MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR OIL DEALS: EFCC arrests Diezani's cousin, Amamgbo

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62702

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

PADDED 2016 BUDGET: ALLEGED N1TRN FRAUD:

Reps invite Emefiele, Senate moves to arrest Udo-Udoma, Lamorde, ex-EFCC boss Adeosun, others 4 5

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR OIL DEALS:

EFCC arrests Diezani's cousin, Amamgbo See story on Page 11

•Seizes property, documents in Abuja office

300 die as herdsmen, farmers clash in Benue 11 Jonathan's former ADC held on Army's directive — EFCC 16

Mr & Mrs President Muhammadu Buhari (C), with, on the right, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi; Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and others performing Umrah (Lesser Hajj), in Mecca, yesterday.

Speculative trading reverses Naira's 3-day gains •P.9

See inside C M Y K

COLUMNISTS:

ROYAL RUMBLE: Unranked Ondo monarchs battle Council of Obas, Mimiko

EU-UK dilemma, Long-overdue but Africa's retribution worse off •P.19 •P.17

Scores killed in Adamawa police station bomb blast 35

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—3

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4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Padded 2016 budget: Reps invite Adeosun, Udoma, Emefiele, others

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — THE House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, yesterday, revealed plans to hold budget session with Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance and Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and Planning, on the 2016 budget proposal to explain the many errors associated with it.

Also invited by the committee are Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, and DirectorGeneral of Budget Office of the Federation.

The meeting is primarily designed to address grey areas relating to alleged infractions and padding observed by various standing committees during interface with the ministers and heads of departments and agencies.

While giving update on the presentation of the 2016 budget so far, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, confirmed that the budget proposals of the MDAs being presented by all the standing committees had been harmonised with their Senate counterparts.

He said: “Since by tomorrow (today), we will finish taking the reports, we have agreed that we will invite the Minister of Budget and Planning, Minister of Finance, Accountant-General of the Federation, Director of Budget Office and Central Bank Governor and engage them extensively on the entire budget.

“We also have pending issues on the 2015 budget, so they have

to come with 2015 budget performance and then we will go into special session.”

The chairman also directed the clerk of the committee to liaise with the office of the Clerk of the House to access the members’ data base for easy dispatch of the message to all the 360 members and various

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AGOS — THE gloomy atmosphere being experienced globally in the oil and gas sector may not last long as the Managing Director of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Austin Avuru, has said oil price was expected to rise to about $70 after 2017.

Avuru’s assertion is a confirmation of BP Plc position which stated that it anticipated oil prices will reach more than $60 a barrel in 2017, an outlook other energy analysts say they shared.

Avuru stated this at the 13th Aret Adams annual lecture series in Lagos, in honour of the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Godwin Aret Adams.

Avuru said: “We believe that by end 2017, the market will determine the equilibrium price which will be in the

budget within 24 hours or risk zero budget for 2016.

Only 15 committees of the 97 standing committees inaugurated by the Speaker, have so far submitted and defended their budgets before the Jibrin-led Appropriations Committee.

LECTURE: From left, Chairman, Alpine Investment Limited/Chairman of ocassion, Mallam Mohammed Hayatu-deen; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chevron Nigeria Limited/Guest Speaker, Mr Clay Neff Jr.; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Aret Adams Foundation, Mr Egbert Imomoh, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc/Guest Speaker, Engr Austin Avuru, during the 13th Aret Adams Annual Lecture Series, in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

$2.1bn arms probe: Metuh knows fate March 9 As court throws out N100m suit against EFCC

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

BUJA — JUSTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has slated March 9 to determine whether

Oil price to rise to $70 per barrel in 2018 —Seplat MD

By Sebastine Obasi

committees on the February 25 deadline for final submission and consideration of MDAs’ budget.

In a communication from the Appropriations Committee read at the opening of yesterday’s plenary, the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, directed chairmen of all the standing committees to submit and defend their MDAs’

neighbourhood of $60 to $70 per barrel.”

He explained that currently, most oil companies, especially the independents, were cash negative because banks were reluctant to lend money to them.

This, he said, had led to redundance in the sector further, resulting in the 57 per cent of land rigs being rendered unoperational.

According to Avuru, Seplat had seven operating rigs in 2013, none of which is working now due to the lull in the sector.

“Service companies are the worst hit. If there is no production, the rigs will be redundant,” he said.

Also speaking, Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Clay Neff, saidNigeria had lost about $21 billion investment due to the dwindling oil prices and lack of investor confidence in the country in the last two years.

or not the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, has a criminal case to answer over alleged role he played in the alleged illegal diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms.

Justice Okon fixed the date after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Metuh, who is answering to a seven-count money laundering charge, adopted their briefs of arguments on the no-casesubmission filed by the defendant.

While adjourning the matter, yesterday, Justice Okon said he would on the next date either deliver ruling or judgement on the case.

He said: “If the no-casesubmission succeeds, this court will deliver judgement by striking out the charge and discharging the defendant.

"However, in the event that the application fails, this court will deliver ruling by directing the defendant to immediately proceed with his defence. This case is, therefore, adjourned to March 9 for either ruling or judgement as the case may be.”

Court throws out N100m suit against EFCC

In a related development, Justice Abang also, yesterday,

struck out a N100 million suit that Metuh lodged against the EFCC over alleged “gross violation of his fundamental rights,” while he was in detention.

Metuh had in his fundamental right enforcement suit marked FJC/ABJ/CS/20/ 2016, prayed the court to aside awarding him damages, also compel the anti-graft agency to publicly tender an apology to him.

Aside the EFCC, other respondents in the suit were the Attorney General of the Federation; the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC; Inspector General of Police; Department of State Services and the Nigerian Immigration Services.

Justice Abang struck out the matter following the absence of either Metuh or his lawyers in court at the time the case was called up for hearing.

More so, the court ordered Metuh to pay a cost of N20,000 each to the AGF, EFCC, IGP and the Nigerian Immigration Services.

Similarly, Metuh, will today, take fresh plea before an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama over his alleged “unruly” conduct while undergoing interrogation.

Sheriff: Why we recanted —PDP BoT

By Ben Agande

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BUJA — THE Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, explained that it backed down on its opposition to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff ’s emergence as national chairman of the party to ensure the unity, cohesion and future successes of the party.

In a communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the board in Abuja, the BOT, however, insisted that Senator Sheriff and all members of the National Working Committee of the party must vacate their positions to give way to a new leadership within three months.

A day after members of the BoT insisted that Senator Sheriff was not fit to be the chairman party, it made a dramatic volte face after meeting with PDP governors.

But in a conmunique issued to explain its change in position, the board said as the conscience of the party, it had the moral capacity to reinvent the party due to its unity of purpose and internal cohesion.

It said: “In this connection, in spite of the initial position taken by the BoT, its desire to ensure the unity, cohesion and future successes of the party necessitated a review of its earlier position.

"Consequently, it resolved to adopt the decisions taken at the stakeholders meeting.

It, however, urged the full implementation of all the decisions/programmes agreed upon at the stakeholder meeting of Tuesday, February 23, 2016.”

The communique, which was signed by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, further emphasised: “Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and all current members of the National Working Committee must vacate their positions to give way to new leadership within the three months time frame.”

While reaffirming its confidence in its acting Chairman, Senator Wales Jibrin, BOT members reiterated their commitment to continue to work with other stakeholders in the party to revive it and called on the supporters to remain steadfast in their support for the party.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 , 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

HABITAT— Commissioner For Political Affairs, African Union

Commission, Dr. Aisha; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Mr. Mohammed Bello; Minister of Land, Urban and Habitat, Chad, Mr Mbogo Ngabo Sali; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (HABITAT III), Dr. Joan Clos, during Habitat III Africa Regional meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

Senate moves to arrest Lamorde, ex-EFCC boss

By Leke Adeseri, Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE Senate has begun the process of issuing a warrant of arrest on the immediate past chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, over his failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

This came on a day men of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, visited Ekiti State in continuation of the

agency’s investigation of alleged misappropriation of over N25 billion by former governor of the state and now Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Presenting the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, its Chairman, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, told the Senate, yesterday, that the recommendation of the committee to issue a warrant of arrest became imperative, following Lamorde’s refusal to appear and respond to allegations brought through a petition by Dr. George Uboh, Chief Executive Officer of Panic Alert Security Systems,

IT'S UP TO YOU

A

BY AYO ADIO

CHIEVING great goals requires a level of competence, such competence can only be developed by attaining a level of commitment.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness can exist only in acceptance— George Orwell

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HEN life takes you in a different direction from your expectations, it is okay to accept the change. Acceptance of an unpleasant state doesn’t mean you don’t have goals for the future. It just means you accept that certain things are beyond your control. The sadness, stress, or pain is there whether you like it or not. Better to embrace the feeling as it is. Nor does acceptance mean you have to like what’s happening. Acceptance doesn’t tell you what to do. What happens next, what you choose to do; that has to come out of your understanding.

The power to choose your next action is entirely up to you.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE It is with tact that you kill a tse-tse fly that has perched on the scrotum.

PASS, a.

NonGovernmental Organisation, after three letters to him by Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Freedom Osolo.

Senator Anyanwu said the former EFCC boss must be compelled to appear before the committee to render account of his tenure, if the Senate must avoid irreparable damage to its reputation and capacity to summon.

It would be recalled that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, referred the petition to the committee after Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP, Delta North, who relied on Order 41 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended and drew the attention of the upper chamber to a petition by Dr. George Uboh against Lamorde for alleged financial crimes and corruption to the tune of N1 trillion.

Earlier in the presentation of the ninepage report, Senator Anyanwu said: “The Senate will recall that on Tuesday, October 6, 2016, rising on Order 41, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta North), drew attention of the Senate to a petition from Dr. George Uboh against the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for alleged financial crimes and urged the Senate to look into the matter.

“In line with Order 41(3), the Senate referred the matter to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, for detailed investigation.

“After going through the facts available, the

committee observed as follows: That having waited in vain for the appearance of Mr Ibrahim Lamorde since November 24, 2015, and not seeing or hearing from him, it was forced to conclude that Mr Lamorde wants to evade investigation by the committee.

“Consequently, the committee reasoned that the only way to get the former EFCC chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, to appear before it was to invoke the powers of the Senate in Section 89(1c&d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and compel his attendance.

“The committee is convinced that unless this line of action was taken, the National Assembly might be drawn into consequential disrepute in the future.”

In the recommendations of the Committee, Senator Anyanwu said “based on the above findings, the committee wishes to recommend that to save the National Assembly, as the highest law-making body of the nation, from irreparable damage to its reputation and capacity to summon, the former EFCC chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, be compelled to appear before the committee to answer for activities of his tenure.

“That to effect recommendation one above, a warrant of arrest be issued by the Senate for his arrest.”

In his contribution through a point of Order, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who noted that the warrant of arrest as recommended was in order and that the Committee had the powers to issue same, cited Section 88(1) and 89(1) of 1999 constitution as amended to buttress his position.

Warrant of arrest for Larmode

He said the committee should issue the warrant of arrest and that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, would then mandate the Inspector-General of Police to effect it on Lamorde.

Senate President, Saraki, said he was in agreement with the position of Senator Ekweremadu.

He said: “The issue has been well spelt out by the Deputy Senate President, which he has clearly referred to in the constitution. Based on the constitution, this matter does not need to come to us at plenary.

"It should be left at the level of the committee and in accordance with Section 89 of the Constitution. So

I will sustain the point of order of the Deputy Senate President. Prior to the position of the committee, three letters were written inviting Lamorde which he ignored."

ICPC storms Ekiti for Fayemi, others

Meanwhile, men of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, reportedly visited Ekiti State for the better part of last week in continuation of the agency’s investigation of alleged misappropriation of over N25 billion by the former governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The ICPC team of investigators, according to reports, which included two men and a woman, visited some of the projects claimed to have been executed with the N25 billion bond obtained from the capital market by Fayemi’s administration.

The visit was said to be at the prompting of petitions written by the state government and a group, Save Ekiti Coalition, SEC. However, Fayemi's spokesman, Mr Yinka Oyebode, told Vanguard, yesterday, that his principal, who is now the Solid Minerals minister, was not aware of the agency officials’ visit to Ekiti State.

He said: "In any case, the agencies are free to conduct their investigations in respect of petitions sent to them.

But I can tell you that the petitioners are merely rehashing issues they have over-flogged in the past."

Giving credence to ICPC officials’ visit to Ekiti, sources close to the state government told Vanguard that the Federal Government might no longer be comfortable with the public perception that President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption fight was selective.

He also claimed that Governor Ayodele Fayose’s complaints to the ICPC and EFCC about how the immediate past All Progressives

Congress, APC, government of Fayemi fleeced the state were ignored.

Vanguard also gathered that apart from its petition, the state government also forwarded a reminder to the EFCC and ICPC with Reference Number PB/ 894/5, dated September 14, 2015, and signed by Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade.

Alade in the petition, expressed the displeasure of the state government about the manner the antigraft agencies were handling petitions submitted to them.

Some of the contracts mentioned in the petitions include the construction of earthwork for the New Governor ’s Office, awarded to PONTIITALWARE Nig Ltd on March 3, 2012, at the sum of N383, 900,911.06; construction of new governor ’s office, awarded to Interkel Nig Ltd at the sum of N2,027,495,857.45; Civic Centre, awarded to TiajinYuyang Construction Eng. Company Ltd at a sum of N2,573,584,395.75, and rehabilitation of roads, among others.

Also asked to be investigated is the N852, 936,713.92 State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, counterpart fund, which was withdrawn from Access Bank account of SUBEB on October 8, 2014, eight days to the end of Fayemi’s tenure.

The N852,936,713.92 was SUBEB Counterpart Fund paid to enable the Board access fund from the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, and alleged fraudulent withdrawal of the fund from SUBEB account eight days to the end of Fayemi’s government was the reason Ekiti State Government was blacklisted by UBEC. ICPC is said to be interested in the rationale behind the transfer of the N852,936,713.92 into what was called Ekiti State Government Capital Project account and not used to pay SUBEB contractors.

6 —Vanguard, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 , 2015

Aero contractors passengers stranded at Lagos airport

By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

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AGOS—HUNDREDS of passengers of Aero Contractors Airline were yesterday stranded at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Domestic Terminal, MMA2, Lagos, due to the inability of the airline to buy aviation fuel otherwise known as JET A1 for its aircraft to ferry it’s passengers to their various destinations.

Vanguard gathered that the airline could not fly because of it’s indebtedness to suppliers of JET A1 who were not ready to grant it further credit facility .

The situation started very early in the morning up till around 2:00pm when the passengers became restive.

This is coming barely three weeks after AMCON took over the running of Aero Contractors Airline.

Most of the passengers nearly traded punches with the ticketing officers. At a certain point, ticketing clerks fled the counters for fear of being manhandled by the passengers.

Firms should negotiate bank fees downward – NECA

By Victor AhiumaYoung

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AGOS—NIGERIA E m p l o y e r s ’ Consultative Association, NECA, yesterday, advised companies and other account holders to negotiate downward Current Account Maintenance Fee, CAMF, with their banks to avoid losing revenue to the commercial banks.

NECA noted that the maximum rate of N1 was the ceiling by CBN and it was expected that clients would negotiate with their Banks acceptable rates below the ceiling.

The umbrella body of employers expressed concern about the likelihood of some companies losing revenue to commercial banks, through un-negotiated CAMF, in contravention of the directive of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on maintenance fee.

Lagos, FG move to modernise National Museum

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THE Lagos State Government is to collaborate with the Federal Government to redesign and modernize the National Museum at Onikan in Lagos to make it an international tourist attraction and historical hub.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode announced the decision following a request to that effect by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

He said the upgrading of the museum is in line with the overall objective of the State Government to collaborate with the Federal Government in the development of infrastructure and improvement of security to boost tourism in the state.

“I want to also say that just the same way that we have collaborated with the police, we will collaborate with you and ensure that whatever it is that we can do to give a facelift to the infrastructure that the Federal Government has in Lagos, we will do it because it is eventually to the benefit of Lagosians and eventually for the growth of the economy of Lagos. ‘’So we will be looking into the area of the museum at Onikan to see how we can put up a modern day museum of international standard in that place,” he said.

The Governor said the modernization of the museum would be fast-tracked to showcase the history of the nation and artifacts, as part of the activities lined up to mark the 50th anniversary celebration of the creation of Lagos State next year.

He noted the enviable role that culture plays in creating a unique and distinct identity for Nigerians, saying his administration has mainstreamed culture into the economy of the state to enhance

WAKE-KEEP: From left; Oladimeji Johnson; Brig-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, retd (husband) and Oluseyi Johnson during the Christian wake-keep for late Dame Obafunmilayo Oluyemisi Johnson at Darlington Hall, off Town Planning way, Ilupeju Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Akeem Salau. tourism and promote Lagos as a centre of excellence.

The Governor expressed the confidence that the infrastructure put in place, particularly the “Light Up Lagos” project and the security arrangement, would definitely improve investment in tourism, especially the establishment of world-class hotels, entertainment centres and recreation spots.

He disclosed that the Lagos

State Government has floated the Employment Trust Fund, into which N6.25 billion would be paid yearly for four years, to create internationally acclaimed arts and recording studios in order to discourage artistes from recording their works abroad.

Earlier, Mohammed said he was in Lagos to solicit the support of the Governor and State Government to collaborate in

Ex-NIMASA boss transferred N1bn without approval – WITNESS General of the Federation.

23, 2013 and May 28 last year,

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—NIGERIAN Maritime Administration and Safety Agency's, NIMASA’s Assistant Director, Financial Services Department, Mrs Olamide Odusanya, yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that a former DirectorGeneral of the agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, approved the transfer of over N1billion into one of the accounts opened by the agency without the approval of the Accountant-

Mrs Odusanya, who testified before Justice Ibrahim Buba in the trial of Akpobolokemi, said that the accounts were opened for the use of the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS committee, chaired by NIMASA’s former Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Captain Ezekiel Agaba.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting the accused persons over allegation of converting N2.658 bn between December

Highway engineers partner AG-Dangote on concrete road

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HE executive team of the Nigerian Institution of Highway Engineers lauded the Management of AG Dangote for the use of cement to construct 23 kilometer road from Itori to Ibeshe in Ogun State, offering to partner with the company to better enhance its operations.

Commenting on the use of concrete road for the country, the chairman of the institution who led the delegation for the industrial visits, Eng. Isa Usman Emoabino, said: “Definitely, this will not be a new thing for Nigeria. AG Dangote is veering out into another area that is not very common in Nigeria and if they work together with professionals like us, we will make sure that we are able to get the best out of that. That is our main reason for coming here today, we tagged our visit here today to be

jointly moving the state and indeed the country forward in areas of culture and tourism.

He said the Blue Line Rail project being built by the State Government, when completed in December, would not only be the first in Nigeria, but also greatly boost the economy and tourism potentials of the state, as well as the 10-lane LagosBadagry expressway.

industrial visits, and all through the things we have seen, we try to give free consultancy, in order to ensure that whatever we have seen can be made better.”

The Chief Executive of AGDangote, Ashif Juma thanked the professional engineers for coming and importantly for offering to partner with the company. He said the 23kilometer concrete road is a corporate social responsibility effort of the company, to show that concrete roads are better in all ramifications than the asphalt roads.

The Chairman of Dangote Cement, Aliko Dangote, recently reiterated his plea to the Federal Government to consider the use of concrete roads in the country.

He urged the Federal Government to embrace the

option of using concrete for roads in the country. Aside from being very cheap, he said concrete roads are more durable and that its maintenance cost is near zero.

to which they pleaded not guilty.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Mrs Odusanya said, that while the Accountant-General’s permission was obtained before NIMASA’s revenue and operational accounts were, no such permission was sought or obtained for ISPS’ four accounts.

According to her, on June 3, 2013, N60.8 million was credited to the committee’s account with Access Bank and on January 3, 2014, N1.125 billion was transferred to the account based on Akpobolokemi’s approval.

She said N795.2 million was transferred to ISPS’ Zenith Bank account on August 29, 2014 and last May 20, it was credited with N447,000,000, adding that ''The approval to credit the ISPS account was given by the Director-General.”

UI rusticates 97 students over poor performance seven faculties in the institution.

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—NO fewer than 97 students of the University of Ibadan have been withdrawn by the Senate of the institution.

According to the bulletin of the university, the withdrawal of the students, which has been approved by the Senate, failed to obtain the minimum academic requirements at the end of the 2014/15 session.

The affected students were from

Some of the students were in final year.

The bulletin, which was signed by the Registrar, Olujimi Olukoya explained that three of the students voluntarily withdrew from the institution.

It states, “Senate at its meeting approved that the candidates whose names appear on this list should withdraw from the University for failure to obtain the minimum academic requirements at the end of 2014/2015 session.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 — 7

We have 15 criminal cases against Ogun Majority Leader — POLICE They'll hear from my lawyer —LAWMAKER

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State Police Command has said that it is investigating 15 criminal cases allegedly involving the majority leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon Yinka Mafe who represents Sagamu I state constituency.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi told newsmen that the lawmaker might be arrested and prosecuted after the completion of the investigation.

Adejobi was reacting to the call by the state Assembly which ordered the immediate probe of , the Divisional Police Officer of Sagamu Division, John Mark over allegation of extortion of the people in Sagamu by the majority leader.

But reacting to the allegations Adejobi said the majority leader has no moral justification to level such an allegation against the command , saying, he was being investigated for criminal activities.

According to him, the majority leader is being investigated for cases involving sponsorship of cultism and other criminal activities , he will be prosecuted after the investigations .

He said, “The allegation is unknown to the command, because the DPO; CSP Mark is one of the best Divisional Police Officers in this command . He was actually posted to Sagamu to uproot the evil and evil doers in Sagamu. It takes a tough man to control security arrangement in Sagamu.

“He is there doing what he should do and we expect people to make noise especially criminals

and sponsors of criminals concerning what the DPO is doing because he is there doing what he should do.

“If the allegation had come from another person who has clean hands, the matter would have been taken more seriously by the command, bu, we are surprised, this is coming from Hon Mafe who is also one of the suspects we are investigating in many criminal

cases in Sagamu; talking about sponsorship of cultism and many other criminal activities, he doesn’t have the moral justification to raise such an allegation against the Sagamu DPO and he should not personalise issues like this.

“We want to say, without mincing words that the allegations are baseless . We have 15 criminal cases against this person, all I know is that by the time we finish the investigations against him we are going to address the press.

VISIT: From left; Mr Victor Ayeomotoro, Manager, Public Affairs; Mr Leye Oyebade; Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Raji; Group Managing Director, Oodua investment Company Limited and Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu, PPRO during the familiarization visit by the CP to the Management of Oodua Investment Company Limited in Ibadan. Photo by Dare Fasube

2014 EKITI POLL: APC wants IGP to prosecute Fayose, indicted officers Stop living in illusion — GOV

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State and the Ekiti State government were, yesterday, engaged in war of words over the alleged manipulation of the electoral process that gave Governor Ayodele Fayose victory in the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

While the Ekiti State APC appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to prosecute Governor Fayose; a former Ekiti State Mopol Commander, Gabriel Selekere; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Bala Nasarawa, who oversaw the conduct of the election, Ekiti State government, on its part, said the Supreme Court has ended the party’s pipedream on Fayose’s victory.

