel as rightful Arabs. Hamas, no doubt, rejects Israel's right to exist and Israel on the other hand sees the group as a mere terrorist organisation. Aside this, another contending matter central to the imbroglio is the issue of land. Hamas is seeking an end to territorial and coastal blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt in 2007, which Israel is seriously opposed to. To Hamas, it will not end its hostility until Israel agrees to lift its blockade of Gaza and frees the funds Hamas badly needs to run its government. Although, Hamas does not seems to enjoy the track-record of being trusted in the sense that whenever Israel relaxes its Gaza restrictions, it responds fast by importing more armaments and finances in its war machinery and offensive. With this

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Chibok, Nigeria and the Stockholm syndrome

minds with.

To a great extent the Stockholm syndrome is actually affecting all Nigerians, we have been held captive for a long-time and we love it. That is why we can see our captors and hail them as the best thing that ever happened, that is why our legislators are the highest paid in the world and we still wallow in abject poverty.

That is why those we elected to serve us chase us off our roads with horsewhips and fierce looking security personnel so their siren blaring bullet-proof motorcade can pass quickly; that is why some governors can allocate a medical package of N100 million for themselves in a year, even after they have left office. So, in the midst of all these obscenities, we sing their praises both in newspapers and gatherings, and once we get back to the confines of our houses with generators emitting toxic fumes, we console ourselves by saying: “it is well”, “God dey” and later ask our pastors to please pray for us so that the witches and witchcraft troubling us would die.

Ayi Kwei Armah in his classic novel, The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born described the level of corruption as it was then in Ghana. Amidst all the temptations and even the bickerings from his wife, the protagonist in the novel who Armah beautifully characterised as “the man” didn’t follow the bandwagon of mediocrity and shame, not even the grandiose, affluent lifestyle of his friend and colleague, Koomson, could deter him from his noble stance.

Effective diplomacy should be deployed to bring about the desired peace in the Middle East by ensuring that Israel and Hamas end this war without further delay and the onus lies more on the UN, USA and Arab League

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posturing, there appears to be no end in sight in stopping the war.

Disagreement over land matters is also central to the Palestinian-Israeli enmity. The land dispute is borne out of political, economic and security interests had resulted into the killing of several people over the years. In 2008, Israel sent soldiers into Gaza killing an estimated 1,300 people, many of them civilians, were killed in Gaza before a declaring a ceasefire; 13 Israeli soldiers also died; in 2012, at least 167 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed during an Israeli operation after an eight-day ceasefire was declared with both sides promising to stop attacks. This perennial problem could be resolved by endowing residents of the territory an equal claim to the disputed land. And to whom would the rent be paid? Is it to the Israeli or the Palestine?

I

nstead, there could be an arrangement that looks like a confederation of the two governments whereby they will be accorded full and independent access to entitlements.

The concept of sharing the land has been well recognised by many scholars of Middle East politics. For instance, Martin Buber, in his “Socialism and Peace”, bserved that the

Fast forward to present day Nigeria. If Ayi Kwei had known that the corruption prevalent in Nigeria today would make the Ghana situation look like a kindergarten playground, maybe he would have waited and released a blockbuster without any hyperbole effects.

The literary Icon, professor J.P Clark in his poem, “The Casualties”, wrote: ”The casualties are not only those who are dead, they are well out of it”.

In this case, the casualties are not only the Chibok girls, their situation is just brought into prominence. The casualties are all of us; even the Boko Haram members are casualties. If Abubakar Shekau and his likes were giving basic education by the states or taught a skill, he wouldn’t have been this dangerous man troubling us, he wouldn’t have risen against the state in this violent and grotesque manner. He wouldn’t have created a cause to fight, kill and die for, he wouldn’t have hated his people to the extent of saying he takes delight in killing people the same way he kills chicken and goat.

