How we helped Metuh launder $2m — WITNESSES

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62679

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

$2.1BN ARMS PROBE:

Okonjo-Iweala replies Falana >>14

Halliburton, Siemens' cases not closed — FG

>>8

How we helped Metuh launder $2m — WITNESSES

•He gave me $2m in $100 bills — Witness •Metuh begs court to vary bail conditions

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

B U J A — S TA R witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nneka Ararume, yesterday, narrated before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how she helped the embattled National Continues on Page 5

BIAFRA: Court rules on Kanu's bail Jan.29 >>15

Mr & Mrs AWARD—Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo (R); presenting an award of the 'Icon of Democracy' to former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at the 2016 Annual National Political Summit in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

COLUMNIST: Rivers monarch, subjects chased away from homeland See Inside C M Y K

War against which corruption? •P.20

VANDALISM: FG may acquire Tarkwa Bay, Kachikwu warns community >>10

Why we can't hand over Tompolo to JTF — IJAW LEADERS

>>13

2—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—3

4—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

METUH—The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh at the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday on charges of alleged corruption. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

How we helped Metuh launder $2m — WITNESSES Continues from Page 1

Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, to transfer $2 million into his company’s account.

The witness, who testified as PW-1, told the court that she is a Wealth Manager at Assets & Resources Management, ARM, a company that hitherto managed the asset portfolio of Metuh’s firm, Destra Investments Limited.

EFCC had cited both Metuh and his firm as the 1st and 2nd defendants in the sevencount charge bordering on alleged N400million fraud.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the PDP spokesman had in November 2014, received N400million from erstwhile National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

The fund, which was withdrawn from an account the office of the NSA operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was allegedly transferred to Metuh through account no.

0 0 4 0 4 3 7 5 7 3 , w h i c h D e s t r a Investments Limited operated with Diamond Bank Plc. EFCC insisted that whereas the fund was earmarked for campaign

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO HE reason why focus is an important component in the journey of life is because what you do not see cannot distract or discourage you. It's up to you.

T

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain— Joseph Campbell It’s a new day, and every day is a new beginning, why not resolve to find more joy in your everyday life? Joy is what makes life beautiful. It’s what gets us through challenges and allows light in to illuminate the shadows. Joy heals our wounds, inspires us to greatness, and fills our souls with goodness. If you’re not happy with your life, now is a great time to look at the reasons why “ you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge.” Now is the time to figure out what’s really bothering you.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

T

HE hands cannot cover the moon and teeth cannot touch all the vegetables cut by the knife.

activities of the PDP, Metuh diverted most of it to his personal use.

It alleged that Metuh converted part of the money to one million US Dollars which he used for his personal businesses.

Besides, Metuh was alleged to have transferred the sum of N21.7m to another chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

In her testimony, yesterday, PW-1, Nneka, whose company specialised in management of equities, fixed income instruments and real estate, told the court that she received the $2m from Metuh at his residence in Abuja.

She said the money was eventually changed to its Naira equivalent through two Bureaux de Change, BDC, operators.

The witness said: “In early December 2014, the 1st defendant, Metuh, called me to bring report regarding portfolio of ARM. “When I got to his house at Prince and Princess Estate, there were visitors in the living room, so I went to his home office and we discussed the portfolio.

“Thereafter, he gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureaux de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there, I proceeded to Mr. Sie

Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.

“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the Naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited.

Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Messrs Kabir and Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt. The $2m was in cash.”

The witness maintained that ARM was a duly registered organization that deals in funds of its clients, saying the business the firm had with Metuh and the BDC operators was based on trust.

Earlier, the court refused application by Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, for the matter to be adjourned till a later date to enable him gather documents, including the bank account details of his client, which he said would aid him to properly cross-examine the witness.

In a bench ruling, yesterday, Justice Okon Abang agreed with the EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, that all the documents were duly front-loaded by the prosecution in the proof of evidence before the court.

“This court is a court of summary trial. It is for the defendant to ask the witness questions based on her evidence, unless it does not have questions for her.

"The defendant has been accorded all the privileges stipulated in Section 36(6) of the 1999 Constitution. He has been given all the facilities to prepare his defence,” he said.

Justice Abang said the court should not be blamed if Metuh was not able to meet his bail conditions.

My role in Metuh's money transfer — Witness Meanwhile, one of the BDC operators that helped Metuh to change the $2m, Mr. Sie Iyenome, also testified before the court yesterday. Iyenome told the court that though he did not have any personal dealings with Metuh; he had transactions with his company, Destra

Investment Limited, through the PW-1.

He said: “My lord on December 2, Nneka Ararume called me that she has $1m dollars to sell. I asked her who is selling and she told me that it was her client at ARM. At that time, she did not disclose her client’s identity to me. We then agreed on a rate, N183 per dollar. I called in Capital Investment & Trustees, which also runs a BDC and they said they were interested and paid for $500, 000.

“The second $500, 000 was sold to Etionye, another BDC operator and he paid N92m into Destra's account.

“The first transaction which was in tranches, amounted to N91m while the second one was N92m. The whole transaction totaled N183m. Typically, the lower currency which is the Naira will be paid first to the beneficiary’s account. After Nneka confirmed the receipt of the N183m, she brought the equivalent which is $1m.

“She brought it in cash; I then passed it to Capital Field Investment & Trustees.

The role I played was that of a broker.”

Asked under reexamination if he was aware of the forex laws in Nigeria, the witness said: ‘Yes, my lord. I am aware of the law which says that we should sell a total amount of $4,000 for individuals travelling outside and $5,000 for business people”.

Justice Abang adjourned further hearing on the matter till today. The antigraft agency had earlier informed the court that it had lined up 18 witnesses to testify against Metuh and his firm during the

trial.

Among those to testify in the case are representatives of the Office of the NSA, representatives of Diamond Bank, Access Bank, Sterling Bank, First Bank, Heritage Bank, Nneka Nicole Ararume, Alhaji Abba Dabo, Mallam Kabiru Ibrahim, Olayinka Badejo-Okusanya of CMC Connect, Ahmadu Umar of Kwalaye Investment Limited, Theophilus Musa of Capital Fields Investment and six EFCC investigators.

Metuh begs court to vary bail conditions Meanwhile, Metuh, yesterday, begged the court to vary his bail conditions, saying he could not meet the conditions which he said were too stringent.

However, the court deferred hearing of the application after EFCC lawyer, who said it was only served on him yesterday, applied for time to file his response.

The court had on January 19, granted Metuh bail to the tune of N400m and directed him to produce two sureties who must deposit N200m each.

Justice Abang stressed that the sureties must not only be residents in Abuja, but also own landed properties within the Maitama district of the FCT. The sureties are to submit the Certificate of Occupancy of the properties to the Chief Registrar of the court for verification, as well as submit their three years tax clearance.

According to the court, the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and also submit two recent passport photographs.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

We won't join issues with Okogie —FG Buhari can only succeed by being tough —Tsav Okogie is entitled to his opinion —SERAP

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon & Charles Kumolu

L

AGOS — THE Presidency, yesterday, refused to join issues with Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, over his comments that Nigeria was sliding into a police state and that President Muhammadu Buhari was running a one-man-show.

Contacted on the comments, two senior Presidency officials said they would not reply the septuagenarian and revered cleric.

However, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, and SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, disagreed with Cardinal Okogie.

Buhari can only succeed by being tough —Tsav

Tsav said: "Everybody is entitled to his opinion. But it is not true that Nigeria has become a police state under Buhari’s watch. I don’t think the respected Cardinal is right on that. What Nigerians owe Buhari now is maximum support because of the rot he met on ground.

"Before Jonathan, Asara Dokubo was imprisoned for treasonable charges, but people called for his release, which the government heeded. Asari came out and continued with threats that could be described as war drums during the administration of Jonathan.

“Buhari is just trying to ensure that the country becomes a better place. What we expect the respected cardinal to do is to support efforts at making those who stole get justice. Offenders deserve to be condemned no matter how highly placed. If they are spared as some are suggesting, it will not be fine considering the fact that ordinary Nigerians are being jailed for petty offences. The perception that the fight against corruption is one-sided is not wrong because it was bound to be so. After all, those, who benefited from Jonathan were his party members. That is why those rushing to the All Progressives Congress, APC, are to be investigated properly to ascertain whether they are running away from justice. For the country to be better, Buhari has to be strong; if he is soft, progress will not be made. And I think God brought Buhari at this time because he is capable of addressing most of the challenges in the country.”

Okogie is entitled to his opinion —SERAP

The Executive Director of the SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, C M Y K

said it was impossible for the president to run a one-manshow.

He said: “Cardinal Okogie is entitled to his opinion because I don’t know in what context he made that statement. But if indeed he made the statement, nobody can run a one man show in a democracy. That is clear.

There are three arms of government, which are independent and I know that there is a constitution in Nigeria.

Nothing has been done, in my own opinion, in what has been happening so far, that runs contrary to the provisions of the constitution."

How Buhari is running a one-man-show —Okogie

In a statement, he issued on

Sunday, Okogie had said: “A lot of Nigerians are beginning to feel that Buhari is fast transforming this nation into a police state where the president, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Department of State Services, DSS, rule the day, according to a statement obtained by Per Second News.

“What they say is given lurid headlines in the media, and it seems to all that some of the defendants cum accused persons are being tried in the press with information conveniently slipping into the hands of the press, presumably from the security agencies, even before such people have been charged to court.

“Unfortunately, democracy is difficult and this government must realise that democracy

pervasively coloured with impunity, arbitrariness and high-handedness, cannot be used to fight and correct the financial impunity and reckless abandon of the previous administration, even if it is more difficult to do so; the rule of law must be obeyed and be the order of the day.

"If Buhari wants to leave a creditable legacy come 2019, he should retool the bureaucracy.

For instance, the roof of the Central Bank is leaking water.

Governors, who arm-twisted Okonjo-Iweala into signing out our reserves held by the Central Bank, are today ministers in the All Progressives Congress, APC, government.

“We are still talking about change and corruption when old things refuse to pass away.

These political gimmicks can only carry away gullible or naive Nigerians. President Buhari should beam his flash light on policies and programmes that will lift up the masses."

VISIT: Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State (left), presenting a souvenir to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole during the minister's health sector assessment visit to Maiduguri, yesterday.

Nigeria’s crude oil export set to rise in March

By Michael Eboh, with agency report

N

IGERIA’S crude oil export is set to rise in March, a compilation of loading programmes showed, yesterday.

This, according to data obtained from Reuters, is coming on the heels of the lifting of force majeure declared by some oil companies, adding that the increase was in spite of the fact that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, raised the official selling prices for Nigeria’s crude oil grades from more than 10-year lows, reflecting

the stronger market.

The report, however, did not state the price at which the NNPC is selling the crude oil grades.

Several key grades, according to the report, were set to increase from the previous month, including Bonny Light, Bonga, Forcados, Brass River and Escravos, early loading programmes showed.

The report said one of the 10 cargoes of Qua Iboe set for March loading was also deferred from the February programme, setting it slightly higher than the previous month.

Since the February export plan was issued, ENI has lifted its force majeure on Brass

River crude, while Shell has reopened the Trans Niger Pipeline which carries Bonny Light to the export terminal.

The report further noted that March exports already included 62 cargoes, or 56.7 million barrels of oil, compared with the 59 cargoes and 55.2 million barrels originally planned for February.

The barrels per day (bpd) total of 1.83 million was below February’s initially planned total of 1.9 million bpd, due to the shorter month, but several programmes were still pending, making March likely to surpass that figure.

Principal suspect in N559.3m PENGASSAN housing scam jumps bail Surety arrested as operatives comb Lagos, Ogun, Oyo for suspect

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

L

AGOS — A principal suspect in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, N559.5 million housing fraud (names withheld), has jumped bail and gone into hiding as operatives of the fraud unit, Panti, Lagos, intensify investigation into the scam.

Vanguard had earlier in the month, exclusively reported the scam that has put the umbrella body for senior staff in the nation’s petroleum industry in disarray.

Sources said his surety had been arrested by the operatives and was now helping to track down the suspect, who is a senior account staff of PENGASSAN. According to Vanguard’s investigation, the account staff, who was suspended for six months by the union in November 2015, alongside a senior staff to pave way for unhindered investigation of the fraud, was granted bail in November after he had made a statement and promised to report back whenever he was needed.

It was gathered that he was initially communicated with the operatives through the phone, but when he was asked to report back for further questioning about two weeks ago, he did not and had since been on the ran.

Vanguard sources said the operatives have been deployed to different locations in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and other neighbouring states to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

It would be recalled that Vanguard had on Thursday, January 7, broke news of the over N559,308,790 housing project scam rocking PENGASSAN. The said amount is alleged to be unaccounted for after an internal investigation of PENGASSAN Housing Project between 2009 and 2015.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—7

Landlord docked for breaking into tenant's apartment

Gunmen lay siege to Rivers community, kill prophet

By Davies Iheamnachor

By Onozure Dania

O

NE person was reportedly killed as unidentified gunmen besieged Kula community in Akuku-Toru Local Government area of Rivers State.

This happened as some gunmen, weekend, invaded the Port Harcourt resident of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA, Mr. Roland Sekibo, shooting sporadically and causing tension in the neighbourhood.

The gunmen, who besieged Kula and its neighbouring communities, were said to have invaded the area from the creeks, shooting sporadically and causing panic.

It was learned that the gunmen earlier attacked a boat that was going to Kula from Abonema before entering the community.

The President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Mr. Sukubo Sara-Igbe, told Vanguard that the development disrupted the peace in Kula.

... injure cleric, kidnap worshipper in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—AN engineer, Duncan Eke, was Sunday kidnapped when gunmen invaded a church at Igbedi community in Kolokuma-Opokuma council of Bayelsa State.

The gunmen also shot and injured the officiating cleric, Reverend Ezekiel Obata.

A source told Vanguard that the gunmen may have trailed their victim to the church, where he was forcibly taken away in a speedboat at about 12.40a.m. triggering pandemonium.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said the injured clergyman was rushed to a clinic in neighbouring Polaku community for treatment.

He added that efforts had been intensified to rescue the victim and arrest the kidnappers.

L NNPC FIRE: Fire code enforcement officers inspecting the remains of a fuel tanker that caught fire at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mega Filling Station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Business District, Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTOS.

2 ‘lunatics’ caught with rotting human head in Osun

By Gbenga Olarinoye

T

HE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Osun Command, has arrested two suspects, who pretended to be mad, for being in possession of a decomposing human head.

The suspects, Alaba Folawiyo and Mutiu Lawal, according to Mr. Wale Folarin, the state's

NSCDC Public Relations Officer, were hiding in an uncompleted building near Apomu Junction in Ikire, headquarters of Irewole LGA, when they were arrested.

A Blackberry phone hidden inside a drug pack, knife, perfume cans, clothes, school bags, shoes, wristwatches, ATM cards, electrical materials, roofing sheets,

cooking utensils, suspected to be belongings of the victims of the suspects, were found in the building.

According to the corps, information gathered showed that the suspects had been in the area for a long time pretending to be mad men, while carrying out their activities with others who are now at large.

LASSA: 3 infected, one dead in A-Ibom

By Chioma Onuegbu & Monsuru Olowoopejo

A

KWA Ibom State government, yesterday, disclosed that it has recorded three suspected cases of Lassa Fever with one confirmed case of a 53-year-old female crayfish seller, who died before her test result came out.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, who disclosed this at the inauguration of a task force on the eradication of Lassa Fever in Akwa Ibom, said that one of the suspected cases absconded, while the second case happened to be someone who has been undergoing treatment for HIV. Meanwhile, as the battle to curtail the outbreak of Lassa Fever continued in Lagos, no fewer than 7,243 rats have been killed since the outbreak of the virus in the state.

This is just as Lagos State government has directed its environmental officers to embark on a massive sensitisation campaign across the state on the need to de-rat the state.

These were disclosed, yesterday, evening at the sensitization and awareness programme on Lassa Fever

... as Lagos kills 7,243 rats outbreak, organised by the state government for environmental health workers at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa secretariat, Ikeja.

President Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, EHOAN, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Samuel Akingbehin, said that over 7,243 rats had been killed at eight major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.

Akingbehin, in an interview with Vanguard, said that the affected markets were Onigbongbo, Oshodi, OkeOdo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye, Mile 12 and Alaba-Rago markets.

He noted that eradication of rats in the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa Fever in the state since its outbreak in January 14, 2015.

On the Akwa Ibom situation, Dr. Ukpong said: “The situation is that Akwa Ibom is no longer free, and since rat meat is not so much a delicacy in the state, I appeal to those that eat rat to please stop it. We advise that you keep cats if you can, because cats drive away rats.”

He charged the constituted Response Committee on Lassa Fever to ensure the state kicks out the disease.

AGOS—A 56-year-old landlord, Suleiman Ahmodu, who allegedly broke into his tenant’s apartment and stole property worth N1.1 million, was docked at an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on Lagos Island, yesterday.

The landlord pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful damage and stealing preferred against him.

Ahmodu was, however, granted N100,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sergeant Okete Ejime, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 15 at 3p.m., at 17, Ajeniya Street, Obalende, Lagos.

He said the accused damaged the entrance door, windows and roof of the apartment of his tenant, Mr. Abdul Elemoro and stole some valuables.

Items stolen, according to him, include clothes valued at N35,000; gold hand chains, N170,000 and N435,000 cash.

Others are gold earrings, N120,000; gold rings, N150,000; a parrot, N150,000 and two phones worth N100,000, totalling N1.1 million.

In her ruling, Magistrate U. A. Ugbemegu adjourned the case to February 10.

Robber-cultist, Terror, dies in gun battle with police

By Evelyn Usman

L

AGOS—POLICEMEN attached to Denton Police Division, yesterday, engaged four suspected members of a notorious robbery gang that has been terrorising residents of Ebute-Meta in a gun battle with the leader of the gang, identified as Sunday Terror, arrested.

However, Terror died two hours later, owing to bullet injuries he sustained during the shootout.

His arrest threw the entire Ebute-Meta area into excitement, as residents besieged Denton Police Station demanding that the suspect be released to them so they can mete out jungle justice on him.

Terror and members of his gang were reportedly members of the Eiye confraternity. Before

he breathed his last, Terror reportedly confessed to be responsible for the killing of four members of a rival cult last December at Evans Square, Ebute-Meta.

He also reportedly confessed to have been hired on several occasions by some politicians to kill their rivals during elections.

The latest of his escapades was the fight between members of his cult group and those of Aye, last week in Idumota area of the state, where two persons were reportedly killed.

Vanguard gathered that he also confessed that members of his gang killed some policemen during an operation and made away with their AK-47 rifles.

Some of the residents told Vanguard that Terror and members of his gang were responsible for several robbery incidents in the area.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Halliburton, Siemens’ cases not closed —FG Says Buhari not afraid to take on any suspect

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

A

BRIEFING: From left, All Progressives Congress, APC, Deputy National Chairman, Chief Segun Oni; National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun; National Secretary of APC, Mai Malla Buni and others during a press conference by the APC leadership in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Oil crash: Nigeria producing at $5 per barrel loss Oil theft more dangerous than price slide —Producers

By Clara Nwachukwu

L

AGOS — AS oil prices continue on the downward slide, Nigerian oil firms may be producing at up to $5/barrel loss, as average production costs for independent and marginal field producers is between $30 and $35/ barrel.

Oil prices, yesterday, resumed their free fall, with Brent crude, similar to Nigeria’s sweet crude grade, falling 2.6 per cent to $31.34 a barrel following a 10 per cent rise on Friday, while U.S. oil shed 95 cents to $31.24.

To compound the producers’ woes, a significant proportion of what is produced is lost to oil thieves and pipeline vandals, which they insist are even more dangerous than the bearish run oil prices Industry chiefs, who spoke exclusively with Vanguard on phone, argued that the turbulence in the international oil market deserves urgent attention.

Specifically, they insisted that the Federal Government needs to be talking with Nigerian producers very fast, if it must save indigenous companies from running aground and plunging the economy into deeper crisis than it is in already.

Impact on producers

Speaking on the impact of the oil crash on the producers, Chairman, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, Mr. Emeka Ene, said: “Current price is below Nigeria’s average of between $30 and $35 per barrel.

Most marginal field producers are producing above $30/barrel, and with pipeline vandalism activities, costs will shoot up by another $10/ barrel, so oil production now is not sustainable.”

Ene, who spoke against the backdrop of oil crashing to 13year lows of below $28/barrel last week, noted that the bearish run may soon fizzle out, whether shale or conventional oil is being produced at above $25/barrel. As such, the southward run is not favourable to any producer.

He also revealed that “a lot of Nigerian companies are out of work because they cannot compete with the multinationals, so government needs to have a serious talk with stakeholders in the industry.”

Oil theft, pipeline vandalism

Whether oil prices go bullish soon or not, other stakeholders feel that the benefits of the rise will be lost on Nigeria, if the government does not deal decisively with the twin incidence of pipeline vandalism and oil theft.

The President, Nigerian

Association of Petroleum Explorationists, NAPE, Mr. Nosa Omorodion, maintained that “government needs to address the issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalism very fast because, even if price stabilises tomorrow or whenever, we will still not be able to reap the full benefits of that rise.”

He further argued that “oil theft and vandalism remain recurring and very worrisome because these issues are much bigger than oil slide, which is mostly driven by speculation, while these activities affect planning and are more cankerous than price slide.

Operators are risking their assets including human resources to produce the oil, only to have it stolen thereafter.”

Against this backdrop, Omorodion, whose association is responsible for finding and producing oil, revealed that NAPE is planning a national seminar this month end to holistically address the issue of oil slide.

BUJA — THE Federal Government has said that it had not closed any criminal case being investigated in the country, technically raising the potential for some prominent Nigerians implicated in the legendary Siemens and Halliburton scandals to face trial.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, who made the disclosure in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja, also dismissed as untenable the notion that President Muhammadu Buhari was afraid of taking the Halliburton and Siemens cases because the key suspects were top military leaders.

Malami was responding to enquiries about the claim that Buhari’s administration had jettisoned the probe into the Halliburton and Siemens corruption scandals, in which Nigeria lost billions of Naira to high-ranking Nigerians who held sway at the time.

Media reports yet to be dispelled by the administration had claimed that the government was afraid to confront the powerful beneficiaries of the scam which had landed other suspects in the United States, Germany and others in jail.

Nigeria is said to have lost over $182 million to the Halliburton corruption case alone.

Malami said Buhari was not a man who could be restrained by fear from doing what was right and in the overall best interest of

Nigerians he had sworn to defend and protect from harm’s way.

The minister said those who had jumped to the erroneous conclusion that the major corruption scandals had been swept under the carpet should note that the present administration had zero tolerance for corruption and would, therefore, not close any criminal case.

Extraneous influences

Malami, however, said in tackling the corruption cases, the Federal Government would not be assuaged by what he called ‘extraneous influences’ or action by available prima facie evidence.

Malami said: “The idea of fear does not come in at all as far as this President is concerned in the fight against graft. Don’t forget that whatever Mr. President does is guided by the rule of law and available evidence.

“It must be noted, however, that no extraneous influence can influence our actions as we move to fight corruption in all its ramifications. To be noted also is the clear fact that no criminal case can be closed once the facts are handy regardless of who is involved."

Buhari has come under criticism for not taking up the two major corruption scandals that predated the Jonathan era. The verbal attack arose out of the decision of Buhari's administration to limit its probe of corrupt officials to the Jonathan administration.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, it will be a distraction for the President to begin digging into all former administrations.

$200bn stolen money stashed in Dubai —Shehu Sani

By Luka Binniyat

A

BUJA — SENATOR Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central Zone) has said that over $200 billion was being stashed away in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, specifically, its global financial hub, Dubai, by corrupt Nigerians.

Buhari, last week in UAE, signed a “Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which

includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.”

Senator Sani said he was making the revelation from the point of strength as the chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, as well as Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sani, who was fielding questions from journalists after women supporters from his political ward paid him a solidarity visit at one of his campaign offices in Kaduna, told reporters that any corrupt person warming to President Muhammadu Buhari for cover

would be exposed, investigated and prosecuted.

He said: “Corrupt Nigerians have stashed unbelievable amount of monies in Dubai alone in the name of estates acquisition, purchase of exotic houses and business partnership in the last 16 years. Some have stashed raw cash. This is why the US, and Europe are making conditions for laundering of money into their countries very difficult.

“These crooks have now found it conducive to use the Middle East and South East

Asia as their destinations.

They use names of their cronies, family members and friends to siphon public funds out of Nigeria.

“Some of them are APC members, who had their political upbringing in the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. “Sooner than later those who are parading themselves as Buhari’s friends, but are corrupt, will be interrogated, prosecuted because the President does not know friend or relation as far as the fight against corruption is concerned."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—9

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 , 2016

LASSA FEVER: Lagos issues quit notice to street traders, hawkers

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS State Government, yesterday issued quit notice to street traders and hawkers in the state.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr Babatunde Adejare, who gave the warning, said the measure became necessary following the recent outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country and Lagos in particular, as well as the coming rainy season.

Adejare said street traders were not only degrading the state’s environment in total disregard to extant laws, but engaging in armed robbery, child abuse, and compounding the traffic gridlocks and vandalising valuable infrastructure in the state.

According to him, the state government had given the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Brigade and the Task Force, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, the directive to clamp down on all violators of its environmental laws.

He lamented: “It is regrettable that the illegal hawkers and street traders have not heeded the enlightenment and advocacy messages from the ministry on the need to keep the state’s environment clean and safe to attract more investors and boost the economy of the state.”

Adejare explained that all the agencies of the ministry, the Private Sector Participant, PSP, operators and nongovernmental partners, had been fully mobilized with men and equipment to ensure a 24-hour monitoring and enforcement for a sustainable environment.

“To halt the spread of Lassa fever, Lagosians must maintain personal hygiene, proper sanitation in their environment, especially, clean-up of the vegetation in their premises, and proper bagging and disposal of waste to keep off the wild vector rats spreading the virus,” Adejare said.

He advised residents experiencing symptoms of headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain to seek the medical help immediately.

C M Y K

VANDALISM: FG may acquire Tarkwa Bay, Kachikwu warns community

By Ediri Ejoh

continued to shield pipeline vandals and oil thieves.

The minister, who issued the warning when he paid an unscheduled visit to the area, said: “We will take over the community if such activities persist,” and also told the community that they were also culpable in the criminal activities going on in the location.

Kachikwu, who expressed

concern over the dilapidation of the national asset, noted that the jetty had assumed a prime spot INISTER of State for for both local and international Petroleum Resource, Dr. bunkering by vandalising the Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday warned Nigerian National Petroleum indigenes of Tarkwa Bay, host to Corporation, NNPC’s the Atlas Cove Jetty, Nigeria’s pipelines bearing refined biggest petroleum products petroleum products running reception, that the community was across the island. at risk of possible acquisition by The Minister, who also the Federal Government, if they doubles as the G r o u p Managing Director, GMD, NNPC, took a tour of the community and was taken aback by the level of the illegal activities being perpetuated by vandals for their own personal gains at the expence of m a j o r i t y CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left; Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC, Academics, Nigerians.

University of Ibadan, Gbemisola Oke; VC, Prof. Idowu Olayinka; Olubadan's During the eldest son; Prof. Femi Lana, and DVC Administration; Prof Emilolorun tour, it was Ayelari during the condolence visit of the UI team to the palace of the Late discovered that Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, yesterday. Photo by Dare Fasube. p r a c t i c a l l y

M

N754.8M FRAUD: Court remands ex-NIMASA boss, six others

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—JUSTICE Raliat Adebiyi of a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, yesterday remanded in Ikoyi prisons custody a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and six other staff of the Agency.

The Judge remanded them after granting the first to fourth defendants bail in the sum of N20 million each with two sureties each in like sum, while the fifth and sixth defendants were admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

The defendants were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged theft of N754,740,680 million belonging to NIMASA. The fresh charge LD/2181C/15 before Justice Adebiyi borders on allegations of theft and forgery preferred against them by the Anti-graft agency.

In the13-count charge, Akpobolokemi was arraigned alongside Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

The 1st to 5th defendants Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Juan, Udoy, were alleged to have between October 30,2014 and May 6, 2015 converted to their personal use N346,844,680.00 property of NIMASA released to them for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

They were also alleged to have on or about May 28, 2015 with a dishonest intent converted to their own use N257,000,000 money released for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS).

everyone in the community was involved in the illicit trade, as every hut or shanty visited was filled with loads of 50 litre jerry cans, with holes pierced through the pipelines to siphon products meant to be transported to other jetties and depots for onward distribution in the market.

He said: “What I have seen here today is amazing, very frustrating and an eye opener for the problem we are facing. I don’t think Nigerians understand the magnitude of the problems at hand; the more solution you bring in the more problems show up.

“This is a massive operation as you can see, it like a moving train where you can move two to three trucks using jerry cans and transport them through the water to different countries. This is a good discovery but the question is, how many more of this do we have to deal with? It is an eye opener but it’s very frustrating.”

He said the discovery of the hide-outs was made possible by the efforts of the extra security put in place by the government.

Noting that there was no immediate solution at hand, in view of the magnitude of the criminal activities, he however said solutions were a long term.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 11

Ignore Fayose's outbursts — APC •He's suffering from psychological stress, party insists •Allegations against me laughable, says gov Fayose, in a statement by the

By Dapo Akinrefon & Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO-EKITI—EKITI State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged Nigerians to ignore Governor Ayodele Fayose's perceived seditious remarks threatening to bring down President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, claiming the Governor has been acting under psychological stress.

The party, which described the governor ’s outburst as treasonable acts capable of threatening the survival of democracy in Nigeria, implored security agents to closely monitor him.

But in a swift reaction, Governor Fayose, described the APC allegation of treasonable comments as not only ridiculous but coming from an unsound mind.

Fayose had over the weekend in an interview with an online media, said if anything happened to him or his government over the military probe of June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state, that he would bring President Buhari’s government down.

Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement, the party said, “We want to appeal to Nigerians around the world to see Fayose as

a special breed with a special case of psychosis among Ekiti people and so he should be treated as a special man whose actions should not be equated to Ekiti standard of behaviour. Even with his special condition of mental torture that requires psychiatric management, we shall still urge the security agencies to watch the governor over his subversive activities within and outside the country and to act now to bring him under the law to account for his actions.

“We had earlier alerted the security agencies that Fayose stockpiled arms in the Government House with

hundreds of criminals already trained in arms handling. The arms and ammunition are still there. ''We are telling the security agencies again with all sense of responsibility that Fayose is currently recruiting 10 thugs from each of the 16 local government to assemble at a training facility in Ifaki-Ekiti. Who he wants to attack with armed thugs, we don’t know, but we know he has already made Hilux vans available to them for initial operations.''

governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Asdelusi, said the tone of the press release by Olatubosun really showed his poor state of mind.

Berating the party, Fayose said “There is no point wrestling with a pig. For people with sound minds, they would, no doubt, wonder why somebody with a decent background and sound mind would refer to the governor of his state as needing psychiatric attention or not being able to survive in a law abiding society?

AMOSUN'S 58TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY: From left; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso and wife of former president, Chief (Mrs.) Bola Obasanjo during the 5th edition of the ''Uplifting the Aged'' programme organised to support the needy and aged by Mrs. Amosun to commemorate the 58th birthday anniversary of Governor Amosun at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, yesterday.

N167BN LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY: How FG ignored arbitration offer by Bi-Courtney

I

NDICATION has emerged that the ongoing rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been stalled because the Federal Government ignored offer of arbitration

by Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited.

Controversy has been trailing the N167 billion project, including the ongoing court case.

Findings revealed that Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited had expressed its desire for arbitration in a January 29, 2013 letter to the immediate past Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen.

But barely three years after the company offered to settle out of court, the Federal Government was yet to respond.

The construction giant also went ahead to name a three-man team to represent it at the arbitration panel but the government has not provided its representatives.

Bi-Courtney letter, which was signed by Chief T.K. Akinbami, reads in part: “We refer to the letter dated 19th November 2012 wherein the concession granted to our Consortium

vide your letter of 8th May 2009, was purportedly terminated pursuant to Article 16.1 of the Concession Agreement (“Agreement”) for failure to

remedy the alleged breaches complained of in your letter dated 28th August, 2012.''

“Please note that the Consortium disputes

Aluko seeks unity in Ekiti APC, debunks alleged attack on Tinubu

A

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State, Senator Gbenga Aluko, has urged members to unite to sustain its foremost position in the politics of the state.

He debunked rumours of attack on the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu, saying it was shocking that an honest remark on the resolution of a disagreement within the party could be misinterpreted and manipulated in the social media to set him against the respected party national leader.

The Senator was at the weekend on a visit to the party secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, where he said he was on a “familiarization and assimilation visit” to seek the support of leadership to be accepted into the APC fold.

He appealed to the aggrieved members to sheathe their swords, explaining that taking internal crisis for resolution outside the state diminished the credibility and stature of the party leadership in the fountain of knowledge.

Ondo LG polls'll hold as planned, ODIEC insists

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE— T H E Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODEIC, yesterday insisted that the April 23 local government election in the state would hold as planned.

This came on the heels of the indecision of the main opposition All Progressives Congress on whether to participate or boycott the polls and opted out of a stakeholders meeting called by the commission.

However, 27 other political parties attended the meeting.

But the chairman of the Commission, Prof Olugbenga Ige said at the meeting that “there would be no postponement or change of date of the forthcoming local government election scheduled to hold on April 23, 2016.''

According to the chairman, the commission was committed to conducting a free, fair and credible election.

Ige urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the commission to make the exercise a success.

Representatives of the political parties at the meeting appealed to the commission to always carry them along in the preparation for the election.

The chairman of the APC, Isaac Kekemeke had earlier said during the Leaders’ Consultative meeting last week that the party lacked confidence in the commission, hence it would boycott the election.

The planned boycott appears to have divided leaders of the party.

Specifically the party’s Central Working Committee, CWC, the State Executive Committee, SEC, and the expanded executives are heading for a collision course with some of its governorship aspirants over the planned boycott.

Last week, the party CWC and SEC met and decided to boycott the election.

But, many of the governorship aspirants at the party’s leaders consultative meeting in Akure, disagreed with the decision of the party leaders to “ single handedly decide to boycott the election without their input”

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Delta monarch's killing: Police make more arrests —Okowa A

By Emma Amaize

SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, said, yesterday, that the police had made more arrests in connection with the kidnap and murder of the traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state, the late HRM Obi Edward Ofulue III. The governor, at Ubulu-Uku when he paid a condolence visit to the people, said that the Department of State Services, DSS, had joined forces with Delta State Police Command to track down the fleeing suspects.

He said: “The Police have made some arrests and with the DSS and other security agencies, they are working to unravel what happened. Our

country is bedeviled by one manner of kidnapping and abduction or another but we never knew that it would deteriorate to a level where a royal father would be abducted and murdered. It is very unfortunate.

“But I have the assurance of the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of DSS that they will continue with the investigation and we believe that they will get the culprits.”

Okowa, who was received at the Obi’s palace by members of the Obi-inCouncil, described the murder of the king as shocking and unfortunate, saying, “This is terrible, this is something nobody prayed for, but unfortunately, it has happened. He was one of the

promising traditional rulers we had in the state, a peacebuilder and you saw the royalty in him all the time.

“It is my prayer and the prayer of all Deltans that the Almighty God will give the people the fortitude to bear this loss for God alone gives peace and may He give you (the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom) the peace of m i n d required to take the next step in

I've no rift with Oshiomhole to warrant my impeachment —Edo deputy gov

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—EDO State deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, has insisted that there was no rift between him and Governor Adams Oshiomhole to warrant moves for his impeachment, as alleged by a group.

Odubu, who was reacting to an advertisement in the media by a group which alleged that there are plots to impeach the deputy governor, described the allegation as the figment of the imagination of the group he said was faceless.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kelly Odaro, in Benin yesterday, Odubu said that the advertisement was nothing but a red herring by those bent on driving a wedge between him and the governor, saying, “enough is enough.

“This faceless group and others are warned to desist from this mortifying act. If they are so convinced of what they are alleging, they should be bold enough to add their contact address, phone numbers and use their real names rather than pseudonyms.”

The deputy governor warned that he would not hesitate to invite security agents to investigate the matter with a view of bringing those involved to book.

It will be recalled that the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Edoror and the

member representing Egor State Constituency in the Assembly had earlier denied the impeachment story, saying that they went to Asaba, Delta State, for their induction course and did not discuss the issue of impeaching the deputy governor.

Edo 2016: Alimikhena warns against inciting statements

D

EPUTY Chief Whip of the Senate and senator representing Edo North, Senator Francis Alimikhena, has cautioned politicians in Edo State against unguarded utterances ahead of the 2016 governorship election so as not to heat up the polity.

He said: “The unguarded statements by some prominent politicians in the state are capable of inciting the people. We must be careful as major actors in the polity to avoid making frivolous utterances that could unwittingly incite the generality of the public and create hostility all over the state.”

In a statement by his Media Assistant, Benjamin Atu, yesterday, when Senator Alimikhena played host to the Abuja chapter of Usagbe and Afemai community, in his Abuja residence, Alimikhena expressed worry over the way some governorship

aspirants and party supporters were making inciting statements against the governor of the state and party leadership.

“Election is not a personality struggle. It is a challenge between political parties and not political opponents. The way politicians go after their ambition has changed the perception of the public who see politics and politicians as the route to social redemption. Power belongs to God. Desperation and condemnation does not enthrone a leader.”

Senator Alimikhena, who noted that he had lost election several times before he won his senatorial election, took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, saying that the leadership of the opposition has lost focus and has nothing to offer due to its inability to perform in its years of rulership at the state and federal levels.

going forward,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the palace chiefs, Secretary to the Obi-in-Council, Joseph Obaze, commended the efforts made by Governor

Okowa and security agencies to ensure the return of their Obi, adding, “This has never happened in the history of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom and we want the culprits to be brought to book.”

UNVEILING: From left: Mr. Dakuku Peterside, Rivers APC governorship candidate; Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria and Ms Josephine Amuwa, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, at the unveiling of Airtel Touching Lives Season 2, in Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—13

Why we can’t hand over Tompolo to JTF, EFCC —Ijaw elders, youths

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, S-South

W

ARRI—IJAW elders in Delta State, yesterday, said it was impracticable for them to hand over the former General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to security agencies because they neither have the power to do so nor know his (Tompolo) whereabouts currently.

They also said that they do not have any information that Tompolo was involved in the three-day bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in the state, while many see the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC's case against him as a form of persecution.

The Federal Government, last weekend, asked Ijaw communities to hand over suspects involved in the bombing, alleged to be hiding in their areas, to security agencies, while the Joint Task Force, JTF, had earlier threatened to hold community leaders responsible for further acts of pipeline vandalism in their communities.

Chairman, Ijaw (Izon) Okosu – Otu (Ijaw Council of Elders), Delta State, Chief Bare Etolor, said, “It is unfair for the Federal Government to ask Ijaw communities to handover suspects that carried out the bombing because we do not know them. In addition, I do not see how anybody expects us to handover Tompolo to security agencies because we do not have the power to do that, except they want to humiliate us.”

Another Ijaw leader in Gbaramatu Kkingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekame, who reechoed Etolor’s position, said it was impossible for them to handover Tompolo to the government.

Some Niger Delta and Ijaw youth groups, including the Niger Delta Security Watch Organszation of Nigeria, NWSON and Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, threw their weight behind the elders, saying that the understanding of many Ijaw people was that the government was persecuting Tompolo because he refused to join the All Progressives Congress, APC. However, Executive Director of Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, CENTREP, Warri, Delta State, Mr. Oghenjabor Ikimi, said there was nothing wrong in the residents of the affected areas and ex-militants giving useful information to security agencies to unmask the culprits.

We don’t know the bombers —Chief Etolor Chief Etolor told Vanguard: “It

is unfortunate that the Presidency wants to handle the matter from this angle. Which of the Northern elders did they tell to produce the Boko Haram leaders that are bombing in their areas. So, why are they telling us to handover people who bombed pipelines here?

“If they know the person that did it and ask us to help produce the person and we see him, we can assist with information if we have any. How can anybody say Ijaw leaders should handover suspects? We do not know who did it.

“It is not right. Even if they tell us the person, we do not have arms to arrest anybody.

What they are doing is to make us not to have confidence in this government. What power do we have over armed militants? We can only talk to them as elders, not arrest them with guns.

“I am not supporting criminality. In fact, anybody among us, the Ijaw elders, can be a victim anytime. It is difficult for us to produce Tompolo. If they cannot see him with all their intelligence, where do they expect us to see him? I have not even seen Tompolo myself for ages.”

On his part, Chief Gbenekame said, “How can you say we should hand over Tompolo to the EFCC, are we security agents?

If he had dealings with EFCC, they should arrest him. Why are they calling Gbaramatu elders?

“What I know is that Tompolo made many enemies when he worked for the Federal Government to guard the pipelines. He burnt illegal refineries, razed boats and these people are not happy. He has been a partner to the government all this while, that is why we called for a political solution to the matter.”

Meanwhile, Niger Delta Secuity Watch Organisation of Nigeria, NSWON and Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, in a joint statement by their leaders, Dickson Bekederemo and Austin Ozobo, said: “The people of Niger Delta and the ljaw in particular are not at war with P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu B u h a r i ' s administration.

However, the ljaw will never sacrifice their bravest to satisfy the quest for neo-colonialism.

When the moment comes, we shall stand with Tompolo.

“We believe that what the Federal Government wants to do is a repeat of what the Russians

did to Poland during World War II, kill the bravest of their braves, the rest is history. We wish to inform President Buhari that in the hearts and minds of every Niger Deltan lies an embryonic Tompolo waiting to hatch.

“We call on President Buhari not to be deceived by a few pipelines surveillance contract seekers. There was Judea, yet Christ resurrected from the dead. There were traitors, yet Allah protected Prophet Mohammed in the cave with a cob web when people led his enemies to capture him.

“It may interest you to know that Tompolo is a strong member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, even in defeat.

Unlike some elements of the party from our region that are bread and butter members.

Tompolo alleged that the APCled government persuaded him to decamp to its fold. The party until date, did not refute his assertion.

“Suddenly, the EFCC froze the bank account of Global West Ve s s e l s Limited. The management of the company initiated an action against EFCC in court. The a g e n c y bluntly refused to file a defence, only for the agency to file charges against him in another Federal High Court. “ T h e question we will like to ask is: Is Tompolo the chief executive or t h e

Garden of Life Assembly holds 3-day programme

T

HE Garden of Life Assembly, Sapele, organises a three-day prophetic wind, with the theme: By This Time, at the church premises, 5, Crudas Road, Sapele, Delta State.

A statement by the church said the founder, Bishop Orovwuje Edward and other anointed men of God will be ministering.

Managing Director of Global West Vessels Limited?

Assuming, for the purpose of argument, that Global Vessels Limited committed financial

crime, is Tompolo the alter ego of the company? The EFCC invitation and subsequent harassment and persecution of Tompolo goes beyond what meets the eye.”

Pipeline bombing: Delta lawmaker faults military action

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—CHAIRMAN, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, Mr Daniel Yingi, has said that military action was not the solution to the renewed bombing of oil and gas installations in parts of the Niger Delta region.

Yingi, who represents Burutu I constituency in the House, insisted that the renewed attack, if not well managed, could lead to full blown crisis in the region and appealed to the Federal Government to tread with caution in handling the issue.

The lawmaker in a statement in Asaba, said: “The renewed bombing of oil and gas pipelines

by persons or groups yet to be identified was uncalled for and is condemnable. Dialogue and constructive engagement with major stakeholders is the best way forward.

“Invasion of communities on the ground of searching for the perpetrators of the heinous crime may result in unnecessary killing of innocent rural dwellers who may know nothing about the identities of those involved in the wilful act of destruction of oil installations in the name of militancy.

“The development is already bringing untold hardship on the people of the affected riverine communities and their neighbours,” adding that proactive steps should be taken to stop further hostilities.

14 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

METHODIST OLD BOYS' 60TH ANNIVERSARY IN LAGOS. Photos by Joe Akintola.

Methodist Boys' High School, Lagos, Old Boys' Association Liberation set at a special thanksgiving church service and luncheon to mark their 60th anniversary at Soremekun Hall, Broad Street, Lagos.

From left, Principal, Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, Very Rev. David Oluseye Oyebade; former governor of Ogun State/member of the Association, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Vice Chairman, MBHS, Old Boys' Association, Mr. Coker Akinola, and Chairman of the Association, Deinde Gbolahan.

From left; Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Mrs Olatoun From left; Mrs Jumoke Olukunle; Olori Modupeola Ogunleye; Otunba Jimi Oduba, SAN and Senator Chief (Mrs) Derin Osoba and Mr Coker Ogunsanya; Mrs Elizabeth Coker and Mrs Ronke Akinola, Vice Chairman, MBHS, OBA. Muniru Muse.

Lanipekun

Okonjo-Iweala blasts Falana over linkage with $2.1bn arms scandal

F

ORMER Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has described as malicious attempts by Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), to link her with the $2.1 billion arms scandal.

Falana had written the International Criminal Court, ICC, asking it to investigate those allegedly involved in the arms deal, including the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.)

Media Assistant to the former minister, Mr. Paul Nwabuiku, said in a statement yesterday: ‘’The malicious attempt by Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana to mix Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala up in issues that have nothing to do with her in his letter to the International Criminal Court, ICC, is a desperate joke by an integrity-challenged charlatan. ‘’This misadventure shows that the so-called learned lawyer does not have any idea of what the mandate of the ICC is about. ‘’He has resorted to this action because his previous efforts to tarnish her image, through his discredited NGO, SERAP and petitions to the EFCC – failed because they were lacking in credibility. ‘’This latest effort to try to attach C M Y K

her name falsely confirms that Femi Falana is nothing but a tool of corrupt elements whose interests were hurt by the work Dr. Okonjo-Iweala did in fighting corruption while she was in office. ‘’These elements have now made a habit of making false allegations against Dr OkonjoIweala whenever she receives any national or international recognition for her work. ‘’The pattern is clear and Nigerians should be alert to it. But Dr Okonjo-Iweala will not be intimidated from going on with her life and performing her duties.

She will not give in to cowardly and unmanly bullying. ‘’Falana’s latest attempt to implicate Dr Okonjo-Iweala falsely suggests that he is suffering from an ailment that may be described as Chronic Cerebral Amnesia (CCA) because he simply has no grasp of the facts. ‘’Contrary to Falana’s lies, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has absolutely nothing to do with the alleged misuse of $2.1billion by the office of the former National Security Adviser. Falana and his sponsors are simply trying to invent a connection where there is none. ‘’The January 20, 2015 memo in which Dr Okonjo-Iweala sought and received the approval of

former President Jonathan for the release of part of the newly returned Abacha funds to the NSA for purchase of arms is totally separate from the $2.1 billion issue. ‘’The memo which is now in the public domain speaks for itself. The release of the resources was in response to an approval by the

former President following a meeting chaired by him after a committee had considered the request. ‘’The memo clearly documented Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s insistence that the proper procedure be followed, subject to appropriation and according

to financial regulations. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala went further to state that the former NSA should account for the funds to the former President since she is not a member of the Security Council. ‘’The attempt to link OkonjoIweala to the $2.1 billion issue is therefore dead on arrival.''

We need leaders who'll not steal our money — BUHARI

By Henry Umoru & Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA— P R E S I D E N T Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that if Nigeria must sustain its democracy that should be emulated by other countries in Africa, there had to be the evolution of moral leaders who would not steal the common wealth meant to provide services to the people.

Declaring open a two-day National Political Summit yesterday in Abuja, President Buhari said he was worried by the revelations over the money meant for the purchase of arms to address the security challenge in the North East, following the activities of members of Boko Haram.

He said Nigeria’s democracy required help if it must be nurtured

and sustained as well as attain the promise of justice and human dignity, adding that it could only be achieved if the country had moral elite, a leadership prepared to make the sacrifice of self, with interest for the good of the people.

Represented by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, President Buhari said the moral leaders must be ready to offer exemplary moral leadership in the shape of a strong ethical compass and place the nation and the people above selves.

Meanwhile, all the governors boycotted the summit, which took place at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abuja, even with their pictures on the 50-page programme.

The summit, themed; 2015

6eneral Election: The Gains and Building Positive Political Culture for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria.”, was organized by the Save Democracy Group Africa.

The President said: “The theme of the summit 2015 elections; consolidating the gains and building positive and sustainable democracy, indeed, came at a very good time. Every step to the balance of a stable democracy is worth it, even as we celebrate. ‘’My support for sustained dialogue among political stakeholders and key actors in our country will help in speeding up the political evolution of our country, grow our politics, building understanding and definitely help our people.''

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 , 2016—15

BIAFRA: Court rules on Kanu's bail Jan 29 •IPOB protest in Nnewi disrupted by Police •We expect non-conditional release for him —Rights group

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Nwabueze Okonkwo & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

A

BUJA—JUSTICE John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 29 to determine whether or not the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, should be released on bail pending his trial.

Kanu is answering to a sixcount treason charge that was preferred against him by the federal government.

This came as the protest in Nnewi by members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was yesterday disrupted by the Police Area Command in Nnewi, after a heated argument between the police and members of IPOB. Kanu is facing trial alongside two other proBiafra agitators, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Justice Tsoho adjourned ruling on the defendants’ bail applications after he entertained arguments from their lawyer and that of the federal government.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr. M. U. Udechukwu, argued that the charge levelled against his clients are bailable, saying they ought to be presumed innocent until their guilt is established.

He predicated the consolidated bail applications on the provisions of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, as well as sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Udechukwu contended that the offence against the accused persons does not attract capital punishment upon conviction.

However, the federal government, through the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, opposed the release of the defendants on bail.

FG insisted that the accused persons would jump bail once out of detention, alleging that Kanu, who it said has dual citizenship, “illegally sneaked” into Nigeria from the United Kingdom.

It will be recalled that the defendants had on January 20, pleaded not guilty to the sixcount charge, even as Justice Tsoho remanded them in prison custody.

The trio were in the charge that was signed by the DPP, alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence said to be punishable under Section 41(C)

ARRAIGNED: Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, with a Prisons official, at the premises of a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday. of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

FG alleged that the accused persons were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as “an unlawful society.”

Kanu who is also the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, was specifically alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria.

The IPOB leader has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested in Lagos by security operatives shortly after he arrived Nigeria from his base in the UK..

One of the charges

One of the charges against him read: “That you, Nnamdi Kanu and other unknown persons, now at large, at London, United Kingdom, between 2014 and September, 2015, with intention to levy war against Nigeria in order to force the President to change his measures of being the President of the Federation, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation as defined in Section 3 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) by doing an act to wit: Broadcast on Radio Biafra your preparations for the states in the South- East geo-political zone, South-South geo-political zone, the Igala community of Kogi State and the Idoma/Igede community of Benue State to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and form themselves into a Republic of Biafra, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal

Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

IPOB protest disrupted

On the disrupted protest at Nnewi, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, were said to have marched from Onitsha to Uruagu Nnewi to protest the continued incarceration of the their leader and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu when police disrupted them.

The IPOB members were said to have marched from Onitsha to St. John the Cross Catholic Church, Uruagu, Nnewi, where they were accosted by the police led by the Nnewi Police Area Commander, Mr. Hanzad Amiyi who insisted that they must not enter into Nnewi township, or they will face the wrath of the police.

Mr. Amiyi who led over 20 Pick-up vans and five white saloon cars, filled with combat ready policemen, was, however, civil to the protesting IPOB members, but maintained his stand that the surging IPOB members must not enter into the industrial city.

The policemen were said to have been drafted from all the towns that make up Nnewi Police Area Command, including, Orifite, Ozubulu, Ihiala, Ekwulobia, Ukpor, Osumenyi, Okija and Nnobi, among others.

However, while the argument on whether they should be allowed to pass or not was going on between the IPOB leaders who refused to speak with newsmen, other IPOB members were chanting songs against the Federal Government, Nigerian Police and Army, DSS and other security agencies.

When the argument became more heated, more police vehicles filled with policemen arrived the scene and used their vehicles to block the Old Owerri Road, Nnewi, by the Catholic Church, creating a little space so that vehicles coming into and exiting Nnewi could pass through.

Their action made vehicular movements very slow, while some policemen positioned themselves for possible battle against any attack on the Area Commander and some Divisional Police Officers who joined him in dispersing the IPOB members.

Barbaric

Meanwhile, the Media and Publicity Officer of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful described the action of the Nnewi Police Area Command as barbaric and senseless, adding “it is only in Anambra State in the whole of South East that the police will stop people who are engaged in peaceful protest as the same police have always confirmed that IPOB members are peaceful in their conduct.

“The Federal Government should go and build more prisons to contain us. We will never stop our protests until Mr Kanu is released and the sovereign state of Biafra is achieved. They are wasting their time. Are they tired of killing us? Why are they now peaceful in their approach to us?

We blame Anambra State government for our ordeal in the hands of the security agencies.

They gave them power to be killing us.

“We will never relent in our struggle. Biafra must be achieved and Mr Kanu will be freed unconditionally otherwise, we will make this country ungovernable.

This government will never rest or know peace until they leave us alone and release our leader ,” he said.

However, the Nnewi Area Commander who refused to speak with newsmen on his reason for not allowing the IPOB members entry into Nnewi township simply said: “We don’t want to use tear gas on them, we want to be peaceful with them since they have shown maturity but they are not allowed into Nnewi township unless they get clearance from the State Police Command, Awka.

Only on that condition will we allow them and moreover, they are coming from Onitsha, they should go back to where they are coming from.”

Efforts to speak with the IPOB leader failed as he refused to speak with newsmen.

However, the refusal of the IPOB leader to speak with newsmen on their argument with the police infuriated other members of the group who described him as “not being a worthy leader.”

While some said he was just elected a leader yesterday (Sunday), others said he would frustrate the group if he continued the way he was going, with his claim of being a pastor.

Members of IPOB equally told him that he should resign if his plan was to frustrate the group, wondering why he had to engage in any kind of discussion with the police, an action they believe gave the police the impetus to send them back because according to them, “they discovered that he was afraid. He ought to have told the world our ordeal in the hands of the police.”

Throughout the period of argument between the police and the IPOB leaders, their leader was waving his Bible and raining curses, while onlookers described him as a “real Biafran activist," and clapped for him.

A case for unconditional release

In another development, a human rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, Intersociety also yesterday stated that it is not expecting anything less than a non-conditional bail for the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu whose case is currently pending at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Reacting shortly after yesterday’s court proceedings in Kanu’s bail application, during which the court reserved ruling for Friday this week, Intersociety said its prediction was based on the fact that denying him bail would amount to abuse of his fundamental human rights and committing an offence on top of allegations leveled against him, adding that he could be given either a bail attached to no condition or one with a light condition such as asking him to deposit his international passport or asking him to produce a credible surety, for formality sake.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 , 2016

Fire razes FRCN station, Umuahia U

By Anayo Okoli

M U A H I A — PACESETTER, the Frequency Modulated, FM, station of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, based in Amakama, Umuahia South Council of Abia State, was Sunday evening gutted by fire.

The cause of the fire was not yet known but it was said to have started from the roof of the building housing the radio station at about 5pm.

However, no life was lost as the staff on duty at the consul at the time, a lady, was said to have escaped through the

toilet window.

According to sources from the radio station, when the workers on duty saw the heavy smoke coming out from the roof, they raised an alarm and called out every staff to avoid loss of life.

The radio station commissioned in 2007 by former Minister of Information, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, was completely gutted by fire. However, the staff on duty were said to have managed to salvage the transmission equipment.

But other departments such

as accounts, newsroom, programmes and administration as well as the studio were completely burnt down.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has paid a sympathy visit to the radio station. Led by its chairman, Comrade John Emejor, the council called on the federal and state governments and good-spirited individuals and corporate organizations to urgently assist in rebuilding the station and return it back on air.

General Manager of radio station, Mr. Fidelis Onoh, who received the delegation, thanked the NUJ team for the visit.

Meanwhile, the Abia State government has promised that it would do its best to assist in rebuilding the radio station.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Godwin Adindu made the promise when he paid a sympathy visit to the radio station, where he lamented the massive destruction caused by the inferno.

CORRUPTION:

No regrets probing Jonathan's govt— Oyegun, APC chairman

A

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—NATIONAL Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, has said the APC government had no regrets digging deep into the activities of the immediate past government.

According to him, it is necessary to right the wrongs of the past and properly place the country on the right pedestal for economic growth and development.

Oyegun, who fielded questions from journalists in Abuja on an array of contemporary national issues, submitted that APC inherited a ruined economy which would not need quick fixes.

He, however, stated that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was not oblivious of the plights and frustrations of Nigerians.

He also expressed optimism that there was a silver lining for the country ahead, asking for the patience and understanding of Nigerians.

Oyegun, who also stated that the party was happy investigating the past, said that another regime after theirs could also do the same should the present regime become corrupt.

He also gave prospect to the arrest and prosecution of former President Goodluck Jonathan by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, should the need arise.

He said: “Our party, the APC is very, very aware of the hardship that the misgovernment of the last 16 years has plunged this country. We are aware of the hard times, the tough times that a lot of Nigerians at the moment are going through. Apart from the party, I must also say that it is one of the main concerns of Mr. President.

“He is fully conscious and aware of the tough times that a lot of people are going through. I want to assure the people through you that everything is being done to stabilize the economy and to ameliorate the sufferings that the people are going through."

Vanguard, TUESDAY 17 TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—17

R-l: President, Christian Council of Nigeria, Dr Emmanuel Josiah Udofia with the Sultan of Sokoto and President Jamatu Nasril Islam, JNI, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar 111 and Dr Usman Bugaje at the inauguration of Inter-religious Council In Kaduna, yesterday. Photo:Olu Ajayi.

Nigeria’s crude oil export set to rise in March Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, (r), congratulating Dr. Dan Nwankwo, chairman of the Committee on Inland Dryport at Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State after their inauguration in Umuahia.

By Michael Eboh, with agency report

N

IGERIA’s crude oil export is set to rise in March, a compilation of

loading programmes showed yesterday.

This, according to data obtained from Reuters, is coming on the heels of the lifting of force majeure declared by some oil companies, while it added that the increase was in spite of the fact that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, raised the official selling prices for Nigeria’s crude oil gradesfrom more than 10-year lows, reflecting the stronger market.

The report, however, did not state the price at which the NNPC is selling the crude oil grades. Several key grades, according to the report, were set to increase from the previous month, including Bonny Light, Bonga, Forcados, Brass River and Escravos, early loading programmes showed.

The report said one of the 10 cargoes of Qua Iboe set for March loading was also deferred from the February programme, setting it slightly higher than the previous month.

Since the February export plan was issued, ENI has lifted its force majeure on Brass River crude, while Shell has reopened the Trans Niger Pipeline which carries Bonny Light to the export terminal. The report further noted that March exports already included 62 cargoes, or 56.7 million barrels of oil, compared with the 59 cargoes and 55.2 million barrels originally planned for February. The barrels per day (bpd) total of 1.83 million was b e l o w Febr uar y ’s initially planned total of 1.9 million bpd, due to the shorter month, but several programmes were still pending, making March likely to surpass that figure.

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 WE are deeply disturbed by what appears as the renewal of conflict in the Niger Delta between the so-called militants and the armed forces after over seven years of peace and calm in our oil-rich region.

On Friday January 15, shortly after a Lagos High Court presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba ordered the arrest of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) for failure to appear before him in a case of fraud and stealing of N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), militants blew up pipelines in Escravos in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

The damage done to the gas pipelines which belong to the Nigeria Gas Company has affected the flow of gas to electricity power plants and prevented the flow of crude oil t o re f i n e r i e s i n Wa r r i a n d Kaduna.