In a statement by its state chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, the party said its petition followed a leak of a secret audio recording

by Captain Sagir Koli, of the 32nd Artillery Brigade in Ekiti State two days to the election.

Awe, in a petition entitled: “Criminal Complaint Conspiracy, Bribery, Threats and Use of Military to Perpetuate Electoral Fraud Against the People of Ekiti State; and investigation of the

role of the Nigerian Police Force in the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Elections June 21, 2014,” said the party brought the IGP’s attention to the content of the audio tape detailing criminal acts planned by those mentioned or whose voices were captured in the tape.

The party alleged that on February 8, 2015, the audio recording capturing the voices of Fayose, Commander of 32 Artillery Brigade, Bri-Gen Aliyu Momoh; Senator Iyiola Omisore, Police Affairs Minister, Jelili Adesiyan; Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro and others, at a meeting where they

conspired and strategised to rig the June 21 governorship election was released to the public.

Awe, however, said: “the import of this audio recording is the revelations of criminal acts, which were planned and perpetrated by these men.

Besides, he alleged that “The above listed persons conspired to tamper with the constitutionally laid-down procedure for the conduct of election.

The Ekiti APC also called on Arase to investigate the roles of the police in the alleged election fraud unprofessional conduct bordering on alleged dishonesty and violations of the code of ethics of the Nigerian Police Force.

Stop living in illusion— Fayose In his reaction, Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka said yesterday’s Supreme Court judgment on the leadership dispute within the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in which the court said it lacked jurisdiction to review its own judgment should be enough for members of the APC in Ekiti State to stop living in the illusion that the Supreme Court judgment on the June 21, 2014 governorship election can be reviewed.

Ogun monarchs accuse Fulani herdsmen of rape, destruction

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — S I X traditional rulers in IjebuIgbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State yesterday raised the alarm over the alleged destruction of farmlands and the rape of women by Fulani herdsmen in the area.

The Obas lamented that the activities of the herdsmen and their cattle posed serious threat to the security of the people of the area.

Addressing newsmen at its

inaugural meeting at the secretariat of the Ijebu North Local Government Area council in IjebuIgbo, the monarchs said it had become imperative for the government to check the alleged destructive and nefarious activities of the herdsmen in the area before it got completely out of hands.

They appealed to the Ogun State Government to take immediate steps to bar the herdsmen and their cattle from the community to avoid any form of confrontation between them and

the people of Ijebu Igbo.

Three of the six Obas who constitute the council, the Sopen Lukale of Oke-Sopen, Oba Mufutau Yusuf; the Kegbo of Atikori, Oba Ibitoye Solaja and the Bejeroku of Oke Agbo, Oba Olaoye Abas and 21 other chiefs and prominent indigenes of the town, who attended the meeting stressed that the destruction of the town’s farmlands by the herdsmen had imposed untold hardship on the people of the community who are mainly farmers.

Ajimobi to raise IGR from N1.5bn to N5bn

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has said he intends to raise the internally generated revenue of the state from paltry N1.5 billion to N5bn.

During a recent visit of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria to the state, the governor asked for their support in raising the IGR of the state.

Ajimobi said, “More importantly, we need your support in our state in the area of IGR in terms of presenting propositions that will assist us in our internally generated revenue drive.”

According to him, such partnership will assist his government in meeting its financial needs, especially as regards payment of salaries as well as execution of other development projects that will have direct impact on the people.

Also speaking with Vanguard through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, the governor said the full roll out of the IGR was yet to commence.

He was optimistic that when the generation of the IGR begins in earnest in few weeks, the state will overcome some of its teething financial challenges.’’

When Vanguard called the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Waheed Olojede, he said there are disparities in the payment o f workers’ salaries.

Olukere’s lawyer flays Fayose over alleged impunity

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—HUMAN rights lawyer Morakinyo Ogele has accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of harassing and intimidating the legislature and the judiciary in Ekiti State to do his bidding..

Ogele, who expressed worry that the principles of separation of power as enshrined in the Constitution has been put in abeyance in Ekiti, with the other two arms of government existing as mere appendages of the Governor’s office.

Speaking with newsmen in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Ogele alleged that Fayose had goaded members of the House of Assembly to pass a resolution asking the Olukere of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin to stop parading himself as a monarch.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—9

Speculative trades reverse Naira’s 3-day gains Mutallab blames fuel import for naira crises New fuel import strategy may rescue Naira

By Omoh Gabriel, Business Editor, Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor, Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Clara Nwachukwu, Energy Editor

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AGOS — S P E C U L AT I V E demand for foreign currency has reversed the recovery trend in the naira value as the local currency traded at N340/$, yesterday, in major parallel market centres across Lagos.

This came against the moves by government to pull off pressures on the currency market which had resulted in the speculative bout that threw naira into all time low value of N400/ $, last week.

Meanwhile, there are also strong indications that the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to stabilize the Naira may have started yielding the expected results as feelers from two officials of the apex bank, who pleaded not to be named, indicated that the deployment of a number of measures by the apex bank may have turned the tide in the forex market, leading to severe punishment for currency hoarders and speculators.

Up till Wednesday, the naira had continued its appreciation against the dollar in the parallel market, bottoming out at N295, showing about 26 per cent gains within three days.

Vanguard investigations indicated that speculative demands had re-surfaced, following the huge appreciation in the parallel market which had lasted for three days as demand dropped.

Parallel market dealers told Vanguard that immediately the currency rate trended below N300, suppliers pulled back while demand surged.

Asked why the diametrical market behaviour, the dealers were of the view that suppliers might have obtained their supplies at margins that could make selling unprofitable at rates below N300/$.

Yesterday’s depreciation became the steepest so far as the local currency was down by 35 per cent in just one trading day, and dealers see further depreciation this weekend.

New fuel import strategy may rescue naira The trend reversal was coming at the backdrop of alleged moves by the Federal Government to enlist the support of the international oil companies, IOCs, in funding fuel importation outside Nigeria’s foreign exchange resources.

This development, which a source said began previous week, may have taken a lot of demand pressures off the Nigerian foreign exchange market while freeing the reserves for other end users.

Foreign exchange allocation for fuel imports makes up one of the largest portion of the demand profile of CBN’s foreign exchange utilisation schedule.

It was learned that though the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has its own foreign exchange resources, it prefers relying on the CBN resources for funding its fuel importations.

Analysts believe if the new import arrangement is fully in place, the current huge pressure on the scarce foreign exchange resources may tone down exchange rate.

Mutallab blames forex crisis on fuel import Meanwhile, Chairman of Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, has blamed the current foreign exchange crisis in the economy on the massive importation of petroleum products and food items.

He spoke at the Daily Trust Board Economists’ Breakfast Meeting, in Abuja, yesterday.

His words: “The first and greatest cause of the current foreign exchange problem is the huge importation of petroleum products into the country. I believe the solution lies in modular refineries and to ensure that our refineries are working.”

According to him, if the nation produceds its fuel and by so doing eliminating the massive allocation of foreign exchange for petroleum products importation, the current crisis in the market would not have existed.

Mutallab also urged

greater investments in the agricultural sector, noting that food import into the country was a second major area of challenge for the nation.

Central Bank Governors, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said at the groundbreaking ceremony of Dangote Refinery in Lagos mid January that Nigeria was spending about 38 per cent of its daily forex allocation on the importation of petroleum products.

In his remarks, chairman of the board, who was also chairman of the breakfast meeting, Prof. Ode Ojowu, raised concerns that there was need to build a consensus on the clear economic policy direction for the nation, in spite of divergent interests, to create the needed synergy for an accelerated economic growth in the country.

CBN's efforts to stabilize naira yielding result The CBN had said speculators were behind the market burble since the upper week which made a mince-meat of the naira, sending it crashing to an all-time low of N400 to the US dollar.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had accused speculators of conniving with bureau de change operators to undermine the efforts of the bank at propping up the naira and warned that such speculators would eventually be punished by the market.

On Wednesday, the Naira at the parallel market exchanged for about N295, a further improvement on the N305 to the dollar on Tuesday, garnering over N100 gain on the panic by speculators struggling to cut their losses.

Industry analysts say that a number of measures taken by the apex bank lately might have led to this improvement, including the decision to publish all forex sales from the inter-bank market to make for unprecedented transparency.

The second is said to be the mop-up operations of the CBN, which had reduced the excess liquidity behind the high speculation of the upper week. These steps are said to have made the naira ‘relatively scarce’.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Bricklayer gets 12 lashes over Army uniform

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Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Nasarawa State, yesterday, sentenced a 23-year-old bricklayer, Matthew Isaac, to 12 strokes of the cane for unlawful possession of army uniform.

The Presiding Officer, Mr. Albert Maga, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

Isaac, a resident of Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa State, was convicted for being in possession of army uniform, three caps and two boots.

Maga warned the convict to be careful in future with what he goes about holding as he would not take it likely with him next time.

The Prosecutor, Corporal Friday Adaji, had told the court that Idoko John of Elite Security Organisation, Mararaba, reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division Police Station on Feb. 21.

Two jailed for cultivating Indian hemp

By Onozure Dania, with agency report

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WO middle-aged men were, yesterday, sentenced to various jail terms in Ekiti and Lagos for cultivating and dealing in Indian hemp.

Jide Ifatilibuyan was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for cultivating 20 hectares of hemp and being in possession of 39 kilogrammes of the illicit drug in Ekiti, while 20-yearold petty trader, Abubakar Mustapha, was sentenced to five years jail term in Lagos for dealing in 1.5 kilogrammes of hemp.

Ifatilibuyan was arraigned before Justice D. U. Okorowo of an Ado-Ekiti High Court in Ado-Ekiti on a two-count charge of cultivation and being in possession of Indian hemp.

Okorowo sentenced the convict to five years imprisonment on each of the two charges.

He said the sentences should run concurrently and the term of sentence should commence from the day of his arrest.

In the Lagos case, Mustapha had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of illicit drug on February 15 during arraignment.

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JOB SEEKERS: Youths seeking employment at Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency, KASTELEA, at the Kaduna Township Stadium, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

Uproar as Ladipo traders protest colleague's death sighted litering the market and several shops and warehouse shut.

Speaking to Vanguard, Mr. Kingsley Ogunor, Chairman of Ladipo Main market, alleged that Anene Otazi never regained consciousness after the gunshot, saying “he had been in coma since last Thursday.”

By Okolie Ifeanyi & Monsur Olowopejo

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section of the popular Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market in Mushin area of Lagos State was, yesterday, grounded as traders took to the street, protesting the reported death of one of their colleagues, Anene Otazi, at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba.

The middle-aged man, who is said to be a native of Imo State and a trader at Ode-Aladura section of the market, was reportedly attacked last Thursday by hoodlums and some soldiers who allegedly invaded the market.

As news of the death of Otazi filtered into the market, the traders took to the street calling on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book.

The Chairman of OdoAladura Auto-Spare Parts Association, Chukwuma Uroko, who urged the state government and the Commissioner of Police to go after the hoodlums and their sponsors, told Vanguard that traders in the market were peaceful and law abiding, adding that they were not in contention with anyone.

...police confirm death

Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni (left) and traders' union leaders at Ladipo Market, yesterday.

Uroko appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to intervene in addressing the continued harassment from the land grabbers, popularly called Ajagungbales.

He said: “We have concluded plans to petition the IG on what is happening in the market. We need peace and harmony in the

Police Commissioner intervenes

Their action further drew the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who stormed the market to pacify the traders. When Vanguard visited the market, broken bottles were

Man kills, buries friend over affair with wife

By Dayo Johnson

Invasion

Vanguard gathered that the market, located close to the canal on the Toyota axis of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, was invaded by hoodlums and soldiers allegedly contracted by a family claiming ownership of the land where the market is.

They were said to have attempted to chase out the traders from the market and demolish their structures, but were said to have met with resistance from the traders leading to a free-for-all, which saw several traders sustaining injuries, with one of them shot on his face and legs.

market and that is why we are appealing to Governor Ambode to assist us in achieving this.”

Confirming the death of Anene, Police Public Relation Officer, Dolapo Badmus, said he died earlier today (yesterday), noting “ we are yet to conclude our investigation to know who shut the deceased.”

She explained that the Commissioner had assured the traders that investigation would be intensified to ensure that whoever was involved in the mayhem that had continued to rock the market would not be spared.

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KURE—ONDO State Police Command’s detectives have arrested a middle-aged man, identified as Moses Alugo, for killing and burying his friend, who allegedly slept with his wife.

Police source said that some neighbours of the deceased told the man that his wife was usually seen with his friend, suggesting they were having an amorous affair.

The suspect was said to have challenged his friend who reportedly denied the allegation.

The source said the suspect left only to return, warning his friend of dire consequence if he failed to let go his wife.

The source added that an argument ensued, leading to the friend's death.

He was later picked up by detectives from Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID, for murder after the matter was reported.

Burial

However, it was gathered that the suspect, after committing the crime, reportedly buried his friend at Akinpelu Camp, OdeAye, before the incident was

reported to the Police.

The state Police Command image maker, Femi Joseph, said that before detectives could get to the scene of the crime, the killer had buried the victim.

Joseph, who said the case had been transferred to the state CID for further investigation, described the incident as unfortunate and warned the people against taking laws into their hands.

The suspect, according to the police spokesman, would soon be charged to court after detectives are through with their preliminary investigation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—11

Measles kill 20 children in Sokoto N

O fewer than 20 children have been killed by measles outbreak in 18 Local Government areas of Sokoto State in the last 23 days, a health official has revealed.

Dr. Sani Labaran, Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, disclosed this in an interview in Sokoto, yesterday, describing the situation as an epidemic.

He said that the deaths were recorded out of the over 300 cases reported to hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the 244 wards across the state.

Labaran stated that several of the children afflicted by the disease were currently receiving treatment at various

health facilities across the state.

However, the scribe said: “The situation has been brought under control, with many of the affected children, aged between zero and 59 months, treated and discharged from the hospitals.

“Adequate dr ugs and medicament had been distributed to hospitals across

Cultists kill 23-yr-old man in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—SUSPECTED cult members reportedly went on rampage in Owo area of Ondo State, killing a 23-yearold man identified as Suleiman,

300 die as herdsmen, farmers clash in Benue

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—THE siege o n Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen has continued with no fewer than 300 persons reportedly killed in the last one week.

Vanguard gathered that several villages, including Okokolo, Akwu, Ocholonya, Adagbo, Ugboku and Aila have been razed, while decomposing bodies of those killed littered the various communities.

According to a source, “several communities including Obagaji, the Local

Government headquarters, where people usually took refuge in the past, have been deserted.

“People are fleeing into Ugbokpo in neighbouring Apa council. It is a well coordinated attack on Agatu communities.

“As I speak with you, fighting is still raging; many are missing and we have a huge number of displaced persons without facilities to house them.”

A statement by Opiatoha K’Idoma, a socio-cultural organisation of Idoma sons and daughters, through its Secretary, Adoka Adaji, said the crisis had created a huge refugee situation in the area.

The organisation said: “What

we see happening in Agatu today can be likened to happenings in the North-East and we call for urgent action by the Federal Government.

“The Idoma nation is helpless. Over 300 Agatu people have been killed and others maimed in one week without concerted effort by the state government to abate the attack, killings and destruction.

“On the other hand, there are no identifiable camps to cater for the Internally Displaced Persons, which include mostly women and children; we call on the Federal Government to establish a full military base in Agatu, otherwise the area will soon become history.”

the state.’’

Sani Labaran further said that adequate cold chain materials and vaccines had been distributed across the state.

Labaran regretted that most of the children afflicted were those whose parents rejected the vaccines conducted in the last three years.

Mark tasks Buhari

Meanwhile, former Senate President, Senator David Mark has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently mobilise security apparatus to the area “with a view to putting a stop to the senseless carnage currently ravaging Agatu.”

Senator Mark, who made the call in a release by his Special Assistant, Benue Liaison, Dr. Adakole Elijah, yesterday, lamented the incessant attacks on Agatu communities.

Mark urged government to station soldiers in the area to check the attacks and also urged Benue and Nasarawa state governments to take steps to check the carnage.

and shot his octogenarian mother, Sherifat Lateef.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects reportedly shot into the residence of the deceased, killing the victim instantly, while the mother reportedly sustained bullet wounds.

The incident, according to sources, occurred at 45, Igbanasa Street, Oke-Ijubu, in the ancient town.

It was gathered that the suspected cultists, who rode on a motor cycle popularly known as Okada, shot several times into the residence of the victims and immediately took off.

Police source hinted that detectives who swooped on the scene of the incident following distress call by the residents of the area, later arrested one of the suspects, who is said to be helping police in the investigation of the incident.

Police spokesman Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, adding that the matter had been transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, DCII, of the state Police Command for further investigation.

EFCC arrests Diezani's cousin over oil deals

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA—BARELY a week after Admiral Alison Madueke (retd) was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the anti-graft agency yesterday, moved against Mr. Donald Chidi Amamgbo, a cousin of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Mr. Amamgbo, believed to have played a pivotal role in oil lifting while Mrs. AlisonMadueke held sway as Petroleum Minister, was arrested in Lagos at about 4.20p.m. yesterday.

Vanguard lear ned that Amamgbo is chief executive of Mezcor Oil and Gas limited, Tridax Oil and Gas Limited, Lynear Energy Limited and

Bulk Strategic Reserves Limited.

Operatives also searched his Abuja office and premises at 5, Sannar Street, Wuse 2.

A source in the agency disclosed that sensitive documents, showing how the firm bought choice property, were retrieved during the search.

Amamgbo allegedly got approval to lift Nigerian crude oil without any requisite experience.

Through his companies, Amamgbo was said to have lifted crude oil and gas worth billions of dollars over a period of four years.

Sources at the commission said investigation into the case was continuing.

At press time, it was not clear if he would be granted administrative bail.

The arrest of Amamgbo comes barely a week after the EFCC quizzed Diezani’s husband over some cash found in his accounts.

He was, however, released after making statement to the operatives.

NIPCO Petrol Station on Airport Road, Abuja, gutted by fire, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

Robber dies in gun battle with police in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT—ONE member of a robbery gang was shot dead, Wednesday night, during an exchange of fire between the gang and police in New GRA part of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

A statement from the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said the robbers were fleeing after

raiding a new generation bank on Obagi Road, GRA, when police went after them.

It was reported that in the ensuing gun battle, one of the robbers sustained gunshot injuries and was abandoned by his gang members.

Muhammad said during interrogation, “before the robber gave up the ghost, he gave his name as Jude Ihediachi of Ugwu Chuku, Aniocha South

Local Government Area, Delta State.

While adding that the robbers carted away undisclosed sum at the new generation bank, DSP Muhammad said they also arrested two heavily-armed robbers.

He said two locally-made revolver pistols and two rounds of .9mm live ammunition were among items recovered from them.

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12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Edo, Ondo gov elections to hold Sept 10, Nov 26 —INEC

By Omeiza Ajayi

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B U J A — T H E Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has scheduled the Edo State governorship election for September 10, 2016. It has also scheduled that of Ondo State for November 26, 2016.

The commission has also released the time-table and schedule of activities for both governorship elections in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act. According to the timetable and schedule of activities for Edo State governorship poll, June 12, 2016, has been slated for commencement of campaigns by political parties, while the conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, will take place between June 2 and July 4, 2016.

INEC will publish the official register of voters for the Edo State governorship election on August 11, 2016. On the same day, it will publish the list of nominated candidates by political parties.

The time-table and schedule

of activities for the Edo governorship election also indicates that September 8, 2016 will be the last day for campaigns.

August 28, 2016, has been scheduled for the commencement of campaigns by political

parties in the Ondo State governorship election. The conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, will take place between August 18 and September 19, 2016.

Publication of the official

register of voters for the election has been fixed for October 27, 2016, while publication of the list of nominated candidates will be done on the same day.

November 24, 2016 has been fixed by the commission as the last day of campaigns by all political parties.

INSTALLATION: Chief Godspower Gbenekama (right) holding the hand of Prince Naira Williams Ogoba (2nd left) while Chief Nelson Ogelegbanwei and Chief Tonfawei Julius (left) watch, as kingmaker makers of Gbaramatu Kingdom pick their choice Pere candidate on behalf of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Delta Assembly vows to probe IPP

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE five-man ad-hoc committee set up

by Delta State House of Assembly to investigate the award and execution of the multi-billion naira Independent Power Project, IPP, yesterday, visited the project in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state with a promise to ensure its completion.

Chairman of the committee, Chief Tim Owhefere, who spoke on the level of work done so far on the project after the payment of over N19 billion to the contractor by the state government, said the project could not be abandoned, insisting that the state government had committed huge resources to it.

The project which was awarded by the state government in 2009 at the cost of N21.7 billion but reviewed upward in 2010 to N23.2 billion, had generated lots of concern over its completion.

The development led to the setting up of the ad-hoc committee by the state legislature to investigate the state of the project.

Chief Owhefere, who is the Majority Leader of the House, expressed sadness over the level of work after alleged

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payment of over N19 billion out of the contract sum of N23.2 billion.

He vowed that the House will probe all the parties involved in the project to ensure its completion for the benefit of Deltans.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the committee members were conducted round the site by the Director, Electricity Power Supply Department, Delta State Ministry of Energy, Engr. Felix Abojei, Owhefere

stated that the vision of the state government concerning the project would be accomplished.

He said that the project was very dear to the people of the state, adding that the state government was committed to completing the project.

Stop meddling in amnesty programme, Boyloaf, LPCDI, warn N-Delta politicians

By Samuel Oyadongha & Grace Udofia

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IGER Delta ex-militant leader, Ebikamowei Victor Ben, alias Boyloaf, has warned politicians to steer clear of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which he described as a security package aimed at restoring peace and stability to the area.

Boyloaf, in a statement in Abuja, said that any attempt by those he described as selfish and greedy politicians to hijack the amnesty programme from Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Gen. Paul Boroh (redt), would trigger another round of avoidable crisis in the region.

Similarly, ex-militant leaders, speaking, yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiatives, LPCDI, have

cautioned politicians involved in the alleged plot to unseat Gen. Boroh (retd) to leave him alone and allow the practical development of the region to succeed.

LPCDI, through its National Coordinator, Pastor Reuben Wilson, said that the claims against the Amnesty Office were not true, adding that they were sponsored by some persons from the region.

He said that though politicians have the right to play politics relating to issues of party offices, the recent incursion of some self styled politicians through fictitious petitions and claims against the Amnesty Office under Gen. Boroh was provocative and capable of disrupting the smooth running of the welfare policies to the ex- agitators and also scuttle the development policies of President Muhammadu Buhari for the

region.