Abubakar Shekau is a perfect example of how the government have failed us over the years. His lieutenants and foot soldiers would not follow his warped ideology if they were gainfully employed or engaged in more decent productive ventures. *Mr. Onyekuru, a social commentator, wrote from Lagos.

only thing that can bring about enduring peace to Israel is “a just distribution of the soil and the formulation of small communities which would be organic cells of this new economy and this new society”.

If this economic option can be sorted out and faithfully implemented, then the Israelis and the Palestinians can hopefully live together in peace.

Resolving this age-long challenge will also require sincere and unbiased mediation of the major power players such as the United Nations, United States of America, European Union and the Arab League. They should be honest enough to tell the truth without minding whose ox is gored. The polarised disposition of these superpowers is unhelpful. The USA should muster the courage to tell Israel that its excesses are unbecoming and should be condemned in strongest term. Egypt has been a mediator in the talks between the two sides by meeting separately with each party. This should be further encouraged.

Other major Palestinian demands that could bring about enduring peace are the establishment and recognition of its nation as an independent state, the construction of a sea port and reopening of an airport as agreed in the Oslo agreements more than 20 years ago.

Hamas is also demanding the release of about 100 prisoners, including dozens of members of parliament, possibly in return for the two captured Israeli soldiers.

Another key issue worth considering is the flow of money into Gaza, currently blocked

by Israel. While Israel may shift grounds, Hamas leaders should realise that they may never garner any international support with the continued use of rocket attacks, terror raids and kidnappings.

Israel should also be made to know that nothing meaningful can be resolved through violence. Effective diplomacy should be deployed to bring about the desired peace in the Middle East by ensuring that Israel and Hamas end this war without further delay and the onus lies more on the UN, USA and Arab League.

Mr.Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

48 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 49

50 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Jonathan didn't interfere at all — Akinyemi, deputy chair Confab:

•It shows Nigerians can solve their problems themselves •Nigeria must become more assertive

W

ith the successful deliberations and adoption of the resolutions of the National Conference by the 494 delegates, the leadership has made history by breaking the jinx that has often attended previous confabs. In this interview, Deputy Chairman of the National Conference, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, speaks on the factors that brought about the success and its implications for Nigeria and its future.

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL Editor, North

W

hat does the outcome of the N a t i o n a l Conference mean to you as a person and as a member of its leadership?

The praise should go to several people and organisations. Number one, the wisdom of the president in not micro-managing the conference made it possible for us to succeed. I can attest to the fact that he never interfered with our work on any occasion.

Part of the reasons why other conferences actually failed were all these unseen hands, who never left the delegates alone to take their decisions.

So the president must take primary praise that he never sought to interfere, he never

their style of leadership to enable them to achieve set goals; instead it becomes my birthright. That is why deputy governors are seen but not heard. And most of the time, it is the special assistants or the civil servants around the governors who often play up to the ego of the governor to sideline the deputy. And they think by sidelining the deputies, they build up their own influence.

Justice Kutigi did not suffer from any ego at all. I can attest to that. He treated me not as a deputy chairman but as a cochairman. At our management meetings, I would say to him, ‘my Lord, what is your decision? And he would say ‘ what is our decision?’ From day one, he had made it clear that he wanted to run an open administration where he sought the views of and encouraged the members to speak out their minds and let our decisions be a collective one. I doff my hat for him in respect for that because it means that his own views were enriched by those of other people in the management committee.

Of course, I ensured as his deputy, that he had the last word. There was no challenge to his authority. Second characteristic of Justice Kutigi, was his fairness to all: I did not see any trace of political

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A clash between us would have made the conference to lose focus. I testify to his righteousness and steadfastness. The third group that should be commended are the delegates because nobody walked out even though we had some disagreements

intervened and he never sent anybody to the management to say this is the way I want this or that to go. Number two, the praise must also go the Chairman of the management of the conference, Hon. Justice Idris Kutigi.

Why do I say this? Nigeria is one place where office holders hold on to the office as if it is a personal property.