The Fe d e r a l

Renewed rumpus in Niger Delta Government says that the damage has led to the loss of N79 million daily of crude oil.

In addition, it will cost N120 million to repair the damaged pipelines before normal power generation can be restored.

The armed forces and security agencies are on a manhunt for the culprits, with the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo S h i e l d C o m m a n d e r, M a j o r General Alani Okunlola, warning that community leaders and chiefs would be held responsible for attacks on oil and gas facilities in their areas.

Coming at a time the nation is

reeling from the free-fall of oil prices due to oil glut in the international market, any upsurge in militancy in the Niger Delta will greatly affect efforts to repair our damaged economy. Certainly, it is bound to thwart the grand intentions of the 2016 national budget which will depend heavily on oil and gas revenues to be successfully implemented.

Apart from the economic implications, Nigeria cannot afford to engage a new front for military confrontation just when victory against Islamist insurgency appears to be in sight in the North East. We

cannot afford to keep spending our lean resources on security operations while we face daunting challenges in high unemployment, infrastructure deficit, educational backwardness and outbreaks of infectious diseases which need lots of financial resources to solve.

We plead with all Nigerians to c o o p e r a t e w i t h t h e Fe d e r a l Government in its efforts to recover stolen public funds and rein in the scourge of corruption. It is in the greater interest of individuals and that of the nation at large to obey the law and answer to allegations of criminal conducts.

We are against any resort to militancy. It will only delay, but not stop, the course of justice.

It will lead to avoidable human suffering and expensive environmental devastation in the region. No one can benefit from it.

OPINION The IgboYoruba ffeud eud (2) Igbo-Y Continued from yesterday

By Chuks Iloegbunam

I

T was not the Igbo that killed Major Isaac Jasper AdakaBoro. It was not the Igbo that killed Ken Saro-Wiwa.

It was not the Igbo that banished Delta nights with the interminable flare of gas. It was not the Igbo that ordered the November 20, 1999 expeditionary attack on Odi that left 2500 Ijaw citizens killed and the town reduced to rubble.

The Igbo was accused of desiring nothing but the expropriation of Delta oil and gas. But geophysics since proved that the entire Igbo country sits on oil, and holds in its bowels the largest concentration of gas on the Africa continent. That is the way everything goes and turns round.

The Delta people, previously cajoled into believing that they had been liberated from Ndigbo, are beginning to know differently. They have discovered their real oppressors.

President Jonathan, a Rivers man, was denied a second term in office. His single tenure was covered in a mountain of mendacity by the manipulators of sectional press and political blackmail. The traditional “political allies” of the Southern minorities felt affronted by being asked to vote a second term for one of those

C M Y K

they claimed to have “liberated” from Igbo clutches and talons!

It is on the same plane that the feud between Ndigbo and the Yoruba sits today.True, prophets abound who received messages directly from God that President Jonathan would lose his re-election bid. But real politik always made it obvious to informed nonprophets that no two of the ethnic tripod of Nigerian politics could bind together without carrying the day of national ballot. That is what the entire feud currently playing out between the Yor uba and the Igbo is about.

Suddenly, it was discovered that Ndigbo are in cahoots to adulterate Yor uba culture! Suddenly it was remembered that, during the 1950s, Chief Awolowo had cheated Dr. Azikiwe of the West Regional premiership by playing the ethnic card.

In the circumstance, verbal missiles have been hitting antipodal zones with

Those who have been setting the national clock back by decades confuse themselves by thinking that they are getting one back on the PDP. That is false

the destructive insistence of heavy artillery concentration.

While this distraction was in ascent, a leeway was created for imbuing the Chosen One with the political sagacity that he so pitifully lacks. While this distraction runs, the entity suffers because a divided South guarantees less than enough mobilisation for a national front to push for positive movement and needed reforms. This is where Aribisala’s lament becomes more apposite: “[The Yoruba and the Igbo]prefer a Nigeria that practices fiscal federalism. Both want a country with a weaker centre. Both want a Nigeria that rewards merit, with a state-structure based on resourcecontrol. Both groups want a Nigeria committed to self-determination. These are grounds for cooperation as opposed to discord. If the North is not to continue to take the South for granted, it must not be allowed to continue to operate in the confidence that the East and the West will always be divided.”

That is the problem. The North does not operate in the confidence of eternal East-West dislocations.

It surreptitiously incites and nurtures them, remotely controlling surrogates who celebrate sinecures at the expense of self-determination and fiscal independence! That is why, despite Aribisala’s realism, Northern pragmatism will ensure that the contrived Yoruba-Igbo discord does not abate. If anything, it is set to escalate.

One only needs to critically examine

the true nature of the Government of Change since served Nigerians on a platter of media overkill, to fully understand the state of play. Despotism is staging a comeback, propped up by a – not the – Yoruba media, which objectifies its permutations and predilections through a virulent antipathy for Ndigbo.

This ensures the attenuation of pressure from the Chosen One. There is firmly in place an abundance of menopausal professors of Law rabidly justifying the unfolding, visceral string of disobediences to court injunctions.

The allegiance to true fiscal federalism, a central plank of the Yoruba profession of a continued corporate Nigeria, has all but been deliberately diminished.

And, generally obfuscating every space for rational thinking and committed leadership, is the conundrum of trial by media. Those who have been setting the national clock back by decades confuse themselves by thinking that they are getting one back on the PDP. That is false. What they are doing is simply intensifying the artificial war between the Igbo and the Yoruba, in order that those born to rule would hold permanent sway. Yet, there is a redeeming feature in this morassof crassness – the very fact that everything goes and turns round.

Concluded.

Mr. Iloegbunam is the author of Ironside, the biography of General Aguiyi-ronsi.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016— —19

Who will sa arri fr om its rro ot? savve W Warri from

By Sunny Ikhioya

T

HE story of Warri city has been told so many times, a city that has given so much, yet got so little in return, with a giant sized reputation and wallowing in penury, a happy people, hospitable and full of live, yet dying slowly.

Who will save Warri from its rot?

You cannot see a Warri boy wafarian - anywhere and not take notice; his unique pidgin english language, his braggadocio, his vigour and yes, his jokes.

The wafarian lives by joking and ‘yabbing’, which is the kernel of his social interactions. Before now, you cannot claim to be a super star without coming to Warri, the days of Lido nite club, Zeinanite club and others. The city was safe - 24 hours groove and hospitality.

Warri was infact a no man’s land as there was no ethnic discrimination of any kind.

Even during the Nigerian civil war, Warri was neutral, that shows the extent of generosity that this small but significant city possess.

But all of these are now in the past, a first time visitor to Warri will be appalled by the state of squalor, dereliction, abuse and total

neglect. There is no single sign of governance. What previous governments like the Ogbemudia regime had put in place now lie waste; roads in various degrees of disrepair, dirty and cramped houses, roads are blocked at will for flimsy of reasons.

Yet, there are at least four main police stations, an army and naval bases and other security agencies.

No functional local government, one is told that they have not received salaries for over seven months, no health and sanitary inspectors, deplorable roads and multiple abandoned road projects.

Warri is now a shadow of its old self. As a result of the vibrancy of the wafarian, everyone from the old Bendel state wants to be known as a wafarian but those days are gone. Who will save Warri from its dire state?

It is a very serious matter. People are dying daily and more are to follow due to neglect. The politicians are only seen during elections and when that is over, everyone goes back to his tent.

Even before oil, Warri was a commercial city, as a trading post right from the colonial times, so you hear of “the commercial city of Warri” before it became “oil

city.” Now businesses have packed up and Warri is now at ground zero level. Is the situation redeemable?

I think it is because the Warri man has a resilient spirit, never say die but this can only yield dividend under an atmosphere of peace and co-operation. Are the warlords ready to let Warri be? Are the fake resource control protagonists ready to be fruitful? Is the Delta state government ready to give Warri its due consideration and institute a Marshall plan to

It is the responsibility of the present government to ensure that Warri city is brought back to its glory days. Without doubt,the entire state, nay the nation will profit from the city's rebranding

Warri: Eye sore of an oil city

F

By Richard Odibo

OR the avoidance of doubt, to those who are not familiar with the City named WARRI, I will like to describe Warri as a City in Delta State of Nigeria. It once served as the Colonial Capital of the then Warri Province. However, today Warri is described as an Oil Hub in the Southern Senatorial District of Delta State. Warri used to be a small powerful Commercial Centre with surrounding towns like Effurun, Ekpan, Ubeji, Edjeba, Ogunu, Aladja, Enerhen, Ugbuwangwe to mention but a few. Though all these towns mentioned above and others are now referred to as Warri for ease of reference, but they still maintain their political autonomy.

Having lived in and out of this place where I was born and loved so much, I am constrained to take a critical look at this supposedly blessed Land named Warri. I have watched this City as it was full of so much life, with a lot of activities and also witnessed helplessly the decay that has avoidably set in.

The Oil Cities of the World I know, some of which I have been privileged to visit, are places like Texas in the United States of America, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, Perth, Jakarta, Singapore, Denber, Dubai, Calgary etc. etc. The level of development, the network of roads, and the state of the art infrastructure in these cities are better imagined.

The Warri some of us used to know as I earlier mentioned was a bubbling Commercial City where all the Riverine Communities from, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ilaje and others from Isoko, Ibo, Hausa and Urhobo used to converge. There was a waterway linking Effurun, running through Agaga layout behind Enerhen Junction down to Deco road, Lower Erejuwa road, through Macro road and Warri prisons into Warri River.

If the above mentioned waterway was well channeled and maintained, it would have been one great source of transportation that traders and others would have used to ferry their goods and wares from the hinter-land down to Warri metropolis. In some other Cities of the World, such routes are usually a beauty to behold. The Thames River in London and the artificial river channels in Dubai are typical examples of such routes

C M Y K

that were developed to an attractive level and tourists hot spots.

There was a road behind the Main Market then known as Hausa road, from the Market road end down to Hausa road where there were structures that provided accommodation for people, besides ware houses like the UAC, Hotels, stores like the Odibo trading stores, Kay Challarams, etcetera, etcetera. All these were bubbling with different Commercial activities to the delight of all. The Boats and Canoes owned by persons from the Riverine Communities berthed along the river bank. The Stores on this stretch displayed goods like Provisions, and hard wares such as Roofing Sheets, Nails, Bucket, Umbrellas, Shoes, Doors, and Iron – rods for construction etc. A stranger may want to know what then happened to all of these.

Unfortunately, the people didn’t help themselves. They were their own enemies.

The Itsekiri / Ijaw politics over the ownership of Warri led to the dismantling of all the structures along the Hausa road end. The place eventually became a Sand Beach and a home for lunatics and hoodlums.

This piece is not intended to look into the bitter and unnecessary rivalry between the different ethnic nationalities in Warri, instead its intention is to focus on the rot and decay in the infrastructure and the total collapse of what was in place then and the absence of a good developmental plan for a place that should be regarded as one of the best cities in today’s Nigeria. If Warri could not measure height with Lagos in terms of infrastructure, one expects that at least Warri should be better than Calabar and Uyo as an Oil City.

The night life in Warri was exceptional.

Notable night clubs were in place then to keep the activities of the night alive. We had the likes of Lido night club, Zeina night club, Pemy night club, De Rabbit, Joint One and several others. Even Cinema houses like

We were one big family, united in diversity, with a concerted effort to develop this blessed town. But the opposite became the case

revamp the city? Are the various traditional leaders in Warri and environs ready to put heads together and work towards a common goal of progress for the metropolitan city of Warri?

Because, Warri as it is today, is an agglomeration of towns, not the small restricted Odion, Okere, Erejuwa areas of those days. Are we ready to shed sword and work for peace and progress?

We cannot find solutions if we are unable to identify the causes of our present circumstances; the needless ethnic conflicts and corrupt politicians who have put personal pecuniary interests over development of the collective- I understand the past governor has gone underground because everywhere he goes, he is now greeted with chants of “who you help”. The electricity distribution company owners in Warri are happy when there is black out as they make more money working on estimated billings, which is stealing by trick.

The beneficiaries of the conflicts are now multi billion naira tycoons, people who promoted and executed the ethnic crises are now living in opulence, flouting it before the helpless citizenry, with official security men as their body guards while the helpless and law abiding people watch.

How do we save Warri from this rot? Warri has produced so many

Delta and New Rex cinema houses were there. Today night Life is dead as a result of the general feeling of insecurity in the Warri metropolis.

The Old generation of those born in Warri known as Wafarians tried in vain to uplift Warri, while a section of the new generation took it to another level especially with the efforts of our Comedians. Unfortunately, some of these young ones made themselves available to be used by the greedy leaders to cause hate and mayhem. They shed so much blood that was not necessary. The needless struggles between the different ethnic nationalities could have been avoided.

But things were not always the way they are today. One can recall with nostalgia when as an Urhobo man I could visit the Ikomis, Rewanes, Beghos, Ezelis, Ngonadis and eat freely without looking over my shoulders or harbour any fears of being hurt. We knew ourselves and we exchanged visits on such a note of conviviality. There were names like, the Yudoweis, Brisibes, Sokohs, Edewors , Esisos, Ezienos, Ukuekus Peregbas, Emikos, Ogbes, Porbenis, Jemides, Oganwus, and many others.

One man’s problem then was the others and we shared our joys and sorrows. We knew ourselves, as wide and big as the cities were under the Old Midwestern region. The inhabitants knew themselves. From Warri to Sapele, Benin City to Ughelli, Agbor to Asaba and other numerous towns; we traverse the nook and crannies of these towns and felt at home wherever we found ourselves. What then happened to the old friendship that pervaded the air, the love we exuded amongst ourselves?

At the advent of the 4th republic, because so many men and women of substance refused to be involved in the transition programme since there was lack of trust for the military by the citizenry, the calibre of leaders that emerged, with due respect to few, could best be described as opportunistic.

They got into power, tasted it, enjoyed and seized it. So many strangers came into the political landscape, they were received with the hope that things were going to be as usual. We were one big family, united in diversity, with a concerted effort to develop this blessed town. But the opposite became the case. Greed set in, selfishness, hatred and killings. Nobody cared about Warri anymore. People were now more interested in their own pockets and their villages. Warri was now a no man’s land.

great men; past administrators, successful businessmen and professionals in all areas of human endeavour, what can we give back to Warri? The governor of state, IfeanyiOkowa must realise that a comatose Warri city is not in the interest of Delta state.

In fact, if Warri sneezes, the whole Delta state feels it. That is why he must call his cabinet together and arrange for re-engineering of the city of Warri, like he has done for Asaba.

Warri city needs a new drainage plan, roads rehabilitation, public schools resuscitation, sanitary and health attention, completion of abandoned projects and the elimination of unviable projects embarked upon by the previous administration, especially in the Effurun-Warri express stretch.

Those BRT projects should be reevaluated, local governments must be encouraged to function as the state government cannot do it alone. Let us see and experience law and order.

It is the responsibility of the present government to ensure that Warri city is brought back to its glory days. Without doubt,the entire state, nay the nation will profit from the city's rebranding. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

No wonder that in a revealing article titled ‘’A Postcard From Warri’’ published in the Nigerian Guardian of October 27, 2000, ace Journalist and former Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, depicted the sorry state of Warri as follows: ‘’Warri is a haggard old lady, with tired feet and a mouth that has been robbed of its teeth. She looks as used as an over-experienced prostitute.

The neighborhoods were crowded. The whole scene seems indescribable: humanity trapped in small spaces with threats of poverty and discontent written on their faces and over the environment’’. That was the testimony of a visitor to Warri, who captured his experience as decay took over Warri in 2000.

Even our Warri Carnival, which the Alders League used to organize in Abraka, was affected. The State Government informed whoever cared to listen, that they have plans to develop Warri. They commenced with the Dualization of some of our roads, and eventually abandoned them for reasons best known to them. The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Chevron, and other Oil and Gas Companies came up with a few developmental projects in and around Warri. For example, the Osubi Airport Project, School Buildings, and Halls, Health facilities, Town Halls and many more sprang up in some strategic places due to the efforts of these multinationals.

But again our greed showed up, Government couldn’t reach a compromise with SPDC. We continuously disagreed on principles and modalities on how to handle various issues. Consequently, there was a breakdown of law and order. As a business concern Shell Petroleum development coy couldn’t continue to operate in a hostile environment. Government couldn’t help.

The Dutch Oil majors had to move officially from Warri – Delta State to Port Harcourt – Rivers State. That singular act signaled the comatose situation in Warri and environs.

All other allied companies moved along with SPDC. The huge amount of money the State used to generate from SPDC in form of IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) shrunk drastically. Those in Government I had earlier described to have “seized government” cared less. Majority of the citizens suffered. The absence of a good plan if at all there was any, led to taking of unproductive decisions. *Sir Odibo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26 26, 2016

War against which corruption?

By Hilary Okoronkwo

I

N the eyes of the average Nigerian, a full frontal war against corruption is being waged by the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reservedly so, there are a few of us who strikingly reminisce what appears to be the same choosy confrontation on corruption staged by preceding administrations including Buhari from 1983 to 1985.

A war against corruption, any war for that matter being pursued by any individual or a government for that matter must have clearly stated objectives. The objectives should be conveyed to all and sundry. In this case, only President Buhari and those close to him knows what the scope and strategy is.

Corruption by elected and selected officials in Nigeria is a cancer that has practically destroyed the entire rudiments of the Nigerian society.

Nigerians opportunely grumble about the unsavoury effects of corruption but seems to stop there for all undetermined and exhibited intents and purposes.

When it is time to hold our leaders accountable for their actions, our pejorative predisposition automatically switches into selective, confused and sometimes irrational mode. Privately we all agree that corruption is bad and should be eliminated.

However, depending on who the culprits are and the circumstances, there appears not to be a generally accepted template for which all corrupt exploits are viewed and measured.

In my treasured realm of Nigeria, you may not be duplicitous in the eyes of the law even after it is apparent that you invented nothing and are living above your means. Even if you illegally acquired or diverted public wealth, the following are some of the many available options that allow looters to enjoy the loots of their labour.

How not to pursue the C M Y K

war •While in office it appeared you "performed" and stole just a "little". The definition of little may well be in billions of Naira. The political landscape you “served” may have received trillions of Naira in revenues for the eight years of your administration and no one cares that a good amount of it were unaccounted for.

Accusations of helping yourself by exploiting public funds to create a personal website fell on deaf ears and your nomination as minister scaled through the Nigerian Senate with relative ease.

•You can convince the perpetually susceptible Nigerians that you were already rich before assuming office.

•You can be bold enough to declare that you don't really give a damn about corruption and go as far as declaring that corruption is not stealing. You are connected directly to the proprietors of the media houses who are

I have to presume that all Nigerians concur with me that President Muhammadu Buhari rode to power on the financial backing of corrupt Nigerians. To convince us that he is serious about fighting corruption, he needs to come out publicly and disclose how much was donated either directly to him or his presidential campaign and who those people are

receiving huge subventions from misappropriated arms funds.

• You possess the staying power to ignore your “loser ” critics and remain relevant by being solidly connected with those that matter in the system. As an important member of the political party in power, no one in their right thinking EFCC mind could accuse you of being corrupt let alone visualise holding you accountable for anything. You are simply relevant enough and too important to be disgraced.

• You characteristically grease the palm of the influential media operators and pay your tithe to spiritual merchants.

• You ignore Nigerians who are jealous of your grand accomplishments. Seek and obtain immunity from prosecution from a friendly federal high court in Nigeria.

Nigerians have wideranging scales and dislocated viewing lenses to measure corruption. Since we cannot agree on what corruption really is and who the corrupt may be, we the people, by default empower every government including the Buhari administration to establish low bars in fighting corruption.

Unless there are moves and ideas that the Buhari administration is yet to share with Nigerians, it is my every measured estimation that this government is blowing hot air wasting our collective time fighting a partisan, selective, unacceptable and imprudent war against corruption.

Not too long ago, when Olusegun Obasanjo was president, most of us were hoodwinked to believe that corruption was finally being confronted.

In an unprecedented turn of events, a former Inspector General of Police was charged and convicted of stealing from the Nigerian Police funds. At least one serving Governor was removed from office, charged and convicted of embezzling public funds. Through all of these, while Nigerians cheered more corruption was being perpetuated inside government and public offices.

It was as if former President Obasanjo allowed corruption to thrive. He manipulated the looters and intimidated them in a way that almost propelled him to an illegal third term. We later found out that those who challenged Obasanjo or are considered too close to his enemies were prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Those who openly did his bidding were allowed to enjoy their loot.

The point here is not to make any comparison between Obasanjo and Buhari’s approach to fighting corruption. A recognizable parallel is that both are grossly inadequate and are a complete waste of time and resources. It is true that no amount of retribution will serve as a deterrent to eliminating corruption in a society that offers no other reasonable alternatives.

Our institutions are too dependent on the government of the day and they need to be encouraged to become a force for good that serves all Nigerians. The ICPC and EFCC were virtually on an extended leave of absence under the Jonathan administration.

Things were so bad, the immediate past Chairman of EFCC was accused of converting looted assets recovered from corrupt officials.

As Nigerians we pretend to be smart but the rotten state of social and political environment says exactly the opposite. This verdict also portrays us as self-serving individuals without any appreciation of what collective interests are. When our failures are presented to us, we become evasive, defensive or even angry.

Most Nigerians are excited that the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki is being exposed.

Every time a new recipient of the $2.1 billion bounty is exposed, it seems to confirm what we suspected to be true all along.

Through all of experiences leading up to now, I am yet to confront manyNigerians who share the big picture mentality. Some will say, if it wasn't for President Buhari, we will never know. Knowing that Dasuki diverted funds meant for arms procurement is one thing but then what?

Olu Falae, Tony Anenih, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Iyorchia Ayu, Jim Nwobodo, Bode George, Bola Tinubu, Raymond Dokpesi, and Nduka Obaigbena among many others have all been sharing public funds for a very long time. In return, they are national awardees for their participation while we cheered.

In 1984, Nigerians woke up one morning to the rude awakening that a former Director of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), then Army Colonel PK Obasa and a few privileged others

misappropriated about 200 million Naira. Adjusted for inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, that amount in 1980s could be worth more than Colonel Sambo’s $2.1 billion dollars. To put this into better perspective, the exchange rate of the Naira was at par with the British Pound when the crime was committed. I have no idea what became of Obasa. He could well be holding a traditional chieftaincy title that is immune to any form of prosecution or public ridicule.

This administration will have wasted our time again if the following are not looked into.

• The government should as a matter of immediate exigency come up with strict campaign finance policies and collaborate with the National Assembly to pass them into law if the existing laws are not tight enough .

• Both APC and PDP should disclose how much they raised along with the sources to prosecute the last general elections.

• Initiate complete overhaul of all institutions so that they can self regulate.

• All Naira notes are printed and appropriated with equal values. There is no difference between a Naira that should have been used to purchase arms and another meant for road construction or a hospital project. We should attach the same level of disgust and disdain to all misappropriated public funds.

• This administration is acting like an island on its own. The Nigerian people are being entirely kept in the dark. A few weeks ago, we were told that corrupt Nigerians were returning looted funds that are being deposited in the Central Bank. As of this moment, we do not know who those faceless Nigerians are and how much have been returned.

I have to presume that all Nigerians concur with me that President Muhammadu Buhari rode to power on the financial backing of corrupt Nigerians. To convince us that he is serious about fighting corruption, he needs to come out publicly and disclose how much was donated either directly to him or his presidential campaign and who those people are.

This selective inarticulate or quarter loaf approach to fighting corruption is not going to get us anywhere.

My name is Hillary Okoronkwo and I am not and have never been affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party. I actually endorsed Muhammadu Buhari for President.

*Hillary Okoronkwo lives in Michigan,USA.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

— 21

CFOs express fear over 2016 business environment

By Ediri Ejoh

T

HE Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of various organizations across the country have expressed fear over what 2016 business environment holds for the success of their operations if government fails to deliver on its mandate in areas of infrastructures, security, clarity on exchange rate and tax.

Expressing their concerns through a survey carried out by KPMG Professional Services which is slated to be launched on 2nd February by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, it was revealed that CFOs are less optimistic that things will be the same in terms of growth prospect in 2016 compared to previous year.

Partner and Head of Audit, KPMG Professional Services, Mr. Tola Adeyemi said that over 50 per cent of respondents attributed their lack of confidence in 2016 business environment to the general macro economic environment, regulatory in efficiency and exchange rate among others.

“The outcome of a survey which had 25 percent of its respondents drawn from energy and natural resources sector; 10 percent from technology, media and telecommunication; 30 percent from financial service industry; 32 percent from consumer and industrial market and 3 percent from infrastructure, government and healthcare had 50 percent of overall respondents expressed less confidence and are of the

$115.80

BRIEFING: From left, Eunice Chou, Head of Incubation and Product Development, Eghosa Omoigui,

Managing Partner, Amber Fowler, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, all of EchoVC Partners; and Mark Essien, CEO, Hotels.ng during the ICT Innovation Fund press briefing by EchoVC Partners, in Lagos.

view that the prospect for business growth in 2016 compared to 2015 will be of the same.”

Adeyemi hinted further that the CFOs have decided to take certain measure to ensure that they turns things around while appealing to government to deliver on its promises and create friendly business environment for the smooth operation of their business.

“CFOs have decided to invest more in area of marketing, service delivery and technology.

HOCSF Cooperative allegations

CURRENCY US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

-0.21

$31.26

-0.92

$31.09

-1. 10

BUYING 196 196.5 276. 5168 277. 2222 213.7968 214.3422 194. 8504 195. 3422 1.6779 1.6822 0.3067 0.3167 270.2744 270.9639 29.7836 29. 86 52. 1832 52.3163 28. 6386 28.7117 270. 7936 271.4844

SELLING 197 277.9276 214. 8876 195. 8445 1.6865 0.3267 271. 6534 29. 9365 52.4484 28.7848 272. 1752

CBN Exchange rate as at 25/01/2016

C M Y K

president

whole survey was that the areas where CFOs have expressed fear tally with areas where the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari government has set as priority, “This means that if government delivers on its priorities, it will certainly turn around the economy of the country.

“If government delivers on all its promises I believe when we conduct the next survey, hopefully the outlook then will be much more positive than what we are witnessing now.”

denies

fraud

-0.20

$2,841.00 -31.00 $14.21

It was revealed that CFOs are less optimistic that things will be the same in terms of growth prospect in 2016 compared to previous year

Also to ensure that all their branches complied with regulatory standard and tightening internal control to avoid leakages while motioning key performance indicator. They however appealed to government to deliver on its promises in areas of infrastructure, security, clarity on exchange rate and tax.”

Corroborating his view, Partner and Management Consulting, Mr. Segun Sowande noted that the encouraging aspect of the

By Favour Nnabugwu

T

HE controversy that trailed the Head of the Civil Service Cooperative Society over allegations of impropriety and refusal of the incumbent President to relinguish his position after retirement may soon be resolved as the President of the cooperative, Mr Stephen Esezebor has said all allegations against him were false and mischievous Esezebor in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja said all allegations against him have been proved wrong by anti-graft and law enforcement agencies after thorough investigations carried out by them.

He said all he wants is to ensure that the cooperative is run like any organised society where members do not abuse loan procedures and an election is conducted to elect a

President whom he will hand over to rather than having some caucus pick someone they can manipulate to the detriment of the entire membership of the society.

“There has not been any election since the cooperative was formed in 1982. I was picked by a member of the executive to head the cooperative because he saw some potential in me that will drive the society on the right path.

“I saw a lot of leakages and since the cooperative started in 1982, there has never been an election. So, If I am going to hand over, I will hand over to a duly elected president and not to an inner caucus person.”

“For the first time in the history of the cooperative since it was established

in 1982, we have a five-year account from 2009 to 2014 and we keyed into the e-payment system as well. If l was a thief l will not waste my precious time going through the hassles. It will enable anybody to see how far we have come and be able to consolidate on the achievements we have made so far. ” As an experience budget person, Esezebor said the petitions against him was as a result of the fact that he did not allow the caucus to squander the cooperative money through abuse of loans and acquisition of the society’s landed property.

“Once there is an election and a duly elected president emerges, l will gladly hand over to whoever the person is. All l want to do is to hand over the asset and account of the cooperative to a credible leaders in the overall interest of the over 800 members.”

“They dragged me to the Police, National Human Right Commission, Economy and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Embelembe and Aso Radio.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

INVESTOR'S

Produced by: Babajide Komolafe Peter Egwuatu, Nkiruka Nnorom Edited by:

Emeka Anaeto

PZ Cussons: 2016 investment decisions •Wading through harsh operating environment

By Emeka Anaeto,

I

Economy Editor

N the season of overcharged bears in the stock market investors are generally touchy on almost all stocks including blue chips.

One of the blue chips in the Nigerian Stock exchange, NSE, which had commanded investors’ respect over the years is PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc. The SWOT Analysis of the company has consistently shown enduring capacity for good returns. But many things have changed, especially in the operating environment, in the past one year to put a serious dent on this record.

Investors are anxiously waiting for the full year financial results due to be released a few weeks from now and the market is just hoping that the negative trends in many performance indicators of both the entire stock market and PZ stock would be moderated.

Entire stock market But if the last interim results by a few companies including PZ is anything to go by, then there is less reason to cheer. The circumstances that led to the negative trends are still very much in place if not worsened.

PZ Interim Performance Q3, 2015: The difficult economic environment impacted the financial performance of PZ in the third quarter (Q3) 2015. It recorded the least quarterly performance in the last five quarters.

The unaudited Q3 2015 result for the period ended August 2015 shows that Turnover decreased marginally by 0.44% to N14.95 billion, compared with N15.02bn in 2014.

Cost of sales decreased by 1.37% to N10.83 billion from N10.98bn in the corresponding

period of 2014. The cost of sales as a percentage of Turnover declined to 72.41% from 73.09% in 2014. It appears the company was managing down its cost in relation to sales volume but it may also mean less marketing resources which may be constraining sales.