Continuing, Boyloaf said he was concerned about subterranean moves being made by some politicians to destabilise the gains made by the leadership of the programme, who see the office as their birthright from where they must derive maximum pecuniary gains for doing nothing.

Boyloaf, who did not name the politicians involved in the alleged plot, said that the major stakeholders who surrendered arms under the amnesty programme, were satisfied with the efforts so far made by Gen. Boroh to reintegrate and empower the delegates and would not allow the plan to succeed.

Boyloaf said, “We are satisfied that Boroh is working closely with the main actors to bring about the needed peace and reintegration in the Niger Delta. We hereby warn against any attempt by politicians to turn the programme into a centre for political gains."

Edo 2016: We must all see the guber race as brotherly contest —Obaseki

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—AHEAD of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, a governorship aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged other aspirants and leaders of the party to see the forthcoming primaries of the party as a brotherly contest so as to avoid bad blood within the party.

Stressing his desire to consolidate on the achievements made by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Obaseki, who also is the chairman of the Economic Team of the state government, commended members of the party and the people of the state for embracing the APC-led government in the state, adding that it was the only party that has the interest of the people at heart.

Obaseki, in a chat with newsmen in Benin, said: “I am only focused on what will better the lives of our people and that is why I want all of us, leaders and aspirants in APC, to see the forthcoming primaries as a family affair. I am aware that we have well respected personalities in this contest and I respect all of them. I see them as my brothers because we have worked very closely with some of them, to ensure that we assist our governor in the task to take Edo State to the next level.

“We have a greater task ahead because we have the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to confront in the general election. As a result, we must all see ourselves as one. That has been the philosophy of the APC and it is in that spirit that we were able to defeat the PDP in Edo State even when they were in charge of the Federal Government. And it is also in that spirit that we won at the federal level, which saw the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari who is today determined to bring positive change to Nigerians.

“Today in Edo State, the APC government led by the governor has made the difference and it is the task before those of us who are vying for the governorship to take it from this remarkable level which the governor has placed it to the next level.

That is the task before us now and not to fight ourselves or to destroy ourselves.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—13

Military invasion of Rivers communities: Wike condemns loss of lives

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, lamented the loss of lives in Yeghe and Bori during the military invasion of communities in Khana and Gokhana Local Government Areas of the state on Monday and Tuesday.

The governor who paid a fact finding visit to the areas in the company of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Musa Kimo and other top security officers, said he was not informed by the military before they invaded the communities.

Meanwhile, a member of a robbery gang was shot dead, Wednesday night, during an exchange of fire between the gang and the Police in New GRA, Port Harcourt.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ahmad Muhammad, said that the robbers were fleeing after raiding a new generation bank on Obagi Road, New GRA, when Police gave them a hot chase.

He said that in the ensuing gun battle, one of the robbers sustained gunshot wounds and was abandoned by his gang members.

He said that the robbers carted away an undisclosed sum of

money at the bank.

Meanwhile, the Army last night, denied rumours in the state that its men pulled down the Port Harcourt residence of an ex-militant leader, Mr Solomon Ndigbara, aka Osama Bin Ladin.

Spokesman of 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Captain Lazarus Eli, told Vanguard that soldiers only sealed off the place for security reasons.

However, speaking during his visit to Yeghe and Bori,

following the invasion of the communities by soldiers, Governor Wike accused some members of the opposition political parties in the state of trying to instigate crisis in the state to create an atmosphere for declaration of a state of emergency on the state.

He said that the government will investigate the circumstance that gave rise to the loss of lives during the military invasion of Yeghe and Bori communities.

He said: “Rivers State Government will take up this

unfortunate incident with the appropriate authorities. The military must subject itself to civil authority. I am the chief security officer of this state.

Before any deployment of soldiers, I should be informed, but in this case I was not put on notice.

“I will always support the security agencies in the fight against criminality, but I will never support the killing of innocent persons. That is why I am here today for an on-thespot assessment. I have seen for myself the destruction in

COMMISSIONING: (First Row) R-L: Elder Gabriel Imoh, General Secretary, Nto Akpa Community, Uyo; Mr Bassey Etim, Government and Community Relations Officer, MTN Nigeria; Chief George Ekanem, Chairman, Nto Akpa Community; Joel Isong, Nominator of the Community (Second Row from Right), and others at the commissioning of the 500KVA transformer donated by MTN Foundation to the community.

Oil spill: Ruptured oil pipeline destroys property in Delta, Bayelsa

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—PROPERTY worth several billions of naira have been destroyed in the oil-rich states of Delta and Bayelsa as a result of spill involving 35,000 barrels of oil from ruptured oil pipelines.

The development which has adversely affected the environment in the two neighbouring states, yesterday, caused the House of Representatives to mandate its Committees on Emergency Management and Disaster to visit the affect areas to ascertain the gravity of the disaster with a view to avoiding future occurrence.

The House, in a motion sponsored by Mr. Julius Pondi, representing Burutu federal constituency of Delta State, expressed shock over the huge loss of property worth several billions of naira to the spill.

He expressed concern that the spill which he put at 35,000 barrels, had flowed and spread into the environment from the ruptured pipeline covering vast areas in communities of the two states.

C M Y K

He noted that the report of recent visit by oil industry stakeholders to the site of the spill revealed a massive devastation, dead fauna, sea and river creatures, a development that has put the economic activities of the people in jeopardy.

He attributed the intermittent ruptures of pipelines to old age of the pipes, adding that the National Oil Spill and

Remediation Agency, NOSDRA, and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, were yet to disclose what caused the rupture of the pipelines.

He expressed worry that, “since the last five years, there have been incidents of burst or ruptured pipelines on at least four instances, October 5, 2013; January 3, 2012; September 3, 2013 and now this one on February 14,

2016.”

The House unanimously adopted the motion.

The House, therefore, mandated the relevant House Committees to undertake an assessment visit of the communities as well as National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant government agencies to visit and send relief materials to the victims and to report back to it in four weeks.

Ijaw Communities to Shell: Niger Delta Avengers is non-existent ...demand adequate compensation

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A R R I — IJAW communities in Delta and Bayelsa states, affected by the recent oil spill from Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC ruptured pipelines, have faulted the oil company for saying that a militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, which claimed to have blown up several oil installations in the Niger Delta region, was responsible for the spill.

The communities said that Niger Delta Avengers was a non-existent militant group and described it as a media hype by

SPDC to evade liabilities from the spill of February 14, 2016.

The communities urged SPDC to be bold enough to carrying out an independent assessment and pay adequate compensation to the affected communities. They also want SPDC to clean up the affected environment.

In a statement by leaders of 22 affected communities , the people alleged that the spill which is claimed to be as a result of a militant group's attack was not due to sabotage by either the Niger Delta Avengers

or any known militant group whatsoever, alleging that it was just a ploy being introduced by SPDC. The communities in the joint statement by Mr. Arthur Benidiwei, Dehmeon Wuka, Chief Lawrence Orukemezuogha, Eric Faka, and Felix Galiwei among others, urged SPDC to provide evidence of the Joint Investigation Visit, JIV, conducted by NOSDRA, the regulatory agency which has the statutory duty to conduct investigations on spillages.

Yeghe and the killings that took place. I went to the mortuaries to see the corpses and the relatives of the deceased confirmed they were killed in the operations.

“I have told security agencies to be careful so that they are not misled by politicians. As the governor of the state, I have never used soldiers because I don’t need them. When I see people not in government moving around with soldiers, I am surprised.

If you are popular with your people, you have no reason to move with soldiers.”

Wike urged the military to arrest criminals and hand them over to the Police for prosecution in line with the rules of engagement.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state has condemned the alleged campaign of calumny against Senator Magnus Abe and Mr Barri Mkpigi, over the recent military operations in Yeghe and Bori communities.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Finebone, in a statement, accused the state government of allegedly using fronts to blackmail the APC over the military operation.

Delta Dep Speaker makes case for IPP in Ndokwaland

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By Oboh Agbonkhese

HE Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has said that the need for stable electricity in Ndokwaland through an independent power plant was pivotal to his socioeconomic plans for the people, but insisted that dialogue would be used in the pursuit of the goal.

Osanebi, who is Chairman of Friday Osanebi Foundation, FOF, said: “We are not a lazy people, we know our rights and how to fight for it. But we have decided to employ dialogue and fruitful engagement in tackling the IPP and power challenge in our land.”

The Deputy Speaker, who spoke in Kwale during the reunion of Fundamental Old Student Association, FOSA, also gave 40 secondary school students scholarships to cover their studies till graduation, which will be extended to higher education for the 10 best graduating students.

14 —Vanguard, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 , 2016

EDUCATION BUDGET: Senate

uncovers N5bn shortfall for meal subsidy

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE Senate yesterday uncovered N5 billion shortfall in the amount allocated as meal subsidy for Unity Schools across the country as well as personnel cost of Kings College in the 2016 budget proposal submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the Senate, only N6.8 billion was proposed for meal subsidy in unity school, instead of N11.2 billion needed.

It also noted that the amount was grossly inadequate for the Unity Schools meal subsidy, adding that implication was that the amount provided would only serve for six months, after which N5 billion would be needed to meet up with the shortfall.

Disclosing this yesterday during collation of the 2016 budget of Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education to the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Vice Chairman of Committee on Education, Senator Rose Oko, said there was the omission of N338 million from the personnel cost of Kings College, adding that instead of N375 million, the ministry budgeted N37 million due to typographical error.

FG determined to enforce FOI law — AGF

By Soni Daniel

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BUJA—THE Federal Government said yesterday that it will muster the needed political will to enforce the Freedom of Information Act and other instruments to help in the fight against corruption in the country.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, stated this when the Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria (FOICN), visited him in Abuja.

Malami, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, observed that the FoI Act is one legislative instrument that is very strategic in the fight against corruption.

The minister said the ministry was ready to partner with civil society groups like the Coalition to further latch on the advantage provided by the act to stem corruption in the system.

The minister said in a bid to actualise its fight against corruption, the government had taken steps to send more bills to the National Assembly on how to check graft in the country.

Among such legislations are:

the Whistle-blowers Bill and the Asset Forfeiture Bill also known as FATF Bill which the Minister is spearheading, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre (NFIC) Bill that will domesticate the full remit of the FAFT Recommendation 29, the Proceeds of Crime (POCA) Bill, and the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Bill as well as the Mutual Legal

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BUJA—FEDERAL Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, officials yesterday confessed before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation that some of the installed scanners at some Nigerian airports were faulty.

This disclosure was made during a budget defence session involving FAAN before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

Nkeiruka Onyejeocha,PDP, Abia, chairman of the committee, dropped the hint while reading the capital budget proposal of the agency for the 2016 fiscal year, wherein she expected to see an allocation for the repair or replacement of security scanning machines for the airports, having noticed that the one in Port Harcourt airport had not been functional.

Onyeajeocha said: “I went to Port Harcourt for oversight in 2015 and discovered that the scanners are not working. And when I

support the policies of this administration in combating corruption and stolen asset return, they would also respond to the requirements of FAFT and international conventions.”

The Minister reassured that the Freedom of Information Act will not be swept under the carpet and that there will be no hiding place for any corrupt officials in any public institution in the country.

VISIT: Heir Apparent to the Benin throne, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaetan N'Uselu (centre) during a private visit to President Muhammadu Buhari (2nd left) to brief him on current and upcoming traditional events in Benin Kingdom. He was accompanied by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (right); Princess Ikuoyemwen Erediauwa, Special adviser to Gov Oshiomhole on Oil and Gas (2nd right); and Prince Gregory Akenzua, Enogie of Evbuobanosa.

I’m only against bad eggs among lawyers, says Magu

By Soni Daniel

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BUJA—THE acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has said that he is not against lawyers but a few bad ones

among them who are teaming up with corrupt persons to thwart justice.

Magu made the clarification in a statement signed by the Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren and made available to Vanguard last night.

FAAN admits operating faulty scanners at airports

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill.

“So far, two of these bills, the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) as well as the Mutual Legal Assistance Bills have been read on the floor of the House of Representatives on January 27th, 2016.

He said: “It is the belief and hope of the Federal Government that these bills will not only

asked, I was told they have not been serviced, that even a brand new vehicle needs to be serviced for it to function properly.

“I have to say this because this is the essence of the exercise and thank God the press are not here.

You have to put those scanners in

working condition as they are the bedrock of airport security in and out of the country.”

FAAN's acting Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma, said the agency was about to engage the suppliers of the scanners to do maintenance for them.

He said his recent comments regarding the conduct of judicial officials were not intended to impugn their integrity.

According to him, his comments, and activities of the commission, should not be interpreted to mean a blanket indictment of all lawyers and judges but, rather directed at a few bad eggs within the system.

Magu said, “There is no way one can make a blanket statement on the integrity of lawyers and judges. Nigeria is blessed with some of the best lawyers and judges on the African continent.

“My worry is that the bad ones amongst them are giving the good ones a bad name,” he said.

He emphasised that the commission deeply appreciates the support of most conscientious, upright and patriotic members of the bar and bench (including defence counsel), leading to the commission’s unbeaten prosecution and conviction record.

The EFCC boss invited all patriotic members of the bar and the bench to join the renewed campaign against corruption and money laundering, while exposing the corrupt among them.

“There is no blanket condemnation of lawyers and judges but, the corrupt few will not be spared”, he reiterated.

Community distances self from opposition to new Lagos refinery

By Godfrey Bivbere

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HE host community of the proposed new refinery in Lagos and its surrounding communities have distanced themselves from recent reports in the media about opposition to the project.

Their position was made known at a meeting between the traditional rulers, leaders and land owners and the management of Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, the owners of the project held at the project site on Friday.

Chief Lamina Akinsode, Baale of Agalutu-Ajebo, spokesman for the 16 Baales who were physically present, including that of Irede,

Baale Alade, said they are very disappointed with the reports because at no time had they sat to agree on any letter to be written against the planned refinery for which construction was yet to commence.

Akinsode noted that they expected any aggrieved person or community to go through the right channel as the project would be beneficial to not just the host community of Komaro Island but all the surrounding communities.

He reminded the gathering that two other companies had earlier been to the same site making promises without doing anything only to pack their belongings and

disappeared.

He warned that Integrated Oil and Gas may follow the same part if given a reason to do so.

Similarly, the representative of the palace of all Communities, Komolade Onisiwo, distanced the palace from the said letter, warning all to be careful about their actions.

He said the Regent, Olori (the Olori-ebi), who presides over the affairs at the palace until a new king is crowned, sent them to the meeting to inform the management of Integrated Oil and Gas that they are fully in support of the project.

Furthermore, representative of the land owners, Chief Omotolani

Oyewole Onisiwo, described those behind the purported letter as those who do not want the well being of the generality of people of the kingdom.

On his part, the Baale of Irede expressed regret about is involvement in the purported letter, stressing that he did not know to which use it was to be used for.

Responding, Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Capt.

Emmanuel Iheanacho, who expressed his disappointment about the media report, wondered why report should be coming out at a time when the company has not publicly announced the project.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 , 2016—15

N780BN FINE: NCC slams MTN, denies N50bn

payment claim A

By Anozie Egole

BUJA—THE Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday distanced itself from claims by MTN Nigeria that it persuaded the phone company to withdraw its lawsuit for both sides to reach an out-of-court settlement over a N780 billion fine imposed by the regulator.

The commission also denied knowledge of MTN’s claim that it made a part payment of the fine.

MTN had announced Wednesday that it was dropping its legal challenge, and making a “good faith” payment of N50 billion to enable the two sides reach an amicable solution on the matter.

“This is a most encouraging development. It demonstrates a willingness and sincerity by both parties to work together towards a positive outcome,” MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive

Officer, Ferdi Moolman, had said.

But the Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, said yesterday the commission was neither aware of MTN’s decision to withdraw its court case, nor pay $250 million (about (N50 billion) to the Nigerian government.

“We, NCC, are not privy to it (agreement to withdraw a case from court and pay $250 million

by MTN). We do not have anything to do with it. We do not have any evidence of payment of any money to the Nigerian government. ‘’There is no invoice to that effect. We have also not gotten any official information or confirmation that they have withdrawn their case in court.

“That information is not from us, NCC. It is MTN that released it from South Africa. We have not got into any discussion on the modalities of payment of

the fine. ‘’Whatever MTN is doing does not affect the fact that a regulatory fine was imposed and payment is expected,” Ojobo said.

Mr. Ojobo, however, assured that the NCC management would meet later to review the report and take a decision that would be communicated to the public through an official statement.

“We have not even met to take a decision like that. There was no discussion whatsoever with NCC on the matter. MTN has not even met with the committee that was set to discuss these issues.

“On what basis was the agreement made? We do not know the basis on which they arrived at the $250 million they claim to have paid. ‘’For now, no official position on this. We are just hearing it in the news like every other person,” he explained.

The NCC had in October 2015, sanctioned MTN, Nigeria’s largest mobile operator, for failing to disconnect 5.1 million improperly registered lines within the prescribed deadline in compliance with its regulatory directive to telecom operators in the country.

The penalty was based on N200,000 fine imposed for every unregistered SIM card in use on any telecom operator’s network.

Although the fine was subsequently reduced by 25 per cent to N780 billion, MTN Nigeria failed to pay the penalty.

The company later filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos to challenge the Nigerian government’s action.

The court gave both parties until March 18, 2016 to reach an amicable out-of-court settlement over the matter.

When contacted, spokesperson for MTN, Funso Aina, said he should be given some time to respond.

BIAFRA: Kanu's detention, ‘tsetse fly on the scrotum'

—Archbishop Chukwuma

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By Francis Igata

NUGU—IN a bid to buttress the need for spiritual intervention following Federal Government’s refusal to heed three subsisting Federal High Court orders granting detained Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu, bail, Archbishop of Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra States Ecclesiastical Province, Rt. Rev. Emmanel Chukwuma, yesterday, cautioned the Federal Government to tread softly on the issue given Niger Delta militants' threat to blow up more crude oil installations if Kanu was not released.

The Niger Delta militants had a fortnight ago, warned the Federal Government to release the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB's leader who is being detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, on alleged treason charges or risk destruction of crude oil installations,a threat they have made good so far.

This is even as journalists made frantic efforts to hold back tears that flowed freely as the cleric lamented that Igbo Senators and House of Representatives members who served as Senate Committee Chairmen on Works in both chambers and that of Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, under immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan were busy buying

•Says Igbo ploiticians betrayed the people private helicopters to fly across the ”death traps” in form of roads dotting the south-east geo-political zone while scores of people perished on account of the deplorable condition of the roads.

The Anglican cleric, while addressing newsmen at Bishop’s Court in Enugu yesterday, revealed that the clergy are in prayers for God's intervention to touch President Muhammad Buhari’s heart to release Kanu, adding that an escalated militancy on oil installations will be worse than Boko-Haram.

According to Chukwuma, ”People are saying Igbo do not have a leader. I can stand in for his release as a church leader. We do not believe in confrontation. Rather, everthing should be done through dialogue. Igbo do not have somebody to vouch and also stand and defend the course of Ndigbo. We believe very much in dialogue. We do not support violence. We believe that with dialogue, patience, understanding and listening ear of Buhari, there will be an understanding with which everything concerning the Igbo will be cleared.

“There are insinuations that Igbo have negative feeling against Buhari-APC-led government. There is nothing

Abia CP visits family of slain monarch

By Ugochukwu Alaribe ABA—ABIA State Commissioner of Police, CP Joshak Habila has visited the family of the slain monarch of Ikeala Ahiaba autonomous community, Eze James Nwabeke who was assassinated by unknown gunmen.

Vanguard gathered that Eze Nwabeke’s wife and his daughter in law, who suffered severe machete cuts during the attack, are still battling for survival in an undisclosed hospital after the monarch was murdered in cold blood on Tuesday morning.

Speaking at the family compound of the deceased monarch, Joshak who was accompanied by the Aba Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara amongst other senior police officers in the state, described the incident as unfortunate and assured the family that they (police) would stop at nothing in unmasking those behind the dastardly act.

The police boss, who expressed confidence in the expertise of the personnel investigating the matter, hinted that the police were already closing in on the hoodlums. development which will bring a palliative measure to our zone.

“We are pleading with Buhari to show compassion to our youths and also that of Nnamdi Kanu to see how the confidence of the south-east people will be restored. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Arewa Consultative Forum,ACF, should work together and ensure that nothing brings suspicion in our relationship.

Buhari should be assured that all of the south-east are behind his government with support and prayers for Kanu to released.

Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. like that. We very much support Mr President, his anti-corruption crusade and all he is doing to make sure that stolen money is recovered. We equally believe that when this money is recovered, the south-east geopolitical zone will not be left out in the structural development of their area especially in roads, power supply, job opportunity among others.

“We believe that if we work together with the federal government,Nigeria will be salvaged. It is important that government implements last year national conference decisions.

That will be of great help to us.

South-East geopolitical zone is the most marginalized nationwide. We have been talking about an additional state.

It's part of the problem we are facing. The religious leaders are standing firm in prayers for the present administration and also for Kanu’s release so that there will be peace.

“We are appealing to the president not to allow bad advisers make him vindictive and retaliative in certain areas which may jeopardize people's impression about this government. We feel that its time to give Buhari a very good support knowing that he is the President of Nigeria and not the President of Northerners or APC. All Nigerians must therefore cooperate and work together to make this administration succeed.

“Our interest is recognition and also being remembered in the development of Nigeria whereby our youths will be employed and there will be infrastructural

On Igbo saboteurs

“The Igbo never had it so good in terms of appointment during former President Goodluck Jonathan. For four years,a senator from Enugu-North senatorial district was chairman,Senate Committee on Works while his counterpart at the House of Representatives was equally chairman,House Committee on Works from the same Enugu State.

“Again,another House of Representatives member was House Committee Chairman on FERMA from Enugu State. What did these people do while in office?

Nothing! The one from Enugu-North senatorial district bought helicopter and built mansions alloverwithourcollective money. Yet he wanted to be a governor through the back door. The road in his area he flagged-off to connect Kogi-Abuja never saw the light of the day. The construction ended with the flag-off."

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS' ANNUAL SUMMIT IN ABUJA PHOTOS: ABAYOMI ADESHIDA

From left: Chief Femi Falana, SAN; Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacob; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Publisher, Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah; Trade and Investment Minister, Mr. Okey Enelamah, representing the Vice President; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left), Trade and Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, during the opening session Investment Minister, Mr. Okey Enelamah (right) and Kano State of the summit with the theme: Industrialisation in the States, organised by the Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Leadership Newspapers, in Abuja, yesterday.

From left: Acting MD, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacob and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State at the event.

Cross section of participants on the occasion.

Jonathan's former aide held on Army's directive —EFCC

By Ikechukwu Nnochirir

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BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that the Aide-de-Camp, ADC, to former President Goodluck Jonathan was being held on the orders of the Nigerian Army.

Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, also reassured lawyers and judges that comments attributed to him in recent media reports regarding the conduct of judicial officials were not intended at impugning their integrity.

Ojogbane Adegbe, a colonel, has been detained since February 11, according to his lawyer.

Adegbe is challenging his arrest and continued detention by the anti-graft agency.

An FCT High Court has fixed March 1 for ruling in a Fundamental Human Rights suit filed by Ojogbane Adegbe, a colonel and former Aide-deC M Y K

Camp, ADC, to President Goodluck Jonathan.

The judge, Yusuf Halilu, fixed the date after hearing the arguments of the parties in the suit.

At the resumed hearing of the case, Adegbe’s lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, told the court that the former ADC filed an application pursuant to the provisions of the law and the rules of the court.

Mr. Onoja urged the court to declare that his client’s arrest and continued detention by EFCC since February 11 was unconstitutional and violated his right to personal liberty guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

He prayed the court to make an order directing EFCC to immediately release the applicant from unlawful detention.

Mr. Onoja submitted that the arrest and detention of Adegbe

by EFCC violated his right to

personal liberty and freedom of movement guaranteed by Section 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

The applicant’s counsel contended that EFCC’s action violated Articles 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human

and Peoples’ Rights.

He also asked the court to make an order mandating EFCC to release the plaintiff on bail pending hearing of his case at the competent court of jurisdiction.

Mr. Onoja argued that there was no material evidence placed before the court to show that the plaintiff was detained

on the directive of the Nigerian Army as claimed by the EFCC. Opposing the application, the EFCC counsel, Musu Benda, informed the court that the respondent filed a counter affidavit challenging the plaintiff‘s motion.

Mrs. Benda contended that Adegbe was not detained by the EFCC, adding that the ex-ADC was undergoing questioning and was kept on the directive of the Nigerian Army.

NEW MONEY LAUNDERING PREVENTION & PROHIBITION BILL:

7-year prison term without option of fine awaits offenders

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By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

BUJA—IF the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Bill 2016 presented to Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari sails through, it prescribes stiff penalty for anybody found culpable of the offence and upon conviction shall be an imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years without an option of fine.

According to the bill, any financial institution found guilty will have a fine of not less than

N25 million, while nonfinancial businesses will be liable to a fine of not less than N10 million.

The bill defines any perpetrator of the crime as “a person who knows, ought reasonably to have known or suspects that property has a criminal origin, commits an offence if he conceals, disguises, converts, transfers or removes the property from Nigeria.’’

The proposed bill also stipulated three years

imprisonment or above for anybody who failed to report persons involved in the illicit act.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had last month presented an executive bill for an Act to repeal the Money Laundering( Prohibition) Act, 2011( As Amended) and enact the money laundering( Prevention and prohibition) Act to provide for measures for the prevention and prohibition of money laundering in Nigeria and for other related matters.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, February 26, 2016 —17

Long-overdue retribution

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HIS week, the Federal Government filed 11 fraud and money-laundering charges against Comrade Abba Moro, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s Minister of Interior, his alleged accomplices (including the Ministry’s former Permanent Secretary) and Drexel Global Technology Limited, a company that is said to be linked to Moro.

The above have also been accused of breaching the Procurement Act because Drexel was awarded a contract to handle a recruitment exercise in March 2014 on behalf of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, a Ministry of Interior parastatal, in a highly irregular manner and was not, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, qualified to do that type of work.

We are told that the whole exercise was a scam and a sham. And though Moro et al have not yet been tried or found guilty, it is difficult to disagree with this claim.

Job applicants nationwide Even though there were only 5000 vacancies, Drexel collected N1000 apiece from no less than 676,675 job applicants nationwide, then allowed these desperate employment-seekers to cram themselves into various venues that were not designed to contain so many people. And because of lack of space and poor crowd control, there was a stampede that led to numerous deaths and injuries.

It is not the “zero due process” aspect of this case that bothers me most in a country in which it has, until recently, been totally normal to the point of “acceptable” for VIPs to dish juicy government contracts out to their incompetent cronies, girlfriends, boyfriends, spouses, relatives or secret business partners.

And I’m not remotely surprised about the fact that Drexel’s shameless greed enabled it to make N67 millionC M Y K

don’t buy the story that every problem we have today is Jonathan’s fault.

Looking back, even though I received no patronage from Jonathan, I wasn’t totally miserable, constantly angsting about foreign exchange rates, worrying about how to look after my son and hurtling towards bankruptcy during Jonathan’s tenure!

But I’m still immensely grateful to Buhari for not letting the likes of Moro off the hook.

Buhari promised to tackle corruption and other glaring public service misdemeanors. And he is doing what he said he would do, on this level at least.

White-collar miscreants

*Scene of confusion that climaxed into the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment tragedy plus by deceiving job-seekers in a country in which much larger sums have been dishonestly looted from The System and its citizens.

The thing that really shocks and horrifies me is the fact that Moro has gotten away, for so long, with presiding over a disgraceful manslaughtering fiasco.

Regular readers of this column will recall that this tragic incident was one of the factors that made me lose faith in Jonathan, a fellow Niger Deltan whom I had regarded as a Big Brother and passionately supported and voted for in 2011.

I repeatedly complained on this page about the fact that Jonathan not only failed to punish Moro for the NIS debacle but went on to bestow a National Honour on him. I couldn’t believe that any Head

of State could be so insensitive.

Whenever I expressed bitterness about Moro’s political survival and undeserved reward, some Vanguard readers said that I was being very unfair, given that Moro had not personally killed Abba Moro...facing fraud charges the victims and had apologised and served Jonathan loyally. Some- managed.

Meanwhile, Jonathan DID times, I bow to superior argupossess some good qualities ments from readers who and hired some admirably criticise me and change my skilled individuals such as stance if I conclude that my position on a particular issue is Akinwumi Adesina, the newflawed. But I have never once ish Chief Executive Officer of doubted that my extreme an- the African Development Bank, noyance with Jonathan and who was Jonathan’s AgriculMoro was justified. And I know ture Minister. And, frankly, I many Nigerians who share my outrage within this context.

Even if Jonathan was too obtuse to recognise the need to sack Moro, Moro himself S I keep telling a PDP pal should have done the who keeps furiously honourable thing, displayed haranguing me because he is GENUINE remorse and inabsolutely convinced that some sisted on resigning immediAPC members are more dodgy ately. That’s what I would have than the PDP stalwarts who are done if I had been in his shoes. currently being detained and I wouldn’t have been able to doggedly sit tight and look the facing trial, Buhari is tougher world in the eye.

Besides, the buck stops on every leader’s desk; and if things go horribly wrong under anyone’s watch, there should be repercussions and meaningful mea culpas.

Buhari’s administration is far from perfect. Mr President travels way too much, if you ask me. And I don’t think that the economy is being properly President Buhari

He has just promised to deal with the white-collar miscreants who slyly padded the Budget.

And I’m sure that he will, with ice-cold precision, fulfil this promise. Some folks attack Buhari for being militaristic.

But there are, in my opinion, some distinct advantages attached to his no-nonsense army background and personality.

Our nation will not move forward significantly until someone has the guts to stand up and firmly declare that “enough is enough” and put a stop to the rampant abuse of privilege that has characterised the corridors of power for decades.

Corruption is not JUST about Big Men and Women selfishly misbehaving. It’s also about ordinary folks copying the bad habits they have learned from their superiors or just simply absorbing lousy ethics from a society that has been morally damaged for too long. And we as individuals will not be motivated to self-improve until we see concrete evidence that the culture of impunity no longer reigns supreme.

Buhari, thank God, is providing the concrete evidence

I repeatedly complained on this page about the fact that Jonathan not only failed to punish Moro for the NIS debacle but went on to bestow a National Honour on him; I couldn’t believe that any Head of State could be so irresponsibly insensitive

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and more principled than Jonathan was and would not have given Moro a National Honour and will probably, eventually, get rid of the bad eggs in his own Party!

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18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 AFIRCA lost one of its pre-eminent pioneering sons on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 when the death of Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali at the ripe OLD age of 93 was announced. What most people know about this great man was that he was the first African to mount the exalted seat of Secretary General of the United Nations in 1992.

What a lot of people probably do not know was that, as Egypt’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs between 1977 and 1991, he played a leading role in the Camp David negotiations and Accords that eventually ended the state of war between Israel and Egypt. It was an epochal accomplishment between Prime Minister Menachem Begin and President Anwar Sadat under the watchful eyes of President Jimmy Carter in 1978, for which both statesmen jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

When he took over as the UN

Adieu, Boutros Ghali, Africa’s first UN Chief Chief, Ghali was faced with the complicated task of managing the critical moment in world history in when the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was ending; the Berlin Wall had fallen and the USA had emerged as the sole world superpower. Also, Yugoslavia was breaking apart, and the United Nations faced more pressure to supply military peacekeepers around the world.

Under him, the UN faced a financial crunch as a result of Ghali’s insistence on its inde-

pendence from the USA; America being the foremost financier of the Organisation. This cat-and-mouse game eventually led to Ghali’s failure to secure a second term in office in 1997 and opened the door for his replacement by Dr Kofi Annan from Ghana.

After a moment’s silence was observed for Dr Ghali, the Secretary General of the UN, Mr Ban Ki Moon, remarked that he left indelible marks on the Organisation. “He brought formidable experience and intellectual power to the task of piloting the United

OPINION Issues around Nsukka federal constituency seat

By David Chukwu

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HE controversies surrounding the conduct of the 2015 General Elections have refused to abate even with nine months into the life of the current political dispensation.

Several cases concerning the conduct of the elections at various levels got as far as the Supreme Court. They involved the conduct of the governorship and National Assembly elections in various States of the federation.

Recently, the Supreme Court started winding up many of these cases especially with regard to governorship tussles in the States. In particularly, the apex Court resolved pending disputes in Yobe, Delta, Oyo, Akwa Ibom and Abia States.

There are still some cases pending for determination by the Supreme Court. One of such cases is the tussle over the rightful claimant to the Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency seat between the incumbent, Dr. Pat Asadu and his challenger, Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede.

Ugwuegede is presently at the Supreme Court seeking to be declared the winner of the National Assembly election into the Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency, having been the authentic candidate nominated by the PDP to contest the election.

Ugwuegede had contested and won the th primary election conducted on 6

December, 2014 by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency of Enugu State with 83 votes and was duly declared by the Senator Anthony Manzo-led Electoral Panel sent by the National Headquarters of PDP to conduct primaries in Enugu State.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP, acting on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP, duly forwarded the Appellant’s name to INEC. The Appellant participated fully in all the stages of the election and was declared winner of th the March 28 , 2015 National Assembly Election by INEC. st Meanwhile, the 1 Respondent, Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu, had filed a Suit at the Federal High Court Abuja challenging the victory of the Appellant at the primary election.

At the trial, the Appellant and PDP contended that the trial Court lacked st jurisdiction because the 1 Respondent (Asadu) did not participate in the primary election which he was challenging and was therefore not an aspirant under Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). st Instead, what the 1 Respondent did was that having purchased the PDP nomination Form, he showed up at the venue of the primary, exchanged pleasantries and left.

Sensing defeat, he went to a different venue to conduct a parallel primary where he proclaimed himself winner.

At the approved venue where the PDP held

its primary, Asadu scored only one vote. In st his petition to the PDP Appeal Panel, the 1 Respondent had clearly admitted that there were two primaries. The said petition was exhibited by the Appellant and PDP, both at the trial Court and Court of Appeal. But curiously, the trial Court and the Court of Appeal decided to ignore this clear admission st of two primaries by the 1 Respondent and held that it was only one primary won by st the 1 Respondent.

Also at the trial Court and Court of Appeal, two Result Sheets with the same Serial and Code Numbers but producing two different winners were exhibited. PDP Affidavit evidence showed that the Result Sheet that produced the Appellant as the winner of the said primary was the one it issued while that st of the 1 Respondent was forged. But curiously, the trial Court and Court of Appeal decided to uphold the Result Sheet that st produced the 1 Respondent even when PDP, the purported author, disclaimed it.

The PDP had earlier set up a National Assembly Appeal Panel to review the National Assembly primaries held in Enugu State. The Appeal Panel which did not invite the Appellant surprisingly ruled in favour st of the 1 Respondent. But after due consideration, the ruling was overturned by the National Working Committee of PDP, acting on behalf of NEC, and the Appellant’s name was submitted to INEC as the duly nominated candidate of PDP.

Nations through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history,” he remarked.

Ghali’s major failing (which he publicly regretted) was the role he played, as an Egyptian diplomat, in unwittingly arming the Hutus of Rwanda and being unable to do much to stop the massacres of 1994, which took place under his watch.

Boutros Boutros Ghali, a scion of a renowned state official and member of a prominent Egyptian Christian Coptic family, opened the door for Africans and individuals in the Third World to head the umbrella body of world nations and break the monopoly of the developed countries.

We join the rest of the world to cherish his contributions though we also hope his failings in Rwanda will be a lesson to ensure such horrific events do not occur ever again.

May he rest in peace.

In its previous settled cases, the Supreme Court had ruled that the decision of the National Working Committee acting on behalf of NEC is final on all matters relating to party primaries. But curiously the trial Court and Court of Appeal insisted that PDP must accept the recommendations of its Appeal Panel.

INEC, which is statutorily empowered to monitor all primary elections tendered a Report at the trial Court and Court of Appeal that it was the Appellant that won the said primary which it monitored. But curiously, the trial Court ruled that INEC was biased and colluded with PDP and the Court of Appeal concurred.

It is this untoward development that has compelled Ugwuegede to go to Supreme Court to seek redress in what clearly appears to be a travesty of justice. The action of the Court of Appeal in rejecting the nomination of Ugwuegede as submitted by the National Working Committee of the PDP, acting on behalf the party‘s National Executive Committee, amounts to a breach of a legal precedent already established by the Supreme Court.

It is only the National Executive Committee of a party through its NWC that has the powers to organise primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for election and also submitting same to INEC. To this extent, any primary conducted without the knowledge and permission of NWC or NEC is complete nullity.

•Mr. Chukwu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Enugu, Enugu State.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

EU-UK dilemma, but Africa’s worse off

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RITISH Prime Minister, David William Donald Cameron, 49, bounced around Friday, February 19, 2016 like a Caesar who had just won a decisive battle. After two days of grueling talks with his European brothers and sisters during which he was reported to have had only three hours sleep, he snatched an agreement giving the United Kingdom special status in the European Union (EU) Cameron who has been in power for six years, returned to London in triumph and convened a cabinet meeting next day; the first time the British cabinet was meeting on a Saturday since the Malvinas/Falkland War thirty years ago. But he may well be declaring war within his party as he announced a June 23, 2016 Referendum on whether Britain would stay or exit the EU. Cameron had taken on the EU and won demands such as restricting migrant Europeans from swooping on the British welfare system, getting child benefit or credit for children living abroad. The EU also agreed that Britain will not join the Euro Zone and can opt out of its “ever closer union” policy. The Union

furthermore, agreed that national parliaments can block unwanted European legislation.

However, not a few see the ‘special status’ as an empty package. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party said " Despite the fanfare, the deal that David Cameron has made in Brussels on Britain's relationship with the EU is a sideshow." But he promised Labour will campaign for Britain to remain in the EU. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is of course campaigning for an exit.

But Cameroon’s main challenge appears to be within his party. Five members of his cabinet; Andrea Leadsome (Energy) Ian Duncan Smith (Works & Pension) John Whittingdale (Culture) Theresa Villiers (Northern Ireland) and Michael Cove (Justice) opposed Cameron. They want a Britain that can freely elect its own government, make its own laws and set its own rules without a big brother EU watching over its affairs. As punishment, Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary says the Civil Service will not provide the Brexit Ministers briefings or support on the issue.

Chris Grayling, the Leader of the House of Commons is also opposed to Cameron as is the Conservative Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who told Britons that a vote to exit EU is an historical opportunity they may never have again in their life time. A furious Cameron opened fire on the Mayor accusing him of wanting Britain out so that he can take over the Tory Party. Referring to Johnson, he said "I won't dwell on the irony that some people who want to leave in order to remain…I do not know any [couples] who have begun divorce proceedings in order to renew their wedding vows."

The Union in awarding Britain a special status, does not want any part of the continent exiting.

To the EU, Britain is like a wandering sheep that needs to be kept within the flock so it won’t

To the EU, Britain is like a wandering sheep that needs to be kept within the flock so it won’t influence others like Netherland where 53 percent now want a referendum

That call by Soyinka

By Clement Udegbe The thing that has been—it is what will be again, and that which has been done, is that which will be done again; And there is nothing new under heaven—King Solomon of Israel.

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UR leaders are masters at conditioning, and thus have taken us all for granted for so much since after 1970.They have mastered the art of forcing very hard situations upon us, in a way that when they prescribe their solution, they make old things appear new, and we are left with no options than to clamour and beg for it, whereas there is nothing new under heaven, even in Nigeria.

Whatever we see today, had been done in the past by someone, and so, no new economic plans will come that has not been tried and tested, yet we remain in our rigmarole. So I ask, what can be new in Nigeria except good leadership, without ethnic bias, and greed?

We surely have good leaders only they are not empowered to come to power and contribute.

This is why the recent call by Professor Wole Soyinka for an Economic Conference or Summit to discuss the economy holistically to find ways to pull us out of the current doldrums is very important.

And that he made the call after a meeting with the Minister of Information, whom I call Government Chief Propagandist makes it more important, because APC has won, and are in power, they must begin to drive the economy, accept their weaknesses, seek and invite assistance, and stop the propaganda, and blame game.

The time for the ‘Blame Jonathan C M Y K

Game’ is over. We have heard and seen enough of it. We need change, which is kernel in the Nobel Laureate’s call.

Dr. Frank Nweke Jnr, has been holding National Economic Summits since 2013, and it has given the nation a type of general pull towards making us a great economic success by 2020, just five years away.

It is for him and his collaborators, the National Planning Commission to consider and review that target date in view of recent realities. They may have to take it to 2040, 0r 2060, it will still be good for there is nothing new under heaven.

In 2014, the Summit was focused on the education sector, and the result was the gargantuan achievements of the Jonathan's administration in that sector, the over 127 Almajirin Schools, over 25 new Federal Universities with over 60 percent located in the north of Nigeria, and the release of some empowerment for Private universities, polytechnics and the rest . If sustained Nigeria will be headed

There is need for continuity of the economic summit, if the current rain of hardship, will not give us cold, break our immunity and afflict us with debilitating economic ailments in the near future

influence others like Netherland where 53 percent now want a referendum. It is aware that Scotland and Wales who feel marginalised in the British union, may not lose much sleep exiting a larger union. What the EU did was to give Cameron and other pro-EU Britons some ammunition to defend their position. But it is conscious of the fact that very little had been conceded to Britain which in any case is neither in the Euro Zone nor in Schengen.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said "I do not think that we gave too much to Great Britain" Actually, EU gave very little, and I think Cameron’s sense of triumphalism is more of drama.

Whatever the case, Cameron is in a fight for his political future while Britain and the EU are in a dilemma. But this is far better than the state of Africa which remains like a manchild. Ironically, in terms of integration and building a common union like the EU, a significant part of Africa was far ahead of the Europeans.

When as Secretary General of African Workers I addressed the 14-nation Trade Union Federation Of Eastern Africa (TUFEA) Conference on October 1, 2013 in Mombasa, Kenya, I reminded the labour leaders that their region had a union which was more advanced in its day than that of the Europeans.

Europeans began to work towards integration (EU) with the signing of the Rome Treaties in 1957. These gave birth to the European Economic Community (EEC) It took ten years before the EEC was transformed into the European Community (EC) which worked towards the

in the right direction, but we did not hear much of the October 2015 summit, because of politics and change in Aso Rock.

Our problems are ethnicity, and his twin brother corruption, and their grandfather, greed. The north ( majority tribe ) which was most favoured by Jonathan ( from a minority tribe) wanted power. It was as simple as that! It will be wrong therefore for us to allow these achievements to be swept away, no matter who the Government Chief Propagandist becomes, because a man who does not know from where the rain began to beat him will not know when his drench will dry up!

There is need for continuity of the economic summit, if the current rain of hardship, will not give us cold, break our immunity and afflict us with debilitating economic ailments in the near future.

The October 2015 Summit was to focus on the holistic approach to pulling Nigerian out of the impending economic tempest in view of the plummeting global oil prices. The Summit was to present opportunity to engage with the new administration of Buhari and to highlight priority issues upon which it should focus.

In order to do this, the summit was to be structured upon four pillars namely, Macroeconomic stability & growth, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy and Framework for response to External and Domestic Shocks. Our current naira free fall could have been averted, the CBN and Federal Ministry of Finance could have been assisted to avoid the current policy summersaults, if an opportunity or window for that Summit was created and utilised. Aso Rock and its advisers must accept that change is not just about taking power, but to use it to improve the lot of the people for the better. To improve the lives and living standards of the people, there must be continuity and fairness, in all facets of governance.

Continuity must not be restricted to taking over and maintenance of movable

abolition of tariffs. That same 1967, the East African Community (ECA) was born by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Within a very short period, it became a more advanced and integrated community than the one in Europe which was bogged down by bickering and politics especially with France’s determination to gate out Britain. The ECA developed fast with its East African Community Market which included a customs union, integrated rail, port, aviation, data and telecommunication facilities as well as a Development Bank. It was the model that all others including the European Community sort to copy.

Unfortunately, political intrigues set in and the 1971 coup by Idi Amin sounded the death knell; Tanzania refused to recognize Amin, and gave asylum to ousted President Milton Obote and opposition figures. Consequently, the ECA could not meet, and it collapsed in 1977. With that, Africa missed the train to fast track integration while the EU sped past. Today, the challenge in Africa remains how to get the continent to the ECA standard of four decades ago. The ECA story reads like fiction. But it is a true one, and if East Africa could do it then, there is no reason why, with better communication and in a globalized world, Africa cannot do it today. Primarily, what this requires is the political will leaders like Kwame Nkrumah exhibited half a century ago.

Fortunately, we do not need to rely on the slower rail system of the 1970s; this is the age of the bullet train, and Africa can catch it and accelerate towards full integration.

and immovable property, it must include basic policies that help to sustain credible structures for sound economic planning.

The National Economic Summit or Conference Group is one of such structures.

The problem with this administration is, its very harsh body language, which has put fear and trepidation in its Officers’ psyche.

While we accept that corruption must be fought, the fight against it must not kill us.

There is too much hard ship presently!

When people are sacked en-mass as we saw in the 2016 Budget imbroglio, on the altar of perceived or real accusations of corruption, it portends danger, and will kill the economy. Who are our economic Gate Takers and Keepers ? None!

Government itself from Federal to States levels, need to be more honest with us, because they cannot continue to junket all over the world in private and chartered flights, drive long convoys of exotic cars, live in opulence on caviars, champagnes and good wines, while they ask us to tighten our belts. We won’t believe them!