Not that they are there to achieve certain purposes and therefore they should calibrate

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leanings or any trace of ethnic jingoisms in the man; he was as straight as an arrow, steadfast and righteous. He was prepared whoever you may be to bring to book, if you are stepping wrongly, no matter which part of the country you came from. And that then empowered the rest of us, like when I had to preside, I made sure that nobody was made to overstep where they should be no matter which part of the

•Akinyemi country they came from, because I had seen Justice Kutigi do so and I know he would back me in whichever way I conducted myself. It is not as if people did not attempt to drive a wedge between us but he never encouraged them to get away with it. If any caucus went to him, he would send for me and say Deputy, sit here and let us have the meeting. If other Nigerian leaders were to behave that way, that they cannot separate them and their deputies, they would make tremendous progress in whichever office it is.

A clash between us would have made the conference to lose focus. I testify to his righteousness and steadfastness. The third group that should be commended are the delegates because nobody walked out even though we had some disagreements, which were

within acceptable parliamentary behaviour.

That was very important and gave us the latitude to negotiate differences. If a group had walked out, we would not be able to say that we had a unanimous decision. As the chairman said at the closing ceremony and as the president himself confirmed, that the report was unanimously adopted. The delegates themselves knew when to pull back from the brink. But this was also a reflection of their belief that management was fair. If people really thought that management had pitched its tent with one camp, the others would have left. So the delegates deserved some praises. Collectively, we should all be thanked for all this.

There were times that things were really tough with the management of the

confab. Why did the management not solicit the intervention of the Presidency in resolving such knotty issues?

We did not seek the intervention of any group or agency in resolving our disagreements because we thought we could handle the situation at hand. I mean a man who has risen from being a legal draftsman, high court judge, Appeal Court judge to being in the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of Nigeria had certainly accumulated decades of wisdom. A man who has risen from being a university lecturer to Director General NIIA to Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I also had an activist past as a member of NADECO and also brought to my job as deputy chairman, diplomacy to

Continues on page 51

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 51

Continues from page 50 achieve our goals. While my Lord was firm that whatever we do principles are sacrosanct and sacred, I brought into the leadership the belief that diplomacy-just dialoguing could resolve these differences and improve right. If you remember at the beginning we had this problem over the percentages and then we came up with the concept of the ’50 Wise Men’.

In diplomacy and international conference, voting does not resolve any problem; you would have resolved the issue there is nothing called true federalism. Each federal system is designed to address the peculiarities of the country.

That is why the Canadian Federalism is different from the Swiss one; the American is different from the French.

Germany runs a federal structure. And there are peculiarities in each one of them. We did it now. We reversed what looked like not just a trend, the rush towards a unification that started in 1966 and that then built up over the next 50 years.

We reversed it as the justended conference by a more structured federalism. So issues were taken from the federal government, powers were taken from federal government and sent to the states. Number two: we sought to address in a critical way, issues dealing with the youths, the disabled. This conference recognised them as critical partners in the Nigerian nation and that they had their peculiar problem, which were addressed. We dealt with the issue of unemployment in a structured way, the contribution by labour and the youths in the recommendation that they put on the floor. We sought to address this question of impunity that comes from immunity of office holders, which was introduced into the constitution in 1979. Before then you could sue premiers and prime ministers and everybody.

Now, we have recommended that the immunity be removed. We have recommended that the office of the Minister of Justice be separated from that of the Attorney General of the Federation, recognising that one is really political and the other is professional and should be insulated from politics and we have taken a look at the security structure and created two new institutions: the Border Patrol as a separate line of command and the Coastal Guard because we want a blue sea navy, we want a navy that is really a navy and not one that patrols the creeks and calls

Jonathan didn't interfere once – Akinyemi, deputy chair

Confab:

itself navy. We felt that the navy has no business in the creeks. They should be at the high sea and protecting our fisheries up to 250 miles Isobaths. So really, we allowed the states to have their own constitutions. We strengthened the judiciary structure in the state by allowing them to have their own courts of appeal and a lot of these things are taking us back to the independence constitution and correcting the aberrations that the military created. We passed over 600 resolutions during the conference.

During deliberations there were many stormy sessions and many feared that the conference would end up in disaster as the previous ones.