Surprisingly the administrative, selling and distribution expenses increased by 7.50% to N3.49 billion. These expenses as a percentage of turnover increased to 23.31% in Q3 2015 as against 21.59% in same period of 2014. Obviously these expense heads would need alignment with turnover trend.

Other operating income stood at N72.07 million as at Q3 2015, representing an increase of 118.61%, compared with N32.97 million in 2014. Though it is not clear what these income heads represent but obviously it cannot be leveraged for overall earnings boosting. The company recorded a net finance cost of N164.61 million in Q3 2015, from a net finance income of N40.77 million in 2014. Profit Before Tax (PBT) fell significantly to N546.79 million, a decrease of 37.32% from N872.29 million in 2014, further reflecting constrained business volume and financials.

There was a decline in the company’s profit margins in Q3 2015, compared with same period in 2014 except the gross profit margin. This reflects a weakened interplay of its cost to

Given its current financing mix, PZ has the capacity to take on additional interest bearing longterm debt to finance its expansion and growth

revenue. PBT margin decreased to 3.66% in Q3 2015 from 5.81% as at Q3 2014. Profit After Tax margin was 2.86% in Q3 2015, down from 4.27% in the corresponding period of 2014.

Perhaps reflecting in the financial challenges is the inventory level which increased by 3.53% to N21.76bn in Q3 2015, from N21.01 billion in full year 2014. The cash and bank balances recorded a decrease of 1.8% from N2.33 billion in FY 2014 to N2.29 billion in 2015.

Operating environment In overall these figures reflected the challenges the company faced in the difficult operating environment with regards to rising finance cost, as well as administrative and distribution costs against the backdrop of depressed consumer spending, sporadic energy crises and security challenges in some parts of its markets.

Showing some improved efficiency the trade debtors and other receivables decreased in Q3 2015 by 4.45% to N17.11 billion, from N17.91 billion in full year 2014. But its trade creditors also decreased by 2.92% to N17.31 billion from N17.83 billion as at full year 2014.

The company operated with improved working capital which stood at N23.10 billion in 2015 from N22.61 billion in 2014.

However, the total assets of the company which stood at N67.39 billion as at Q3 2015 was financed by a mix of equities and liabilities in the ratio of 65.44% and 34.56% respectively.

Our analysis of the liabilities shows that the short-term liabilities stood at N19.12 billion, accounting for 82.10% of the total liabilities. The long-term liabilities stood at N4.17 billion accounting for 17.90% of the total liabilities. The long-term liabilities constituted almost solely of deferred tax liabilities which stood at N3.90 billion in Q3 2015. The short-term liabilities constituted mainly of trade and other payables.

Given its current financing mix, PZ has the capacity to take on additional interest bearing long-term debt to finance its expansion and growth.

Analysts Forecast on PZ In the light of the prevailing operating circumstances and PZ’s business profile, investment analysts at FSDH Securities Limited outlined a fiveyear forecast on the following factors: Positive Factors:  Large market in both Nigeria and other African countries  Expected improvement in the security situation in North East Nigeria  Efficiency gains due to the constant investment in research and development  Strong support from the parent company.  Investment in additional power supply, machinery and new product lines  Diversified products  Sales growth expected from the processing business Negative Factors:  Security challenges in Nigeria  Rising finance costs  Foreign exchange risk  The fragmented nature of the industry  The weak consumers’ spending  Rising administrative and distribution costs Looking at the medium to longterm outlook of the company and the impact of the aforementioned factors, investment analysts were of the opinion that the impact of the positive factors would be higher on both the revenue and the profitability of the company than the negative factors.

Specifically FSDH Securities stated, ‘‘We estimate a Turnover of N75.81 billion, N79.13 billion, N82.41 billion, N85.65 billion and N88.77 billion for the periods ending May 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. ‘‘Our PBT forecasts for the periods are: N8.10 billion, N9.88 billion, N10.48 billion, N12.32 billion and N12.41 billion.

Adjusting for tax, our PAT forecasts are N5.52 billion, N6.72 billion,

N7.14 billion, N8.39 billion and N8.45 billion PAT Margin for the period are 7.28%, 8.50%, 8.66%, 9.80% and 9.52%. ‘‘Our forecast final dividend for the FY 2016 is N1.17 per share’’.

PZ’s Executive pulse: We sounded out the company’s pulse and its director of corporate communication,MrsYomiIfaturoti, told Vanguard ‘‘the underlying cost drivers are being well managed, however, certain portions of the cost base are in foreign currency, with the devaluation of the naira and resultant increase in these costs the cost base has increased. To the extent that there is further devaluation, this will continue to impact the business, however, we are reviewing scenarios to manage other parts of the cost base to compensate for this.

Retailers and wholesalers ‘We continue to streamline our distribution foot print and route to market structure for the Home and Personal Care business. We have established an active distributor project , working with our key distributors and transforming the way they run the distribution business with focus on delivering good quality service efficiently to retailers and wholesalers. We are working with them to improve their capability to service the trade effectively and effectively, have the right infrastructure and processes whilst building on their entrepreneurial ability and local market knowledge’’.

Many investment analysts believe that in addition to its diversified product portfolio the strength of PZ Cussons is also in its long-term business development strategy including the company’s import substitution growth strategy in agro-allied processing.

On this, Ifaturoti stated: "We started backward integration a number of years ago through investments plantations in palm oil with our partner Wilmar. We continue to pursue our strategy of meeting our requirement of CPO by planting more hectares as well as working on a small holder program with CBN.’.

ERA TO BAYELSA GOVT: Relocate waste bins from school surroundings

PAGE 24

A doctor obsessed about bringing healthcare to the poor

PAGE 25

RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

VOL. 1: No. 79

TUESD AY, JANU ARY 26, 20 16 TUESDA JANUARY 201

Rivers monarch, subjects chased away from homeland •We’ve been in exile for 3 years – HRM Samuel Obe, Embattled Ekporo monarch •We never attacked them; they killed our son- Chief Chief Mark Derefaka, Ogu leader •Eleme, Ogu-Bolo LG chairs wade in

By JIMITOTA ONOYUME & MOSES BRIGHT

E

KPORO—PARAMOUNT ruler of Ekporo community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRH Samuel Obe, and his subjects, who fled their homeland three years ago after the people of Ogu, a neighboring community in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of the state, allegedly invaded, setting their homes and other property ablaze, have been living in exile since 2013.

HRH Obe in an exclusive chat with Niger Delta Voice, said indigenes of his community were now scattered in several areas of the state because of the fear of Ogu people killing them if they return home.

Corpses lying in mortuary

The monarch whose palace was razed during the invasion, asserted, “Life has not been easy at all as our houses have been destroyed, my family and I now seek refuge in neighboring community. We have written severe petitions for a full scale and thorough investigation into the matter.

“Many of my subjects are still lying in the mortuary because we cannot take them home for burial. In my case, I bought a land in Ebubu and buried my younger brother who died in the crisis.”

He further: “This dispute started when we returned back from the civil war, Ogu people have often attacked us, the latest attack was in April 2013, they invaded our community chased us out, destroyed valuables and treasures.”

The monarch recalled that a former Commissioner of Police

who is now an AIG, Tunde Ogunsakin, stepped into the matter when he was here, invited all parties in the crisis to a peace meeting, but they ignored resolutions reached at the meeting attacked the community.

He also said: “I am

appealing to the government and security agencies to look into our case and return us to our ancestral land because we are tired of being refugees in our own country.”

Vice Chairman , Eleme United Peace Association, Comrade Prince Lekwas, who is

from Ekporo, also enjoined government to step in urgently to resolve the crisis so that the villagers can return home without fear.

They’re liars —Chief Derefaka

A community leader from

Ogu, Chief Mark Derefaka, dismissed the allegations by Ekporo people, saying Ekporo was part of Ogu and they were the ones that launched attacks and killed Ogu's son.

“We did not attack them, they ran away because of their evil act, they shot dead one of our sons, a pastor, so they thought we will attack them back and had to run away,” he said.

Derefaka added, “Do not forget that I told you that we never asked them to leave their homes, they ran away. They are most welcome if only they will confine themselves to Settlement 99, which our ancestor gave to them."

LG chairs initiate peace move

Chair, Caretaker Committee, Eleme Local Government Area, Hon. Johnson Nwogu and his counterpart in Ogu/ Bolo Local Government, Hon. Isaac Ibiberebuaakbo, said efforts were on to resolve the problem.

The member representing Ogu/Bolo state constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi, also called for peace between the two warring communities.

UNBELIEVABLE: Pupils still sit, lie on floor in A-Ibom communities’ schools •Embarrassed parents withdraw kids from affected schools •Teachers shun posting

By CHIOMA ONUEGBU

O

YOKU ASANG—PU PILS reluctantly recline and sit on the floor in ramshackle classrooms to learn at public primary schools in Oyoku Asang and Okisu communities, Okobo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State because of the state government’s inability to provide them adequate chairs, benches and other basic education requirements.

Uncomfortable parents/guardians are pulling out their children/wards in their numbers from the ramshackle public primary schools, citing unspeakable infrastructure decay and neglect by the state government.

Findings by Niger Delta Voice showed that pupils, indeed, sit down on bare floor to be taught at Government Primary School, Oyoku Asang, due to lack of chairs, while teachers deployed to the schools by government typically abandon their posting.

We also learned that the Government Primary School, Oyoku, has only one decrepit

AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

block of four classrooms forcing primary four and five pupils to squeeze themselves into one classroom.

The pitiable situation has been like that since 2008 and several complaints by the community to the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, have not yielded positive results.

Why we withdraw our children

One of the villagers, who identified herself as Amasi, said that the poor state of schools in the area was responsible for the low population as many parents decided to remove their children from the schools accusing government of insensitivity to the plight of the pupils in the area.

She complained that pupils whose parents could not afford the fees charged by private schools with better facilities eventually become dropouts.

Clan head laments neglect

At Eweme, Ward 1 in Okisu village, the clan head, Chief Ukwa Ukwa Onoh, said: “Gov-

* Ukwa Ukwa Onoh, Clan head of Eweme Ward 1, Okisu

in Okobo LGA

ernment has neglected this area. It is a very serious situation that all the public schools in the whole of this area is facing the same problem of decayed and nonexistent lack of infrastructure, no seats, no classroom blocks.

“Government has not done anything for this area to improve the situation.

The same situation you saw at Government Primary school in Oyoku Asang is the same thing with the school here in Okisu.”

He further said: “This is sad and we have reported to the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, many times to come to our help, but as you can see, this is simply a neglected

Continues on page 24 26

24 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

ERA TO BAYELSA GOVT: Relocate waste bins from school surroundings

By SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE En vironmental Rights Action, ERA, Bayelsa State, has urged the State Government situate receptacles from school surroundings saying the current scenario in the state was inexcusable and does not set a good example to children as regards hygiene.

Head of ERA in the state, Mr. Moses Alagoa, who blamed indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the state capital on government and residents, said, “Sadly too, sometimes, residents also failed to properly dispose their refuse even when the receptacles were relatively empty. They prefer dropping their refuse outside the receptacles; by the side of the road.”

Refuse dumps located everywhere, anyhow

Alagoa said, “One other observation is the inconsistency and lack of political will in matching government pronouncements with action. The state government had pronounced in the past that neither markets nor refuse dumps should be located close to schools, but what is on ground at Kpansia and Opolo schools proved the statements ineffective; as the refuse dumps formed landmark feature in this environment till date.”

He said that ERA field monitors observed that most of the refuse receptacles were sited around public schools even where there are no refuse receptacles, adding, “This is the case at Edepie, Opolo, Biogbolo, Kpansia, Okaka, Onopa etc. and at street junctions, as is the case at Green Villa junc-

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Theresa Ugbobu Ochuko Akuopha Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

tion, Road Safety junction, Hospital junction, along Chief Melford Okilo Road.

“Bridge heads are not spared; as most of the natural drainage system presents another site for some residents to dispose their refuse. At a point the refuse were competing with cars and pedestrians on the roads; as pedestrian walks were taken over in some areas,” he said.

•Refuse spilling into the road

Demand

His words: “Residents of the state capital and visitors should help themselves to a healthy environment by disposing refuse properly and at designated sites; not on drainages and unauthorized spots.

“Besides refuse receptacles; refuse bins should be procured and properly distributed in the city; not just on major roads; but on lanes and streets too.

Alagoa further advised: “Refuse should be cleared from the receptacles on daily basis and, not only should contractors be engaged and contractual obligations respected; the staff of the State Sanitation Authority should take this as top priority in their mandate.

“The state government should consider the introduc-

•After evacuation tion of sanitary inspectors to effectively monitor the city, especially streets and; not necessarily entering into people rooms and parlor. This is with a view to encouraging proper environmental practices and support neighbors, who have been suffering from the negative practices of others.

The environmentalist said, “Government and the civil so-

ciety should give the required attention to this issue and step up enlightenment campaigns to educate residents on proper refuse disposal habits.”

Poor funding of refuse contractors

Meanwhile, the state government, penultimate week, commenced evacuation of the heaps of refuse along the ma-

jor roads of the state capital.

Investigation showed that before now, the state Sanitation Authority stipulated a time limit of 6.00 am for residents to drop refuse at the receptacles on daily basis and it is an offence for anyone to do so during the day. Offenders, including children were arrested, while refuse disposal contractors were also mandated to ensure clearing the receptacles of refuse in the dead of night.

The arrangement and management worked relatively fine, as the refuse receptacles were practically empty during the day and refuse disposal trucks sighted only at night.

However, the scenario changed due to alleged poor funding of the contractors in the wake of the short fall in the state allocation just as attention shifted to the just concluded governorship poll.

Delta monarch awards scholarship to 24 students

A

K U G E B E N E —T H E Pere (traditional ruler) of Akugbene Mein Kingdom, Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM S.P Luke- Kalanama VIII, has awarded scholarships to 24 secondary students in his

DELTA… FINGER OF GOD clan.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Akugbene, the

Okowa’s aide praises Delta workers for their understanding

A

SABA—THE Principal Secretary to Delta State Governor, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr Hilary Ibegbulem, has commended workers and labour unions in the state for their tolerance and thoughtfulness with the governor over the nationwide economic downturn, assuring that the government would navigate its way out of the financial crisis.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service organized by the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to mark Okowa’s Appeal Court victory, Mr.Ibegbulem said the governor had established himself as a prudent and disciplined leader with uncommon passion for workers, paying their salaries promptly.

The aide said the state

government had continued to meet its financial obligation to civil servants, even with Nigeria’s worsening oil economy and commended the workers for standing by the governor.

He also noted that the Okowa administration had also given attention to critical social infrastructure like roads, schools and markets and commended the governor for keeping faith with his S.M.A.R.T Agenda.

He described the victory as an act of God, saying the Appeal Court panel was faithful to the law and justice.

Speaking, state chair, NLC, Comrade David Ofoeyeno, said that Okowa deserved the goodwill and support of Delta workers, having shown commitment to their welfare.

monarch said the scholarship introduced on his 15th coronation anniversary in 2012, was designed to give financial support to families within the clan whose wards are in public secondary schools and a demonstration of his love for his sub-

jects.

Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Mr. Carter Fleming, said the scholarship has affected 37 families since inception while 14 students have graduated from the scheme.

UNBELIEVABLE: Pupils still sit...

Continues from page 1 and abandoned area. I am still appealing to government to look into our situation as soon as possible.”

It’s regrettable — Headmaster

A headmaster at one of the schools, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said that he usually sent the pupils home whenever it rained because the roofs were leaking.

“The state of this school has been like this for so many years and because of that teachers posted to the school do not stay. Parents are not bringing their children here. It is an unfortunate situation. We have been trying to draw the attention of government since 2008, but you know government has so many things that it is doing. We are hoping that one day government will

remember this area,” he said.

Gov Emmanuel is committed to schools’ upgrade

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said the present administration was committed to education and would continue with the construction and renovation of schools across the state through the Interministerial Direct Labour Committee.

“These are people- oriented programmes and Governor Udom Emmanuel has made it very clear that he appreciates those programmes and will sustain these programmes because the programmes are in the interest of the people of Akwa Ibom State. Right now, you will see so many inter ministerial jobs.

We have started in many local government areas and the construction and reconstruction will continue,” he said.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 25

BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

BY EMEM IDIO

I

MMIRINGI—NOT many villagers at Immiringi, an oil-rich community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, could explain the air of mystery, but all they know is that it is a taboo to carry a corpse across the revered Iye Creek in the town and those, who disobeyed the command in the past had themselves to blame.

Set in a thick mangrove environment, the Iye creek is not appalled at the living swimming and doing any other thing in it, but for the dead, it is off limits except under certain conditions.

An Immiringi community elder in his 60s, Mr Anthony Azibanua, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said that anyone who wants to carry a corpse across the creek could do so after performing some traditional rites to appease the deities of the creek.

Azibanua, who took time to explain the strangeness of the creek, asserted that the superstition surrounding Iye creek was as old as the community was.

Asked what were the consequences of defying the order,

•A section of Iye Creek

Bayelsa stream that abhors dead bodies •You must appease the deities to ferry a corpse across or... he related a story of how a Christian clergy in the community challenged the age- long belief and the plague that befell his household.

He narrated: “The belief surrounding this creek is as old as this community. Since the days of our ancestors, this

tradition has been in existence and we do not joke with it. In my over 60 years on earth, it is only one man that dared to challenge the belief by carrying a corpse across the creek.

“As a pastor, he claimed he was immune to our tradition and took a corpse across. Few

gramme.

The exercise was declared open by the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge. The governor at the occasion commended Dr. Okobah for helping the state government to extend healthcare to the grassroots, disclosing that government would start a health insurance programme soon in the state.

high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, but if they did , we give them free medications.

“At a point,” said Dr Okobah, “I also talk to myself that after treating these patients and I returned to the United States, how they will manage the condition because they need continuation of care. That initiated again my starting a hospital I built in my community, Igbodo, called Stephen Uche Okoh Memorial Hospital.

“I have personally and solely financed that hospital for three years now, I have doctor and nurses 24 hours of the day so that these patients after they had come to our medical missions can also go the health centre and get continuity of care.

“We also continue to encourage the patients who cannot reach our health care centre at Igbodo to also go to other community health centres in our communities and continue the care there because the care does not stop at Igbodo health care."

How I became infatuated

Drawbacks

DR MRS ISIOMA OKOBAH: A doctor obsessed about bringing healthcare to the poor •Some villagers don’t even know they’ve high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes

By EMMAAMAIZE and THERESA UGBOBU

A

GBOR—A NIGERIAN medical doctor and certified family physician practicing in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America, Dr. Mrs. Isioma Okbah , routinely visited her country home, Igbodo in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta , eight years ago, and was traumatized by what she saw.

She was stunned that many of the villagers had high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, etc, but they were simply ignorant of the mortal conditions they were toying with because they had no access to healthcare.

Deeply touched by her people’s lack of access to medical care, Okobah resolved to do everything within her power to change their course of life. Since then, she has not looked back, building a hospital in the community to provide free medical care for them and carrying out free medical missions not only in Igbodo, but also in surrounding villages.

During the month, she sponsored free medical treatment, tagged Healthier 2016 at Igbodo community, where over 500 villagers with high blood pressure, sight problem, high cholesterol, malaria and other ailments benefited from the pro-

days later, he came to the community leaders to beg and solicit for intervention. One of his daughter’s tongues was coming out, I saw it with my eyes and it was terrible. The teenager’s tongue came out up to her belly.

“Community elders had to

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice on how she developed the uncommon fervor, the physician said, “My passion for helping the less privileged actually date back to about eight years ago, I relocated to the United States in the year 2000 and did further my education in medical residence in family medicine. At end of the day, I came home to my village, Igbodo, on a visit.

“During my visit with the interaction with the people, I discovered that they did not have access to quality health care and most of them did not know they have high blood pressure and diabetes, which will cause great mortality. With this, I developed the passion to come down to the grassroots where they have nobody to help them.

“This was what made me to initiate my medical mission eight years ago, I came home with free medications, organized nurses and doctors and we go to different villages and communities to check the patients and make sure they do not have

On her challenges, she said: “One of the biggest challenges I have faced and continue to face is finance. Many people probably think I get grants from the United States, but I do not. I actually and personally finance this from my own pocket.”

She explained, “It requires a lot of money and coordination is pretty expensive to bring medications from America and also to continue to fund the hospital, but we will continue to reach out and rich Nigerians here who can assist us will be most welcome.

“Right now, the Commissioner of Health, Delta State Dr. Nicholas Azinge, will be partnering with the community hospital, Igbodo, to help in the immunization of children. My focus is actually prevention of diseases, I am a family physician, my specialty is family and preventing medicine .We can reach out to the people in the rural area – that is my focus, rural health.”

perform some traditional rites before the tongue was restored almost immediately. Since then, no one has dared cross the creek before performing the rites. Nevertheless, once you perform the rites, one can safely carry a corpse across the ‘great’ Iye creek.”

Dr. (Mrs.) Isioma Okobah examining a patient

Commissioner of Health, Delta State, Dr. Nicholas Azinga examining a patient during the exercise

HRM Obi Nkeobikwu Osadume I, Obi of Igbodo being examined by a nurse during exercise

26 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

TOMPOLO: Between the devil and the deep blue sea •They want to nail me – Ex-MEND leader •It’s FG vs Tompolo, not Tompolo vs me —Festus Keyamo

university is now wobbly by virtue of the recent declaration on its existence by the Minster of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi that the Federal Government had scrapped it. Others are the Gbaramatu Deep Sea Port component of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, Ogidigben, both in Warri Southwest local government, which he flexed muscles to grab for his people, as well as the NIMASA Dockyard in Okerenkoko.

Falling into enemy plot

Even those who hate his guts, cannot but think highly of his zeal for the development of his people, but he played into the hands of his professed enemies by refusing to honor the EFCC invitation, which culminated in the issuance of bench warrants against him.

Endangering his people

•Government Ekpemupolo

By EMMAAMAIZE

W

ARRI—ON January 17, ex-MEND leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, who a Federal High Court, Lagos bench warrant is hanging on his head, wrote President Muhamadu Buhari an open letter, outlining lengthy reasons why he had not showed up in court to answer the charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Part of the reason was that some All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftains in Bayelsa and Delta states, one of them an EFCC lawyer, have conspired to besmirch his name. He said the lawyer was at the vanguard of prosecuting him because “I refused to buy property from him.”

His words: “The truth of the matter is that I do not know anything about the 34 billion naira EFCC is talking about.

First, it was 13 billion naira issue, now it is 34 billion naira.

I am not a signatory to any of the companies mentioned in the said 34 billion naira case, so I do not know where this one is coming from. I know that God in His infinite mercy will see me through in this critical moment.”

It’s not between me and Tompolo— Keyamo

This writer contacted the EFCC lawyer in question, Festus Keyamo, weekend, he laughed, saying, “As a prosecutor, I cannot make statement on a matter I know is in court, but I want to say that it is not a personal matter between Keyamo and Tompolo, it is the matter between the Federal Government and Tompolo.

“I think, however, that if anybody is invited by the court to answer to a criminal charge, he should appear, all the explanations and letters he

•Festus-Keyamo warned him that they would The truth of the deal with him if he did not do matter is that I do their bidding, but thought they not know anything were merely bragging. Howevhe made efforts to contact about the 34 billion er, some powers-that-be on his predicament. naira EFCC is talking about. First, What his opponents cannot ignore it was 13 billion However, Tompolo means dinaira issue, now it is verse things to different people depending on the perception.

34 billion naira. I To some persons, he is a bloody am not a signatory militant, oil bunkerer and crimto any of the compa- inal and to others, he is one man that the Ijaw gods have used to nies mentioned in fight the cause of his people and the said 34 billion Niger Delta at large.

Besides the hundreds of Ijaw naira case students on the scholarship of

had been writing in the newspapers, he should explain them to the court, which will consider them.

Keyamo added, “I hope he gets a good legal advice, for me, there is no issue to comment about and my duty is to prosecute the matter that is before the court, not to talk on the pages of newspapers.”

Tompolo’s valid fear

I tried reaching Tompolo at the weekend but it was not possible because of the present situation, while the response from the cell phone of his media consultant, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo was, “The line is currently switched -off.”

However, I know from my previous communication with the ex-militant leader, adored by many Gbaramatu people for his uncommon zeal and contributions to the development of the kingdom and Ijaw nation that his actual trepidation is the humiliation the EFCC would cheerfully subject him to because of the rumored influence he wielded in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The other is the shame of it all to him.

He stepped on many toes during the Jonathan government and some APC leaders and top government officials fore-

Tompolo Foundation, his intervention in ill equipped health and educational institutions in the three Warri local governments, Patani, Bomadi and Burutu Local government areas, his biggest pull to Gbaramatu kingdom is the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

However, the existence of the

Available information showed that Tompolo did not most likely execute the most recent bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in Delta state as many thought. However, he is jeopardizing the life of his very people that he has fought for all his life if he continues to keep himself away from court in the face of a bench warrant for his arrest.

The bench warrant is incontrovertibly a stand-by license for security agencies, especially the Joint Task Force, to invade anywhere in Gbaramatu Kingdom in search of him and considering what happened when soldiers bombarded Okerenkoko, Oporoza, Kurutie and other Ijaw communities in 2009 while hunting for him, it would be morally wrong to put them through such an experience again.

Already, the people are running helter-skelter out of fear and here lies the excruciating decision Tompolo must make.

Should he give up his peace to salt away his people from another trauma of military barrage and hardhearted treatment by appearing in court or make himself a fugitive to their inconvenience?

Awe-inspiring endorsement

letter to Buhari, last week that he did not think that Tompolo was party to the recent bombing of pipelines and urged him to “intervene in this matter for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Niger Delta.”

Last week, the powerful Izon Okosu-Otu (Izon Council of Elders), Delta State, led by Chief Bare Etolor, called for a political solution to the “ongoing Tompolo saga as it relates to the recent pipeline vandalization and corruption allegations for which a warrant of arrest was reportedly issued by a Federal High Court.”

According to the elders, “we are afraid that events in the polity do not make attractive submission of self to arrests, which may have informed Tompolo’s decision to be at large.”

If it is the understanding that Tompolo seeks in the pipeline vandalization saga, he has obtained it in plethora, not just from Gbaramatu people, but other Nigerians, who have read between the lines.

However, the matter of money laundering cannot lawfully be determined in the court of public opinion. He has to make up his mind as a leader whether to surrender his own peace for the peace his people or not.

The apogee is confinement for some weeks perhaps months but undoubtedly not years, because the charges are bailable.

Under the contemporary scenario, one may not rule out maltreatment and probably handcuffing as meted out to the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh. Indeed, there is no new thing that will ever happen again on the face of the earth.

Doing the needful

However, the Presidency reacting through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, to the call by Clark, Ijaw elders and youths to do a volte face, insisted that Tompolo having been charged to court for money laundering, must do the needful, which is face the law.

Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, hit the nail on the head when he stated in an open

Cultists invade Rivers community, sack chiefs •Destroy police inspector’s house

By DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

O

GBO— FEAR has gripped the people of Ogbo community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State following the invasion of the town by cultists, who vandalized property and chased away 12 chiefs and elders from the town.

Members of the cult group identified as The Icelander, who had been terrorizing the people for about two years running, destroyed about four buildings, including the residence of a police Inspector, Ede Simon, serving in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, PortHarcourt.

One of the chiefs, who escaped death by a hair ’s breadth during the attack, said: “All the chiefs in the community are living in fear, some of the chiefs are out of the village already.

“Our condition is bad because the boys

are after chiefs and any other person who would threaten them. We cannot go home and sleep without the boys coming after us.

We live in fear — Runaway chief

“The boys burnt down about four houses; they also burnt the house of a SARS officer because he tried to bring sanity to the community. We are living in fear. We want the state government and security operatives to come to our aid.”

The police officer, who bemoaned his ordeal, said: “I have forgotten my village for now. The boys came to my house and burnt it down. The boys acted because some police officers came to the community to arrest the boys that have been disturbing the community. Therefore, they thought I was the brain behind the arrest so they came on rampage and burnt down my house.

“When I received call that my building has been set ablaze, I met with the Area Commander, he gave me boys, but before we got there, the house had already been destroyed. The boys shot one Chief Ene, which motivated the arrest. I do not know the boys.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 27

,

S FORUM INVESTING TIPS

When to buy stocks W

HILST there is no sure way to determining when to buy and sell stocks several ideas and methodologies used by reputable investors all over the world can come in handy.

The method you use of course depends on whether you are a value or growth investor as well as your investment principle.

Here are some tips from Nairametrics When to buy stocks  Some investors like to buy stocks when the companies release ground breaking products that are strong enough to change the way people consume competing products or basically change the way consume. Companies like this always show a knack to be on top for years which often translate to higher share prices.  A buy sign will lit up for some investors when a company releases periodic results that have double digit revenue and earnings growth.

For example, a company that continues to grow revenues at a rate of above ten percent compounded annual growth rate is a strong candidate for a buy. The idea is that such companies even when they initially declare losses will at the end stabilize operational cost with increasing revenues soon turning them into giant profit and cash making machines.  Warren Buffet famously

buys stocks when the share price is trading below its intrinsic values. An intrinsic value of a stock is basically the true value investors place on a stock. Whilst what makes up an

intrinsic values is varying and often subjective, the bottom line is to buy stocks when it is trading below what you perceive to be its true value in

Also when prices are falling and volume is increasing it may mean more people are dumping the shares indicating bearish market

the hope that soon other investors will realize and then presenting you with an upside when the price increases.  A stock trading below its book value may also be a strong candidate for a buy. However, this may be risky as stocks that trade below their book values could be for a number of negative reasons. But when a stock is trading below its book value and still records profit and

NSE Index Circuit Breaker rule: How it works

N

IGERIAN Stock Exchange, NSE, previous week activated its Index Circuit Breaker as part of efforts to check the continued decline in the prices of stocks at the stock market.