The attitude of this government to Conference Reports remains a source of concern to many. The Jonathan administration rightly convened a National Conference which produced a Report that will form the basis for the continued existence of the North and South of Nigeria as one Nation with the expiration of the 1914 Amalgamation treaty.

Aso Rock does not seem to be interested in the implementation of that report, and may therefore not be interested in any Economic Summit or Conference Report.

If it hopes to use military might, and shoot at sight orders against civil agitations to keep the peace, that is wrong and will fail as it would not be in the interest of the government of the day.

*Mr Udegbe, a lawyer, can be reached at ceeaai@yahoo.com.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

AFTERMATH OF INVASION, KILLINGS BY FULANI HERDSMEN:

Tears, fear, uncertainty rule Abbi community

By Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka

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HE people of Abbi community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State are still in mourning and counting their losses, both in terms of human lives wasted and property destroyed, days after the community was invaded by Fulani herdsmen. Brutally killed during the attack were a brother and sister, Fidelis and Mercy Okeja. Still missing without any trace of their being alive or dead are 19 members of the community.

The Fulani herdsmen reportedly invaded the peace-loving Abbi community in the wee hours of the fateful day, attacked and killed 45-year-old Fidelis, a polygamist and father of many children, and 50-year-old Mercy, a widow and mother of four children. They also burnt down seven houses and some motorcycles parked there, and looted provision shops.

How Fulani herdsmen killed my husband and his sister Grief-stricken first wife of the deceased, Mrs Stella Okeja, 37, told Vanguard Metro, VM, during a visit to the community that her husband had three wives each of which had 10 children. The oldest among these, she also informed, are just in junior secondary school. She explained that her late husband, a primary school teacher at Opi-Uno in Nsukka Local Government Area, was killed in front of her by the Fulani herdsmen.

Gathering of food items AccordingtoStella:“Myhusband asked me to accompany him to the village to process garri and gather other food items for the family as the other wives are nursing babies.

Unknown to us, that was to be his last journey on earth. We arrived the village to the warm embrace of his sister Mercy, a widow and mother of four who has been receiving help from our husband to train her children. “We set out for the farm to harvest cassava and other raw food items.Aswereturnedfromthefarm, I was preparing dinner when a large number of Fulani herdsmen, some with their faces masked, stormed our compound with guns, machetes and other weapons. My husbandshoutedatmetorunaway.

I ran out from the kitchen shouting on top of my voice that the Fulani havekilledmyhusband.Whenpeople gathered after the Fulanis had gone, my husband and her sister were found dead in a pool of their ownbloodwithseveralmachetecuts all over their bodies. ‘’We are still confused over this barbaric killing. How do we cope with bringing up our 10 children?

None of the wives has any tangible thing doing to survive. The only

•Eze Fidelis Igwe of Abbi community shop which I used to manage has been closed down due to lack of funds to buy needed goods. With my husband dead, life has come to zero level. The children are too young to fend for themselves and we live in a rented building in Nsukka. The termination of his life was the beginning of the suffering of his large family”.

August 2015 killing of Ozo Samuel Okoro: Incidentally, this was not the first time Fulani herdsmen would be invading the community and leaving tears of sorrow in their wake. Herdsmen had in August 1,2015 invaded the community during which they reportedly hacked one Ozo Samuel Okoro of Eziugwobi village in Abbi community to death in presence of his two wives at his hut in the farm around 2pm. It was gathered that the deceased was relaxing after the day’s work when his assailants who came in their numbers attacked him with a gun and axe. He was said to have bled to the last drop of his blood before giving up the ghost.

An eye witness account who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the deceased neither fought nor had any previous encounter or altercation with his assailants in the past to warrant the attack and killing.

This development had prompted a delegation led by Dr Mike Ajougwu (SAN) to go to the owners of the cattle living at Odoru community in Igala-Mela Local Government Area, Kogi State in June 2015 to complainoftheatrocious acts of the cattle rearers.

Petition to Police Commissioner: Dr Ajougwu in a petition he addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State on the killing dated August 3,2015 noted that he held a meeting at Olu-Odoru Haruna Opala palace with the Olu, the DPO Odoru, all within Odoru district, all the owners of the cattle earlier before the recent attack that

•Fidelis Okeja...killed by herdsmen

•Igwe John Ako of Nimbo community

threw the community into mourning.

He pointed out in the petition that the Fulani herdsmen rape women and girls, steal yams, grains and other crops from farms with impunity. He informed that a case of murder was reported to Adani Police Station and UzoUwani local government council.

He prayed the police commissioner to summon the Enugu State chairman of the association of cattle rearers, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, together with his Odoru counterparts, Alhaji Aruto Daura and Alhaji Haruna to assist the Police in its investigations of major crimes.

Reports revealed that since the time of the petition till the most recent killing of Fidelis and Mercy whose remains are still in the mortuary awaiting the outcome of police investigation and autopsy, no arrest has been made. Dr Ajougwu appealed to the Police boss to use his good offices to properly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book in the interest of justice and peace, and to avoid break down of law and order in the community and beyond.

Proposals to avert imminent violence: Dr Ajougwu, who hails from Abbi community, organised a meeting at Onu-Odoru palace on June 30,2015, where the Fulani

heads pledged to co-operate with Abbi farmers by not allowing their cattle to destroy farms. But contrary to their promise, the spate of murders, rape, destruction of farms, looting and burning of houses and property allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen has intensified.

Looting and burning of houses He had proposed as a last resort to find peace and avert further violence, that the Area commander, Nsukka Police Command should as a matter of utmost urgency convene a meeting of the traditional rulers of Nimbo, Abbi, Nrobo, Okpuje, Nkpunano, Anuka and Okutu communities together with DPOs of Adani,Nsukka, Okpuje and Odoru in Kogi State. Also to attend the meeting are the paramount chief of Odoru, the Onu Odoru, sub-heads and chiefs of Avurugo, Nokwo, Ekwuloko and the Fulani heads along Abbi and Odoru borders.

Reports showed that both the meetings and proposals collapsed, while Fulani herdsmen continued their attacks, killings and destruction in the localities of Abbi, Nimbo, Nrobo, Adani and Nkpologwu communites. Dr Ajougwu in his

letter for a security meeting dated October 2, 2015 and addressed to the Area Commander noted that the people and country would hold the police inaction responsible in the event of escalation of avoidable calamity.

Threat to Dr Ajougwu’s life: The efforts of Dr Ajougwu to broker peace between the communities and Fulani herdsmen were in futility. Instead he was said to have received several threatening phone calls to produce within a day a Fulani allegedly held hostage by Anuka people. Dr Ajougwu in another petition he addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, dated January 29, 2016 noted that the threat to his life was from the Fulani heads living at OdoruIgalla Mela near Idah in Kogi State who attended the meeting he convened for peace and security in June last year.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria pointed out that twice last year, Abbi community arrested Fulani boys and handed them over to the Police.

On the threat to his life, he said he has since resigned to God’s protection since the Police has shown no indication of doing anything about it even when he has made an official complaint to that effect.

The traditional ruler of Abbi community reacts: Reacting to the development, the traditional ruler of Abbi community, Eze Fidelis Igwe, complained that his community had over the years suffered untold hardship in the hands of Fulani herdsmen who he accused of maiming and gang raping “ourwomenatfarmlands”in addition to robbing and kidnapping his people or stealing and destroyingcashcropsinthecommunity.He declared that: “The killing of Fidelis and Mercy, including the 19 people that are still missing, was one of the worst and most tragic things to happen to us in the recent past.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

— 21

Accounts without BVN to remain dormant-CBN

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COMMISSIONING: Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode (middle); wife of the President, Hajiya Aisha Buhari (left) and wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, during the commissioning of 450,000 metric tonnes capacity tomato processing cactory

by Erisco Foods Limited at Alausa, Lagos.

he Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, said that bank accounts without the Biometrics Verification Number (BVN) would be operated as “No Customer Initiated Debit”.

The apex bank said this in a circular titled: “Classification on Accounts with BVN Related Issues” sent to all commercial banks and posted on its website. The circular signed by Director, Banking and Payments System Department, Mr Dipo Fatokun, said that such accounts would remain dormant until the account holder obtains and attaches the BVN to the account. The circular read, “it has, however,

Economic reforms, passage of bill will boost Nigeria’s economy —Control Risks

By Peter Egwuatu

Speaking to newsmen on Riskmap in 2016, Mr. Tom Griffin ,ManONTROL Risks, a global aging Director,West Africa Control risk consultancy firm, yes- Risks said, President Muhammadu terday said that the Federal Buhari has begun workonreforms Government’s fight on amidcontinuedeconomicchallengcorrupttion, economic reforms es, stressing that budget and quick passage of some commitments go unmet while nonimportant bills before the oilprovesdifficulttoraise.According National Assembly will boost the tohim, “despitesomeimprovement in corruption, the regulatory economy.

The firm also advocate for the environment remains complex, I devaluation of naira stating that think there is need to devalue the the prevailing turf economic en- naira and allow market forces play vironment is causing some for- their role.

The government needs to devaleign firms to leave the country despite the huge potentials it ue the currency to ease pressure on the budget deficit as oil prices conposseses. tinue to fall. Structural weakness undermines attemptstotransformagriculture and manufacturing into businesses that can $117.00 1.95 compensate for depressed oil prices. Meanwhile, for$2,963.00 38.00 eign investors, sensitive to currency risk are wary of $14. 13 0. 16 committing to Nigerian projects.”

In his own view on scenario development in the $34. 18 -0.23 country, Daniel Mag$31. 73 -0.05 nowski said “ armed activity in the Niger Delta rises CURRENCY BUYING SELLING as the government reduces funding for the amnesty US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 programme for former 276. 2032 276. 9078 277. 6124 POUNDS militants. The regional 214. 9532 215. 5016 216. 0499 EURO 197. 1236 197. 6265 198. 1293 FRANC security environment re1.7534 1.7579 1.7624 YEN mains challenging and 0.3096 0.3196 0. 3296 CFA complex.”

271. 6645 272. 3575 273. 0505 WAUA According to him, “the 30. 0195 30. 0965 30. 1735 RENMINBI 52.2458 52. 379 52. 5123 government, fearful of outRIYAL 28.8002 28. 8737 28. 9472 KRONA breaks of violence extends 271. 6364 272. 3294 273.0223 SDR the amnesty programme, but reduces payments, for CBN Exchange rate as at 25/02/2016

C

C M Y K

whom job opportunities remain scarce. Criminal, community and small militant groups lack the ca-

Despite some improvement in corruption, the regulatory environment remains complex

pabilitytolaunchlargescaleattacks on large facilities such as power stations or terminals, but pipelines remain vulnerable to sabotage, particularly in riverine swamp areas.”

Speaking, Gbenga Abosede, Associate Director, Compliance , Forensics and Investigations and Technology, West Africa Control Riskssaid, “anticorruptioncrusade of the Buhari administration is good for the country as tighter presidential control of government and a well publicized zero tolerance approach lead to a reduction in high level political corruption and will attract investors. We want to see the administration pass major bill by the end of 2016; however better equipment boosts security efforts against Boko Haram, breaking a key Buhari promise.”

come to our notice, that some customers could not link their BVN to their accounts.

“This is due to discrepancies between the record on the BVN database and the records on the core banking applications of the DMBs. Such customers can approach their bankers for correction, but some of the banks could not effect the corrections. The bank, in the circular, said that in view of this development, it had become imperative for the CBN to issue the clarifications.

It said that such clarifications included corrections of Date of Birth on the BVN record. This should be allowed once, with supporting documents, evidencing the correct date of birth. The CBN said that change of names due to marriage should be allowed with supporting documents, such as marriage certificate or affidavits, among others.

The apex bank said that minor correction of names, due to misspelling should be allowed, with supporting documents such as international passport, showing the correct name.

According to CBN, change of names that are totally different should only be allowed after the customer has produced supporting documents.

The CBN said that this should be reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as a suspicious transaction by the bank customer. The customers of the BVN database should be same in all his/her accounts, across the banking industry, the circular said. On closure of accounts, the CBN said that customers that wished to do so should be allowed.

Agriculture, mainstay of Nigeria’s economy— ICAN

By Prince Okafor & Iloaze Blessed-Odidi

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ITH attention focused on reviving the agriculturalsector,the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN believes that the sector can take over oil as mainstay of the economy if individuals with background knowledge are given the opportunity.

This was disclosed at its third annual entrepreneurship symposium programme, tagged: “Tapping opportunities from your environment”, held in Lagos.

Speaking at the symposium, ICAN past President, Chairman of the Agriculture and Food Security Commission of Nigeria

Economic Survey, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewure, who shared his experience, said “Agricbusiness is taking over from oil, which is not a narrowed business but has many streams, so much money to be made, and this is done with individuals who have background skills and knowledge supporting it.”

He charged the chattered accountants to believe in themselves, by revisiting their courses and take up new courses with great confidence, knowing the certificates in their hands are of great value, He further stated that, what motivated him into agric-business was the unhygienic handling of meat from meat shops/slaughter houses in Lagos,

and at that time, being a farmer and being poor, were seen as identical twins, but not anymore now.

He, however, encouraged Nigerians to always ensure they are well informed on the nation‘s agricultural level saying: “1 percent of Nigerian which is less than one million nigerians,owns and control about 80 percent of the wealth of this nation, and you all are part of it. With the present number of chartered accountants in country been 40,000 divided by 182,000,000 Nigerians including the growing population, mutiply 100, your answer gives us where we are today.”

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

50,000 registered ships transport 80% of world trade —IMO Stories by Godfrey Bivbere

T

HE International Maritime Organisation, IMO, has said that there are about 50,000 registered ships engaged in transportation of 80 percent consignments across the global.

A statement by the world maritime regulatory body, noted that around 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent of global trade by value are carried by sea and are handled by ports worldwide.

IMO also pointed out that the world fleet is registered in over 150 nations and manned by more than 1,000,000 (a million) seafarers of virtually every nationality. In recognition of the importance of shipping to world trade, IMO is set to celebrate the world maritime day with the theme for 2016 is “Shipping: indispensable to the world”.

The theme was chosen to focus on the critical link between shipping and global society and to raise awareness of the relevance of the role of IMO as the global regulatory body for international shipping.

The importance of shipping to support and sustain today ’s global society gives IMO’s work a significance that reaches far beyond the industry itself.

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), around 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent of global trade by value are carried by sea and are handled by ports worldwide. These shares are even higher in the case of most developing countries.

Without shipping the import and export of goods on the scale necessary to sustain the modern world would not be possible.

T

PROMO: From left, Folasade Omole, Chief Operating Officer, Genesis Group; Tunde Olurunyemi, Operations Manager, Restaurant, Genesis Group; and Chidi Dike, winner of all-expense-paid trip to Genesis Sojourner Hotel, Lagos during the draws of the Genesis Eat Win N Ride promo, in Port Harcourt.

Seaborne trade continues to expand, bringing benefits for consumers across the world through competitive freight costs.

Over the past 50 years and more, IMO has developed and adopted a comprehensive framework of global regulations

HE Comptroller General (CG) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali, Retd, has directed its officers to ensure strict enforcement of all relevant provisions of the extant laws of the NCS on ships and vessels that berth illegally outside Customs Ports.

The directive contained in a circular issued on Jan. 21, 2016 with number NCS/Exc, FTZ&II/038/ S.28/Vol.II/316 and sent to all Deputy Comptroller Generals, DCGs, Assistant Comptroller Generals, ACGs, Zonal Coordinators, Customs Area Controllers, Controllers Federal Operation Units, FOUs A to D and Controllers E & WM Commands.

The circular signed on behalf of Customs boss by DCG

covering maritime safety, environmental protection, legal matters and other areas. Under this regulatory framework, shipping has become progressively safer, more efficient and more environmentfriendly. World Maritime Day will be celebrated at IMO

H e a d q u a r t e r s o n 29 September 2016, but other events and activities focusing on the theme will be held throughout the year while a World Maritime Day Parallel Event will be held in Turkey in November 2016.

Police hindering port operations — ANLCA

C

LEARING Agents under the aegis of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, have called on the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to urgently intervene to stop officers of the Force from their illegal activities which is hindering port operations.

The association alleged that officers of the NPF from Zone 2, Area B and the office of the Assistant Inspector

Customs boss warns against illegal ship berthing, midstream discharge

T

Truckers threaten to ground port operation over NPA’s N10,000 levy

(Exc.FTZ & Ind. Inc), Ms G.O. Adeyemo, stated that the directive followed intelligence reports which indicated some form of compromise by NCS officers.

According to the circular: “Intelligence reports reaching headquarters indicate some form of compromise by officers, where deliberate acts of impunity are perpetuated through illegal berthing of ships/vessels and mid-stream discharge of cargo other than officially designated Customs Ports despite existing circulars.’

“In effect, I am directed to reiterate and convey the Comptroller-General of Customs directive on strict enforcement of the Extant Laws and circulars in that regard (Ref.S.12 (1) & (4) of the CEMA).’’

General of Police in charge of Marine, are now writing letters to shipping companies to stop already existed consignments from leaving the ports until the owners visit their offices.

President of the ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, told Vanguard that the sad thing is that further examination are not done on such consignments but alleged that the owners are allowed to go after going to these offices to settle.

He noted that though the dwindling world economy and government economic policy are both having combine effect on business at the port, he added that the new dimension is further driving away businesses from the Lagos ports.

The economy and the attitude of security agency and their extortion is affecting businesses at the ports.

According to him, “The economy and the attitude of security agency and their extortion is affecting businesses at the ports. People are running away from the western ports, they are either going to Cotonou or they are heading to the eastern ports because the one that is trending now is that the Nigerian Police Force, NPF are now writing letters to shipping companies not to release cargoes until the agents comes to visit them. They write from Zone 2, Area B and the office of the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, in charge of marine. When consignments are existed, they write to shipping companies not to release until the clearing agent goes there to visit them and they have never come back to say the containers in suspect and that they want to reexamine. Once you settle them they release your cargo, the port is becoming very on friendly.

On the allegation that the police was hindering smooth port operations, the Lagos state police Public relations Officer, Dolapo Badmus, told Vanguard that she would not speak on the issue that has to do with the zone, noting that the zonal image maker is in the best position to do so.

Similarly, the zonal PRO, CSP Adebowale Lawal, simply told Vanguard that “am not aware of this development, am not aware.”

RUCK owners have threatened to shut port operations in Lagos if the planned implementation of N10,000 debit note levy by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, scheduled to start from March 1st 2016 is not stopped .

The truck owners under the aegis of Ports Dry Cargo Transport Operators, CPDCTO, also said that it is weighing up the option of seeking court injunction for NPA to compel them to explain reasons behind the fee collection.

NPA had set March 1st 2016 to prevent trucks without its sticker from entering the ports.

Speaking shortly after the maiden meeting of the group over the weekend, Chairman of the committee , Alhaji Abdullahi Inuwa, stressed that the body was set up to address the unwarranted fee.

Inuwa who also doubles as the Lagos State Vice Chairman, NARTO reiterated that “any moment from now, we will start mobilising ourselves by coming out in a big way to protest the unacceptable monetary fine being forced on truck owners.”

“We have all agreed to do that and all truck owners have agreed to up their trucks in standard but the money to be paid does not go down well with us” He disclosed further that the group will meet on Monday to finalise plans on how to carry out a peaceful demonstration to drive home their demands.

Inuwa explained that some of the strategies put in place by the committee to resist the payment of the money include: mobilisation of protesters, aggressive campaign awareness programme; which will include flyers, stickers, and banners.

Though the truck owners declined to give a particular date when the protest will commence but added that the operators will take the NPA by surprise.

He said that “for NPA to demand N10000 from us is not acceptable because , the agency has no business in transportation of cargoes out of the ports, due to the concession agreement.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—23

VOL. 1: NO. 17

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 , 2016

By Dayo Johnson

I

T is not an over statement to call it a subtle revolution.

Some Obas other than those in the first class category are revolting against the 22 member Ondo state Council of Obas and by extension the state government over alleged maltreatment, marginalization and deprivation of their rights as the custodians of the tradition.

They lamented that many of them attend government programmes using taxi cabs because they have been pauperised.

“The sight of a traditional ruler hopping into a taxi cab or begging for a ride when invited for official duties in the state capital does no good to the image of the state. Selective provision of exotic official vehicles to some is not a good thing at all," they lamented.

The crisis that is brewing among classes of traditional rulers in the state, if care is not taken may shake the state to its foundation.

Over 100 traditional rulers that are not in the grade A or B are poised for a war with the council of Obas and the state government also over alleged lopsidedness in the composition of the council and shabby treatment meted to them by the both parties.

Infact, the Obas described the state Council of Obas as; ‘’an arm of the state government noting that their grievances have been pending for years."

The aggrieved monarchs under the umbrella of DE 130 Krowns Club who are protesting alleged marginalization by the first class monarchs in their domains did not spare the state government for allegedly aiding the first class Obas to oppress them The royal rumble which came to the fore last week according to investigation by Vanguard had been on for years even before the present administration seven years ago.

However, the Obas last week took up the gauntlet and not minding whose ox is gored the Obas led by their Chairman, the Aladeokun of Idanre Oba Olusegun Akinbola and others including the Owa-Ale of IkareAkoko, Oba Samuel AdegbiteAdedoyin and the Olupe of IpeAkoko, Oba Francis Apata, said they decided to cry out “when all attempts to meet with Governor Olusegun Mimiko to address their plight have been frustrated in the last few years C M Y K

•Mimiko

•Deji of Akure: Oba Aladetoyinbo

ROYAL RUMBLE:

As unranked Ondo monarchs battle Council of Obas, Mimiko of his administration.

Oba Adedoyin said their grievances would have been channeled through the State Council of Obas but for its composition which he declared lopsided and the lack readiness of the council to address the plight of members other than those in the first class.

Speaking on behalf of other traditional rulers, Oba Akinbola described the composition of the present Council as not only lopsided but non representative noting that only 22 Obas are members of the Council out of over 150 Obas in the state.

The traditional ruler alleged that the state government is making some Obas more

comfortable than others describing such action politically unwise.

On remuneration, the Obas, said; “The federal government wisely provided that five percent of gross revenue allocated to each local government be set aside to sustain the needs of traditional rulers.

IN THIS EDITION

LASG expresses concern OKE-OGUN DEVT: over structural stability Day Shittu, Oba Ajinese, others led buildings in Badagry campaign •Page 24

•Page 26

“The noble gesture was meant to lift the traditional rulers from the state from abject poverty in which they were. However, in some local governments in the state, it is ironic that in some cases the driver earns more than the Oba that they are employed to drive."

The Obas therefore recommended that the state government should ensure that the spirit of the letter authoring the allocation be strictly followed .

According to him: ‘’the five percent should be as at first charge.