What was your greatest moment of fear during the conference?

I am a human being and I have fears and there were times that I had doubts that we would be able to manage the conference successfully. I

knew we were doing our best, I knew we were being fair but human beings are irrational beings.

And at times, I wondered whether we would succeed.

But in those trying moments, I want on my knees and prayed to God Almighty to help us to overcome our challenges. I also then knew that prayer warriors, whether Christians or Muslims were praying for the success of this conference.

There were delegates who came to us and said to me sir, we are praying and fasting and asked us to remain steadfast and I will go to the chairman and tell him that people were praying for us that we should be steadfast. They were also delegates and some traditional rulers who were sending notes to us and asking us to be steadfast. But in spite of all that there were times I had my doubts as to the success of the conference.

Looking at all the resolutions adopted by the delegates, which of them

excites you most?

There were several fundamental resolutions taken that are so exciting to me. For instance, look at the return to the old National Anthem, in fact to me we were sending out an important signal to the rest of the world that we are demilitarising our system and going back to the adoption of the old National Anthem means a psychological fulfilling moment. And we should learn to read signals: Do you realise that in the President’s closing remarks, he president uttered the first two sentences of the old national anthem: Nigeria we hail thee, though tribes and tongues may differ….

Did the President do that unconsciously?

No, no, no, I am sure he knew. I think it was a signal to us that he got our message.

‘I hear you loud and clear ’ and we clapped because we also got his message. Just like saying hey guys, I get your message loud and clear.

That was on Thursday?

Yes, that was so. It was like saying yes I am with you on that score.

Given your pedigree as a diplomat and political scientist, what major challenge do you think that Nigeria has to overcome fast in order to become a great nation?

Look, Nigeria must learn to be more assertive and stop being apologetic about its human, economic and human size. Nigerian needs to stop being apologetic about that. I mean, a country like Cameroun has been so hostile to Nigerian over the years and yet we just say alright we don’t want to be seen as a bully. I think the time has come when we should say hey we are not going to be apologetic anymore about our size; if you are hostile to us, be prepared for the consequences. I think this is just the way I could wrap it up because there are countries that vote against us internationally and then in the middle of the night they come crying to our president asking for assistance and they get them because when they come here they are preaching African brotherhood. But when they get back over there, they start hostility towards Nigeria. To me, I want more self assertiveness by Nigerians. We are a robust vibrant people, who should have a robust vibrant foreign nation and a robust vibrant foreign policy.

Finally sir, there are fears in certain quarters that the recommendations of the National Conference could be killed at the National Assembly by Nigerians who are uncomfortable with them.

Would you be disappointed if the resolutions do not see the light of the day at the National Assembly?

Of course, I would not be disappointed and disappointment would be a very mild word. I have just invested five months of my life in this conference but I don’t blame those who feel that since they could not achieve their aim at the confab they can do so through the National Assembly. That is legitimate.

That is why those who feel that the conference has achieved its set goals should also go to the NASS and lobby and fight for the implementation of the resolutions. They should not just go back home to relax and put their feet up. To me what the opponents of the conference are doing is legitimate. The fault would be if those who believe in the vision of these resolutions that would give birth to a Nigeria of their vision, if they now give up and think that the war is over. They have members of parliament, they should go to them and use the press to educate Nigerians that the outcome of the National Conference is in Nigeria’s best interest.

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

2014 US Open...2014 US Open...2014 US Open

Djokovic plays it cool despite Nadal’s withdrawal N

OVAK Djokovic is the generally acknowledged favourite to win the 2014 US Open, but he did not sound like it in his last pre-tournament press conference on Saturday – even accounting for the absence of the injured defending champion, Rafael Nadal.

“When Rafa is not around it changes everything,” Djokovic said.

“But, on the other side, we have all the other best players in the world here.

“Favourites? I leave it to the people. Really, I’m not thinking about it.

Everyone is starting from scratch. It’s very open.