The circuit breaker contained in Article 170 under the NSE Rules and Regulations, was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, May 19, 2014 but has not been activated.

How does it work? How does it benefit the investors?

Here are some outlines of the out-workings and investor-value of the circuit breaker as given by managing director of Highcap Securities Limited, David Adnori: • Circuit breaker is automatically applied in some jurisdiction like in New York Stock Exchange, where transactions executions are automatic.

• At the beginning of a

trading period, traders normally key in their orders and those orders could stay in the system for days, weeks or even for months with the instruction to execute automatically if the price come to a particular level either up or down.

• If for instance, there is instruction to execute automatically when the price come down to a particular level, it means automatically all such trades will start executing.

• The investors/ dealers have a threshold once it get there the circle breaker is automatically ignited, it stopped trading.

• NSE will intervene if persistently the market has been declining by about 5 per cent, saying spirally out of control and the reasons have become very difficult to identify or understand other than perhaps irrational behaviour on the part of investors or dealers.

• Although Market Makers

are expected to provide some intervention in this regard, there are constraints being faced by them in terms of their capacity to assume such risks.

• Index Circuit Breaker would help sustain investor confidence.

,

revenue growth it may just be a sign that the stock is undervalued and overlooked for reasons other than its fundamentals.  Investors also like stocks that pay a constant dividend.

They place a premium on these stocks on an average for the dividend paid. It is therefore more likely that a dividend paying stock that increases year on year will generate growth in its value.  Investors also like to place emphasis on stocks that are both market leaders in their sectors. It is however important to focus on stocks that not only lead in terms of market capitalization but on revenue and profitability share.  A good time to buy may also be when prices are going up and volume is increasing. It is a method often used by market speculators as they opine prices will continue to rise.

Stock Market Outlook (Jan. 26 – Feb. 1) • Against significant bargain hunting activities that pushed market breadth up on the last three trading days last week, Afrinvest weekly sentiment settled at 3.4 up from 1.4 of the previous week.

• The gains recorded in the stock market last week were majorly against investors taking advantage of cheap valuations after major sell-offs in eight consecutive trading days.

• Trading sentiment this week would be guided by the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Committee meeting outcome which will be out today. There is a high expectation that CBN will take a position on the exchange rate.

The extent of policy adjustment would impact on capital flows in the stock market.

COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS Send complaints or enquiries about any quoted company, issues, products and services of any capital market operator or agency to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com. We investigate and publish with feedback

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Marketers accuse FG of encouraging market ‘monopoly’ •Say new pump price unrealistic

By Clara Nwachukwu

P

RIVATE and independent oil marketers have accused the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, of encouraging a monopolistic system in the downstream petroleum sector run by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and major marketers.

The accusation followed the PPPRA’s introduction from st January 1 of a new pricing template of N86.50/litre for premium motor spirit, PMS, also called petrol, as well as what they described as the lopsided import licence award, which favoured more the NNPC and the majors.

According to the independent marketers, current downstream operation, especially as regards refined petroleum products is fraught with a lot of irregularities tending toward monopoly.

Contentious issues: Among the contentious issues in the new PPPRA pricing template include: PMS sales losses, NNPC’s

monopoly of the household kerosene, HHK market, and higher than stipulated ex-depot price of automotive gas oil, AGO also called diesel at Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, a subsidiary of NNPC. Expatiating further, an independent marketer, who spoke in confidence, told Vanguard on the telephone that “the new pricing template for PMS is unrealistic as almost N9/L had been cut off,” adding that the situation will entrench scarcity and other sharp practices if not checked. Recall that Vanguard had exclusively reported last week that independent depot operators had complained of similar losses of at least N7/L on the new pricing.

Our source continued: “At N86.50/L under the new PPPRA template, a marketer will lose about N320million per 30,000 metric tonne PMS i.e. 36 million litres x N9/L.” PMS import: With regard to the importation of PMS, the source

Elements

PMS (N\L) AGO

Landing Cost Margins Total Cost ** Ex-Depot (for collection) Retail Price Under/Over Recovery Expected Open Market Price (OMP) (Naira/litre) is Landing cost+ Margins

67.25 14.30 81.55

56.46 14.30

70.76

Product: Quantity in Metric Tons: HHK (NNPC) Quantity in Litres:

57.98

73 83

-4.95

81.55

In view of the foregoing, the independent marketer argued that “products’ marketing is now tending towards monopoly. The Federal Government says it has no forex to use for products import and now doing trade by barter through crude swapping - crude for refined products, which does not involve forex.

“When you look at the import permit, they gave 22% allocation to private operators and 78% to NNPC. But they give forex to NNPC at official rate of N197 $1, and ask the others to go source for forex independently at the open market at N300 - $1.

“Both the NNPC and the private operators will still come to the same market and expected to sell at the same price. This just can’t work, because there is no basis for competition. NNPC is obviously at an advantage over the rest of us. This is the same reason why products scarcity will continue.”

Besides, he noted, due to the huge exposures to banks running

PPMC - PMS PROFITABILITY STATEMENT

PPPRA pricing template

76.50 86.50

maintained that “Anybody who wants to import will lose N2/L at ex-depot price of N76/L because of the ports, shipping and finance charges. The PPPRA template puts these charges as NPA (N0.36), and finance (N0.20).

Also, he noted that the lopsided PMS import licence award for first quarter, Q1 2016, further compounds the situation, as out of the over 60 depots across the country operated by NNPC/ PPMC, majors, independents and private operators, only 15 were given import permits.

While NNPC/PPMC got 78 percent of the allocation, the rest of the marketers got only 22 percent. Out of the 15, the marketer expressed doubts about the ability of five of the awardees being able to import petrol due to difficulties in accessing foreign exchange.

Recall also that Vanguard had reported that foreign suppliers are shunning Nigerian marketers except their transactions are backed by dollar cash.

72.28

But marketers note that based on the current price of crude on the above date, the open market price of petrol is supposed to be N79.10/L.

SALES REVENUE TOTAL RECEIPTS Product Cost - Less Coastal Discount Freight to PHC Port charges and port logistics Throughput Top Fenders Surveyor’s fee and Lab. Analysis Logistics Total Direct Cost Financial Expenses Interest on Capital - 90 days C.O.T TOTAL FINANCE COST

PMS 10,000.00

Revenue/Cost per Litre NGN 76.50 NGN 76.50 NGN 71.52

13,250,000.00 Total Revenue/Cost per Litre 1,013,625,000.00 NGN 1,013,625,000.00 NGN 947,640,000.00

NGN 5.70 NGN 2.81

NGN 75,500,000.00 NGN 37,200,673.05

NGN 2.00 NGN 0.28 NGN 0.03

NGN 26,500,000.00 NGN 3,775,000.00 NGN 350,000.00

NGN 0.21 NGN 82.54

NGN 2,750,000.00 NGN 1,093,715,673.05

NGN 3.17 NGN 0.06 NGN 3.24

NGN 42,059,638.36 NGN 820,286.75 NGN 42,879,925.11

into billions of Naira, the marketer maintained that soon there will be more job losses as private operators are run out of the system on account of the harsh economic environment.

He added that even the operators who maintain foreign accounts cannot use their dollar for the transaction, saying: “If you have forex abroad, you still need CBN permit to use it to buy product, and this permit takes up to one month before you get the approval.” He therefore urged government to allow NNPC to do massive crude swapping and bring in more products to meet national demand, as “the current template will lead to many sharp practices including high cost, under-dispensing, diversion of products and even adulteration.”

Economic environment In the area of kerosene, which was previously under regulation like petrol, our source revealed that the product has been deregulated under the table. And even at that, only NNPC/PPMC sells the product. In confirmation, there is no kerosene template on the PPPRA official website, as the site simply put “updating…,” where the price template should have been.

However, Vanguard was able to gather some of the cost input for Kerosene from a graphical representation of all the products on the PPPRA website, which put the expected open market price at N72.28/L as shown in the table below. With regard to AGO, which had long been deregulated, Vanguard gathered the open market price of N70.76/ L indicated on the PPPRA’s template is at variance with what our source revealed that the PPMC’s ex-depot price is N95/ L, while open market is N115/L and above.

Global coal demand down 10yr highs —Report F

By Sebastine Obasi

OLLOWING more than a decade of aggressive growth, global coal demand has stalled, the International Energy Agency, IEA, said in its Annual Coal Market Report, released last week. The report sharply lowered its five-year global coal demand growth forecast in reflection of economic restructuring in China, which represents half of global coal consumption.

The IEA’s Medium-Term Coal Market Report 2015, slashed its five-year estimate of global coal demand growth by more than 500 million tonnes of coal equivalent (Mtce) in recognition of the tremendous pressures facing the market.

The revision comes as official preliminary data indicate that a decline in Chinese coal demand occurred in 2014, and is set to C M Y K

accelerate in 2015. A decline in coal consumption in China for two consecutive years would be the first since 1982.

“The coal industry is facing huge pressures, and the main reason is China – but it is not the only reason,” IEA Executive Director, Fatih Birol, said. “The economic transformation in China and environmental policies worldwide – including the recent climate agreement in Paris – will likely continue to constrain global coal demand.”

Coal demand in China is said to be sputtering as the Chinese economy gradually shifts to one based more on services and less on energy-intensive industries.

New Chinese hydro, nuclear, wind and solar are also significantly curtailing coal power generation, driven not only by energy security and climate

concerns but also by efforts to reduce local pollution.

Given the strong rebalancing of China’s economy, the report also presents an alternate scenario in which Chinese coal demand has already peaked. In this so-called “peak coal scenario”, infrastructure and energy-intensive industries represent a lower share of Chinese GDP than in the report’s base case, while services and high-tech manufacturing gain momentum.

In the peak case, Chinese coal demand in 2020 is 9.8 percent below the level in 2013 and more than 300 Mtce below the basecase forecast of nearly 2950 Mtce in 2020. Meanwhile, global coal demand in the peak case drops to around 5500 Mtce in 2020 – falling 0.1 percent per year on average, compared with growth

of 0.8 percent per year in the report’s main forecast.

The report sees coal demand outside China modestly increasing through 2020, as the structural decline in Europe and the United States is more than offset by growth in India and Southeast Asia.

Universal energy access The Indian government’s push for universal energy access and an expansion of manufacturing will drive electricity growth. In addition to India’s ambitious renewable targets (175 GW of renewables by 2022, of which 100 GW are solar PV), coal will provide a significant share of the additional power requirements – as much as 60% through 2020.

Indeed, preliminary data show

India overtaking China as the world’s largest coal importer this year.

The region with the highest growth rate in coal use in the IEA outlook period is in Southeast Asia, where Indonesia, Viet Nam, Malaysia and Philippines among others plan to underpin their power generation with new coal power plants. Unfortunately, around half of the new coal-fired generation capacity under development in the region still uses inefficient subcritical technologies.

The report further stated that slowing economic growth and energy consumption in China as well as the restriction of coal use in its coastal regions will impact seaborne trade, especially Indonesian exports. In the IEA report’s forecast, Australia takes a growing share of seaborne coal trade.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—29

Metering: NEITI accuses IOCs of defrauding Nigeria

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA — The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, has accused international oil companies, IOCs, of capitalising on the lack of adequate metering facilities at the production and export terminals to defraud Nigeria of billions of dollars.

Speaking during a visit of officials of International Monetary Fund, IMF, to its headquarters, Acting Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mr. Ogbonnaya Orji, lamented that presently royalties are being paid by the IOCs based on computations using lifting volumes instead of production volumes.

Orji noted that efforts to entrench transparency in the metering process had been met with resistance from the IOCs, hence the decision to collaborate with the Nigerian Academy of Science to fashion out a means to stop the IOCs from shortchanging the country.

He said: “NEITI is working to ensure that the correct estimates of Nigeria’s crude oil lifted are gotten and we will not depend on estimates given by the IOCs.”

He further said the funding of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s Joint Venture, JV cash call was fraught with a lot of irregularities, adding that due to the delay in the payment, the country is forced to pay higher than usual.

Orji disclosed that NEITI is working with NNPC on the unbundling of the Corporation, saying specifically that issues around the unbundling process would be discussed at a meeting between officials of NEITI and the NNPC scheduled during the week.

He explained that Nigerians have come to the realisation that prudent management of the country’s resources is key, especially with the huge resources lost to mismanagement over the years.

He added that the country is faced with the reality of diversifying the economy while the government is much more concerned with blocking leakages, which are expected to bring about a lot of policy shifts.

He further said that Nigeria had been given until the end of February; to submit the completed NEITI 2013 audit report, while it had applied for a

six-month grace to enable the Board to be reconstituted, trained and educated on NEITI’s operations.

Furthermore, Orji revealed that NEITI is considering expanding its focus to agriculture, forestry and fishing, and also hoped to increase its scope of engagement with the media and civil societies.

He said the proposed review and expansion of its scope was hinged on the fact that NEITI’s four-year strategic plan will end

this year, adding that the review of its strategic plans is expected to commence before the end of the first quarter of 2016.

On the issue of Nigeria’s validation by the international Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI, Orji said: “The EITI is currently reviewing the validation process and modalities following divergent views by multi stakeholders involved in the process.

This includes the civil societies, implementing countries and the investors.

“The civil society, investors and supporting countries equally have their separate views on how the validation process should be conducted in order to achieve the desired impact. In view of this, the EITI has put in place a Committee that is examining these views and interests with a view to harmonising them.

OWA: Strategic Partnership Business Manager, PennWell Corporation, Mr. Nick Richardson; Director, UKTI Nigeria, Mr. Chris Maskell; Offshore West Africa Operations Director, Africa, Mr. Dele Olaoye; Coordinator, Policy, Gov’t & Public Affairs, Chevron, Mr. Olayiwola Adeniji; and Manager Public Affairs, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa, during the Offshore West Africa, OWA & UKTI Press Conference, in Lagos, last week.

FIRS, others defend $3.3bn incentives to NLNG T

By Michael Eboh

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Company, NIPC, have expressed dissenting views with ActionAid over the $3.3 billion tax incentives granted investors in the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG. Speaking at the public presentation of its report titled: ‘Leaking Revenue: How a big tax break to European gas companies has cost Nigeria billions,’ in Abuja, Director, Tax Policy, FIRS, Mr. Peter Olayemi, said there is nothing wrong with granting tax breaks to companies.

According to him, there is a need to work out a balance between the interest of the country and the tax breaks granted companies, so that Nigeria will not lose out.

He noted that presently, the Federal Government does not have the funds to develop the country’s huge resources; hence it needs the assistance of foreign companies in developing such resources.

Similarly, Deputy Director, Incentive, Policy and Compliance, NIPC, Mr. Benjamin Ikheloah, also disagreed with ActionAid, saying that if the tax incentives were not granted, the NLNG may not have been able to carry out most of the promises it made when setting up shop.

He maintained that the NLNG may not have been able to carry out its expansion programmes to

C M Y K

the point of developing various trains, from one to seven, if they had not enjoyed the tax breaks.

According to him, the NLNG might have sought funding to develop the various trains from financial institutions, which will not have augured well for the company, going by the unfriendly interest rates in the country.

However, ActionAid argued that evidence obtained from NLNG financial statement points to the fact that even with the

normal five-year tax break, the consortium would have been highly profitable and did not require an extension.

The report said: “The consortium would have earned a profit every year since 2004, if its tax holiday had ended in 2004.

The difference in the Consortium’s actual profit (with the 10-year tax holiday) and the estimated profit that the Consortium would have earned with a five-year tax holiday is less than 20 per cent on average over

the years, 2004-2013.”

Continuing, the report pointed out that, “The Consortium’s investment costs are available in their annual Facts and Figures overview. According to the 2015 overview, total investment costs seems to have occurred prior to 2005, before a five-year tax holiday would have expired.

“The billion-level profits that the Consortium would have made with a five-year tax holiday, with the same investment costs, suggest that the Consortium

would still have been highly profitable. In this case, it seems clear that the 10-year tax holiday was not necessary to compensate for high investment costs.

‘The long period of tax incentives is sometimes justified on the basis that it discourages wasteful flaring. Flaring is the burning off of gases during oil production, an illegal, wasteful and harmful practice with terrible consequences for humans and the environment.

Powergas to drive alternate power solution

P

OWERGAS Africa Ltd., is set to change the fortunes of manufacturing firms throughout sub-Saharan Africa, by supplying natural gas as a source of power to areas not connected by pipelines.

To this end, the company’s “Gas on Wheels” service is providing firms with a real alternative to expensive diesel fuel, offering the region’s manufacturing sector a new lease of life.

Speaking on the challenges faced by manufacturing companies, the Chief Executive Officer, Powergas Africa, Mr. Deepak Khilnani, said: “The need for the adoption of gas to power solutions by manufacturers in Nigeria is inevitable, because energy cost is a major challenge faced by most manufacturing companies today. This has become imperative; more so, in these tough times where organisations are concentrating on cost optimisation, import substitutions and energy security, and Nigeria’s domestic gas reserves tick these three boxes perfectly. Khilnani argued that there is a gap between the end-users and gas producers due to undeveloped gas

pipeline infrastructure, which Powergas is dedicated to fill in with its novel “Virtual Gas Pipeline” solution through Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, or Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG. This not only optimises production and increases efficiency for the manufacturers, but also ensures reliability and adequate supply, especially in view of fuel shortages.

Impact on environment According to him, most companies depend on diesel generators for their power requirements and this comes at a very high cost coupled with its impact on environment and public health.

He stressed that CNG/LNG remained one of the most reliable source of fuel for power generation for industries that require constant power for their production processes, adding that eradicating the negative impacts of diesel on the environment and public health, is also cost effective. He noted that many companies have shut down because of expensive

energy costs, adding that when a company adopts CNG, it saves money, cost becomes lower, it makes more profit, pays more tax, employs more people and pays their salaries promptly. “It is a fact that the cost of power generation from gas is far less than half the cost of diesel-generated power, and it will provide constant power supply as well as have a positive impact on the environment. This is why Powergas Africa is promoting clean gas energy as an alternate source of power generation,” he said.

The Powergas boss also applauded Federal Government’s recent efforts and policy implementation in the power and energy sector, especially the giant strides that have been taken in the gas-to-power sector. He noted that the future of a resource-rich, high population and powerdeficit economy like Nigeria is in the adoption of natural gas as a source of fuel for power generation.

He added that this will decrease the pressure on the economy from dollar-based fuel imports, and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa.

30— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

have given the state capital a befitting status. The government provided the “Caring Heart Neighbourhood Markets” for the traders who were affected by the reconstruction.

Dualised carriageway

•The new international events centre, Akure

N10 bn Akure international events centre gets May completion date •As govt intensifies urban renewal projects

By Kingsley Adegboye

I

N furtherance of its commitment towards making Ondo State an event destination and tourism hub in Nigeria, the state government has built a stateof-the-art, all-purpose conference centre which is expected to be formally commissioned between May and June this year. The sprawling edifice which cost is put at whopping N10 billion, is one of the numerous novel projects initiated by the state government to boost Ondo’s infrastructure development.

Built beside The Dome on a 36.05 hectares parcel of land, the massive International Event Centre is strategically located along Igbatoro Road, adjacent the Akure Shopping Mall.

Finishing touches Although it has not been formally commissioned, Centre is already hosting events. For instance, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE held its 2015 Engineering Assembly at the centre.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade who briefed newsmen in Akure, explained that the multi-billion Naira Centre which is presently undergoing finishing touches preparatory to its formal commissioning, would be the best of its kind in the country.

Akinmade said the idea behind the project and others such as The Dome, golf course and fivestar hotel is to make the state an events destination.

Akinmade who conducted newsmen round the centre said, “We want to harness the tourism potentials of the state. We have tourism corridors that we want to develop in the state. For instance, we have developed eight-hole golf course, there are plans to build a 5-star hotel in place of Owena Hotel and The Dome is being completed now”.

“The International Event Centre will also serve as a boost to the socio-economic well-being of Ondo State, as the place will function alongside the Akure Shopping Mall adjacent to the Centre, coupled with the Idanre Hills Tourists Centre and the State Golf Course at Atosin in Idanre Local Government Area of the state”, he said.

Project features: The project’s Coordinator, Pastor Ayo Babalola who is the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ondo State Ministry of Housing & Urban Development, said the project has attained a 90 percent completion level.

Babalola explained that siting both the Dome and the International Events Centre within the same complex would enable the two accommodate different types of functions organised by people and organisations from across the country and abroad.

The building, he said, is constructed with steel and glass which makes it echo-proof and fire resistant. It is fitted with multi media equipment with large screens in all the nooks and crannies.

The Project Coordinator said the facility will create job opportunities

for hundreds of people in view of its multipurpose nature.

Vanguard Homes & Property learnt that there are different categories of event halls in the Centre. While some have a sitting capacity of over 2,000 sitting capacity, the smallest hall has a sitting capacity of 450 persons.

Babalola further disclosed that about 40 toilet facilities have been provided to conveniently take care of the large number of visitors expected at the centre.

Other prominent features of the Centre is a dancing fountain, parking lot for over 2000 vehicles and under ground drainage channels.

Speaking on maintenance, he explained that a facility

management firm will be appointed to ensure routine maintenance of the complex.

The International Event Centre which occupies a large space of land along the Ondo State House of Assembly at Alagbaka, Akure, has an administrative block, multipurpose hall for varieties of events, an information unit and a helicopter landing space.

Urban renewal: Highlighting the urban renewal initiative embarked upon by the government, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Gboye Adegbenro, an engineer, said the massive reconstruction and beautification of the Oyemekun/Oba Adesida Road and the building of bus stops and commuters’ shelters

Adegbenro who disclosed that the present administration inherited just one dualised carriageway in the state, said the Mimiko-led administration has dualised seven roads within Akure and outside the state capital thereby bringing the total number of dual carriageways in the state to eight. The dual carriageways in Ondo town, Akure and Ilaje area of the state.

Those in Ilaje include IgbokodaAyetoro Road, Phase III (Ugbonla-Erunna Stretch) and the Alape/Akintubuwa JunctionAraromi Olokola, Phase I, all of which cover about 43 kilometers.

Lamenting traffic jam presently being experienced on Alagbaka Road due to the location of Shoprite there, the Commissioner said that there are plans by the government to further expand roads around the Mall to enable free flow of traffic on the roads.

He said his ministry has also commenced massive rehabilitation of failed portions of roads across the state capital through OSARMCO, an agency of the ministry. These roads include Okelisa street, Oke Opa road, rehabilitation of some roads in GRA, Ajanuwa street, among others.

The Commissioner who assured that all ongoing road projects embarked upon by the present administration will be completed it leaves office early next year, disclosed that the has no plans to embark on new road projects.

NOA urges responsible action against climate change

By Caleb Ayansina

T

he National Orientation Agency, NOA has called for responsible action from all Nigerians toward protecting the environment and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

The Director General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri made the call during a strategic meeting with the Climate Change Advisor, Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility, NIAF, Mrs. Chintal Barot in Abuja.

Omeri identified the need for massive sensitisation of Nigerians on the meaning, effects and prevention of climate change, pointing out that

positive behaviour change is the surest way to stem the ugly side of climate change.

He urged Nigerians to always keep their environment clean and avoid dumping of refuse in drainages and water ways, as such negative habits contribute significantly to environmental degradation and climate change.

The NOA boss also canvassed the utilisation of solar energy as an environment friendly energy source. According to him, the Agency has assisted in providing some rural communities in the country with solar energy under its Orientation with Benefits model.

In her remarks, the NIAF

Climate Change Advisor, Mrs. Chintal Barot observed that very little of the global climate change financing comes to Nigeria hence the meeting was part of several on-going consultations with relevant Nigerian bodies to facilitate Nigeria’s access to the funds.

She said her organisation is committed to supporting Nigerian institutions toward achieving global climate change mitigation objectives, part of which is helping them access the global Adaptation Fund. She explained that with the relevant support, Nigeria would meet the Sustainable Development Goals on climate change.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 31

Decertification: EU, FAO commit 200m euro to GGW project

By Funmi Olasupo

T

HE European Union, EU and the Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO have committed about 200 million Euros to boost the Great Green Wall (GGW) Project in six African countries.

The gesture which is coming on the heels of the just concluded COP 21 in Paris, is borne out of the the interest of international donors to assist West African countries in the continuous implementation of GGW Project in the Sahara and Sahel regions.

Speaking on the sidelines of a regional technical workshop organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation in Abuja, the Forestry Officer, Forest Assessment, Management and Conservation Division for FAO, Ms. Nora Berrahmouni, said the regional GGW technical restoration workshop involved different GGW countries from West Africa.

The fund according to her, is a technical support that will ensure that resources are used in the best manner with the best methodologies to also reach the local communities on the ground “This is a program of 20 million Euros that is funded by the European Union

involves eight countries, six GGW countries from Africa Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Senegal and Ethiopia and one country in Caribbeans which is called Haiti and another one in the Pacific,”she said.

Continuing, she said, “This workshop is what we call the Regional Great Green Wall Technical Restoration Workshop. It is a workshop that was organised in support

of the GGW countries in West Africa to share experiences and discuss technical issues

We have sensitised a lot of people about this development

related to restoration, and finding solutions to boost the implementation of GGW program in these countries”.

“This is part of the wider project which is called action against desertification in support of the GGW projects Sahara and Sahel initiative that is implemented by FAO in collaboration with the African Union Commission and Africa Caribbean Pacific

Planning to implementation

•A typical desert farm

Natural disasters: Groups develop web-based tool on sustainable assessment

By Jude Njoku

W

ORRIED by the devastating consequences of natural disasters and their impacts on lives, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, (a member of the UN- Habitat-coordinated Global Network on Sustainable Housing) and the Building Research Establishment, BRE have developed a tool that would deliver sustainable guidance and provide a method of assessing such disasters whenever they occur.

The web-based tool called QSAND, (Quantifying Sustainability in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters), according to a report in UN-Habitat’s website, “is a comprehensive built-environment tool covering shelter, settlements, infrastructure and so on”. Organized into eight categories,

group of countries and it is funded by European Union and a group of African Caribbean pacific states,” she explained.

The Minister of State Federal Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jubril in his remarks, said one of the major objectives of the workshop is to strengthen the technical capacities of the GGW member countries towards actualising the vision of the Great Green Wall Programme.

He commended the FAO, EU and African, Caribbean, Pacific, ACP countries for the initiative considering the fact that Nigeria is now at a critical phase of combating land degradation and improving the livelihoods of the affected people in the Sahel-Saharan Region of Africa through the Great Green Wall Initiative.

On the achievement made so far in the 11 frontline states in Nigeria, the DirectorGeneral of Nigeria’s Great Green Wall programme, Mr. Goni Ahmed said desert encroachment poses a great threat to hundreds of communities across the country.

QSAND will be used by fieldbased managers of relief and re-construction activities, desk-based managers of programmes and authorities, donors, financial institutions and policy analysts.

Speaking on what led his group to partner with BRE in the development of the tool, IFRC’s Head of Shelters and Settlements, Graham Saunders said, “One of the challenges we face in the humanitarian sector is that along with the desire to meet the immediate needs of disasteraffected communities, we must also think longer term from day one on-wards and ensure that our response to the disaster is sustainable, leading to resilient communities.”

In 2010, IFRC approached BRE to assist in preparing the tool. The aim was to draw on BRE’s experience of developing the widely-used, interna-

tionally-respected Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology for enhancing, assessing and rating sustainability in construction covering master planning, buildings and infrastructure.

For the development of the tool, IFRC and BRE collaborated closely with UN-Habitat and a select number of other key stakeholders, as members of the project consultation group.

According to BRE’s Programme Manager, Yetunde Abdul their aim of working with IFRC is “to develop and make the QSAND tool freely available to all”.

Innovation and communication “This is very much in line with the BRE Trust’s aims to advance knowledge, innova-

tion and communication in the built environment to help meet our goal of ‘building a better world together,” Abdul explained.

A unique feature of QSAND is its ability to give the user an overall performance score at the end of the process. This will help governments, humanitarian agencies and donors to understand the impacts of their work in disaster zones, pinpoint which strategies are the most effective and establish benchmarks of sustainability success.

“A number of humanitarian and other organisations have expressed an interest in applying QSAND. We will be supporting them and others who apply the tool providing technical and operation support to maximise the short, medium and long term benefits available to affected communities,”the BRE Programme Manager said.

He said, “We have moved from planning to implementation and already, we have been able to identify about 200 communities that transverse all the states that are affected by desertification.

However, we have sensitised a lot of people about this development.”

On what prompted the workshop, Ahmed explained that “in one of the sessions of the climate change conference that took place in Paris, international donors indicated their interest to assist Nigeria on some development programmes.

“So, it is in continuation of that that this workshop is taking place today with about six African countries in attendance. It is part of the programmes for the implementation of the GGW initiative and it is sponsored by international organisations, particularly the FAO team.”

He said the Federal Government had implemented some programmes in its bid to curb desertification through the GGW. “We have been able to establish 415 shelter belts, 135 hectares community woodlot, 235 hectares community orchard and 138 hectares community vegetable gardens, amongst other accomplishments,” Ahmed said.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

ARIES: AS the saying goes “time waits for nobody” it’s important you guard against unnecessary procrastination capable of putting you at tight corner soonest. Be loving.

TAURUS: IT’S better you conclude what you’ve been doing for a while rather than starting something new you don’t know when to finish it.

Be more family minded.

GEMINI: IF careless remarks are made by you today, it would back-fire at resumption of work tomorrow morning. Those who are eager for romantic attention will have their dream coming true. Be more loving CANCER: IF you wait too long before an important (financial) decision is taken, you may find yourself keeping date with what you don’t bargain for.

LEO: Placement of the Moon influences your associates to become more self-assertive. If you take good advice you’ll fare better. However, it’s important you don’t forget your tomorrow with others.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

guess your answer will be yes.

But let me ask you directly,do you love Okoro?