Continues fon page 24 C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

LAGOS STATE

By Monsuru olowoopejo

T

HE Lagos State Government has expressed worries over the structural stability of buildings in Badagry axis of the state, saying “only 46 of the over 500 buildings erected within the last five years are certified by the government.”

This was disclosed at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Badagry Town Hall for residents of Badagry to sensitize them on plans to develop the axis.

Director of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LSAPPA, Mr. Adekunle Osude, who disclosed this at the meeting, lamented that between 2010 and 2015, hundreds of buildings were erected in Badagry axis but few were structurally certified.

According to him, “In 2010, 8 buildings were certified, 2011, 15 buildings; 2012, 9 buildings; 2013, 12 buildings; 2014, none and 2015, 2 buildings were certified.”

General Manager of LASPPA, Mr. Toyin Abdul added: “We received 1,546 building plans between January and December 2015 and of these statistics, 1,428 buildings were approved.

“In this vein, we have commenced monitoring of structures without

LASG expresses concern over structural stability of buildings in Badagry •Gov Ambode development plans with our sister agency, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA with the view to ensure that developers build in conformity with the stated laws in the state,” he added.

Listening to the statistics, Chairman House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Setonji David, warned against demolishing the uncertified buildings,

especially the completed structures in the axis.

David said that the assembly would not welcome any confrontation between the government and residents.

According to him, “ rather than demolish such buildings, the state government should introduce a process that will fast track certification of buildings in the state.”

Responding, Commissioner

for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowoshe said: “We don’t want to demolish any building. And that was why we have asked residents to seek for the necessary approvals before they start construction. And that was why we have introduced Eplanning permits to aid quick issuance of permits,” he added.

The commissioner noted

Why Lagos built heliport — LASUTH CMD

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS State has recorded an unprecedented feat in the area of health services.

With an estimated population of 23 million people, Lagos, is one of the states with high incidence of emergencies.

In the past, many patients had lost their lives to late arrival at hospitals, due to recurring road traffic snarls in the state.

Determined to reduce risk and enhance chances of survival of patients, the Lagos State Government, last week conducted a test run of its newly built heliport at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, to ascertain its readiness for operation during medical emergencies in the state.

A heliport is a small airport suitable only for use by helicopters.

Heliports typically contain one or more helipads and may have limited facilities such as fuel, lighting, a windsock, or even hangars that are often built on rooftops.

The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, Dr. Wale Oke, during

the test run exercise last weekend, said the state government had built a helicopter evacuation system in the hospital for effective response to medical emergencies.

According to him, the trial run of the emergency landing of the helicopter in the hospital located in the Ikeja area of the state was designed to move patients from different locations to the

hospital when required.

Oke added that the trial run was to identify possible challenges that could occur when landing the helicopter and how to proffer solutions.

According to him, “What we did was a trial run to see the challenges that will be faced by the pilot when he tries to land the helicopter in front of the Surgical Emergency Department. We have identified all the problems

and solutions have been proffered.

“The state government is using extra budgetary funds to put up a modern heliport of international standard that will cater for these needs.

“Some of the problems that have been identified can be addressed with the removal of some poles and cutting down of trees.

“Some physical structures will also have to be adjusted

In this vein, we have commenced monitoring of structures without development plans with our sister agency, Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA with the view to ensure that developers build in conformity with the stated laws in the state

that the government was working to ensure that parts of the lands under global acquisition were returned to residents of Badagry.

Anifowoshe, however, warned that the state government would not abandon the Badagry Master plan for any reason because it brings rapid socio-economic development to the axis.

He said “we will monitor the Badagry Master plan to the letter before it expires in 2041.

This was a plan drawn at N700 million.

The development of Badagry is germaine to us.’’

to meet the need so as not to cause injuries when landing.”

Oke said government had identified that it was important to further improve on the evacuation of patients to the hospital through air transportation.

He stressed that when a patient who is critically ill gets to the hospital on time, the chances of survival is higher than when the patient is brought in late.

Unranked Ondo monarchs battle Council of Obas, Mimiko Continues from page 23 “This is without prejudice to whatever allowance that could be due to such Oba .

Ondo State Obas should be able to lift their heads high in the gathering of other traditional rulers in Nigeria.’’

They also asked the state government. To direct local governments to commence the construction/ renovation of official quarters (palaces) of Obas in their areas of jurisdiction. According to them; “this is in line with what obtains in other states of the Federation”.

Speaking on the crisis over ranking in the Council, the

Obas advised the state government not to allow the desire of a group of few Obas plunge the state of over three million people into confusion.

They submitted that no traditional ruler is superior to another outside his domain.

Describing the contentious issue of ranking as slavery, the Obas said it has remained a contentious and inflammable issue that three past governments have steered clear of.

“It is not that they were not bold enough nor they do not possess the instruments to force their wishes on the state.

“It is because they saw that it was not wise to tamper with the

history of the people.

“They were not willing to assist a few self seeking people to re-write the natural history of the people of Ondo State.

“Since it is a subjective matter it should not be institutionalized through the force of law as is being canvassed by a few.

“The people know their history, the people know which community they were liberated from, the people know how they were liberated.

And the people know who to give honour to.

The Obas noted that “what needs to be done must be done but done in the interest of the greatest number of people."

A first-class Oba who spoke with Vanguard in confidence said that the aggrieved Obas are only seeking relevance.

He denied that the council is an arm of government noting that they have on several occasions disagreed with the state government on some state matters.

The traditional advised them to channel their grievances to the council who according to him would look into it and address it, if genuine.

Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bamiduro Dada, could not be reached for comment while his mobile phone was switched off.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 —25

OYO STATE

OKE-OGUN DEVT:

Day Shittu, Oba Ajinese, others led campaign

By Ola Ajayi

A

S the privilege of producing the governor of Oyo State continues to elude indigenes of Oke-Ogun area of the state, notable sons and daughters of the agrarian zone have commenced moves to address the continued marginalisation of the area.

Leading the call for recognition of the zone are the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba (Dr.) Abdulganiyu Ologunebi Ajinese 1, and Professor Emeritus, Dibu Ojerinde, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The traditional ruler, the don and others lamented that successive administrations at federal and state levels have not given Oke-Ogun desired attention in spite of the variety of resources in the area.

While thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mr. Adebayo Shittu as a minister, he said it was time that Oke-Ogun produced the next governor of Oyo State.

Oba Ologunebi, who is also the Chairman, Conference of OkeOgun Obas and Chiefs, said it is unfortunate that some detractors of Oke-Ogun at the state and federal levels, “are erroneously looking down on us and also categorizing us as being uncivilized but we have, by several means, proved this notion wrong, not just by performance but also in our conduct,” adding “Oke-Ogun can boast of a lot of people who have done well and are still doing well in the service of their fatherland, Nigeria.”

While presenting a keynote address at a reception organised for the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Prof. Dibu, who is the Asiwaju of Oke-Ogun, said the area takes a significant position C M Y K

•Shittu: Minister for Communications

within the Oyo State geopolitical equation.

The monarch cited the abandoned Badagry-OkeOgun-Sokoto road, marble deposit in Igbeti and some other mineral resources in Oke Ogun as areas in need of the urgent attention by the governments.

At the reception organised by the Oke Ogun Development Council, Chairman of the occasion, Otunba Bamidele Dada, a former minister of Agriculture, started the discourse saying that what the area is getting is not commensurate with its potentials.

He said, “the issue of agriculture, water resources and electricity are germane to this area. We have able men and

women who can transform Oyo State.”

Dada, who stood in for Chief Audu Ogbeh, incumbent Minister of Agriculture, enjoined the Communications Minister to ensure that President Buhari and his fellow ministers utilize the potentials of Ikere George Dam to generate electricity, develop agriculture and promote tourism.

In his response to the honour done him and the various speeches, Shittu thanked Oke Ogun people and the ODC for their support.

“I think you know me very well.

Many of you can define me in terms of incorruptibility and performance and I will not disappoint you,” he said.

Shittu, a former member of

the Oyo State House of Assembly and two time commissioner, described Ikere Gorge dam as a great resource that has the capacity to provide water, irrigate farmlands and electrify Oke-Ogun and its environs. The minister added that everyone in President Buhari’s cabinet has the passion to serve the nation.

He solicited the support of Nigerians as well as prayer for Buhari administration.

He said that he had met with the ODC leaders and asked them to formulate a blueprint to be tagged “Oke-Ogun Development Agenda” which can be used as a development guideline for the area.

“I will make sure that all the concerned ministers, ministries and agencies involved come to Oke-Ogun for assessment and take necessary steps that will hasten and enhance the development of Oke Ogun,” he asserted. To underline the

I will make sure that all the concerned ministers, ministries and agencies involved come to Oke-Ogun for assessment and take necessary steps that will hasten and enhance the development of Oke Ogun

seriousness he attached to the regional development, the Minister disclosed that he had appointed a Special Adviser on Oke-Ogun affairs, adding that he would like ODC to organise OkeOgun day annually and regularly to avail sons and daughters of the area the opportunity to come together, brainstorm and move Oke-ogun forward”.

Besides the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his Water Resources counterpart, Engineer Suleiman Adamu were also honoured on the occasion. The latter was represented by the Managing Director of OgunOshun River Basin Development Authority, Engineer Akintunde Soyemi.

A publication entitled: "Ikere Gorge Dam: A Goldmine Waiting to be Tapped’ was presented and circulated on the occasion. It was edited by Jare Ajayi, General Secretary of OkeOgun Development Council.

Besides the royal fathers from all the major towns in OkeOgun, dignitaries on the occasion included former deputy governor of Oyo State, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, former member of the country’s Upper Chamber, Senator Gbenga Babalola, OPM Chairman, Deacon S. A. Oyedemi, COIN Chairman, Prof Layi Egunjobi, Prof Bayo Lasebikan, Amb. Layi Iyanda, Dr. Kunle Oyeyemi (from Covenant University), Prof Kehinde Yusuf, Architect Niyi Kehinde, Admiral Amos Adedeji (retd), Alhaja Titi Akande, former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Oyo State and Olori Funke Ladigbolu, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Others were Mr. Debo

We want befitting lives not burials, actors cry out

By Daud Olatunji

H

AVING served the society for about 50 years through the entertainment industry, veteran actors and actresses want to be appreciated while alive.

These nollywood actors spoke recently through Chief Olusegun Kehinde Olayinka Aderemi, popularly known as Chief Karan.

Chief Karan who spoke in Abeokuta on the proposed programme to commemorate 50 years on stage, which had been scheduled for next month, said nollywood veterans who had spent over four decades on stage would be celebrated.

No fewer than 45 veterans in nollywood would be given awards during the programme while some awards would also be given for best performers.

According to him, the day has been was set aside for actors, actresses and other intellectuals in different places that have

contributed to the industry. .

The flamboyant actor, who was known for playing billionaire roles in Yoruba movies said, most of the time he wore flamboyant clothes to play the role of a billionaire when he might not have more than N500, adding that even after spending five to six days on location, he would be going home with N30,000.

He said: “It was a bad experience the days armed robbers came to my house about four times that I should bring the money that I do keep at home whereas I don’t have any money at home. Or the day that my building and office got burnt at Fadeyi. Or the day that my four cars got burnt in the night, or the days area boys, I don’t want to call them area boys, will ask you to drop something and if you don’t answer them they will throw something at you. Or the day I lost my woman, and there was nobody to write me a letter of condolence or even say we are

sorry apart from my colleagues”.

While recalling the ordeal of some of the actors and actresses,who have played active roles in entertainment industry four decades ago, Chief Karan lamented that most of his contemporaries and seniors died as paupers.

He said: “ I want to give kudos to people that passed through three, four, five decades in this industry. Our Federal and state governments have never for once appreciated the efforts of actors and actresses in this country. And I can say that if you ever see an actor that is buying land at Lekki or Ikoyi and also has seven to eight cars, I can tell you categorically that he is not into acting only.

“John Ayode died like a pauper, he died like a cockroach, Ayode was a man that we called Garba in village headmaster. The man worked so much but you will see him walking in the street on foot and no one came to his aid, the man was sick at the hospital, and

• Chief Olusegun Aderemi aka Karan there was nobody to pay his bill and the man died like a cockroach.

“When Bekky Nusa was sick in the 70s and 80s when she had cancer, it took us two months before we could get the money if not for the help of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the lady would have died. ‘’Olumide Bakare is there, the man is dying of kidney and heart

26 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—27

Vanguard CLASSIFIED M A K O L O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Makolo Ngozi Roseline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agetu Ngozi Roseline.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid. General public to take note.

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Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Blessing Nwabunor Ajunam and Blessing Omobolanle Ajunam is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Blessing Nwabunor Ajunam. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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UMORU—I, formerly

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Addition of Name IMHANOBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Alabi Sylvester, now wish to be known and addressed as Alabi Sylvester Imhanobe.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ROBERT—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Regina Ifeanyichukwu Robert, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Regina Ifeanyichukwu Daplem. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AYINLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aminat Temitope Ayinla, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aminat Temitope Ismaila. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Olowokere Funmilola Eniola B. and Olowokere Badmus Funmilola Eniola is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Olowokere-Badmus Funmilola Eniola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKPENYONG—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Flora Aniekan Ekpenyong, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Flora Aniekan Kelvin Olasike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOHNSON—I, formerly known and addressed as Johnson Edet Udofia, now wish to be known and addressed as Johnson E m m a n u e l Akpanadiaha. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SAMUEL—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. John Jejelowo Samuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Jejelowo Samuel Taiwo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AYENI —I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Zuwaira Ayeni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Zuwaira Lawal Ahmed Elkyari.

All former documents remain valid.

Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and general public, please take note.

AGUGUO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aguguo Chioma Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adelaja Chioma Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Samuel Agu, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuel Chukwuagu. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

DOUGLAS—I, formerly known and addressed as Douglas Obey, now wish to be known and addressed as Urhode Obey. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBRUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebruka Okey Vera, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. David Orji Vera. All former documents remain valid, NYSC, and general public please take note.

ORUGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Orugbo Barbara Oghenerume now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edevwie Barbara Oghenerume. All former documents remain valid, any authority and general public please take note.

AKANDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Akande Oluwayemisi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Odulaja Oluwayemisi E. All former documents remain valid, any authority and general public please take note.

EFEMENA—I, formerly known and addressed as Efemena Racheal Emoeroma, now wish to be known and addressed as Eferayena Rachael. All former documents remain valid, any authority and general public please take note.

IDAMOYIBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Dr (Mrs) Atinuke Adenike Idamoyibo, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr Atinuke Adenike Layade. All documents bearing Dr (Mrs) Atinuke Adenike Idamoyibo and Dr Atinuke Adenike Layade remain valid.

General public please take note.

BOGARE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bogare Patience Edirin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nelson Patience Edirin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SAMPSON—I, formerly known and addressed as Blessing Idara Ufot Sampson, now wish to be known and addressed as Blessing Chukwurah.

Former documents remain valid. The King’s Kid Primary School, Abaranje-Ikotun, Lagos, general public, please note.

S H E R I FAT — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Sherifat Alli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adenike Racheal Adejumo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name EKEREKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Joe Ubong, now wish to be known and addressed as Ekereke Ubong Joe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AHMED—I, formerly known and addressed as Ahmed Rukayat Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Giwa Rukayat Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYEKOMELU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Linda Ifeyinwa Onyekomelu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Linda Ifeyinwa Offor.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

known and addressed as Miss Umoru Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Audu Joy Uyo. All former

documents

remain valid. General

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED AGHELEGIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edesiri Augusta Aghelegin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edesiri Augusta Airende. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJAYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajayi Precious Ebunoluwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinbayode Precious Ebunoluwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogor Beatrice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Beatrice Bassey Earthaogwa.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name OVWIOMOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Elijah Agbeyighone, now wish to be known and addressed as Elijah O v w i o m o r Agbeyighone. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EFE—I, formerly known and addressed as Efe Wealth Eyoboka, now wish to be known and addressed as Omavuaye Hope Eyoboka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKINRINADE—I, formerly known and addressed as Akinrinade Iyabo Aminat, now wish to be known and addressed as Sodje Iyabo Aminat.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TUBOTAMUNO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tamunosaki Fabiawar Tubotamuno, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tamunosaki prosper Clifford . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGBIAYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tetsoma Igbiaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tetsoma Igbiaye Atse.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERHINYOJA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr Erhinyoja Ignatius Aphiar, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Oghenerugba Ignatius Aphiar. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBOMAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs paulina Onwdi Agbomah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Paulina Ojomah . All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of name that some of my documents bear my as Metomo Ubeku while other bear Emetomo Ajirioghene Ubeku that both Metomo Ubeku, and Emetomo Ajirioghene Ubeku is one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Emetomo Ajirioghene Ubeku. All former documents remain valid.

General please take note.

O L A N R E WA J U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Olanrewaju Bukola Bernice, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fadairo Oluwabukola Bernice.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PAUL—I, formerly known and addressed as Dr Orobator Paul, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr Orobator Nomagbon Ehizogie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KEYTA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oreofe Abiodun Keyta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oreofe Abiodun Adebayo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Names I, Mrs Elizabeth E. Ovwigho, wish to state that the above names are my real names and the same as Mrs Elizabeth Emonena Ovwigho. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, UBA and general public should please take note.

ADESINA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesina Temitope Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aderoju Temitope Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MBAMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mbama Godfrey Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Mbama Geoffrey Sunday. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MARTINS—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Martins Joy Odawayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwuemeka Joy Odawayi Wali. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHIBUEZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Nneoma Chibueze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Nneoma Antonio. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODOEMENA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijeoma Peace Odoemena; Ijeoma Peace Abonyi and Ijeoma Peace Okechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ijeoma Peace Jonathan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBODOAGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifunanya Blessing Obodoagu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifunanya Blessing Vincent. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please take note.

AKPAN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akon Joseph Akpan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akon Henry Briggs. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGUODO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iguodo Bridget Oluchi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onumah Bridget Oluchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWAGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwagbo Dorothy Ginika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okoye Dorothy Ginika.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOHN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen Offong John, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Queen Effiong Okon Daniel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OWIRIWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Missgold Chioma Owiriwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gold Chioma Owhorodu. All former documents remain valid. Enugu and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Names ABONYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Okechukwu Sunday Abonyi, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. Chukwudubem Sunday Jonathan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ETENORIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Iyoha, Etenoria Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Iyoha, Eromosele Sunday.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GILEAD—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Asiaka Gilead Oghenero, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Keyamo Gilead Oghenero. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHIBUZOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Anieze Sunday Chi-Best, now wish to be known and addressed as Anieze Chibuzor Chi-Best. All former documents remain valid. UBA and general public take note.

DADDY—I, formerly known and addressed as Oliseyenum Michael Sam, now wish to be known and addressed as Daddy Michaels. All former documents remain valid. Eco Bank and general public take note.

CENDAR—I, formerly known and addressed as Isidasome Cedar Odiah, now wish to be known and addressed as Isidasome Richard Cendar. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Correction of Name My name was wrongly written as Ibolum Victoria Ifeoma and that my correct name is Bolum Victoria Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Bolum Victoria Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ANTHONIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Edun Anthonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Edun Anthonia Slyvia. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGHENEVWOGAGA— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Augustine Oghenevwogaga, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oghenevwogaga Osakue Ifada. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

GOODNESS—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyegbule Goodness Chikaodi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbonna Goodness Chikaodi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

O K E K E N TA — I , formerly known and addressed as Anthony Okekenta, now wish to be known and addressed as Anthony Ochonma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ONAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onah Ifeoma Agatha or Onah Patience Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ihejiawunze Patience Ifeoma. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OSENI—I, formerly known and addresed as Apochi John Oseni, now wish to be known and addressed as Apochi Emie Oseni.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ESHIET—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uduak Michael Eshiet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uduak Etim Akpan Etim. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name These names, Ogoni Okeoghene and Ogoni Okeoghene Gift belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Ogoni Okeoghene Gift. All former documents remain valid, any authority and the general public to take note.

EDUOK—I, formerly known and addressed as Yvonne Gift Eduok, now wish to be known and addressed as Yvonne Enobong Christopher. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—29

Vanguard CLASSIFIED Confirmation of name This is to confirm that Emuotu Judith Uyomamre and Obokawena Judith Uyomamre is the same and one person but now wish to be known and addressed as Obokawena Judith Uyomamre. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name I,formerly known and addressed as Ogbogbo John Felix and Ogbogbo Felix Oghenerobor now wish to be known and addressed as Ogbogbo John Felix. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank Plc, UBA, Pharmacists council of Nigeria and general public please take note.

OMONI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Elohor Omoni, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Elizabeth Elohor Omonigho. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMOJEVWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss E m o j e v w e Clementina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ekpruke Clementina.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBADASERAYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sarah Aroedon Obadaseraye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sarah Aroedon Osawe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ENUMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enuma Ndidi Angela, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Angela Ndidi Nwobu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

THOMAS—I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Thomas Edheyibo Regina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ajimijere Regina. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank, First bank and general public please take note.

Confirmation of Names This is to certify that Adausi Ebi Frank and Adausi Ebiegberi Frank refer to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Adausi Ebi Frank. First bank and general public please take note.

OKOLOEKWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Okoloekwe Christian, now wish to be known and addressed as Chidebe Christian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A Z I B A N G B A L— I , formerly known and addressed as Azibangbal Gladys, now wish to be known and addressed as Igirigi Gladys. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

WIKIMOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tamarakuro Linda Wikimor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tamarakuro Linda Etonye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MACO— I, formerly

AGEDAH— I, formerly known and addressed as Diepreye Tonye Agedah, now wish to be known and addressed as Diepreye Boussa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBIDEINYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Osunu Ebideinye Timipadei, now wish to be known and addressed as Osunu Peredubafa Timipadei. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KPONI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kponi Tombari, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kalamo Tombari Happiness. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGWI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Egwi Angel Chigozie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Leizou Angel Chigozie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMOGHENE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emoghene Ejiro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onojaheron Wilson Ejiro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABAI—I, formerly known and addressed

EKUREH— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekureh Omotejohwo Tessy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fregene Omotejohwo Tessy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

TA R I B O W E I — I , formerly known and addressed as Apele Taye Taribowei, now wish to be known and addressed as Apele A l p h o n s u s Donokoromor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKAFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sussan Ogechi Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Susan Ogechukwu Ogamba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

C E C I L I A — I , formerly known and addressed as Cecilia Emonena Okoriko, now wish to be known and addressed as Gladys Emonena Okoriko. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Ugwu Gilbert, now wish to be known and addressed as Ugwu Gilbert Nnamchi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name I, Ehada Samson Simon hereby confirm that the names Ehada Samson Simon and Ehada Samson Ogabela as they appear on my documents refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name CHUKWUMA—I, formerly known and addressed as C h u k w u m a Okechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as C h u k w u m a Okechukwu Jim. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBOLU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbolu Ndidiamaka Bridget, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okonji Amaka Bridget. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udeh Ukamaka Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dike Ukamaka Vivian.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ATA M A N — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekpen Ihinosen Ataman, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekpen Ehimare Uwaifoh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBIANKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliet Obianke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Juliet Dumnoi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKWUELA—I, formerly known and addressed as Ukwuela Gabriel Junior, now wish to be known and addressed as Ukwuela Barnabas Godwin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A B D U L R AA F I — I , formerly known and addressed as Abdulraafi Victor Vote, now wish to be known and addressed as Victor Vote. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Names This is to confirm that the names Miss Adeoye Fumilayo Ruth, Mrs. Eghweree Oghenero Ruth and Mrs. Eghweree Funmilayo Ruth refer to one and the same person.