Nowadays the competition level is higher. You have players around 15 and 20 in the world, and the quality of the tennis they are playing is higher than five years ago, in my opinion. That makes it hard to win this tournament.

“The biggest reason is the game has become more physical. My coach Boris [Becker] won Wimbledon at 17. Today it is very difficult to do anything like that. It has changed significantly. It takes some years to get

to the stage where you feel you are actually complete.”

Djokovic ought not be hugely stretched, however, in his first match here, against the Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, who is talented but flies below the radar generally. Of more concern to Djokovic will be a likely quarter-final meeting with the man who stopped him in the final here two years ago, Andy Murray.

Murray, like Djokovic, is in the doldrums. But all that changes for both of them in the raised temperatures of a slam.

Each has prepared in his own way, Djokovic spending more time with his new bride, Jelena Ristic, while awaiting the arrival of their child, and Murray … well, he’s been seeing a few of the sights.

Serena will play against ‘the future of American tennis’

T

HE U.S. Open draw is out, and five-time U.S. Open champion Serena Williams’ first round match is against an American girl who one

Fans Continues from BP “The JSK player succumbed to a head injury after being hit in the head at the end of the meeting with USM Alger.”

Opponents USM Alger described the events as ‘terrible’, and released the following statement: “JS Kabylie’s Cameroonian striker has lost his life after being hit in the head by something launched from the stands “In these painful circumstances, USM Alger and its members send their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and to JS Kabylie. May

REAR-ly READY... US Open number one seed, Serena Williams ready to return a serve from an opponent.

Albert Ebosse rest in peace.”

The president of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, issued a statement calling for ‘exemplary sanctions’ to be taken against hooliganism.

“My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this young man who enjoyed his job peacefully and went further to pursue his passion for football abroad,” wrote Hayatou.

He added: “African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever. We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence.”

day may challenge her unbelievable records.

On Saturday, Williams said that 18-year-old Taylor Townsend is the “future of American tennis.”

To w n s e n d h a s a l ready had a memorable year at Grand Slam events, ousting No. 20 Aliza Cornet at the French Open as a wild card entry on the day

NFF

Continues from BP Bafana Bafana on September 6.

Amadu said that Nigeria would need a whopping N20 million to prosecute the two matches but was at cross roads over where the money would come from.

The elections of the Executive board of the Nigeria Football Federation which holds tomorrow appears to have taken the front burner over the two Nations Cup qualifiers and Amadu does not feel comfortable with that. ‘’It is sad that nobody is talking about the matches.

Everybody is talking about the elections. As we speak,

we don’t have a coach to over-see the players who have been called to camp for the matches. It is worrisome. These qualifiers are important and deserve attention but the elections are not helping in this matter’’, Amadu said.

Speaking too, former scribe of the NFA, Dr Tijani Yusuf decried the fight for the soul of Nigerian football over the matches in the qualifiers. ‘’Nobody is talking about the matches and they still have no coach to supervise the matches.

Instead, what we hear every day are pretenders who call themselves stakeholders scrambling for positions.”

both Williams sisters lost. At Wimbledon, To w n s e n d p u t u p a fight in her first-round match with No. 31 Klara Koukalova but lost in straight sets.

To w n s e n d h a d a breakout year in junior ’s tennis in 2012, becoming the first American to be ranked the No. 1 junior in the world in 30 years.

Ladipo wants free, fair NFF election Amoni Biambo to con-

P

RESIDENT Gener al of Nigerian football Supporters Club, Dr Rafiu Ladipo has called on the Electoral committee conducting elections into various offices of the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure a level field for every candidate in tomorrow’s election in Abuja.