Do you also love Ahmed? How about Wale,do you love him too?I ask this be-

Do you really love God? cause the reason why Nigeria is the way it is today is because we do not practise love. True love does not seek its own. True love is selfless. True love knows

TERROR MUDA

no ethnicity. True love is kind. The holy writ says, if you love Him you should feed His sheep. How many have you fed?Now,it’s very easy to give ex-

in “Never say goodbye”

cuses on why we deny someone love.

The truth is that love is not earned.

Can you imagine what would have been your fate if you need to earn the love of God? If you truly love God,you will love your neighbour.

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: BETTER than yesterday and luckily for you, opportunity to rectify mistakes made yesterday may come today to the betterment of your finances.

Don’t try to buy love with money.

LIBRA: BETTER than yesterday as you will be at a more comfortable place today and suddenly discover that your hope is alive. Venus bring you money SCORPIO: ROMANTIC Venus at positive angle may bring matters-of-the heart related temptation through friends. But your best bet now is moderate ambition.

SAGIT TARIUS: The best bet for you is to consolidate on progress you made yesterday and look for best way to pacify your new friends.

CAPRICORN: EVERYBODY needs other people’s co-operation just like you today but you will not be compelled by situation to dance to others’ tune; meaning that you can do things your own way and rightly expect success.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: THOSE of you willing to give others the needed co-operation will be in better position to consolidate on progress you have made recently.

Don’t allow sex to distract you.

PISCES: WATCHOUT for minor and avoidable but costly mistake within your working arena, especially if you are in charge of other people’s money. If you develop new romantic liaison today, it may not last.

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

What about me?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, You have done many people’s horoscope; what about me? I want you to kindly analyse my star and tell me everything about my self. Please take note that I value my health and career than any other thing.

Ndubuisi, Lagos.

Dear Ndubuisi, What space can take will be given to you hereunder. Star Signs that hosted both your natal sun and moon are members of very strong star signshealth wise. Scorpio, in particular, has unusual survival ability. That is to say, even when health related challenges come, your survival endowment will always see you through.

Your major challenge is from your constant worries about too many things, especially on career related issues. Business miscalculation can be another source of health related challenge. You will agree with the fact that both constant worries and business miscalculation can affect one’s circulatory system.

Other things to watch-out for include: Urinegenital-organs, minor accident (fire), bones dislocations, a few other times, skin infections and, of-course, fever. Always take care of the stomach.

Please take note that all these are mere warnings as there is nothing fatalistic about them; a good guard, though.

Oil related Neptune was the closet heavenly body to the sun when you were born at positive angle to Pluto in Leo. Thus, having things to do with oil along your career/business lines is not by accident.

Then preponderance of water element and fixed quality in the distribution of the planets when you were born are favourable to commercial involvement with anything liquid.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—33

Cancelling of Maritime Varsity in bad taste —Reyenieju

EFCC's raid professional —Don Parker

W

A R R I—THE Management of a Warri-based waste management and table water production company, Don Parker General Enterprises Limited, has described the conduct of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, operatives during their raid on the company last week as most professional.

The company said that neither its Procurement Manager, Omoregha Emmanuel, nor any of the company's staff granted an interview to any media outfit regarding the EFCC visit.

In a statement in Warri, Delta State, the company, while acknowledging that the EFCC operatives stormed its Warri headquarters and ransacked its premises in a professional manner, expressed “utter dismay and chagrin” in reports published in some national newspapers, wherein the Procurement Manager of the company was quoted to have purportedly granted interview regarding the EFCC raid.

The statement said that reporters of the affected media “never had any interview with staffers of the company,” adding that the management and staff of the company were co-operative with officials of the EFCC “and as such there was no need for any form of harassment or confrontation.”

Noting that the conduct of the EFCC operatives was “the most professional that he has ever experienced,” Emmanuel described the media reports as “radically different from what actually transpired” on the day of the raid.

ARRI—IJAW and Itsekiri youths of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have been called upon to remain peaceful as the reported cancelling of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, does not possess the force of finality.

Speaking to a youth group who paid him a courtesy call in Warri, Delta State, member of House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, described the statement credited to Ameachi that the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, had been cancelled as “provocative, vexing, insensitive, and consequently unacceptable.”

He assured the youth group that the House of Representatives will not allow such “brazen arbitrariness without subjecting same to parliamentary scrutiny,” wondering why the said university which is just one of those established by the Goodluck Jonathan administration “is being singled out for cancellation.”

“The House of

Representatives has never shied away from espousing the principle of justice, more so in this instant case where huge sums of money had already been invested,

Governing Council already constituted and ViceChancellor for the university appointed.”

Earlier in his address, the leader of the youth group,

Ijaw/Itsekiri Youths Alliance, appealed to the lawmaker to do all within his power to ensure that the reported action of the present federal administration was reverted to serve the course of justice.

THANKSGIVING: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel (3rd left); Deputy Governor, Mr Mosses Ekpo (3rd right); Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon (Barr) Onofiok Luke and wife, Uduak (right); the state Chief Judge, Hon Justice Stephen Okon and wife Veronica (left), during a thanksgiving service in honour of Justice Okon, at Assemblies of God Church, Aka Itiam Road, Uyo.

Edo gov poll: It's wrong to say only Bini candidate can win

By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of this year's governorship election in Edo State, former governor the state and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, has said that the assertion that only a Bini man can win the forthcoming governorship election in the state was wrong, adding that he remains the best aspirant of the party to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole and, therefore, deserves to be supported by all the leaders.

He urged delegates of the party to be wary of aspirants whose only credential is money, stressing the need for them to cast their votes based on the credentials and track records of the aspirants and not how rich they are or the geographical zone they hail from.

Osunbor is one of the APC governorship aspirants and hails from Edo Central senatorial zone of the state. He addressed newsmen, yesterday, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, secretariat in Benin City.

The Prof. of Law explained that he decided to remain calm over his ambition all along in order to respect the instruction by Governor Oshiomhole that governorship aspirants must not distract his developmental projects.

Noting that he has respect for C M Y K

all other aspirants of the party, Prof Osunbor said he considered himself the most suitable candidate, adding that the belief that only a Bini (Edo South) candidate can win the election had been proved wrong in the past, notably in 2012 when

a non-Bini man defeated a Bini man with a wide margin.

He said: “I am not unmindful of arguments about which senatorial zone’s turn it is to produce the next governor. I believe that this is a legitimate issue to raise in order to ensure

fairness, equity and justice amongst the component parts of the state, Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North. Nevertheless, I want to be assessed based on my antecedents and record of performance rather than simply on arguments based on zoning,” he stated.

I did't step down for Ize-Iyamu —Edo PDP gov aspirant

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of the July 2016 governorship election in Edo State, an aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Solomon Edebiri, has denied the rumour in the state that he was aborting his governorship aspiration and had stepped down for another aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Chief Edebiri who denied the rumour while speaking with newsmen in Benin at the PDP state secretariat, said, “I want to tell you clearly that there is no truth in the rumour. It is a lie.

As far as I and my campaign organisation are concerned, we still remain the candidate to beat in the state.

“We remain the number one candidate in the forthcoming governorship race because we speak the language of the

people. The people are with us.

All we are asking is for the leaders of the PDP to listen to the people of Edo State.

“I am looking forward to free and fair primaries. The only thing that can survive and

regain the peoples’ confidence once again in PDP in Edo State is for it to conduct free and fair primaries, where whoever wins will be accepted and earn the respect and support of other aspirants," he said.

Delta community flags off skill acquisition training

P

RESIDENT of the oilrich Ugborhen community, Delta State, Chief Anthony Amitaye, has flagged off a skill acquisition training programme for 35 youths of the community in different disciplines.

In his opening address, Amitaye thanked the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for creating a conducive atmosphere between the Ugborhen community and Seplat Petroleum Development Company

Limited, SPDCL. He said that the industrial harmony which exists between them has brought unprecedented growth and development to the community.

Addressing the participants, Amitaye lauded the management of Seplat for the good gesture, noting that skill acquisition is the way forward for Nigeria’s technological growth, emphasizing that the nation must look beyond oil.

W

Okwagbe eulogises Ahwinahwi

O

L O R O G U N O k i e m u t e Okwagbe, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart in Delta State, has described the death of late Chief Alice Ahwinahwi as shocking, adding that, she was a jewel of inestimable value.

Okwagbe said the deceased was a very successful business tycoon who was rated by the banking industry in Warri as the wealthiest Warri woman in the early '80s.

He said that they were right when they described her as a patroness to many business associations, religious organizations and philanthropic bodies, where she committed herself to the betterment of mankind and the edification of her soul.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

ANAMBRA CENTRAL: APGA demands

GREEN TECH:

categorical statement from INEC A

By Chris Ochayi

BUJA—THE All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to urgently make a categorical statement on the activities of some political parties conducting fresh primaries to nominate candidates for the Anambra Central Senatorial district rerun poll.

The National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Ike Oye, who made the call while speaking with Vanguard in Abuja, warned that the electoral umpire should not keep mute on the eligibility of the candidates to stand for the election.

Chief Oye, who expressed concern over the desperation by parties, especially the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to hold primaries for the rerun poll, argued that both parties by law, cannot field candidates for the election.

According to him, " We are very happy with INEC, because we know that INEC as a law abiding institution and an umpire of elections in Nigeria will do the needful by issuing a categorical statement on this matter.

"That will douse the tension in the system and foreclose the chances of unscrupulous elements in the society from formenting trouble that will lead to fragmentation in our nation’s political system."

Oye, while making a reference to Supreme Court judgment, said there was no provision for conduct of fresh primaries under a re-run poll since only candidates that participated in the general election are recognised by law to take part.

According to him, the Supreme Court judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Salisu

Aluwao and others on November 6, 2003 between INEC versus Labour Party, on the matter of qualification, ruled thus: "Where there is nullification of election on grounds of qualification, all candidates that participated in the general election, excluding the candidate adjudged not qualified

can participate in re-run election."

He emphasised further, "You know in the case of Anambra central senatorial zone, the judgement was very clear that the candidate of the PDP, who was the twelfth respondent and the PDP itself being the eleventh respondent did not conduct any

primary.

"So, from where did its candidate emerge for the senatorial election? So the Court of Appeal ruled that Uche Ekwunife who was then the candidate of PDP was not qualified to contest the election."

FUTO polarized over appointment of new VC

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, has been polarized as the institution shops for a new Vice Chancellor, VC, that will take over from the incumbent, Professor Chigozie C. Asiabaka, in the next five months.

Strong feelers from the FUTO community revealed that there were serious plans to significantly alter the content of the advertisement already published by the institution.

Confirming the fear during a check yesterday, a senior FUTO

staff alleged that “while the ProChancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council appears favourably disposed to a particular contestant, others believe that the VC has his own candidate.”

The same senior staff not only told Vanguard that “an extraordinary meeting of the Senate is scheduled to hold today (Tuesday), in the Senate Council Chamber”, but also alleged that the Governing Council would also meet January 28, 2016, to also deliberate on the same issue.

The staff equally showed Vanguard the copy of a memorandum, REG/SEN/

COM.3/XIV, dated January 21, 2016, and signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Senate, Mr. Orje Ishegh-Nor. According to the memorandum, the “appointment of Senate Representative in the Search Team for the appointment of the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor”, is top on the agenda.

As at the last count, about seven professors from Owerri senatorial zone have applied for the post, while a few others from Orlu senatorial zone and Anambra State, have equally sent in their applications.

40 Bishops, 280 Priests for Nsukka Diocese Tripple Jubilee celebrations Catholic christiandom.

By Chinenyeh Ozor

N

SUKKA—NO fewer than 40 Catholic Bishops and 280 Priests would attend Nsukka Diocese Tripple celebrations of silver jubilee of the diocese and silver and golden jubilee of the Diocesean Bishop emeritus and priestly ordination of Most Rev. Dr Francis Okobo slated to hold on January 29, 2016 at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The director of social communications, Nsukka Catholic diocese, Fr. Chuma

Nnamene disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard last Sunday, explaining that the tripple celebrations would equally mark 25 years of the creation of the diocese from Enugu Catholic diocese.

He noted that the diocese has received approval for 40 Catholic Bishops and 280 Priests that would grace the January tripple celebrations, pointing out that the diocese would use the occasion to celebrate the Bishop emeritus' 25 years as the first Bishop of the diocese, as well as his 50 years of priestly ordination in the

“Also expected at the tripple celebrations of the diocese are Enugu state governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, other governors in the south east geopolitical zone, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Chuka Utazi representing Enugu senatorial zone; other members of the national assembly; 17 local government council care-taker chairmen in Enugu state; directors- general both at the federal and state levels and commissioners in the state government.

his is another game in this regime. How can a whole budget get lost? I already said that Buhari is not competent but people failed to take my advice. I just pray that they will find it or that whoever that took the budget away should return it. Mr Mohammed Gwio, Worker

N

A

By Emmanuel Elebeke

B U J A — MANAGING Director for Programme Development and Technical Cooperation Division of the United Nation International D e v e l o p m e n t Organization, UNIDO, Philippe Scholtes has announced a $2.6 million support fund for rural electricity in Nigeria.

Scholtes disclosed this at the weekend when he visited the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Onu Ogbonnaya in his office in Abuja.

Scholtes said the fund was secured for Nigeria from Global Environment Facilities, GEF, to improve its electricity generation in rural communities across the country.

He explained that the fund will be used to generate power through small scale hydro power to ensure electricity gets to rural areas in the country.

He said: “We made the case; we obtained funding for 2.6 million dollars to help us demonstrate the small scale hydro-power to powerhouse and factories in places that have not been reached by the electricity."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

T

Nigeria gets $2.6m UNIDO support for rural electrification

On missing 20 16 Budge 201 Budgett

ational Assembly is like amusement park, they know the game they are playing. What a shame.

In fact, I am disappointed with this APC led government and members of NASS because the budget is not like a sheet of paper.

Mr Sunny Onovo, Self Employed

I

f you believe that such a constitutional document can go missing, then you will believe anything.

In my own view, which could be right or wrong, I think that our incorruptible president has withdrawn the unrealistic budget. Miss Chika Dike, Graduate

A

PC have just added another page in Nigerian history. A President presented a budget which he did not understand and when confronted with the fact, he asked for the budget to be returned back to him.

Mr Isaac Kokoh, Businessman

N

o need for alarm! Print a new Budget from the soft copy & send to them again, if the presidency is not involved in the missing budget in Senate period! If you ask me, that is simply what should be done immediately. Mr Idongesit Umoh, Information Technology

B

uhari is the head of what is known as the “presidency”. Under his watch this crime took place.

Worst if he ordered it. In any democratic society, Buhari would have either resigned or impeached. Mr Rockson Wilson, Businessman

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 35

KOGI: Tribunal declines to stop Bello’s inauguration ...House of Assembly sues for peace

By Boluwaji Obahopo, Emman Ovuakporie & Kingsley Fanwo

L

OKOJA—KOGI State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja yesterday struck out two motions seeking interlocutory injunction to stop the inauguration of the Governor-elect, Yahaya Bello as the governor of the state.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Halima Mohammed, in her ruling dismissed the motions, saying though the tribunal has Jurisdiction to entertain such prayers, but the motions were not contained in the original petitions brought by the plaintiffs involved.

She said granting the motions filled by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP, will definitely affect the life of the original case before the court.

The Tribunal also dismissed the motion filed by Rueben Egwaba, the counsel to Labour Party seeking to stop the inauguration of Yahaya Bello because he (Bello) has no Deputy as at the time of the supplementary election of 5th December 2015.

Justice Mohammed urged all the parties in the case to prepare for accelerated hearing of the substantive case which will commence from next sitting, warning that the tribunal will no longer entertain the pre -hearing matters again.

Meanwhile, the campaign coordinators of the Kogi State governor-elect, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in the Eastern Senatorial district of the State yesterday unanimously endorsed an Abuja based publisher Mr. Gowon Usman Egbunu as their preferred

deputy governorship candidate.

This is coming on the heels of an appeal by the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Godwin Osuyi, that all aggrieved parties in the political crisis currently rocking the state to embrace peace and support the incoming governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The endorsement of Gowon Usman Egbunu was contained in a-six-page letter addressed to the Governor-elect and signed

by Dr. Yakubu Ugwalawo, the Leader and Senatorial Coordinator as well as Hon.

Hassan Haruna, Hon. Yahaya Menyaga and Prince Isah Abdullahi among other coordinators.

In the letter, with copies were sent to the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, the National Deputy Chairman (North Central Zone) of the Party, National Secretary, State Chairman of the APC, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment (who is from Kogi State) and all APC Senators from Kogi State, the Coordinators pointed out that the nomination of Mr. Egbunu was based on the

RETIREMENT CEREMONY: Director of Information & Public Affairs of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rev. Kalu Eme (third left), flanked on his right by Chief Fab Uche and Chief K. O. Kalu, and on his left by Chief Phil Uche, Elder Ebi Eme and Chief Kismet Mba during Rev. Eme’s Akajiaku Age Grade retirement ceremony at Okagwe Ohafia, Abia State.

B

AUCHI—GOVERNOR Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State yesterday swore

D

A M AT U R U — T H E Nigeria army says it has

in 15 new commissioners and other members of the state executive council with a warning that he will not hesitate to remove any

Odah, ex-NLC scribe appointed OTUWA Executive Secretary

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

I

MMEDIATE past General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade John Odah, has been appointed Executive Secretary of the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa, OTUWA. Odah’s appointment is contained in a memo signed by Comrade Mademba Sock, President of OTUWA, which was circulated to affiliates of the organisation across West Africa.

In the memo titled: “Appointment of New Executive Secretary of

By Amaka Abayomi

T

HE 7th edition of the leadership session on Sustainable Conversation, a thought leadership breakfast series will hold on Thursday, January 28, in Abuja with the support of Etisalat.

The telecommunications company will be partnering with Thistle Praxis Consulting on the conversation that focuses on the development of key sectors in the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.

This quarter’s discussion with the theme “Fast-tracking targets through Technology and Education” would have Dr. Ogbonnanya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology; Mr. Ben Mellor, Head of Country Office, DfID Nigeria; Dayo George, Corporate Director, Unilever Nigeria; Mr. Yusuf Kazaure, CEO, Galaxy Backbone, and Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Country Director, PLAN International, as discussants.

Speaking on Etisalat’s support for education and thought leadership, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said “Etisalat is delighted to be at the forefront of initiatives that can contribute to national development at all times.''

Army kills 14 insurgents, recover arms in Yobe killed 14 Boko Haram insurgents and captured two others around Chirokusko Village in Tarmuwa

Abubakar swears in 16 commissioners, 5 advisers in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

fact that he is tested, matured, creative and dogged.

In related development, the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Godwin Osuyi, in a statement made available to Vanguard in Lokoja yesterday, urged all aggrieved parties in the political crisis currently rocking the state to embrace peace and support the incoming governor of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The factional speaker, Godwin Osuyi, said that the state will benefit more in an atmosphere of peace than political rancour.

Etisalat, Thistle Praxis partner on sustainable devt

OTUWA,” and dated January 2016, Comrade Sock stated: “As agreed at its Executive Committee meeting in Dakar, Senegal in November 2015, and in accordance with the relevant provision of OTUWA Constitution, I write to inform you that Comrade John Odah has been appointed as Executive Secretary of the organisation with effect from January 1, 2016.”

According to Sock, with Odah’s appointment, “our organisation is set for full revitalisation to serve the aspirations of the working people of West Africa.”

cabinet member that is found wanting in the discharge of his or her official duty.

The 15 commissioners and five Special Advisers appointed took their oath of offices before thousands of their supporters at the Multi-purpose banquet hall in Bauchi.

While congratulating the new commissioners and the Special Advisers on their appointments, Mohammed Abubakar urged them not to betray the trust of the people, just as he charged them to shun, corruption, sentiments, nepotism and to be God fearing in all their official functions.

He advised them to always reflect on their oath of office and treat all citizens of the state equally without regards to ethnic or religious affiliations.

“Demonstrate exemplary leadership and carry everybody along in your respective ministries. You are to see your offices as a call to duty and service of the people,” hesaid.

Local Government Area in Yobe.

Brig-Gen. Mohammed Aliyu, General Commanding Officer (GCO), told newsmen in Damaturu yesterday that 16 assorted weapons and ammunitions were also recovered from the insurgents.

Aliyu said the terrorists sneaked into the area and were about settling down when the army ambushed them following a tipoff from patriotic citizens.

He commended the host communities for their cooperation which included providing security operatives with useful information.

According to him, more troops have been deployed to the area to enhance manpower to consolidate the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency. “The DamaturuBuniYadi-Biu road will soon be opened to motorists for economic activities to resume in the liberated areas.”

The GOC said as part of efforts to boost the morale of the troops, more than 10, 000 soldiers had been given special promotion, while 1,500 others were currently under consideration for promotion to their next rank.

PDP chieftain makes case for credible congress

A

chieftain of the Peoples Democratic, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Ochuko Odugba has urged members of the party to support the efforts of Senator James Manager and Mr. Leo Ogor at ensuring a credible ward congress.

Briefing newsmen in Oleh after a meeting by members of the party in Delta South Senatorial District, Odugba urged party faithful to elect credible leaders that would stir the affairs of the party in the next four years.

His words: ‘’Barring a last minute change of mind, the PDP will hold its congresses February to usher in new leaders to take over the mantle of leadership for the next four years. Thus, lovers of the party must be very vigilant at this crucial time to enable us rid the party of persons with divisive tendencies by putting forward genuine party loyalist, as the party cannot afford to have moles in our midst.”

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Dayo Ayandokun; COO, Mrs Olaposi Williams, both of Oando Marketing Plc; dealer Oando Station, Berger, Nneka Onyeiwu, and COO, Automedics Ltd., Mr. Bola Oba, during Oando Marketing's mechanic graduation in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

WORLD BANK IN KANO: From left— World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe; his wife, Yeye Oredipe; Kano State Deputy Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar; FADAMA National Project Coordinator, Mr. Tayo Adewunmi, and Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, when the 4th World Bank/FGN implementation review mission visited Kano State Government House.

OLD GIRLS: From left— Mrs Magaret Koshoni, Mrs Yeside Pam-Pam, Mrs Yinka Ogunde, Mrs Helen Boyo-Ekwueme, Mrs Cecillia Tukuru, and Mrs Wunmi Ogunbiyi, all old students of Our Lady of Apostles Girl Seconday School, Yaba, during the 60th anniversary of the school in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

PRCAN SECRETARIAT: From left—President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Dr. Rotimi Oladele; President, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, Mr. Goddie Ofose; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, and President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN, Mr. John Ehiguese, during the commissioning of PRCAN secretariat in Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

GIONEE M5: From left— Group MD, Creative Xone, Mr. Doyin Adewumi; Marketing Director, Gionee Nigeria, Mr. Habeeb Somoye; Account Manager, Creative Xone, Mr. Christopher Woghiren, at the launch of M5 mini smartphone by Gionee in Lagos. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

AFRINVEST REVIEW: From left— MD, Charles Egbunonwo; Group CEO, West Africa, Ike Chioke, and Head of Research, Ayodeji Ebo, all of Afrinvest Securities Limited, at the media presentation of the Nigerian Economy and Financial Market 2015 Review & 2016 Outlook by the firm in Lagos.

OLASHORE'S ROAD SHOW: From left— PTA Vice Chairman, Mr. Adekunle Ogunbufunmi; Principal, Mr. Derek Smith; Chairman, Board of Governors, Prince Abimbola Olashore, and PTA Chairman, Otunba Bolarinwa, all of Olashore International School, at their road show in Lagos.

ASTYMIN GET-ALERT: From left— School Programmers Coordinator, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs. Yetunde Adesola; Marketing Manager, Mr. Friday Enaholo; General Manager, Marketing, Mr. Ola Ijimakin; Product Manager of OTC, Mr. Femi Ajala; and Corporate Services Manager, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, during the Astymin Get Alert campaign media launch in Lagos, yesterday.

OANDO'S MECHANIC: From left— Lubricant Technical Manager,

Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—37

Buhari’s inter-ministerial committee on NNPC reforms: Stakeholders’ advice

By Bashir Adefaka

T

HE Muhamadu Buhari-led administration, recently, hinted of its plan to establish an inter-ministerial committee, which, according to him, would speed up the re-organisation and reformation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The President, speaking on this at a meeting with a visiting Chief Executive Officer of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Jin-Yong Cai, in Abuja, said the planned joint committee had become imperative because, according to the Daura-born Nigerian leader, reforming the NNPC had become inevitable in view of the corruption and abuse of its present structure in the recent past.

The fresh idea that Mr. President had hinted about, beyond the forum where he made the hint, has been described as quite a welcome development in the quest to change the way of doing things within the Nigerian system. Stakeholders, however, observed it would be of greater value if the President could, among other things, cause the planned committee to look inward to relevant efforts that had been made in the past with respect to NNPC re-organisation and reformation to save cost and time.

President Muhammadu Buhari idea, generally believed to be laudable, is said to be coming at a good time considering the fact that a member of the civil society, Comrade Gabby Adeagbo, had expressed disappointment in his piece published in Vanguard of May 6, 2015 before the President’s inauguration that the outgoing government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan at that time had consistently failed to listen to voices of reason regarding how to rescue the Nigerian oil sector from collapse.

Adeagbo, a former Federal servant, was not alone in it. Former President of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Peter Esele, had also, earlier before Adeagbo, urged the the then incoming President Buhari to reform NNPC in 100 days “or be sucked in.” Also, in a piece by Tolu Ogunlesi, published in Punch of Monday May 4, 2015, the same issue was discussed to which Adeagbo reacted in his piece published in Vanguard two days after.

What Adeagbo was simply telling in his reaction at that pre-Buhari administration era was that there had been several attempts in the past to look into the operations and It is not management of the Nigerian National too late for P e t r o l e u m the General Corporation, NNPC, in order to put it back Muhammadu in good operational Buhari’s and management order. The General incoming Abisoye’s Report on government NNPC Inquiry highlighted a good to look into number of factors getting the responsible for the corporation’s inability 140 subsidy to perform its roles to takers, who the nation. The General Tajudeen are Olanrewaju Review involved in Committee that xthe rayed the Abisoye’s Panel Report clearly importation came up, in its white of this paper, with recommendations for product C M Y K

President Buhari government to implement. Whatever these two reports are saying, they should be dusted and be looked into. What is important is that NNPC is overdue, truly as observed by Mr. President, for a thorough unbundling exercise with a view to making all its business units stand and operate independently.

General Buhari is required to call for all the Abisoye’s and Olanrewaju’s Reports and act swiftly on their recommendations, this time, as a way of helping the new inter-ministerial committee he plans to set up on the NNPC re-organisation and reformation achieve its set goals without much ado. The government, Adeagbo said, should look into NNPC’s books covering a period of 10 years and ensure that there should be no sacred cows and that probing of records and punishment should apply.

During Abacha regime, investigations revealed, there was no subsidy and there were no scarcity of petroleum products.

What the public experienced during that time was only politically motivated strikes.

That was a time when crude oil for refined oil transaction was at par without subsidy payment to anybody. With one that had no subsidy payment, the government and its agencies were involved in the importation and distribution of fuel at that time. Their system was that they would send crude and have refined and byproducts in return.

Unbundling of NNPC “Even as of that time of Abacha, it was the role of the government and its agencies in providing adequate supply of fuel that led to setting up of the General Abisoye’s Panel of Inquiry on NNPC which the General Tajudeen Olanrewaju’s Review Committee was later set up to look into working out the modalities for the unbundling of NNPC and its subsidiaries and make recommendations for implementations.

“The benefits of recommendations of these two reports cannot be overstretched because oil, which is the cash-cow of our economy, was safe or protected in the hands of the government. So, there was no room for payment of subsidy. Those who took up the role hitherto played by the government, therefore, who are the marketers, engaged in the importation of fuel and went away with or pocketed the profit they made without re-investing it into our oil sector especially in the areas of repairs or privatisation of oil refineries as emphasised by Reports of the panels led by the two Generals, who are still very much around. It is not too late for the General Muhammadu Buhari’s incoming government to look into getting the 140 subsidy takers, who are involved in the importation of this product, to re-invest the profit they make into our oil sector and not take it away,” said Adeagbo.

38—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

FOREX: NADDC makes case for local auto assemblers •As FAW Truck opens business in Nigeria

T

HE National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC has appealed to the Federal Government to grant concessions to local auto assemblers in the country to source foreign exchange for the development of the local auto assembly plants.

Mr. Luqman Mamudu, Director, Policy and Planning, National Automotive Design and Development Council, made this appeal at the opening of Perfection Motors Nigeria Limited FAW Truck plant and showroom in Ikeja, Lagos recently.

Mr. Mamudu noted that the council was aware of the challenges facing the local assemblers in sourcing foreign exchange for the development of their plants.

“We hope that this will soon be resolved and government will give priority to auto assemblers because they create jobs for Nigerians,” he said.

Commending the Perfection Motor Company and FAW Truck managements, for setting up a world class plant in Nigeria, the NADDC official said: “By doing this, you have opened a pipeline for investment in Nigeria.

Pipeline for investment “This is what we are targeting with the new auto policy. We make it easy for companies to settle down with SKD and develop to CKD,” adding that the decision to set up the plant by the company is helping the government’s present agenda of diversifying the economy.

Perfection Motors Company Limited in collaboration with FAW, China, last Tuesday opened a Semi Knock Down, SKD, auto assembly line in Lagos, capable of producing about 1000 vehicles annually. Perfection Motors is the sole representative of FAW Trucks in Nigeria.

Speaking at the official opening of the assembly plant and showroom, the General Manager, Perfection Motors Company Limited, which is a member of the Lee group in Nigeria, Mr. Adrian Fourie said “in view of the fact that we will outgrow this assembly line in the next three years, we will be breaking ground on the future CKD (Complete Knock Down) assembly plant in Ogiju, with construction starting later this year.”

According to Fourie, with this development, his company is positioned to provide “first class sales, after-sales and spare parts to Nigerians.”