I now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eghweree Funmilayo Ruth. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

Correction of Name The names Joseph Oghenekaro Awoh and Joseph Awo refer to one and the same person. This is to confirm that Joseph Oghenekaro Awoh is my correct name. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please take note.

EDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ede Ogochukwu Sally, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzor Ogochukwu Sally. All former documents remain valid.

University of Nigeria, Nsukka and general public please take note.

O K O G B E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Okogbe A. Christiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evru Christiana. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHUKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chuke Ifeanyi Lilian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyakwo Ifeanyi Lilian. All formal documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBECHIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbechie Isioma H., now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iwuchukwu Isioma H. All formal documents remain valid. Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-ukwu, First Bank and Diamond Bank and general public please take note.

UCHENNA—I, formerly known as Uchenna Ihedigbo, now wish to be known and addressed as U c h e c h u k w u Osuagwu Ihedigbo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMINYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Ominyi Peter Solomon, now wish to be known and address as Alieze Peter. All former documents remain valid. ECO Bank and general public please take note.

OGBUENYI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbuenyi Deborah Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okocha Deborah Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MGBEJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mgbeji Juliet Chisom, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mokolo Juliet Chisom. All former documents remain valid. UNN, First Bank Plc, Access Bank, NYSC and general public please take note.

GWAZA —I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs Rahila Murtala Gwaza, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rahila Yohanna Murtala. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public, please take note.

known and addressed as Maco Kikile, now wish to be known and addressed as Clarkson Famizibe Kikile. All former

documents

remain valid. General public please take note.

as Faith Abai, now wish to

be

known

and

addressed as Faith Afuamhen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

30 —VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Vanguard CLASSIFIED EBENEZER—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jennifer Ese Ebenezer, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jennifer Ese Hillary.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPOKOMUAYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sylvia Akpokomuaye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sylvia Adeniyi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOTIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Hannah Odemi Okotie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Hannah Oghomienor.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss U c h e c h u k w u Blessing Ekeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. U c h e c h u k w u Blessing Olajide. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDUNDUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Idundun Ani Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Idundun Ani. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EFIJEMUE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Efijemue Bridget Emeoghene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okiemute Bridget Emeoghene.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

UGUEMAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Margaret Onioza Uguemah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Margaret Onioza Ikharedia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agho Nogie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Asoronye Nogie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKAMAKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezemah Agatha Ukamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abah Agatha Ukamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KORDORWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yayra Kordor w u , now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yayra Ebrus Enajemo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A H M A D U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Zainab Aliyu Ahmadu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Zainab Darlington. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odoh Ndidiamaka Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss I k e r i o n w u Ndidiamaka Helen Odoh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AILERU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Folake Olaide Aileru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Folake Olaide Ojo. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Deposit Insurance Coporation and general public please take note.

KOWFA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kowfa Rhoda Musa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rhoda Abu. All former documents remain valid. DHML and general public please take note.

MKPA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Eme Henry Mkpa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eme Imeh Usanga. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O W O E Y E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Owoeye Oluwafunke Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinlabi Oluwafunke Abosede. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This to confirm that Ishola Rashidat Bolanle, Ishola Rashidat and Omobolanle Ishola Rashidat is one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Ishola Rashidat Bolanle. All former documents remain valid. Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and general public please take note.

ABIAMOWEI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss A b i a m o w e i Ebikemefa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyedeji Ebikemefa.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

YOU CAN BOOK YOUR ADVERT AT: TRINITY MALL, 79/81 OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, IKEJA. CALL: 08028289689, 08035449960, MURPHÝ'S PLAZA, 27, SANUSI FAFUNWA STREET, VICTORIA ISLAND. CALL: 08038092373, 08033163424

Jumada Al-Awwal 17, 1437 A.H.

Steadfastness amid worries, trials •Every human is blessed •Sabr, Shukur and Tawwakul

M

ANY of us are overwhelmed with anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of life. Things are really tough, but we have to get going striving to subdue the challenges of life. No matter what you are passing through right now, it is only a matter of time as the turbulent period will fizzle out soon. There will always be worries, there will be thorns on your pathways, trials and tribulations, but we have to deal with them in order to get to our destination.

But have you really taken 30seconds break and ponder on the blessings of God in your life? The exercise will only result into one moment of conscious breath, as you get connected with Allah and say: ‘Alhamdulillah’. Every human is blessed.

The point of departure is however in the degree and the different ways the blessings pour in.

This desire to acquire material possessions, which unfortunately, in some ways, validates our reason for doing what we are doing and as such, becomes the balm that soothes our troubled souls.

Human condition

(Quran 5:9) In Islam, the answer is remarkably simple. We have to turn back to our Creator. Allah knows the pain, the grief, despair, and the sadness. Allah is whom we are reaching for in the darkness.

When we put God back on our agenda, the pain will subside.

Islam is not a religion filled with empty rituals and hypercritical rules and regulations. We were created to worship God, do good to others. However, God, in His infinite mercy and wisdom did not abandon us to this world filled with trials and tribulations. He armed us with weapons- the Quran, and the hadiths.

Islam asks us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and further still, beyond the need to acquire possessions.

It reminds us that this life is but a transient pause on the way to life everlasting. The life of this world is but a fleeting moment, sometimes overflowing with moments of great joy and happiness but at other times filled with sadness, sorrow, and despair.

This is the nature of life, and this is the human condition.

There are three key points that will allow the believer to free himself from the shackles of vagaries of life. These are patience, gratitude, and trust in God. In the Arabic language, sabr, shukr and tawwakul. These three go together for a perfect way that leads to righteousness.

We shall explain each of them insha Allah.

But first consider some of these verses of the Holy Quran.

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155) “Therefore, remember Me (God) and I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.” (Quran 2:152) “If God helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in God (Alone) let believers put their trust.”

(Quran 3:160) Sabr - Patience: There are many verses on patience but let us consider this: And be patient and persevering, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (Q8: 46).

To be continued

We rush to acquire this or that. But yet even when we acquired them, we are not satisfied. It is difficult for us to look beyond the need for self-gratification, and further still, beyond the need to acquire possessions. Life is but a transient pause on the way to eternity. The life of this world is but a fleeting moment, sometimes overflowing with moments of great joy and happiness but at other times filled with sadness, sorrow, and despair. This is the nature of life, and this is the human condition.

Right now, within your neighbourhood, within your estate, your environment, there are people living with pain and grief, or afflicted with hardship, they feel rudderless and abandoned. Huge waves threaten to engulf them and consume them in the next moment. What can you do to salvage the situation? How else can you justify you are in this world for others, if you chose not to give them a helping hand?

How do you want God to show love and care to you if you refused not to love and care for others?

How will you account for the wealth, power and position, no matter the level God has given you?

“God has promised those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do deeds of righteousness, that for them From left:Dr Rahmat Adisa, NEC Ex-Officio & Desk Officer, UK & Ireland there is Zone); Alhaji Yusuf, Alhaji Kabeer Alaraba, National Gen. Sec; Sheik forgiveness and Abdullah Gbade Akinbode, Chief Missioner; Alhaji Ayodeji Abdul Rauf, Vice-President II and Prof. Moruf Adelekan, Zonal Shurah Committee a great reward Chairman during the swearing in ceremony of the new zonal executives (i.e. Paradise).” last Sunday in London, UK.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—31

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

Jumada Al-Awwal 17, 1437 A.H.

2016 Hajj: FCT Board to begin registration of intending pilgrims

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HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board (FMPWB), has said it would commence registration of intending pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj on March 1.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Board, Alhaji Muhammad Aliyu.

According to the statement, the registration will run across the six area councils of the territory.

The statement advised intending pilgrims who wish to perform the pilgrimage through the board to present a bank draft for N700, 000.

It also urged them to present their international passports which the board would use to book seats for them.

It added that the board would neither entertain payment by proxy nor bulk purchase of the forms by individuals for the exercise. The statement stated that females intending pilgrims would only be registered with their male

guardians (Muharam) in line with the Saudi Arabian Government’s regulations.

It said that the board had introduced measures to ensure proficiency and guard against fraud in this year’s hajj.

According to the statement, the measures are aimed at ensuring transparency in the sales of the

2016 hajj forms and ensure that intending pilgrims from the territory get the best service.

The statement said that the board had resolved to register intending pilgrims on first-come first-served basis, stressing that, “Priorities shall be given to first timers during the exercise. “

WORKSHOP: From left, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya, Sadr

Majlis Ansarullah, Dr. Mashuud Fashola, Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria; Alhaji Abdul Ganiy Enahoro, Naib Amir; Dr. Razaq Oyesegun, Guest Lecturer, Oncologist at National Hospital Abuja and former Military Governor Ogun State, Major General Saidu Balogun at the 17th Annual National Workshop of Majlis Ansarullah Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, held in Ojokoro, Lagos State.

JIBWIS to sponsor education of 50 orphans annually in Sokoto

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HE Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’a Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) Islamic group in Sokoto State says it will sponsor 50 orphans annually in order to acquire western education.

Amb. Shehu Wurno, the Chairman of the group’s Orphans Welfare Committee disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto recently.

Wurno said this was as a result of his assessment of the performance of some of the orphans at the Yakubu Mu’azu Model Primary School, Sokoto.

He said that the Committee had provided clothing materials and food to about 5,000 orphans in 2015.

He added that the programmes would not have been possible without the support of wellmeaning individuals in the state.

He expressed satisfaction with the performance of the pupils, assuring that they would be supported up to tertiary education level.

The former envoy also said that the organisation would provide the orphans with all they required to concentrate on their education.

A cross section of participants at the workshop.

Elders forum ends workshop in Lagos

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HE elders group, Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria has ended their three day National workshop in Ojokoro, Lagos at the weekend.

The event which featured several Islamic lectures on the acceptance of prayers, Nurturing a good Ahmadi home and reflecting on the 100 years of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria, Health screening and Preventing Cancer as well as light sporting activities attracted members across the country.

Lagos govt re-opens Ahmadiyya hospital

T

•Students and staff of the Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges, NTIC, during a competition

Govt lauds NTIC on science, technology studies

By Bashir Adefaka N appreciation of its contribution to quality science and technology education in Nigeria, the government of Lagos State has described the Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (NTIC) as a partner in progress.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who was represented by the Director of ScienceandTechnology,Lagosstate Ministry of Education, Mr Bayo Ibiyeye at the 2016 Annual Science Fair organized by the Islamic organisation, at the LTV 8 Combo Hall, recently, acknowledged that the yearly programme by the international standard educational institution was a testimony of its

I

passion and commitment to the promotion and the teaching of sciences.

Adebule commended NTIC for its consistency in organizing the yearly intiative and for supporting the Akinwumi Ambode’s administration commitment to reengineer the education sector in the state. She added that:, “The theme for this year programme ‘Scientific Discoveries that broaden our Horizons’ is apt as the world of science and technology holds great potential for our socio-economic, political and national development.

The discovery of science offers studentstheabilitytoaccessawealth of knowledge and information which will contribute to an overall

understanding of how and why things work the way they do.

The Nigerian-Turkish International Colleges (Lagos/ Ogun) Principal, Mr. Ercan Yilmaz disclosed that the fair was organized to bring together achievements of his school’s students in physical products made of science and technology and that other major schools were also invited to see what they had done and share from the NTIC’s experience.

TheVicePrincipal,Administration, Olayinka Aderoju, also said the organisation was relevant in giving facelift to the teaching of sciences, technology, urging the government at all levels to encourage the school to do more.

HE AHMADIYYA hospital Ojokoro, Lagos shut down by the State Ministry of Health over the reported case of a Lasser fever patient who was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH in late January, 2016, has been re-opened.

The Head, Media and Publicity of the organisation, Qaseem Akinreti in a statement sent to Vanguard said the hospital will earnestly commence services to people following a certificate of clearance issued to it by the state government.

According to him, “a certificate of clearance was issued to the hospital indicatating that the hospital has no risk of transmitting the Lassar Fever to the public or the community.

This was after the facilities in the hospital have been fully decontaminated and all workers completed 21 days monitoring.

The letter which was signed by the state Epidemiologist and Incident Manager also stated that the Ojokoro ,ijaye community and the public as a whole are hereby guaranteed of thief safety when patronizing the hospital.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is a faith based Islamic organization in Nigeria reputed to have established the first Muslim hospital in Apapa in the 1960s and now have six more hospitals and dental specialist facilities in Kano, New Bussa and ijebu Ode.

3rd Abiola Quran recitation competition holds Sunday rd Arrangments have been concluded for the 3 Abdul Azeez Abiola Quran Recitation competition. The event will hold on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Housing Estate, Onipanu, Ota, GRA, Ogun State, 11am. The late Abdul Azeez Abiola was the former President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria.

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 SCORPIO: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

SAGITTARIUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

CAPRICORN: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

AQUARIUS Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

PISCES: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

About History

By Richard Eromosele

H

ISTORY is defined as the study of past events.In order words, history is simply the study of actions and

inactions of some individuals.It is the study of what some men and women do in other to shape the world.It is the

TERROR MUDA

story of men and women who dared.History is the narrative of the exploit and conquest of men

in “Scavenger Elite”

and women who are led by their convic-tions.Some people make history, some write it and some read it.If the history of the world is to be written today,where will you be placed?

By Lanre Kehinde

ARIES: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

TAURUS: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

GEMINI: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

CANCER: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

LEO: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

VIRGO: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

LIBRA: Better than yesterday. And the more co-operative you are today the better for you. Those of you travelling for love are in for an exciting day.

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,

Which day was I born?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

David, Kaduna.

Dear David, Under-here are the planetary positions as requested by you.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise. One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—33

Kingship tussle: Delta community takes to ...accuses govt of bias streets A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE lingering kingship tussle in Uwheru Kingdom of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, took a twist, yesterday with a section of the kingdom protesting alleged government plan to present staff of office to one Mr. Agbaovwe Afugbeya as their king.

The protesters numbering over 500, who stormed Asaba, marched from Summit Junction to the State Government House on Anwai Road, office of the Deputy Governor on DBS Road and the office of the Commissioner for Justice on SSS Road, chanting songs of disenchantment. They accused the state government of bias.

While accusing the state government of supporting a section of the community against the other, they said there will be crisis in the kingdom should the state government go ahead to present staff of office to Afugbeya and gazette him as king of the kingdom, when the matter was still in court.

The protesters, who were drawn from the five ruling houses in the kingdom, carried placards with various inscriptions.

Expressing their dissatisfaction over the manner the issue was

being handled by the state government, they called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, his Deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro and the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Peter Murakpor, not to go ahead with the purported plan to recognize Afugbeya as king of the kingdom until the issue

was decided by the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, the people, in a protest letter addressed to the state governor and signed by representatives of the five ruling houses of Erovie, Ehere, Urede, Egbo and Ohoror, and read by Joseph Osiobe of Ehere Quarters, said: “We the under

signed, representing the entire ruling house of Uwheru Kingdom, hereby, object to the recognition, gazetting and presentation of staff of office to Agabovwe Afugbeya, as the matter of succession to the throne or kingship is still pending before the Court of Appeal in Benin City.”

PRESENTATION: From left: Regional Director, South-East/South-South, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Okey Ezeala; one of the winners of N5 million at the grand finale draws of the FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 2, Mr. Eke Michael; the Bank’s Zonal Head, Port Harcourt 1, Mr. Oliver Opara and the Regional Retail Head, South-East/South-South, Mrs. Christiana Ibe, during the cheque presentation ceremony to the winner in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Don't circumvent Ekiokpagha Treaty, family warns Benin Traditional Council making mockery of them, of the Eweka dynasty.

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE Ogiamien family of Utantan, Benin, Edo State has warned the Benin Traditional Council, BTC, that any attempt to circumvent the Ekiokpagha treaty between the family and the Oba during the coronation rites of a new monarch, will bring an end to the reign of the current dynasty in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, the family has given a 14-day ultimatum to one of the Bini palace chiefs, Chief Osamede Adun, to withdraw the falsehood levelled against it that members of the Ogiamien family, who they said were the Bini aborigines, were slaves/strangers in the kingdom, or face legal action.

The family, in statement by Chief Monday Whewhe, was reacting to a publication in the media, where Chief Adun had said that the Ekiokpagha treaty cannot affect

the coronation rites of an Oba as the mock battle between the forces of the Oba and Ogiamien was a mere formality.

However, Chief Whewhe called on Chief Adun to stop

describing his comments on the Ogiamien family as embarrassing, insisting that the family was a descendant of the Ogisos, who had ruled the land for 300 years before the coming

Gov Emmanuel'll transform A-Ibom, youth leader assures

U

By Iyabo Aina

YO—THE Chancellor, Akpabio Centre for Leadership, Bassey James, has urged Akwa Ibom State citizens to rally round Governor Udom Emmanuel, describing him as a gift from God to the state.

The Chancellor, in a chat with newsmen, said, “When he came in as the SSG, we knew that this kind of product cannot just come and go. As a banker, I knew that his energy would be harnessed for the development of our people to create new strength and energy to develop the economy of the state. Akwa Ibom is very strategic today, not

just in Nigeria, but in Africa as a whole. I think we are happy that Emmanuel is the governor today.

“Governor Emmanuel has been emphasising on human capacity development, re-

W

ARRI—PETROLEUM Dealers Association of Nigeria, PEDAN, yesterday in Warri, Delta State, called on Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, to compel major marketers to pay members the commission due to them.

The group said full payment of the commission (allotted rebate) has became necessary to enable PEDAN implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA, for Petroleum Station Workers, PSW. The association, in a statement by its President, Dr. Kabiru, said this was part of the resolutions

engineering and reconstructing the state. I can assure Nigerians that in less than one year, Emmanuel will give most states in the country a very good run for their money."

C-River begins documentation for Green Police recruits

C

ROSS River State Government has begun documentation and screening exercise for the engagement of 1, 500 youths in readiness for the take off of its Green Police.

The exercise which started

PEDAN to PPPRA: Compel marketers to pay members’ commission reached at a meeting with NiBy Victor Ahiuma-Young

He contended that the Ekiokpagha treaty “is the rent a new Oba must pay before being allowed the occupation of Benin Kingdom leased to them by the Ogiamen family.”

geria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG in Abuja to resolve the lingering issues in the sector.

PEDAN insisted that it was still waiting for action on its complaints over poor rebate, (commission) and non-full payment of the rebate to dealers by some major oil marketers.

on February 19, 2016, with the screening of candidates from the Southern senatorial district, will be concluded on March 2, with the documentation of marshals from the Northern senatorial district.

In an interaction with newsmen at the ongoing exercise in Calabar, yesterday, Commissioner for Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Alice Ekwu, said, that the Green Police Marshals would complement efforts of the staff of the Forestry Commission as well as the governor ’s task force on forest conservation and protection for the effective enforcement of the state’s forest laws.

Don’t cancel ExxonMobil’s Usan field contract, NDIMRC tells FG

T

HE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change, NDIMRC, has urged the Federal Government to ignore the call by some stakeholders in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to cancel the $260 million contracts for ExxonMobil’s Usan Field.

Some stakeholders, under the aegis of Nigerian Content Front, NCF, had requested the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, to cancel the contracts awarded for the ExxonMobil’s Usan Field.

NDIMRC in its reaction, implored Dr Kachikwu to ignore the “hired stakeholders” seeking the cancellation/suspension of the multi-billion naira deal.

In a statement by its President, Nelly Emma, the group restated that the contracts for the ExxonMobil’s Usan Field followed due process and reaffirmed it’s earlier clean bill of health on the National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Uvwie NURTW resolves crisis, elects new exco

By Lucky Oji

T

HE leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers,NURTW, Uvwie Local Government Area branch, has been resolved.

The resolution of the crisis led to the swearing in of all the executives of the 10 units in the council with Mr Francis Arhiyor regaining the chairmanship of the branch.

Arhiyor and Bernard Ebrusike were both sworn in at Asaba as the Uvwie branch chairman and secretary, respectively. Others were Mr Ramson Onoyke, deputy chairman; Lucky Orode, first vice chairman; Victor Dafiovo, second vice chairman; Julius Udumurugbo,assistant secretary; Tedi Mawe, treasurer; Godwin Emanerame,financial secretary; Francis Umuroh, first organizing secretary; Thomson Igbenedion, second organizing secretary; David Ebrisike, first auditor; Lucky Uboh, first Trustee;Isaac Ifon, second trustee; with Ahaji Amimokhali and Tony Umuagba, as ex-officios.

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26 , 2016

Police arrest man for inflicting machete cuts on police officer A

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—AN indigene of Amasiri community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mr Ikiri Okugo was Friday arrested by the Ebonyi State Police Command for allegedly inflicting severe machete cuts on a police officer (name withheld).

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP George Okafor who disclosed this in Abakaliki noted that Police Area Command office in Afikpo received a distress call of a clash between some groups in the area on February 23, 2016.

According to him, "the Area Commander instructed the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of the area to investigate the matter as the police discovered that the group had escaped."

The team visited the traditional ruler of the area who took them to the home of the prime suspect and knocked at door while announcing its presence.

The PPRO said: “Okugo who is the father of the alleged kingpin opened the door and descended on an officer,

knocking him down and inflicting on him deep machete cuts in the process.”

He noted that other officers swooped on him and took him to the station as they discovered that other groups had clashed

at a bar belonging to one Mrs Esther.

“They destroyed Esther ’s property and escaped by the time the officers arrived, as we cannot establish any case of cult clash and death because we did not

see any corpse,” he said.

He noted that the matter was being expected at the police headquarters in Abakaliki for investigation.

Vanguard learned that the wounded officer is responding to treatment at the Mater Misericaordea Hospital, Afikpo.

PRESENTATION: From right: MD/CEO, Sujimoto Constructions Ltd, Sijibomi Ogundele; Agege bread seller turned model, Olajumoke Orisaguna and her husband, Sunday Orisaguna, during the presentation of the certificate of a luxury accommodation and certificate of acceptance into the Poise Nigeria to Olajumoke, sponsored by the company in Lagos.

ANTI-GRAFT WAR: We're showing Nigerians cost

of corruption —Mohammed

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—THE Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s antigraft crusade was not to witch hunt anybody but to expose Nigerians to cost of corruption.

This came as Lagos State

Mrs Eyitueremi Ukunyon for burial

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RS. EYITUEREMI Ukunyon, 88, a community women leader, is dead.