Ladipo who bemoaned that Nigerian football was suffering at the instance of the gladiators fighting for elective positions however urged the Chairman of the Electoral committee,

duct a credible, free and fair elections devoid of exclusion. ‘’The Electoral Committee should make the elections free and fair and ensure that all Nigerians with the requisite qualifications are allowed to contest. This is not the time to ban and exclude some persons from the elections. Give everybody equal opportunity so that we have better chances of having people who will put Nigerian football on the right pedestal’’, Ladipo charged on our hotline yesterday.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 53

C M Y K

54 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED Reconciliation of Name

OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lovelyn Nebechi Okeke, now wish to be and addressed as Mrs. Lovelyn Nebechi Nwaforeyisi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of name My name is Ebere Ezeh, but some of my documents bear Onuigbo Ebere. This is to confirm that Ebere Ezeh and Onuigbo Ebere is one and same person. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, Omoruyi Osaronamen Scott wish to state I am the same person also known as Okoro Godstime Scott. That my Primary School Certificate/June 2005 WAEC certificate Bore Okoro Godstime Scott while B.Sc documents Bore Omoruyi Osaronamen Scott. That any of my document bearing the name Omoruyi Osaronamen Scott Or Okoro Godstime Scott are one and the same person. The public should note for record and official purpose.

OGBEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkem Nkeoyenum Ogbeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkem Nkeoyenum Orodjeh.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UMORU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Umoru Gloria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adejoh Gloria. All former documents remain valid.

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, NYSC and general public please take note.

OPONE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Opone Juliet Ijeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afejuku Juliet Ijeoma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONAJITE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Sweet Oshevwiyo Onajite, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sweet Oshevwiyo Okwagbe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NNADOZIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnadozie Chinenye Lucy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ehiem Chinenye Lucy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABII—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abii Sylverline Chidimma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikejiaku Sylverline Chidimma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NNATE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnate Chidinma Grace, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidinma Joseph Onwuka. All former documents remain valid. UNTH,Enugu, FCMB, NHIS and general public please take note.

E D E G WA R E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Edegware Nancy Oke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abobade Nancy Oke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMANULO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amanulo Promise Ndidi or Amanulo Promise Chidubem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anoruo Promise Ndidi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAGBAMIGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Oluwasanmi Samson Fagbamigbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Olugbamigbe Samson Oluwasanmi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbo Maryjane Ifeyinwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Maryjane Ifeyinwa.

All former documents remain valid. Federal College of Education (T) Asaba, NYSC and general public please take note.

OZOEMENAM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ozoemenam Chizoba Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mba Chizoba Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBONNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbonna Angela Nnenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Angela Nnenna Mbah. All documents bearing the former name remain valid.

General public please take note.

OHWOBEVUGHE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohwobevughe Joyce Okiemute, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emuejevoke Joyce Okiemute. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMOROJIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maureen Ewere Omorojie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maureen Ewere Osemeke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERHIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Erhie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Sunday Udi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADETUNJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adetunji Kehinde Adediwura, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amiolemen Kehinde Adediwura. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANIEGBOKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Chukwudumebi Aniegboka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Chukwudumebi Ndibe. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Tourism D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation, Abuja and general public please take note.

O D E G O R — I, formerly known and addressed as Meshack Odegor, now wish to be known and addressed as Meshack Omamezi.

All former documents remained valid.

General public please take note.

YOHANNA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yohanna Agatha Butack, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyishi Agatha Bome. All former documents remain valid. Federal Ministry of Environment and general public please take note.

ADVERT HOTLINE

NFF not serious, says Keshi S TEPHEN Keshi has appeared to rule himself out of a return as Nigeria coach after losing patience with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Keshi’s contract expired on 30 June, shortly after he led Nigeria to the last 16 at the World Cup, and he had been negotiating a new deal.

“Talks over a new contract shouldn’t drag on.

I can’t wait any more - the NFF is not serious.

“I have moved on. I can only wish the country well for the future,” Keshi told BBC. Talks had been ongoing since July but a series of delays caused by problems within the federation, including the sacking and the Fifaordered reinstatement of the governing body ’s president Aminu Maigari.

“There’s a game in two weeks [Nations Cup qualifier against Congo] but no-one is thinking about it and at the same time they expect you to win,” Kehsi continued.

“I understand the ongoing crisis facing the federation but the national team should not suffer from such at this crucial stage.