“FAW being one of China’s

L-R: Managing Director of FAW, China, Wang Zhi Jian; acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Li Yong; Chairman of Lee group, S.F Lee; Director of Policy and Planning, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Luqman Mamudu; and General Manager of Perfection Motors Company Limited, Mr. Adrian Fourie; at the FAW auto assembly plant, when FAW and Perfection Motors Company Limited unveiled the FAW plant, showroom and workshop in Ikeja, Lagos recently. biggest and most prestigious heavy duty vehicles manufacturers, is regarded as the number one selling heavy duty vehicle in China. Partnering with FAW has given us the confidence as a group to invest, as you know, we are bringing a quality brand to Nigeria. We believe that the Nigerian public deserve the best as far as price and quality are concerned”.

The General Manager noted; “with over 50 years of experience and over 200 vehicles already on the road, our group truly understands the needs of the Nigerian people and the Nigeria transport industry as a whole.”

Explaining further that his company has taken the state of the Nigerian roads into consideration, Fourie said “we decided to retain the Euro 2 engine arrangement as the mechanical injector pump and injectors are easier and more cost effective to maintain, repairs can be done on the road without the need for computerised diagnostic equipment.”

Dealership networks, according to him, are to be established in Kano, Kaduna, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Managing Director of FAW, China, Wang Zhi Jian who witnessed the event alongside

the Chairman of Lee Group, S.F Lee, stated that his company was delighted to work with the Lee group in Nigeria, noting that after South Africa and Kenya, Nigeria is the third African country with the FAW presence in Africa.

Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Li Yong, in his remarks, stated that FAW is a well established Chinese auto brand with international reckoning, which will compete favourably in the Nigerian market.

In his remarks, the Director of Policy and Planning, National

Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Luqman Mamudu, expressed the delight over the Federal Government opening the FAW assembly line in Lagos, saying, it will create more jobs.

Mamudu added that the development of the local auto industry will contribute its quota in the government’s quest to diversify the country’s economy, even as he said the auto policy is being implemented in phases.

FAW Group is a global leader in the vehicle manufacturing industry with a 60-year history of innovation. Founded in 1953, FAW employs 120,000 people around the world and sells products in over 70 countries.

Perfection Motors Company Limited, as the official representative of FAW in Nigeria, has in stock three different models of the FAW brand: the J6 tractor head, J5 tractor head and the J5 tipper.

The J6 tractor head, with Model number : CA4250P66K24T1A4E, comes with the following specifications: Drive Type : 6×4; Dimension (mm): 7160 x 2500 x 3560; Power (HP): 375; Capacity of Fuel Tank (L): 400; Passengers : 2 (with sleeping bed) and Top Speed (km/h): 98.

The J5 tractor head comes with Drive Type : 6×4 6×4; Dimension (mm): 6793 × 2490 × 3386 / 7093 × 2500 × 3386; Power KW / (r/min): 280 / 2200 (380HP) / 309 / 2200 (420HP) Capacity of Fuel Tank (L): 400 / 500 and two passengers with sleeping bed. Coming with a flat head is the J5 tipper with a single cab, 4×2 rear wheel drive; Dimension (mm): 5860 × 1900 × 2300; Power KW / (r/min): 76 / 3600 and a 400 litre fuel tank capacity.

Jaguar XE, safest large family car in 2015

T

HE Jaguaar XE sports sedan triumphed in Euro NCAP’s prestigious Best in Class Cars of 2015 awards, coming first in the large family car category.

The XE has already received the maximum five-star rating from Euro NCAP against 2015’s highly demanding test protocols. In awarding the XE with best in class honours, Euro NCAP praised the high levels of active and passive safety systems fitted to the XE. “We setouttodevelopthedriver’s carinthesegment,butalsowewanted to provide outstanding levels of occupant and pedestrian safety,” says Kevin Stride, Vehicle Line Director for Jaguar XE, XF and FPACE. “By combining our AdvancedAluminiumArchitecture with the most advanced technology available we were able to meet all of our targets. The XE has already proven itself to be the benchmarkforvehicledynamics,andnow this Euro NCAP award is recogni-

tion that we delivered on safety as well,” he said.

Euro NCAP’s 2015 test protocols brought in the new full width frontal crash test for the first time, making it harder than ever to gain a five star rating. The XE’s light, stiff Advanced Aluminium Architecture was fundamental to meeting this challenge – so too were the latest advanced driver assistance systems.

As well as an excellentresultforAdultOccupant protection, the XE outscored the competition on Pedestrian protection and Safety Assist, thanks to features including the deployable bonnet and Autonomous Emergency Braking. “Euro NCAP gives top honours to

the Jaguar XE which offers the highest levels of occupant protection and avoidance technology, and rewards the XE as Best in Class of 2015 in the large family segment,”

says Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General, Euro NCAP, adding “Euro NCAP particularly congratulates Jaguar for making all important Safety Assist features standard equipment”

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 39

By Theodore Opara

F

ORD Chip Ganassi Racing has revealed that Marino Franchitti, Stefan Mücke, Olivier Pla and Andy Priaulx have been selected to race in the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship, WEC, at the wheel of the all-new Ford GT. Ford is running two cars in the FIA Championship and two in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The intention is for the two teams to come together in June for a four-car effort at, arguably, the most famous endurance race in the world, the Le Mans 24 Hours, 50 years after its historic 1-2-3 finish.

The FIA WEC will further visit three locations in Europe, Silverstone (UK), Nurburgring (Germany) and Spa (Belgium).

“Make no mistake, we are racing to win,” said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director.

“To compete at this level you need the best car, the best team and the best drivers, and we have selected Stefan, Olivier, Andy and Marino to drive the Ford GT to take on the best in the world,” he added

Ford GT drivers revealed for World Endurance Battle Germany, has multiple WEC victories under his belt and knows what it takes to make it onto the podium at Le Mans. Frenchman, Olivier Pla, also has first-hand experience of the fierce competition in WEC. Briton Andy Priaulx is a three-time FIA World Touring Car Champion, who has also won one of the world’s toughest endurance races— the Nürburgring 24 Hours— and stood on the podium at

Le Mans. WEC Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team p r i n c i p a l —M u l t i m a t i c ’ s George Howard-Chappell— has already led a team to victory at Le Mans on three occasions.

“It doesn’t get any more competitive than the Le Mans 24 Hours, but that is what makes winning it so special,” said Howard-Chappell.

“Everything has to be perfect and even then you still need luck on your side

to cross the line first. The Ford GT has been built to return to Le Mans and these four drivers all know what it takes to compete against the toughest competition in the world,” he added.

Mücke will get behind the wheel of the Ford GT very soon as he joins the IMSA Ford Chip Ganassi Racing squad for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 8 to10.

He will become the third

driver in the #67 Ford GT entry at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which takes place on January 30 to 31 alongside Ryan Briscoe and Richard Westbrook.

The all-new Ford GT is the pinnacle of Ford innovation in aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fibre construction. It is powered by a new twin-turbo Ford EcoBoost V6 engine, the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever.

Endurance specialist “I’m excited to be at team HQ in the UK to launch the WEC team,” said Chip Ganassi, owner of Ford Chip Ganassi Racing.

“Just like when we announced the Ford GT drivers for the Weathertech Sportscar Championship last month, we’ve again chosen drivers with heart, speed and proven endurance racing credentials.

It’s a global team running in two championships and I can’t wait for the racing to begin.”

Briton Marino Franchitti is an endurance specialist and has raced at Le Mans no less than five times.

Stefan Mücke, from

Hyundai Genesis, Tucson, Sonata earn top safety awards

H

YUNDAI Motor’s Genesis Tucson and Sonata have been recognised by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2016 Top Safety Pick+ awards. This prestigious awards body helps consumers select vehicles that offer the highest level of crash protection by conducting extensive testing and awarding those which are worthy.

Jin (James) Kim, Vice President and Head of Operations at Hyundai Motor Company Africa and Middle East said: “Our company’s emphasis on safety is once again highlighted as two very different models, one an SUV and one a luxury sedan, are internationally recognised for their advanced safety technologies. The features which I think have helped us secure these

awards are elements such as the autonomous emergency braking feature, lane departure warning with lane keep assist and the emergency brake assist offering.”

Adrian Lund, IIHS president commented on the rationale behind the Hyundai recognition: “The Genesis is equipped with Electronic Stability Control,ESC, nine airbags and energy-absorb-

Porsche exceeds 2015 target

P

ORSCHE AG can look back on an extremely successful fiscal year. With 225,121 vehicles delivered to customers worldwide, the company achieved a new record in 2015, exceeding the previous record of 189,849 cars in 2014 by 19 per cent.

“The figures reflect the pulling power of our brand and the appeal of our products which we have launched on the market in the past few years, focusing completely on the development, production and sales of highly emotional sports cars is paying off,” says Dr. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. Despite this, sales are only a secondary yardstick for success for Porsche.

“What is much more important for us are customer enthusiasm,

return on sales and secure jobs,” says Blume.

... as 911 legend continues

The sports car icon recorded an increase over the previous year of four per cent with just under 32,000 units delivered.

“This growth, even in a year in which the model was changed, shows the immensity of fascination for the 911 on the markets,” says Detlev von Platen, member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. The new 911 series, with the 911 Turbo as the flagship model, will be available on the European market at the end of January 2016. It will provide another boost and consolidate delivery figures to a stable level.

Clearly, the growth drivers

are the SUV models and the bestseller is the latest addition to the family. With more than 80,000 cars delivered, the Macan became the most coveted Porsche already in the first year of full availability. It is closely followed by the Cayenne (73,119 units).

Compared with the previous year, the Macan and the Cayenne achieved two-digit growth figures.

Cayman sales rose slightly by one percent. The Panamera and Boxster models lagged behind the previous year levels. The reason for this is the upcoming model change from which Porsche is expecting renewed growth in 2016.

In the future, the Boxster and Cayman models will be branded as the 718 model

series and will continue to merge both technically and visually.

For the first time, the strongest single market in 2015 was China where Porsche delivered 58,009 vehicles.

Hyundai Genesis

ing front airbags, while the Tucson has AEB, helping these vehicles earn our top rating. Both earned the required good rating in the small overlap front crash evaluation and a superior or advanced rated front crash prevention system with automatic braking capabilities, a key criteria to qualify for a Top Safety Pick award.”

IIHS rates vehicles in small overlap front crash, moderate overlap front crash, side and roof strength, and head restraint tests, as well as a standard or optional front crash prevention system.

Winners of the Top Safety Pick+ award must earn good ratings for occupant protection in all five of the evaluations. For the first time, a good rating in the small overlap front crash test is required to earn the award.

40—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Why Jonathan trusted Dasuki with campaign funds — AZIEGBEMI DR. Tony Aziegbemi, university don turned politician served two terms in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and won a reputation of steadfast loyalty to the party and its leaders in his native Edo State. In this interview, he spoke on diverse issues including the alleged scam in the office of the National Security Adviser, which he dismisses as a non-issue and gives his assessment of the administration in Edo State. Excerpts:

•Aziegbemi: Buhari does not have the capacity to lead this country

By Gabriel Enogholase

W

HAT’S your reaction to insinuations that the ongoing anti-corruption war is one sided?

I did not vote for Buhari in the last presidential election and I am so happy that I voted for former President Goodluck Eble Jonathan. I am happy that I did.

Having said that, I think with Buhari at the helm of affairs in this country, Nigerians are in for a one chance bus. We are doomed for disaster; Buhari does not have the capacity to lead this country.

Buhari knows and if he doesn’t know, that is a pity, that the office of the National Security Adviser is an office that is made to give security cover to the government of the day in whatsoever form or shape.

Security cover He knows that the money he is talking about that the National Security Adviser gave to many people is not money from the budget of the nation. It is not. He should know if he doesn’t know that the office of the National Security Adviser will be there after him and he is trying to rubbish that office.

The President knows that the office of the National Security Adviser can and is mostly used for some of those things he is accusing Col. Sambo Dasuki of.

So, what Buhari is doing is shamelessly probing the political funds of the PDP though the C M Y K

backdoor. That is what he is doing with the Dasukigate.

I can hazard a guess that there are over twenty different accounts in the office of the National Security Adviser and not all monies that come into the office of National Security Adviser are meant for the purchase of arms.

Not. If not, where did the National Security Adviser get the money to buy the three Bullet Proof Jeeps they gave him after he was attacked and almost assassinated by Boko – Haram?

That money was not taken from the account meant for the Armed forces.

Everything he does is to ‘see my perceived enemies languishing in jail, in detention.’

Whether that will be good for the nation, that is not his business as far as he makes sure that is what will happen.

The man has lost the capacity

to rule this country, but thank God that four years is not too far, we trust the judgment of Nigerians and I am sure everybody was carried away by his anti-corruption toga, but I am sure that in as much as some of us believe that corruption should be fought, we also know that we are supposed to put in place policies that will develop the economy that would make Nigerians make money for themselves and make everybody happy in the system.

There is this belief by Nigerians that the 2.1 billion US Dollars was meant for the purchase of arms.

What he is trying to do is to paint PDP in bad light, to think that all the money that came into the office of the National Secu-

I can guess, this is about trust, that perhaps former President Goodluck Jonathan had implicit trust in Dasuki and felt that some of the money he needed to run his campaign could be channelled through the office of the NSA

rity Adviser was given to only PDP people.

No. I can guess, this is about trust, that perhaps former President Goodluck Jonathan had implicit trust in Dasuki and felt that some of the money he needed to run his campaign could be channelled through the office of the NSA. What is really painful is that he is painting a picture that is not real, he is painting a picture that money meant for arms was being diverted into private pockets or into PDP stalwarts’ pockets.

What is your assessment of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration in Edo State?

I will begin by saying that the high hopes that every average Edolite had in his administration in the beginning has been totally eroded and dashed. Since he came on board, he has not met the aspiration of the people.

Let’s look at the army of unemployed youths in the state; as we speak, there is no state agency or company that is working. Edo Line Company Ltd, is grounded, the Cassavita Company in Uromi, Auchi Fertilizer Plant, Ehor Fruit Juice Company, Bendel Insurance Company Ltd, Bendel Brewery Company Ltd, among others are grounded.

He met those companies and has succeeded in grounding them because he does not want employment for youths in the state. Secondly, he would nor-

mally parrot this phrase that government is meant to create an enabling environment for investors to invest in the state, but I asked, which enabling environment has Oshiomhole created in Edo State for the past eight years for any investor?

Look at the issue of local government administration in the state; I can tell you authoritatively that I have the figures that accrued the 18 local government councils in Edo State.

Huge sums of money were supposed to come into the local government coffers, but it did not get to the councils. For instance, between December 2014 to 5th February 2015, Esan West received a total of N761,578,720, Oredo Local government council within the same period received N1,237,374,111; Etsako West N928,967,395; Ikpoba Okha N1.2 billion, Estako Central N751,703,977.00 and if you go around these local governments, you will not see anything on ground because the state government has appropriated the money meant for the councils.

Appropriation of funds Hon. Gani Audu is a friend, we know each other very well, but I am surprised that he came out to deny that the state government doesn’t appropriate funds for his local government.

He is from Etsako-West and for the sake of what he has said, in December 2014, Etsako West from the Federation Account, got N116,650,941, January 2015, had N126,713,371, January – September 2015, the council should have gotten N925,967,395. Will Gani Audu sincerely say and can he sit down to say that the chairman of Etsako West local government got this amount in his account for this period?

If so, what did he do with this money? So, there are two issues here. It is either the local government chairmen are getting these monies and are not doing anything with it or the monies do not get into the local governments. My take is that the monies do not get to the local governments.

BENUE: David Mark’s re-election is about Idoma nation — ADAKOLE Director Director, Media and Publicity, David Mark Campaign Organisation, Dr. Adakole Elijah, in this interview says the Idoma nation is united in ensuring that immediate past Senate President, Sen David Mark is reelected in the forthcoming senatorial election in Benue South Senatorial District.

By Charles Kumolu

W

HAT are the chances of David Mark in the re-run election?

The chances of Senator Mark are very bright and this could be seen from his numerous achievements which I earlier highlighted. It is as a result of

the avalanche of achievements that our traducers hated him with passion. They accused him of converting every good thing coming to Benue State to his senatorial district. These are mostly projects and employment opportunities. All the Idoma sons and daughters employed or recruited into federal ministries,

parastatals, agencies and paramilitary organisations were not his biological children. They are people from Benue South Senatorial District.

Prominent Idoma political leaders have said the re-run is for the survival of the Idoma people. Why do they say that?

It is a truism that the election is not being seen as a personal luggage of Senator David Mark.

It is being viewed as a collective burden of all well-meaning people of Benue South Senatorial District. This is because the battle is being rightly viewed as

being powered by external forces. And so, it has become a battle for the survival of the entire Benue South. It is a battle for the generality of the entire Benue South. It is a fight for self-assertiveness on the part of our people (the Idoma and Igede). It is a quest towards the extrication of the minority Idoma people in Benue State from marginalization. The election is seen as an opportunity to stamp our authority and independence. The election is not all about Mark but a fight against a political potentate Continues on page 41

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—41

billions of naira setting up committees to go round. Where are they? Now, in the last election, immediately we dealt him a blow at the Presidential Election, he came and told the Obas and the chiefs that he wanted to upgrade some of them.

Immediately he threw in that one, everybody forgot everything, even the APC that had won sizeable votes for the president and the National Assembly poll, Senate and so on, forgot everything.

We started talking about promotion of Obas, promotion of chiefs and re- classification and the man went to the drawing board of how to hit below the belt, which he did successfully. The APC, a party that scored 54.6 per cent in Presidential Election now had five House of Assembly seats out of 26.

Promotion of chiefs

•Ekungba

Why we can't allow an accidental governor in Ondo — EKUNGBA, ASPIRANT BUSINESS consultant and politician, Alhaji Jamiu Afolabi Ekungba, a member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress, APC is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party in Ondo State. In this interview with newsmen in Lagos he speaks on his aspiration among other issues. Excerpts:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

W

HY do you want to govern Ondo State?

Ondo is the only South West state that is oil producing which means that apart from the normal characteristics of that geo-political zone, that state derives money from oil production.

The state also has mineral resources that are unique in the world today. Apart from oil, we also have bitumen and today, the asphalt with which we tar our roads are imported from Venezuela despite the fact that we have the capacity to produce asphalt in Agbabu in Ondo State.

What is the strength of the opposition in Ondo State? There is the impression that the APC is weak.

I would say that one thing an average politician does not know

C M Y K

is that the man who is the governor of Ondo State is my friend. One of the lessons my father taught me is that if you make a mistake and you call somebody your friend, if that friend becomes devil, you can’t say he is no more your friend.

This man is what I would call active Maradona of our time politically. I think the practical example is that when he was seeking his second term in office, he called all the Ondo State people and said he wanted to create local governments. He diverted attention from discussing political and economic activities of the state and everybody wanted local governments.

So there was no way anybody could do constructive criticism of him any longer, he diverted attention.

Now, after the election, where are the local governments he promised, for which he spent

Now another election is coming, he now says he wants to conduct local government election. For seven and a half years, he has always told us that he could not hold local government elections because there is a case in court.

Has that case been decided? No. Now he has fixed a date for local government election for 24th of April. Why? To divert the attention of the people from the rising profile of APC because, except the right people become governor, local government elections would continue to be manipulated.

The large number of aspirants in the party is raising concern that the party may have trouble choosing a candidate. Are you worried?

I said the issue of Ondo State must not be reserved for Ondo people alone because it is a micro

Whether zoning is adopted in Ondo State or not, it cannot affect somebody like me because from Ilaje to Oke-Agbe, my structure is there and working well

part of this federation so if we allow the cancer to germinate from that place it can affect the whole federation. A lot of us, the 24 in the race, if you ask them, they don’t even know the extent of the problem, so they just want to be there because everybody is contesting, let me contest, if by accident, I would be there.

So if that person is there by accident, he would for the next four years, ruin the lives of our people. The fact that I have money to print posters, buy vehicles and make noise should not push somebody to aspire for a political position. The person that we need as governor now is the person that has demonstrable antecedents to be able to turn bad economy to good one. That is what we need.

As a political student, I believe that there is no way we should expect every human being to behave normally. So for me, I am looking at a situation that either we go through picking, selection or primary election, whatever

method that is chosen, I believe some people will still leave the party, I believe some others will stay in the party and fight.

I believe some others will still work together to make the party win the election. But what the national leadership of the party must work towards is picking that person that has what I call an enduring structure that can win election any time, any day in Ondo State, whatever method we are going to use.

The controversy over zoning in Ondo APC ahead of the election I have never heard the party saying they would not follow zoning, but the party does not impose zoning on anybody. It is not possible. It is not possible for APC to say it does not recognize zoning, because even in the presidential election, we did it.

We would just have picked the president from Katsina and picked the vice president from Borno and disturbed the country’s political balance.

If the party adopts zoning finally, that would be good, it will reduce the number of aspirant, it will also address people wasting their resources so that there can be realignment and cooperation by groups. Whether zoning is adopted in Ondo State or not, it cannot affect somebody like me because from Ilaje to Oke-Agbe, my structure is there and working well.

Who is your godfather in politics?

All my political fathers admire me and they love me. They love something in my consistency, loyalty and integrity. From Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu to the smallest man in the party, they always show their admiration at all times, all of them. So all of them are my idols, I see them as people that motivate me.

BENUE: David Mark’s re-election is about Idoma nation — ADAKOLE Continues from page 40 who wants to eclipse the people of Benue South by foisting his surrogate on us. And this surrogate opposed the nomination of Chief Audu Ogbe as Minister to the admiration of his sponsors who joyously celebrated the cancellation of the University of Health Sciences, Otukpo. This is an institution that would have tremendously tackled the unemployment menace confronting the youths in Benue South.

What happened during the March 28 National Assembly elections in Benue South?

There was no known problem in any part of Benue South Senatorial District. The election took place on March 28 and ended at the collation centre in Otukpo.

At the end, Senator Mark was declared winner by the Returning Officer. All the party agents endorsed the result after the to-

•Adakole tal tabulation of all the results from the nine local government areas that make up the senatorial district. There was peace, there was tranquillity during and after

the election. The result and the declaration reflected the true situation on ground.

How do you access the verdict of the Appeal Court?

I viewed the judgment with mixed feelings. First, it is a human judgment that cannot withstand the judgment of the Almighty God no matter the coloration. Human judgment will come and go but the judgment of Almighty God will last till eternity. For us in Benue South, it is a moment of trial. It is a moment where our corporality could be subjected to test.

I say this because the Appeal Court Judgment was aimed at degrading us. And that was why there were heavy jubilations in some political camps in Benue State. The judgment if critically subjected to Supreme Court scrutiny cannot stand.

42—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

LIBYA: UN-backed unity government rejected

US Treasury accuses Putin of corruption

T

HE US Treasury has told a BBC investigation that it considers Russian President Vladimir Putin to be corrupt. The US government has already imposed sanctions on Mr Putin’s aides, but it is thought to be the first time it has directly accused him of corruption.

His spokesman told the BBC that “none of these questions or issues needs to be answered, as they are pure fiction”.

Adam Szubin, who oversees US Treasury sanctions, has told BBC Panorama that the Russian president is corrupt and that the US government has known this for “many, many

years”.

He said: “We’ve seen him enriching his friends, his close allies, and marginalising those who he doesn’t view as friends using state assets. Whether that’s Russia’s energy wealth, whether it’s other state contracts, he directs those to whom he believes will serve him and excludes

those who don’t. To me, that is a picture of corruption.”

The US government imposed sanctions against a number of Kremlin insiders in 2014 and stated that Vladimir Putin had secret investments in the energy sector. However, the Americans did not directly accuse him of corruption at the time. US government

Oil prices in reverse amid OPEC call

O

IL prices tumbled again on Monday, eroding last week’s gains, as Opec called for cooperation from oil-producing nations outside the cartel.

Brent crude fell 4.1% to $30.86 a barrel following a

10% rise on Friday, while US oil shed 4.7% to $30.68.

The slide came as the head of Opec called for all oilproducing nations to work together.

Abdullah al-Badri said both Opec and non-Opec oil

Burkina Faso arrests ex-presidential have not specified how guards over raid many weapons were

T

EN soldiers from a disbanded elite unite loyal to Burkina Faso’s former president have been arrested over a raid on an armoury outside the capital Ouagadougou, the army said.

The pre-dawn raid on Friday at the weapons warehouse underscored the challenges facing new

officials have been reluctant to be interviewed about President Putin’s wealth, but Mr Szubin agreed to take part in a BBC Panorama programme investigating the issue.

Mr Szubin would not comment on a secret CIA report from 2007 that put Mr Putin’s wealth at around $40bn (£28bn). But he said the Russian president had been amassing secret wealth.

President Roch March Christian Kabore, a week after al-Qaeda fighters attacked a hotel and cafe in the capital, killing at least 30 people.

Army officials said that kalashnikov rifles and rocket launchers taken in the raid were not loaded and that no ammunition had been stolen. Officials

seized.

The arrested soldiers come from Burkina Faso’s former presidential guard (the RSP), which was also behind a brief, failed coup last September.

Willy Yameogo, director of communications for the army, said that one civilian was also arrested in connection with the raid.

producers needed to tackle oversupply to help prices rise.

“It is vital the market addresses the issue of the stock overhang. As you can see from previous cycles, once this overhang starts falling then prices start to rise,” he told a conference in London.

Despite the ongoing refusal of Saudi Arabia, the dominant Opec member, to cut production, Mr al-Badri nevertheless blamed countries outside the cartel for the huge global oil glut.

“Yes, Opec provided some of the additional supply last year, but the majority of this has come from non-Opec countries,” he said. Opec accountsforalmost42%ofthe world’s oil production.

L

IBYA’S internationally recognised parliament has rejected a unity government named last week under a UN-brokered deal aimed at uniting the country’s warring factions.

The vote is seen as a major blow to UN efforts to unify the country’s two rival parliaments.

Islamic State militants have stepped up attacks in recent weeks, targeting the country’s oil infrastructure.

Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 overthrow of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Of 104 members attending the session in the eastern city of Tobruk, 89 voted against backing the

government.

The Tunis-based Presidential Council now has 10 days to put forward a new, shorter list of ministers, Reuters adds.

Libya’s state oil company said earlier that the country had lost $68bn (£48bn) in potential oil revenues since 2013,incommentsreportedby the UK’s Financial Times newspaper.

Western nations hope the formation of the new government will help bring stabilityandtacklethegrowing threat of the so-called Islamic State group (IS).

IS militants have taken advantage of the political vacuum to expand their presence in the country.

SOUTH AFRICA: Mayor defends scholarships for 16 virgins

A

SOUTH African mayor has defended his decision to award scholarships to 16 female university students, which are conditional on them remaining virgins.

Dudu Mazibuko told the BBC that the scheme was intended to “reduce HIV, Aids and unwanted pregnancy” among young girls in the Uthukela district of eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.

Those receiving the bursary would have to provide proof from regular

virginity tests, the mayor added.

Rights groups have condemned the move.

An estimated 6.3 million people in South Africa are HIV-positive, with more than one in 10 people living with the virus.

The conditions of the scholarship were “a violation of the rights and dignity of the girl child”, a spokesperson for the South African group People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa) told the BBC’s Focus on Africa radio.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—43

FG didn't issue directive on mode of payment for HIV treatment — Prof Innocent Ujah, DG, NIMR •says poor funding, insurgency adversly affecting quality of medical research SINCE the withdrawal of some donor agencies supporting access to Antiretroviral, ARV, drugs in Nigeria, there have been allegations and counter allegations on who pays for the drug and how they are paid. Recently, the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, NEPWHAN, Lagos state chapter, alleged there is a Federal government directive demanding that all payments must be made through the bank. The directive allegedly caused many of the PLWA to either withdraw from accessing drugs due to discrimination from the banks or inability to raise money for the drugs.

Chioma Obinna spoke to the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Prof Innocent Ujah on the issue and other issues bothering on medical research in the country.

Ujah who debunked such notion, said there was no such directive by the Federal government.. He also lamented that lack of funding and insurgency have continued to militate e against quality research thereby affecting better treatment outcomes for terminal diseases such as cancer. Excerpts:

N

O directive on ARVs: There is no Federal government directive for PLWA to start paying. What happened is that we have to be creative, since the donor agencies are withdrawing. We cannot close down the clinic and let tPLWA go away, and we also have project staff in the clinic that are not NIMR staff that we could not dismiss. So, I had to write a memo to the then Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, stating that the funding agencies are withdrawing and we still have cases of HIV. Suggestions were made to reabsorb the staff; otherwise if we allow them to go, it means that the clinic will close down. So eventually we had to reabsorb the staff and keep the clinic going.

Regularity of the attendance Secondly, because we needed support from The U.S President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other agencies, we need to keep the services going. We run generator 24 hours; monitor the regularity of the attendance with our computer system and drug intake, so we decided to have what we call service charge; a minimal charge. I must state very clearly that no person living with HIV (PLWH) is paying for drugs for HIV. It is still free. The challenge now is the follow-up test. We need to do their haematological profile and ensure that CD4, also called T-cells which is a type of white blood cell that protect the body from infection to evaluate the immune system.

We have to monitor this and be-

cause the PEPFAR programme has withdrawn those services, we had to substitute and have to maintain the quality care that they used to have when the programme was in place. That has kept us going and I must say that in the last one year, we have done very well, this call for minimal service charge.

Effects of The Single Account (TSA): The TSA has also created some bottle necks for us. Just like you rightly said that the banks are creating problems for them for payment. We are now redesigning the strategy and discussions are ongoing with the bank to come to NIMR with their staff to collect the minimal service charge from the PLWH or they pay through the Point of Service (POS) to avoid going to the banks. We believe that from this

I must state very clearly that no person living with HIV is paying for drugs for HIV. It is still free. The challenge now is the follow-up tests

charge. You remember when HIV came to Nigeria first in the 90s, one month drug was N50, 000 eventually it was reduced in partnership with Federal government to say that it is free test.

Now, drugs are being supplied free of charge and it's very expensive and these other tests they are not regular. If they have good reason to evaluate you, then you do the test.

Something has to give way, we think that those living with HIV/ AIDS should try and see how they can support themselves and government would improve the finances and training. The programme is capital intensive.

Minimal service charge

Prof. Innocent Ujah, Director General, NIMR. year those things would change.

I am undergoing a study regarding some of the challenges among the PLWHA so as to reorganise the clinical system and the means of payment and to let the Federal government know the challenges. This year, we have a bank that will receive their payment, because we cannot do anything without the TSA in place.

We are discussing with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, on the funding challenges. The funding must be

improved. It is true that many of these people are less-privileged, but that is why the charges are quite affordable. The reason is that if you look at it we have so many diseases, we have HIV, TB and treatment is also free, but what about cancers, nobody pays for that. The patients pay for treatment for cancer, diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis.

We must be grateful to government for taking up the responsibility of ensuring that those who are positive with HIV are being treated to some extent free of

The PLWA pays for evaluation test, not the drugs; drugs are free, but the minimal service charge is for us to keep the service going.

Expectations: This year, 2016, we believe will be in position to disseminate the findings many ongoing research and also do policy brief to the government through Federal Ministry of Health. Once we finish collecting data, we need to analyse the data, we do not want to hurriedly put something in place we want to be sure that whatever we say is what it is. Research is an ongoing process. We intend to build capacity of many of our researchers this year and other support staff. We will recruit in some areas where we do not have sufficient manpower, also complete the e-library this year.

At the moment, we are trying to get approval from National Board for Technical Education Continues on Page 44

Lassa Fever: Before the dust settles (2)

By Dr. Gani Enahoro HE trust in the competence with which the Veterinarians handled the animal component of the disease has currently saved the public an almost equal hype that Lassa has generated. As at January 13, 2016, it was reported that poultry farms in Bayelsa, Plateau, Lagos, Kano and the FCT recorded severe mortalities due to bird flu. With all modesty, the biosecurity and biosafety measures, introduced by the veterinarians kept the disease away from man in all the cases. It should never be forgotten that person-to-person transmission of mutated strains of HPAI virus is a possibility, with a case fatality rate (CFR) up to 60-70%. This is a more deadly situation than the worst of Lassa haemorrhagic fever outbreak known to history. At the peak of bird flu scourge in 2006-2008, what helped most was, that early recognition of animal and human components and

T

the engagement of effective communicators at the Federal Ministry of Information who managed the information desk, and weighed the messages that should be passed to the public through the electronic and print media. Relevant jingles and posters were all over. Why can't we replicate this beauty of multi disciplinary intervention when Lassa fever is concerned?

Multi disciplinary intervention A more concerted effort is required inter-ministerial from the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Environment and Information, if we sincerely wish to deal with this scourge. The Pest Control Services section has always been domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, just like the Department of Veterinary Services, and not anywhere else. There are Veterinary institutions like the National Vet-

erinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom in Plateau State, which can boast of diagnostic facilities of a similar Bio-Safety Levels (BSL 3 or 4) that is available at Irrua, which can confirm Lassa or possibly Ebola Viruses, such that samples from patients in Taraba would not have had to be transported all the way to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State for confirmation. This benefit can only come from effective inter-disciplinary collaboration. The Hon. Minister of Health has announced the formation of a 4-man Committee to deal with the current Lassa outbreak with Prof Michael Asuzu, who is President of Public Health Practitioners in Nigeria as Chairman. This is a perfect fit, as we await the other members' identity and know if the change desired from the old ways has come.

Dr. Gani Enahoro, is the Vice President, African Veterinary Association

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

NACA Takes HIV, Campaign, Care ‘No mode of payment for HIV treatment’ the National Institute of Health of America Continues from page 43 to Tarka LGA, Benue (NBTE) to train in the areas of Bio-medical (NIA), they have billions and they even give grants to developing countries like

By Gabriel Olawale

N

O fewer than 4000 people recently benefitted from counselling, testing and care services provided by the National Agency for the Conrol of HIV AIDS (NACA) in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.

The services which were sited at the two Primary Health Centres, PHCs, of Tarhembe and Aboho communities were part of the four days activities of NACA to mark the 2015 World AIDS Day (WAD).

Services provided during the four days included HIV/AIDS counselling, testing and referral as well as diagnosis and treatment of Malaria, blood pressure checks, random blood glucose check and general medical consultations with provision of drugs to the sick.

Declaring the event open, Vice Chairman, Tarka LGA, Tarka Shachia expressed gratitude to NACA for extending such benevolence to the communities in the Local Government Area.

Shachia urged residence in all the surrounding communities to the PHCs to avail themselves of the privilege to be counselled, tested and treated free of charge by the government agency saying, “it is indeed for our own good”.

Some of the dignitaries who flagged off the event included Assistant Director NACA, Lawrence Kwaghga, Dr Kator Iorpagher, Representing Ministry of Health, Representative, Benue State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS (BENSACA), Mrs Nancy Ali Wine, Counsellor for works, Tarka LGA, Orkyusu Jiibee, as well as notable community leaders like Ahembe Mbasee, Aondowase Soroku, Iortser Adaka, Apere Ibor and Peter Mtsugh.

In his address at the occasion, Dr Kwagha explained why it has become expedient that everyone must know their HIV status, saying it is only with such knowledge that individuals can have the benefit of care and treatment if he or she is positive.

He appealed to the people to ensure they give moral support to anyone that test positive to the disease saying, it is not a death sentence once such an individual is place of a lifelong treatment and keeps to the healthy advice that would be given by health officials.

Goodwill messages of hope and support were also delivered by some of the community leaders who pledged their support towards ensuring an AIDS free community through sensitizing their people on curbing harmful practices that aid the spread of the disease.

engineering and technicians as well as award some Diplomas in specific areas of Bio-technology and Bio-medical training.

FG's financial commitment to health: The cancer research centre has already taken off. As soon as we carry out research, the findings will be made known to the public, just as we will provide brief to the government through the Federal Ministry of Health and this will help to shape the magnitude of the problem, to develop a policy issue regarding a specific modalities of treatment and train more people. The truth of the matter is that apart from equipment, we need training and it should be regular as it is practiced in Europe and America.

The problem Nigeria has is funding and research is not being taken seriously. Funding for health is about five or six per cent and that really cannot do anything considering the country's population. Look at

One of the counselling points at the Tarhembe PHC, Benue State.

Nigeria. The Centre for Disease and Control (CDC) form that we are using is from NIA and Medical Research Council (MRC) in the United Kingdom and they vote a lot of money for research. We believe that the government of Nigeria should vote substantial amount of money to health sector. And as for the outcome, health is capital intensive, health research is even more capital intensive, the equipment is not cheap.

NIMR's mandate under leadership: Yes, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has a mandate and it is to carry out research for National development. In my opinion, we have done our best by bringing the public to know about what to prevent and how to prevent some of these diseases.

NIMR is concerned about common causes of death in childhood. We are losing many children early in life and we have done a study on this issue nationwide, and currently writing on the causes. This is because we need to discover what the likely causes are and then advice our partners and government appropriately on how to prevent the incidence of childhood deaths.

The Institute is also involved in nationwide cancer research concerning Human Papillomavirus and its national prevalence.

The centre is equipped with a specialize machine, Cobalt 4800 for the characterization of the subtypes of Human Papilomavirus. Another area of study is drug resistance to malaria and mosquito resistant insecticide treated nets. We want to track Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) that have been in use and study and confirm the magnitude of resistance and discover what to do to prevent this.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

M

ORNING sir. My uncle wants to buy more of that Libigrow enhancer. I thought maybe he wanted to try the Boss Rhino Gold which you said is the best but he says he likes the Libigrow he bought. Do you want to speak with him to convince him? Abidodun Hello Abiodun. That won’t be necessary. If he got good results from the Libigrow and likes it, he should continue with it. Libigrow is good too and gives strong erections in addition to stopping premature ejaculation – Uche I have mouth odour. Please what is the cure? And also white tissues come out of my private part. Thanks – Samantha Samantha do you brush your teeth and tongue properly at least twice a day with good quality toothpaste? If you do and you still have this problem then it is either you have plaque (which builds up at the base of the teeth over time) or you have a condition known as Halitosis.

In both cases, you need to see a dentist to schedule the appropriate procedure and medication for your condition.

My husband likes anal sex and I do it because of him but it is uncomfortable – Kachi Have you ever tried using a numbing gel? If not, get the LS Numbing Anal Gel. It was built to get rid of such discomfort and it is quite effective – Uche I have been using VigRx that I bought from you but I just learned about VigRx Plus. Do you recommend it?

The one I am using is working well though and in the past six weeks, my penis has gotten bigger – Kola Kola VigRx Plus is a new formula and yes it is supposed to be better. So if you want to switch to the new formula, that is okay. Thanks for the feedback – Uche I just saw your sex products on the newspaper. I just want to know if there is any product that will make me enjoy sex more, reach orgasm and I don’t know if you have breast enhancement products – Mrs Ogie Yes we have different products that can aid female sexual enjoyment. The Sex Accelerator Gel and a solid vibrator

like the Ovo K2 Rabbit Vibrator will help you reach orgasm and enjoy sex. If you are also experiencing lack of sexual desire, then Total Diva or G Female Oral Tablets will help you with that. And for breast enhancement, we have the Max Enhance Natural Breast Cream – Uche I am 58 years old and my erection is no longer as strong as it used to be. Some days it is hard enough for intercourse and at other days it is just flappy. How do I know which supplement is best for me? Jide Jide there are several supplements that can help you.

From what you have described, a basic erection enhancer is what you need. So basic erection enhancers like Sex Voltz, Max Stamina or Man Up Now can all help you – Uche Hello Uche. I don’t think I will need the stronger supplement I had requested earlier. By the second day of taking Man Up Now capsules, my performance came back and was much better than before. So I think I am okay for now. I will stick with Man Up Now and see how it goes. Thanks – Jim That’s okay. We have a variety of supplements from the mild ones to the very strong ones. It all depends on a person’s body but they are all good products – Uche I received the Boss Rhino Gold. First night was a blast.

I had sex three times and by the third time, I lasted forty minutes before ejaculating. My wife can’t stop screaming about that night and I still cannot believe it myself. It was as if I was outside my own body watching myself perform. Thanks a lot – Samuel You are welcome – Uche That is all for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can now call us now on 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com to place their orders. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016—45

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

Continues from last week

I

T has been alleged that the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu had given his nod to the construction of the illegal structures within the Central Business District, CBD. Indication emerged last weekend that the State government could displace traders under the Apongbon Bridge, following the persistent gridlock often experienced by motorists in the axis.

When Vanguard visited the CBD last Saturday, officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences and CBD personnels were sighted fencing the space under the Apongbon Bridge.

The bridge, over the years has been converted to a mini-mart for over 100 traders, selling wines and food items.

In a bid to achieve the set goal for the districts the former Governor, Babatunde Fashola now Minister for Power, Works and Housing established the Lagos Central Business Districts Management Office to address the challenges of the maintenance of infrastructure and create a conducive Business Environment for the citizenry.

Since the creation of the agency, it had often worked daily to ensure that traders adhere to the setbacks to increase free-flow of traffic; impounding vehicles and goods.

Free-flow of traffic A Special Adviser on CBD to the former governor, Mrs. Derin Disu, during one of her ministerial press briefings said that the state government generated N5.3 million from fines, levies, auctioning of unclaimed goods seized from traders displaying their goods in restricted areas within the CBD. The special adviser explained the funds translate to 81 percent of the revenue target for the agency. However, the intention of the state government to establish CBD wasn’t to generate profit but to deliver service to the citizens of the state.

Akiolu vows to restore sanity: Reacting to the allegations, Akiolu however warned anyone using his name in the indiscriminate construction of klee klamps on the highways and market places within the Lagos CBD, Ebute Ero, Apongbon loop and other strategic places in the State to desist from such dastardly acts or be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He lamented that he had observed for sometime this unwholesome development and wishes to put an end to it by C M Y K

RESTORING CBDs’ LOST GLORY:

Lagos govt, Akiolu battle banks, traders

•A Central Business District in Lagos State alerting the general public.

The Oba in a statement affirmed that such conduct would undoubtedly obstruct free flow of traffic and aid crime and criminality in those areas.

The statement added that Oba Akiolu also intends to send

out his White Cap Chiefs and others to ensure that sanity is restored on Lagos roads.

According to him, “Henceforth, anyone caught using my name to commit this criminal act will face the full wrath of the law.”

He has however alerted the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State; Director of State Security Service as well as the Executive Secretaries of Lagos Island Local Government and Lagos Island Local Council Development Authority; Area Commander,

Area A Lion Building and all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) covering Lagos Island “to ensure that people involved in the act are brought to book and assist government in ensuring free flow of traffic in the areas.”

LASG promises world-class CBDs In a bid to restore the uniqueness of the District, the Special Adviser to Governor on CBD, Mr. Agboola Dabiri, recently said that the office had mapped out strategies to ensure that the CBD compete favorably with others.

Dabiri lamented that activities of the traders and the motorist were the cause of the gridlock often experienced in Lagos Island CBD. His words: “We notice that a lot of traders carryout their business on the walkway. This is against the law. The movement that shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes; commuters now spend three hours within CBD. “Lagos Island CBD is the toughest for us and that was why we have decided to commence our operation from here,” noting that the government would extend operations fully to other CBDs this year.

Concluded

‘ONE MILLION BOYS’ ROBBERY GANG:

A threat to Lagos Megacity

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

T

HE assertion by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr. Fatai Owoseni last Friday that the robbery gang known as ‘One million boys’ has been subdued was yet to calm the residents who believe the gang could still undertake their nefarious activities.

Owoseni had last Friday said that they have dealt with the ‘one million boys’ robbery gang and that the case was overexaggerated.

But, Vanguard investigation revealed that the residents were yet to accept the claim by the commissioner of Police.

The fear of the residents, Vanguard gathered was due to how the gang had often regrouped whenever the Nigerian Police dealt with them, arresting and prosecuting members of the gang.

Sources said that the group which started its nefarious acts in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government axis of the state was faced down by the previous Commissioner of Police, Umar Mankko few months after the group commenced operations.

While some were arrested, sources said others escaped through the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

But months after, the gang, it

was learned regrouped again.

The escapees had lured other like minds to boost their number and to ensure they have a formidable squad that would attack any community at ease.

At the initial stage, residents of Lagos never considered them as threat to their life and property.

But gradually, the robbery gang garnered momentum and unleashed terror on residents at night, dispossessing them of their property.

They commenced their activities in Ojo Local Government. Some of the communities they visited were Okokomaiko, Sabo-Ajangbadi and others. During their attack in Okokomaiko, a residents who identified himself as Alhaji Owolabi narrated that the gang

stormed t h e community w i t h machete, axe and whatever they could use to inflict injury on •Owoseni: Lagos CP anyone.

H e added that the group came with the communities into panic as a truck and carted away their night life that was once a property without any hindrance. tradition in the communities Owolabi lamented that like an ceased to exist. artisan who goes back to site to They further extended their commence work where he had attacks to Oko-Afo, Marogbo, stopped, the group after the first Ibiye and other communities in attack commenced operations Badagry axis of the state. But where they had stopped; urging they were not lucky in these the residents not to contact the voyages.

Police alleging that the Police Recently, detectives from Area would not respond.

K Police Command nabbed about

Robbery operations

Gradually, the robbery gang garnered momentum and unleashed terror on residents at night, dispossessing them of their property

He explained that after the second robbery, residents formed vigilante groups to ward off their attacks, noting “immediately they discovered this, they never attacked again. And since then we have been living in peace.”

After their inability to continue Ojo robbery operations, they wrote to residents of Igbo-Elerin and Iba Town informing them of their planned attack.

Vanguard learned this threw

11 suspected members of the gang. Sources said that the suspects who claimed to be students were apprehended during one of their operations in the axis.

Owoseni dismissed the activities of the gang, saying it is being exaggerated by members of the public. He stated that presently a team of detectives from the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS are stationed permanently at Morogbo area of Badagry to check the complaints.

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER....

Madrid have buy-back option for Ozil R

EAL Madrid reported ly have the chance to buy back Mesut Ozil from Arsenal should the Premier League club opt to sell him in the future. The German World Cup winner joined the Gunners from the Spanish giants in 2013 for a fee in the region of £42m.

A transfer document has been published by the Football Leaks website stating that Arsenal and Madrid negotiated a buyback clause at the time of the deal.

The clause reportedly states that Madrid have first option on Ozil for 48 hours in the event that Arsenal agree a fee with another Spanish club. Should a sale be agreed with a club outside of Spain, then the buy-back option does not come into effect.

•Ozil

M

ANCHESTER United could soon be without a manager as Louis van Gaal has reportedly lost the backing of the dressing room.

The Dutchman’s future has been a major talking point this season as the team have struggled for consistency. The Red Devils, who recently went nine games without picking up a win, were booed off the pitch following Saturday’s 10 defeat to Southampton at Old Trafford.

According to the Daily Mail, the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has approached the senior players about Van Gaal’s methods and it has been confirmed to him that the team have lost faith in the former Netherlands boss. The report has claimed that the club will turn to assistant manager Ryan Giggs to

Van Gaal on brink of losing job take interim charge of the team until the end of the season should they opt to part company with Van Gaal.

However, it is believed that the Welshman wants a permanent role and substantial funds to spend in order to shape his own team. Van Gaal’s contract does not expire until the end of the 2016-17 season.

Gervinho set for China

R

OMA winger Gervin ho missed training yesterday, as he’s set to seal a •15m move to Hebei China Fortune.

It was confirmed that the

Ramires to join Jiangsu for £25m

C

•Ramires

HELSEA midfielder Ramires is reportedly closing in on a £25m move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.

The 28-year-old has spent more than five years playing at Stamford Bridge following his £18m switch

from Benfica in 2010. The Brazilian signed a new four-year contract in October, but reports have claimed that the Premier League club are willing to sell him. According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are expected to make a profit

on Ramires as they edge closer to sealing a deal with the Chinese outfit. Should the transfer go through, Ramires will be playing under former Chelsea midfielder Dan Petrescu, who became Jiangsu boss in July last year.

•Raonic

LAYERS involved in a mixed doubles match at the Australian Open said Monday they were interviewed by the Tennis Integrity Unit after a newspaper reported it had attracted suspicious betting patterns.

According to the New York Times report, the gambling website Pinnacle Sports said it had received an unusual spike in bets for Lukasz Kubot and Andrea C M Y K

Hlavackova to beat David Marrero and Lara Arruabarrena, causing it to suspend betting before the teams played on Sunday.

All players identified in the newspaper report rejected any possibility of fixing in the match, which was won by Kubot and Hlavackova 6-0, 6-3. Kubot said Monday that the TIU had asked him and Hlavackova questions about the match, without offering any more details.

B

Konta celebrates q/final spot with nap

RITISH number one Andy Murray breezed into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after defeating Bernard Tomic in straight sets.

The home favourite was unable to trouble Murray who once again looked in good form as he tries to win the third Grand Slam of his career. Murray cruised into a 2-0 lead but Tomic

B

Keys falls to Zhang

of start few might have predicted considering the big-hitting Canuck’s injury-plagued 2015 season.

RITAIN’S Johanna Konta has revealed she plans to celebrate her momentous Australian Open victory with a wellearned nap.

Konta became the first British woman to reach the last eight of a Grand Slamsince 1984 when she beat No.21 seed Ekaterina

Players grilled over match-fixing

P

•Gervinho

Ivorian had asked for a transfer, with a move to China on the cards.

It was first thought that Jiangsu Suning were in pole position for his signature, but Sky has reported that Hebei China Fortune will take the former Arsenal man.

The news outlet reports that the Giallorossi will receive •15m for Gervinho, having signed him for •8m in 2013.

The club’s official television channel has confirmed that Gervinho did not train , as he’s engaged in transfer talks, while Gianluca Di Marzio’s site expects the transfer to be completed yesterday.

Murray too strong for Tomic

Wawrinka falls to Raonic S most of Canada brought the Canadian’s A slept, Canadian Milos record to 8-0 this Australian Raonic played arguably summer season, the kind the best tennis of his career on his way to dispatching a former Australian Open champion.

Raonic, seeded 13th, showed deft touch with a perfect volley to seal the epic five-set thriller for the ages against fourthseeded Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, winning 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals where he’ll face acrobatic Frenchman Gael Monfils.

It was Raonic’s first win against a top-five player at a Grand Slam — Wawrinka is the current world No. 4 — and it

•Van Gaal

•Konta

•Murray

Makarova on Monday and, speaking in her postmatch press conference, the 24-year-old admitted she would be marking the occasion with a night in.

“I’m totally going to go out tonight,” Konta said with a smile when asked if she would be treating herself after the win. “No, I’m going straight back to bed, that’s where I’m going. I’m really looking forward to it.

did show some fight in the third to make sure Murray had to win via a tie-break.

The Scot eventually picked up a 6-4 6-4 7-6 (74) victory to set up a lasteight encounter with David Ferrer. Murray admitted after the match that it was tough but he insists that Tomic’s mistakes made it easier during the heat in Melbourne.

A

year after her finest Grand Slam to date, Madison Keys left this year’s Australian Open in tears.

Playing on an injured left leg, Keys fell to Zhang Shuai 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round in Melbourne.

In the second set, Keys began hobbling noticeably and called for treatment.

She was unable to engage in long rallies and grimaced between points.

With speculation she might retire, No. 15 Keys returned to the court, but the pain only seemed to increase. Already down a break, Keys doubledfaulted two times in a row, handing her Chinese opponent the set.

•Zhang Keys limped to her changeover chair, understandably frustrated, but this time did not call a trainer.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 — 47

Eagles battle Guinea for quarter final ticket T

HE Super Eagles are battle ready to pick all three points off Guinea’s Syli Nationale today in order to make sure of top spot in Group C and guarantee qualification for the quarter finals of the 4th African Nations Championship.

On Sunday, the Eagles arrived in beautiful border district of Rubavu, venue of their clash with the Syli Nationale, after a three –hour road trip from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. They are lodged at the Gorilla Hotel, close to the Kivu Beach.

The team had its first training session in Rubavu on Sunday, and on Monday, the team had a feel of today ’s match venue, The Rubavu Stadium.

According to the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, all 23 players who made the trip are in excellent physical and mental shape ahead of the crucial West African derby with the tricky Guineans.

Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that the team will put out another high level display when they file out today.

GETTING SET: Super Eagles train ahead of today's cracker against Guinea Victory by any margin on Tuesday will guarantee the Eagles top spot in Group C, and a quarter –final date with the second placed team in Group D. A draw would be enough for qualification, as Nigeria has a two–point margin on second–placed Guinea and Tunisia, but should Tunisia achieve a high–score win over Niger Republic, top spot may not be guaranteed.

Guinea have drawn each

T

HE Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung has charged the Super Eagles to put up optimum performance when they take on Syli Nationale of Guinea in their third Group C game of the 4th African Nations Championship today in Rubavu, Rwanda.

Giving the the charge yesterday in a statement, Barrister Dalung praised the Super Eagles for their performance in their 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their second group game on Friday.

“You have displayed a very high sense of discipline, skills and determination in your last two games even in the face of some challenges but I know that you will put that aside when you

UINEA captain, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura has said that the

out to chance claiming the three points to go through to the quarter-finals. At least a point against Guinea will cement a quarter-finals spot for us but we will not settle for draw rather go for outright victory.

“Victory will give us a firm hold at the top and serve as signal of our intention to claim the top prize at the end of the day,” said the Warri Wolves ace to supersport.com.

Nigeria need at least draw to go through to the quarterfinals while Guinea need outright win to qualify for the last eight.

Eagles lead the group on four points followed by opponents, Guinea on two points same as Tunisia while Niger are at the base on one point.

Super Eagles are in a class of their own at the CAF African Nations Championship, but they are beatable in their last group C game.

“Yes,Nigeriaisagoodteam and we know how good their league is with good players coming out to represent them in every competition,” Bangoura told reporters.

A

BIA State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu is expecting another hat-trick from Super Eagles striker, Chisom Chikatara, in the team’s last group match against Guinea in the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), holding in Rwanda.

The governor expressed this wish in a

goodwill message to the player.

Chikatara is currently topping the goals chart with four. He recorded the first hat-trick of the tournament in Eagles first group match against Niger. He scored the team’ only goal against Tunisia in it’s second group match.

Today against Guinea,

“Wehavewatchedthemplay againstNigerandTunisia,and everybody knows Super Eagles are a good side and that is why they’re on top of the group.

“Nigeria will be difficult for us to beat but we will do our bestonTuesday(today)tobeat them. We must not make any mistakeagainstthem.”

Okoro Continues from BP Nationale at Umuganda Stadium, Gisenyi with the victor progressing to the last eight of the tournament.

Osas says the Super Eagles must take their destiny into their own hands by going for an outright win against the Syli.

“We will give our best against Guinea to make sure we come out victorious at the end of the game,” Okoro told reporters in Kigali.v Okoro has been

face Guinea tomorrow (today).

Nigerians are praying for your victory and it is my wish that you continue with your display of high performance as you go into your match.

We will continue to support you and ensure that you get all that is necessary for your wellbeing while in Rwanda” Dalung said.

•Dalung

Gov Ikpeazu expects another hat-trick from Chikatara the governor is asking

Eagles are top class, says Guinea captain G

Ibenegbu Continues from BP Eagles will confront the West Africans in today’s last group game at the 5000 seats Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu.Ibenegbu said his side will certainly brush aside the Guineans opposition for the desired quarterfinals ticket.

“No team is pushover here at the ongoing African Nations Championship in Rwanda even Niger we beat 4-1 were too tough not to talk of the Tunisians.”So we are not expecting any cheap match in the championship not against Guinea on Tuesday (today) in Rubavu.

“Guinea are difficult side and will come all

of their two matches 2-2, against Tunisia and Niger Republic, coming from behind each time. They pose a big threat because of the skill and guile of their strikers.

Nigeria forward Chisom Chikatara, on four goals, will pose the biggest threat to the Guineans at the Rubavu Stadium. His excellent positioning can get him the goals to be top scorer of this championship.

Make Nigeria proud, Dalung charges Eagles

impressive at the tournament; netting in Nigeria’s opening 4-1 win over Niger and playing a starring role in the side’s second game a 1-1 draw with Tunisia which saw him being named man of the match.

The 25-year-old Enugu Rangers man says determination has been key to his consistent performances at the CHAN. “My level of determination and seriousness plus the

Bangoura motivation given to us by the coach (Sunday Oliseh) before matches have been important. “I felt so excited when I was named man-of-thematch for the game against Tunisia.

“I was not disappointed that we did not win the game against Tunisia because the game was not an easy one.

“Getting a point against a side as strong as Tunisia is a good result,” he said.

the player to do more for the team an country.

According to the governor, Chikatara has not only done the nation proud but also the people of Abia, who are looking forward to another superlative performance from him today.

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon:

Athletes begin collection of bib numbers

A

THLETES that have registered their ambition to be part of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will from Tuesday, January 26, 2016 start collecting their bib numbers for the February 6 race the Organizing Committee have announced.

Yussuf Alli, General Manager for the Lagos race stated that athletes who have duly completed their registration forms will start getting their bib numbers form 12 noon at the Lagos City Marathon Expo Center, Omolade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

Alli advised participants to come with proof of identification when coming to collect their running numbers.

“They must have proof of their identity in order to do this.” Alli stated.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Guinea’ll be tough, Ibenegbu affirms

S

UPER Eagles a t t a c k i n g midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has said his side are expecting tough challenge from their

Guinean opponents, Syli Nationale at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Continues on Page 47

CHAN: Eagles battle Guinea for q/final

47 e g a P —

Kick-off : 3pm

Guinea must fall — Okoro S

UPER Eagles midfielder, Osas Okoro insists victory against Guinea in today’s third preliminary game against Guinea at the ongoing 2016 African

Nations Championship (Chan) is nonnegotiable.

The Sunday Olisehtutored side will go toe to toe with the Syli Continues on Page 47

Eagles are top class, says Guinea captain — Page 47 RESULTS CHAN Ethiopia Cameroon

1 3

Angola DR Congo

2 1

Today’s Matches Guinea Niger

•Chikatara

v v

Nigeria Tunisia

3pm 3pm

•Okoro

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Beg (6) 5 Obtain (6) 8 Record (8) 9 Responsibility (4) 10 Serpent (3) 12 Shelf (5) 15 Fixed (3) 17 Wonder (3) 18 Tear (3) 19 Loiter (3) 20 House (5) 21 Stretch (3) 22 Imitate (3) 24 Gain (3) 26 Verse (5) 29 Bird (3) 33 Intend (4) 34 Originate (8) 35 Customer (6) 36 Tolerate (6)

DOWN 2 Squeeze (5) 3 Revise (4) 4 Supple (5) 5 Shoot (5) 6 Curdle (4) 7 Course (5) 10 Permit (5) 11 Heathen (5) 12 Bar (5) 13 Postpone (5) 14 Delete (5) 15 Passed (5) 16 Handle (5) 25 Perfect (5) 27 Lift (5) 28 Corn (5) 30 Bury (5) 31 Formerly (4) 32 Soft (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Chic 4, Tot 6, Inch 8, Patron 9, Recent 10, Den 12, Debut 14, Greed 15, Petal 18, Guitar 20, Easily 24, Yearn 26, Vital 28, Tempt 30, Aft 32, Follow 33, Hermit 34, Emit 35, Yen 36, Deem.

DOWN: 2, Heave 3, Corrupt 4, Tend 5, Turn 6, Incur 7, Conceal 11, Era 12, Dog 13, Tea 16, Try 17, Lea 19, Uniform 21, Art 22, Sneered 23, Yet 25, Elf 27, Allot 29, Price 30, Awry 31, Thin.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K