“Sadly, I also think attention is focused more on the upcoming NFF elections and the national team is simply not a priority.”

The NFF officials are understood to have offered Keshi a new four-year

01- 8737025

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•Keshi C M Y K

deal and same $30,000-amonth salary he was paid in his first stint as manager, while the coach had asked for an increase.

Keshi says he has rejected offers from other African countries while the negotiations have been going on.

“I’ve had about seven countries approach me in the last two months but I kept them all away,” he added.

“I love my country and I am aware of the dream our fans had of me taking this team to the next level.

“While acknowledging the efforts of some people involved in the negotiation, I think others probably have other important things to do.”

Nigeria have already named a 23-man squad for their upcoming qualifiers against Congo on 6 September and South Africa four days later.

The defending champions will also face Sudan in Group A with the top two advancing to January ’s finals in Morocco.

Meanwhile, NFF officials say Fifa has endorsed their plan to hold a general assembly on 26 August to consider and approve a new roadmap for elections of the body ’s executive committee.

The assembly will be asked to postpone the elections that were also due to be held on Tuesday, following unresolved complaints raised by some candidates.

Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 — 55

C M Y K

VANGUARD, MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

NFF needs N20m to play Congo, S/Africa

BY TONY UBANI

S

E C R E TA RY General of the

Fans stone player to death C

•Late Albert

AMEROONIAN player Albert Ebosse was playing a match in Algeria when fans started launching objects onto the pitch The 24-year-old was taken to hospital but died after sustaining a head injury as he left the pitch.

The striker had scored for home side JS Kabylie, but could not prevent them losing 2-1 to rivals USM Alger. As the final whistle blew, disgruntled fans started to throw objects onto the pitch.

His club confirmed: Continues on page 52

Nigeria Football Federation, Musa Amadu is growing grey hairs over where to get money to prosecute the 2015 African Cup of Nations double header against the Red Devils of Congo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa next month The Super Eagles would confront the Red Devils of Congo in Calabar on September 9 and travel to Cape Town, South Africa to play

Continues on page 52

•Amadu

NFF: Abuja to host congress •Warri to host elections

•Danagogo

•Maigari

T

HE Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is the official host of the 2014 General Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation which holds tomorrow. After a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Anyim Pius Anyim, both parties agreed to settle for Abuja as host for the congress.

The parties also agreed to hold the election into the Executive Board of the NFF in Warri in a fortnight in accordance with a twoweek extension approved

by FIFA

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Sausage (6) 5 Diverse (6) 8 Felon (8) 9 Absent (4) 10 Aye (3) 12 Vision (5) 15 Fixed (3) 17 Also (3) 18 Newt (3) 19 Self (3) 20 Speak (5) 21 Donkey (3) 22 Massage (3) 23 Firearm (3) 24 Rabbit (3) 26 Taut (5) 29 Colouring (3) 33 Border (4) 34 Charm (8) 35 Wound (6) 36 Mission (6)

DOWN 2 Tally (5) 3 Charity (4) 4 Interior (5) 5 House (5) 6 Genuine (4) 7 Delete (5) 10 Cede (5) 11 Stock (5) 12 Suspect (5) 13 Consumed (5) 14 Combine (5) 15 Tolerate (5) 16 Flavour (5) 25 Command (5) 27 Additional (5) 28 Ointment (5) 30 Long (5) 31 Food-list (4) 32 Employer (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Bear 4, Kit 6, Leak 8, Dragon 9, Nature 10, Dry 12, Truth 14, Ready 15, Tinge 18, Negate 20, Edited 24, Talon 26, Heart 28, Gazed 30, Sly 32, Future 33, Odious 34, Cede 35, Tie 36, Yell.

DOWN: 2, Error 3, Regatta 4, Kind 5, Tiny 6, Lithe 7, Abridge 11, Rag 12, Tan 13, Hit 16, Net 17, Eel 19, Execute 21, Dog 22, Inanity 23, Dud 25, Ail 27, Rouse 29, Equal 30, Sent 31, Yoke.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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