Her body will leave Warri General Hospital for OdeItsekiri through Ugbuwangue waterside tomorrow at 8a.m.

Unveiling of the catafalque for the burial rites is 12p.m, followed by interment and entertainment of guests at Wilke Street off Odion Road, Warri.

Late Eyitueremi Ukunyon

governor, Mr, Akinwunmi Ambode, expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government to improve all its infrastructure in Lagos, particularly, in the area of culture and tourism.

The duo made the remarks at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday when the former paid the governor a courtesy call.

The minister, while fielding questions from State House correspondents on the issues of corruption, lamented that Nigerians had not shown much anger against the revelation from the anti-corruption agencies so far.

His words: “The emphasis of our government is not just to talk about figure of how much has been embezzled. ‘’Even the figures are dizzy enough. Only two days ago, ADC to former President Goodluck Jonathan said when they brought N10 billion for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, campaign, he did not open it.

He said he only gave it to the Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs. This is quite troubling.

“But more importantly, our government wants Nigerians to know the cost of corruption. The government wants Nigerians to know what we are suffering.

When we had a news conference in January and disclosed that 55 people stole, N1.343 trillion between 2006 and 2013, what we wanted to emphasize was that one-third

of the money would have gone to Nigeria.

“Using the World Bank rate, we said the money would be able to redevelop Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It will be able to give us one ultra-modern hospital in each state of the federation. In addition, that money would have given 20,000 units of twobedroom flat. The remaining will still educate 3,954 students from primary schools to tertiary level.

In addition, it will build 183 stateof-the-art schools.

“So, what we are trying to make Nigerians understand is that corruption is eating deep, not just into the fabrics of our morals, but it is preventing development.”

Earlier, while receiving the minister, Ambode said Lagos was more than ready to work with FG in every area, particularly, culture and tourism even as the state prepares to celebrate 50th anniversary next year.

Enugu govt holds World Investment Summit, April

E

By Francis Igata

NUGU—WORRIED by the dwindling economic fortunes in the country,the Enugu State Government,yesterday,activated machinery towards the successful hosting of a maiden World Investment Summit scheduled to hold April 12-14.

Christened,”Oganiru(better future) Enugu State World Investment Summit,” government said it has become imperative to think outside the box to showcase the state’s latent economic potentials to the world inorder to attract prospective investors for a hands-on investment in different sectors in the state.

This came on a day the governor reconstituted the Enugu State Council on Commercialization and Privatization and the Enugu State Technical Committee on

Privatization and Commercialization headed by the State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo and an investment banker, Mr. Ikechi Chioke, respectively.

Governor Ugwuanyi while inaugurating the bodies at the Government House, Enugu, charged the members to swing into action immediately and effectively spearhead the drive for credible and suitable investors to turn around the fortunes of the affected enterprises and companies for its inherent economic benefits to the state.

The investment summit followed advice from the Economic Advisory Committee,inaugurated last year by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State with a charge to chart an economic blueprint that will attract prospective investors for job creation,improved standard of living and boost the state Internally Generated Revenue,IGR.

ABIA NORTH RE-RUN:

17 political parties endorse Ohuabunwa

U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—AHEAD of next week’s scheduled Abia North Senatorial election re-run, 17 political parties in the State have endorsed the PDP candidate, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa as their adopted candidate.

The decision was made known by the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 17 parties while briefing reporters in Umuahia.

Speaking on behalf of the parties, Hon. Menelik Ukpai who is also the state secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, said the party took the decision due to the importance they attach to the zone.

They said: “The current race for the Senate seat in Abia North has generated much controversy. In this difficult time , the senatorial district is not in need of superlative representation with a senator in an endless learning process who will sit in the red chamber only to support the proposal of others with a ‘yea or nay."

Nigerians tasked on help for less privileged

By Chidi Nkwopara & Chinonso Alozie

O

WERRI—AN appeal has gone to good spirited Nigerians to come to the aid of less privileged citizens in society, especially the motherless babies and children orphaned by varying circumstances.

The Director of Planning, Strategy and Research, DPSR, of Women in Action for Development, WIAFOD, Lady Amaka Ezeude, made the passionate appeal while presenting varying food items and other consumables to the Red Cross Motherless Babies Home, Owerri.

“It was not the choice of these hapless, helpless babies that they are in their present condition. There is therefore the need for the rest of us to periodically visit these homes and attend to the special needs of the inmates”, Ezeude said.

While commending some individuals and corporate organizations that have been assisting these special citizens in Nigeria, Lady Ezeude however explained that it was the tradition of WIAFOD to engage in activities that would positively change the life of the less privileged.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016 — 35

Scores killed in Adamawa Police station bomb blast ...NEMA confirms 4 dead

By Umar Yusuf, with Agency report

By Demola Akinyemi

I

Y

OLA—SCORES of people, mainly police personnel, were feared killed yesterday, as bomb blast rocked the Anti-Bomb squad building of the Adamawa State Police Command.

However, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, confirmed four persons dead in the the blast, said to be an accidental explosion.

A statement by Mr. Sani Datti, Senior Information Officer, NEMA, in Abuja, said the explosion occurred at about noon and the injured persons taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

According to the statement, nearby Jimeta Primary School, Post Office, old NITEL building and some neighbouring houses were affected.

The Anti-Bomb squad building houses Jimeta Divisional Police station, state investigation Bureau SIB, and the central motor Traffic Division, MTD of the state police command among other arms of the police.

All the roofs and structures of the

PRESENTATION: From left: Head, Group Strategy, Union Bank, Lola Cardoso; Founder, Beeta Universal Arts Foundation (BUAF), Bikiya Graham-Douglas; Winner, 1st Beeta Playwright Competition, Paul Ugbede and Head, Corporate Affairs, Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, during the BUAF-Union bank cheque presentation to the winner of Playwright competition, in Lagos. building were completely shattered by the blast.

As at 2pm yesterday, thick smoke was still bellowing from the burning offices, even as security operatives including officials of NEMA, Red Cross and others were yet to have access into the

scene.

Accident vehicles parked in the premises were all gutted by fire as explosion from burning tyres and petrol tanks created heightened anxiety for residents around the area.

When Vanguard visited the

Niger lawmakers rap executive for not prosecuting past looters taken to deal with the looters The Speaker, Ahmed Marafa,

By Wole Mosadomi

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INNA—MEMBERS of Niger State House of Assembly, yesterday accused the executive of lacking the capacity and political will to prosecute looters of the state treasury with a view to recovering same.

Members, who spoke at their sitting, decried the way government was pursuing the issue of corruption, warning that corruption would continue to be the bane of development in the state if treasury looters were allowed to go scot free.

Speaking, Deputy Speaker, Alhaji Hussain Ibrahim, called on the executive to match words with action and go after the looters saying: “It is sad that we have read of stolen funds being recovered in Benue, Kaduna and Plateau states mentioning amount recovered from those who looted government funds in the past administration. But Niger State executive do not have the courage to come out with facts of the looted funds. If the facts are out, it will show how serious the government is about looted funds.”

Similarly, member representing Bosso Constituency, Alhaji Madaki Malik, said: “Before the presentation of the budget, the administration had been singing on how it would deal with those who looted government money and enshrined corruption but eight months into the administration, we are yet to see any measure

Kwara Assembly approves N128bn 2016 budget

neither has any measure being put in place to recover the money.

Since the start of this administration till now, no information on who the looters are and how the money will be recovered.”

called on the government to implement the report of the five committees inaugurated after the government came in power to look into funds stolen by individuals in the previous administration.

scene moment after the blast, there was total confusion as security personnel and others scampered for safety over fear of another blast.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP, Mohammed Ghazali, told newsmen at the scene of the blast that it might have been caused by bombs confiscated from suspected Boko Haram insurgents kept in the stores of the Anti-Bomb disposal unit.

When asked about the casualty figure of the blast, the commissioner noted that he could not give the exact figure as the fire ignited by the bomb was yet to be extinguished raising fear of another possible blast.

KOGI CRISIS: G5 lawmakers shun Reps committee

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—THE group of five faction, G5, in the Kogi State House of Assembly crisis, yesterday shunned the House of Representatives Committee raised to look into the crisis rocking the state assembly.

The group spokesperson, Friday

Makama had on Wednesday, approached a Federal High Court seeking an injunction to stop the committee from carrying out its assignment.

However, Chairman of the committee, Pally Iriase, described as unfortunate the decision of the G5 faction not to attend the meeting held at the state House

of Assembly complex.

Iriase who spoke with newsmen after a meeting with the G15 held at the galley since the chamber was locked said, “We notified all the factions involve about our coming here today (yesterday), for them to have shunned the meeting because they have an injunction against our legitimate duties is unfortunate.”

Buhari lauded for naming physically-challenged person adviser

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

O S — P H Y S I C A L LY challenged people in Plateau State on the platform of Disability Progressive Group, DPG, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for appointing a physically challenged person as his Special Adviser.

The group pledged its support to President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the appointment of one of its own, Dr. Samuel Ankeli, as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, was an

indication that the President identified with the physically challenged people., In a statement in Jos, Plateau

State leader of the group, Mr. Bulus Shanding, said Dr. Ankeli’s appointment was the first of its kind in the last 16 years.,

Lawmaker lauds Okowa, raps opposition

T

HE member representing Warri South Local Government Legislative Council, Mr. Austin Tete has said that it was right for Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to have handed over the affairs of the state to God by dedicating his Supreme Court victory and the entire state to God. Tete, who addressed newsmen shortly after the thanksgiving

service at the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, said there was no basis for the litigations by the opposition, adding that their claims were frivolous and baseless.

According to him, the appellants had sought to use the frivolous case, which had spanned over seven months, to distract the governor from actualizing the developmental efforts going on in Delta State.

LORIN—THE Kwara State House of Assembly, yesterday approved the 2016 budget and increased it from the N116.16 billion sent to it by the executive to N128.10 billion.

The Speaker, Dr Ahmad Ali, speaking on the floor of the house, explained that the new budget structure was increased by about N12 billion.

He said this meant a total of N89. 67 billion would be injected into the state economy compared with 2015 budget of N46.76 billion.

He noted that, “Although, it may seem ambitious, this increase in our estimated revenue is achievable. The new Kwara State Inland Revenue Service, KWIRS has the collectible capacity and this house is currently in the process of amending the revenue service law to further enhance its power and reach from a meager N10.24 billion IGR in 2015, we expect a minimum of N32.63 billion this year,”.

Konga unveils mi-Tribe A500 phone series

By Dave Oso

N

IGERIA’S leading online marketplace, Konga.com, alongside Mi-Fone, First African mobile devices brand, yesterday in Lagos, unveiled the mi-Tribe A500.

Mayowa Adebayo, Director, Customer Experience and Marketing, Konga.com , during the presentation said: “The partnership between the two companies represents Konga’s efforts at ensuring that we continue to provide great products to our customers who deserve value without compromise. The primary concept behind the development of the mi-Tribe A500 smart phone is to create a device that uniquely caters for the need of the people of Nigeria and the introduction of this proprietary smart phone, developed with mi-Fone, is a step in that direction.”

Introducing the partnership on a video presentation, Alpesh Patel, Founder and CEO of miFone said “With the mi-Tribe A500, we have launched a mobile device that offers convenience, style and affordability, made exclusively for Nigerians, as a way of giving them quality, backed up by superior after-sales support.”

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS' MEETING IN ABUJA All Progressives Congress, APC, chiefains held a closed-door consultative meeting at the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja, Wednesday. PHOTOS: Abayomi Adeshida.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) and National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

APC National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu (middle) flanked by former Acting APC Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande (right) and Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki

Shuabu Lawal (left) and Chief Akande.

LEFT: Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar (right) and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Lasun Yusuf.

SEND FORTH: From left— Director, Mapping Department, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, Mr. George Takerhi; SurveyorGeneral, Mr. Ebisintei Awudu; the celebrant, Mr. U. R. Edozie, Director, Survey Coordination, and Dr. Sam Osuagwu, during the send-forth/birthday ceremony of Mr. Edozie in Abuja.

FOR AUTISM: From left—Autism expert, Dr. Lawrence Sutton; Founder, Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, Mrs Dotun Akande; GTBank representative, Mrs Tolulope Onipede, and Head of the Centre, Mr. Yinusa Abidemi, at a briefing on Healthy Relationships and Autism: A Guide to Adulthood, flagging off the Centre's 10th anniversary celebrations in Lagos.

ASTYMIN PROMO: From left— Head, Human Resource, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs Adejoke Alli; Astymin Get Alert promo winner, Mrs Adijat Abosede, and Corporate Services Manager, Fidson, Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, during cheque presentation to the winner.

SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK: From left— Marketing & Communication Lead, Mr. Segun Olalandu; Suppy Chain Lead, Mr. Tunji Gomes, both of Accenture Nigeria; CEO, Wildfusion, Mr. Abas Idaresit; Business Group Director, Application & Services, Microsoft, Mr. Ade Ajayi, and Senior Manager, Technology, Accenture, Akintunde Sawyerr, during the Master's class of 2016 social media week in Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—37

•Says Buhari model for his ministers

•Umeh: APGA candidate

•Ngige: APC candidate?

RERUN: L A R T N E C A R B M ANA

s ’ h e m U e Where ar ? s t n e n o p op , fixed sion, INEC is m m o C l lectora Central National E un of the Anambra idates t n e d n e p e r Ind e re cand SINCE the 16 as the date for th ar that 11 of the 12 fication of the e 0 li March 5, 2 lection, it would app un after the disqua not taking the -r e e l r re a ia e in th didate, senator participate and its can qualified to ocratic Party, PDP, m Peoples De ious. r e s e exercis

By Vincent Ujumadu

C

HECKS in the seven local government areas that make up the zone show that apart from the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, others have not been active, or they are probably waiting for last minute campaigns. In all the villages and towns of the zone, only Umeh’s posters are seen and only his supporters are campaigning openly.

During a meeting with political party leaders in Awka as part of preparations for the exercise, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for the state, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, said the 13 candidates of the various political parties who took part in the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election, were qualified to take part in the rerun.

He also took time to explain that the reason PDP would not take in the rerun was because the Court of Appeal

disqualified it from presenting an illegitimate candidate in the election in the person of Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, who had been declared winner by the INEC. The REC said: “This is a rerun election and the condition is as it was as at March 28, 2015, which is that only those cleared then to participate in the National Assembly election, will participate in the March 5, 2016 rerun.”

Participation in re-run election According to the REC, there were 14 candidates that participated in last year ’s election for the Anambra Central senatorial zone and with the disqualification of the PDP and its candidate; the other 13 candidates are expected to participate in the March 5, 2016 rerun.

For the All Progressives Congress, APC, Azubuike said only its candidate in last year’s election, Senator Chris Ngige, is qualified to take part in the rerun, though Ngige, having

been appointed a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, had announced his decision not to take part in the senatorial rerun.

At the time the stakeholders’ meeting was held in Awka, INEC said it had not been officially notified about the withdrawal of Senator Ngige from the race.

Senator Annie Okonkwo, one of the people laying claim to the ticket of PDP for the zone, faulted plans by political parties that participated in the 2015 general election to conduct fresh primaries for the rerun senatorial election in Anambra Central, arguing that the move was “illegal and unconstitutional” and would violate the Electoral Act because the time scheduled by INEC for parties to substitute candidates expired last year.

Conduct of fresh primaries Okonkwo said: “It would amount to an illegality to allow PDP and APC to field fresh

•Ekwunife: PDP candidate candidates for the re- run election. The court did not ask political parties to conduct fresh primaries. The court only ordered INEC to conduct a rerun within 90 days.

Initially, PDP tried to organize a legitimate primary to select a candidate for the rerun, but mid way, this was put on hold when the electoral umpire announced the disqualification of the party.

Also, the APC candidate, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor, who won the primary held in Awka, also disappeared immediately after the exercise.

From all indications, the electoral guideline has effectively barred the PDP from participating in the poll and possibly, APC if it fails to field Ngige. With this development, the coast appears to be very clear for Chief Umeh of APGA as other candidates seem to have chickened out of the race.

As Umeh said recently, some of the candidates for the March 5 rerun have been visiting him to register their support for him. To him, some of the candidates have since realized that he is the best candidate for the job, especially with the programmes he has already mapped out for the zone in particular and Igbo nation in general.

For instance, Umeh has been very passionate about the

From all indications, the electoral guideline has effectively barred the PDP from participating in the poll and possibly, APC if it fails to field Ngige

implementation of the report of the National Conference convoked by former President Goodluck Jonathan of which he (Umeh) was a member.

During a recent interview, Umeh listed such issues as creation of an additional state for the South East, abolition of allocation to the 744 local government areas in the country from the Federation Account and rotational presidency, which were contained in the confab report, as issues he would pursue vigorously if elected into the senate.

However, despite an impending easy ride to victory for Umeh, he is still campaigning vigorously. In the last two weeks, the APGA candidate visited the seven local government areas in the zone at least two times. He has also been visiting the churches in all the towns in the areas to seek their support for the election and has been receiving leaders of thought from all the communities in the zone.

Senatorial ambition If eventually he wins the rerun election, Umeh would be making history as the first senator to be elected on the platform of APGA. In fact, the people of Anambra State have taken Umeh’s senatorial ambition as a state –wide project, with the governor, Chief Willie Obiano, lending the desired support.

Recently, a campaign council for Umeh was put in place at a very elaborate ceremony in Awka during which notable politicians were named as members of the council.

Essentially, their functions include mobilization of the electorate and ensuring that the malpractices that characterized the March 28, 2015 election, did not repeat on March 5, 2015 rerun.

38—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

ANTI GRAFT WAR:

e m a c e b s n a i Niger too careless ANWU — SENATOR ANY

and now, media turned politician t lis na ur jo ST e Imo East BROADCA wu represented th an ny A is hr C r to een 2007 mogul, Sena ecutive terms betw ns co o tw r fo t ic t Senatorial Distr ectrum Broadcas wu who owns Sp an ny A ns . io rs at M st . o 15 di of ra and 20 of Hot FM chain rs ne ow d, st te ite la m r Nigeria Li missioning of he saba for the com speak on was recently in A e she took time to tim ch hi w ng ri radio station du ts: l concern. Excerp issues of nationa •Anyanwu: I think the idea of anti-corruption is very good Festus Ahon

W

HAT is your assessment of the Buhari’s administration fight against corruption?

I think the idea of anticorruption is very good. I think we got a little bit too extreme in our carelessness; in our practices, so there is need to apply breaks on what we do in the system and no society can survive in a situation where people can do anything and get away with anything. Corruption is everywhere and everybody is corrupt. So what he is doing is necessary, but he has to really make sure that his application is pure as he intended.

What is your take on the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu?

I think this is a democracy and we do have a constitution; we have laws and whatever the law says should be applied. If the law says after a while, you should give a bail then it has to apply to him. I don’t think any special laws should be applied to deal with him.

Freedom of expression This is why we talk about freedom of expression, when people don’t have an outlet for expressing their own opinion they do so through very violent means and all that. It is necessary to tolerate people with different views and argue sensibly and that’s what democracy is all about. Argue with people, reason with people, negotiate with them and you have better outcome that way rather than taking exception to people with different views.

I think that we should take a very close look on what is going on with that particular issue and make sure that it is handled in a better way. I think it could be handled in a better way.

As a follow up to that; what is your take on the Biafra agitation?

Everybody is silent on it I think

you want me to be the only one to talk, abi? (laughs).

You are the big masquerade behind Hot FM chain of Radio stations; what is the idea behind this?

The idea is to have a chain, a national chain that delivers timely, dependable, objective news. In any society where people do not have a platform to ventilate their views and emotions, they are bottled up and those bottled up feelings find expression in violent forms. So in a way, what we are doing is to make democracy have meaning; to make people speak up on virtually everything happening around them, giving ideas, giving solutions, speaking to their leaders, saying what they need.

On the other side, it is a service also to government because by listening in they can weigh the feelings of the people on what they want to do. If they have a programme for instance for youths, by listening in, you can find out whether the programme is going down well with your target or not. So these are some of the important services that the radio and our radio in particular give.

What informed your decision to go into radio broadcasting?

Radio, well, despite the popularity of social media and others, I feel that radio continues to be the most popular, the most far reaching medium. People are saying that the newspaper is

Corruption is everywhere and everybody is corrupt. So what he is doing is necessary, but he has to really make sure that his application is pure as he intended

threatened, even television is threatened but radio must continue to be popular because no matter where you are, no matter how remote, whether you have infrastructure or not, whether you are rich or poor, there is some radio reaching you and speaking to your needs and I think that at this point in Nigeria’s development, radio continues to be a very potent if not the most potent force.

How well is your station competing with other radio stations in the country?

You know we are a big player in the Nigeria radio system. And by quality, any Hot FM you have is totally automated, totally digitalized, what Hot FM has is the best standard in any radio station anywhere in the world, to start with.

And the quality of our

programming is tops and so in ratings you see Hot FM being rated one two in all the markets, the one in Imo is the best in all of the South-East and now SouthSouth, we expect that this one will take the market.

The market here is a little bit more congested but we are ready for a very robust engagement with the listening public and we will fight for the market because we are more experienced. Hot FM is perhaps one of the top two or three best branded radio stations in the country. It is the most professional. When you hear Hot FM, you go to Los Angeles it is the same thing, the branding, the professionalism, the class, is the same thing. We are very comfortable but we continue to push up our game.

You say you are one of the oldest in the country, what year

did you actually commence broadcasting?

We are not one of the oldest, Ray Power came before us, Cool FM came before us, a lot of people came before us, and the sports stations came before us. It is not how old you are, it is how well you start and your stay in power in the game and I think that we have had good staying power. We started ten years ago but you know that my foray in politics also distracted us a little bit. But they have been able to sustain the standard and they have been doing very well.

What is that thing that gives your station cutting edge over others?

Is the professionalism, the attitude, Hot FM has an attitude.

You have to have an attitude.

Everybody plays music but our own attitude is different, it is really hot. You can have three stations but when you listen to Hot FM you can say the name makes a meaning. The first target audience is people 18 to 40 years, that is the primary target and the Nigerian youths love Hot FM and Hot FM does everything to embrace them and give them what they want.

Now that you are coming to Delta, what is your intended reach in terms of geographical coverage?

We call it Twin City Radio Hot 96.5. This is a very big market; the Asaba/Onitsha metropolis.

We foresee a twin city sometime in the future and we are servicing Asaba/Onitsha and the adjourning areas and that is a massive market in itself with a massive population in Onitsha joining with Asaba; we think that we have a good target market here.

Why Buhari should travel more — TUNDE AJIBULU

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Gbenga Oke

H

E is a director of Tangent Construction, a building and civil engineering construction company, and also a partner at Covenant Consultancy Services, a tax advisory outfit that is retained by some of the country ’s multinationals to advise or rather, help beat down their tax burdens.

Tunde Ajibulu, 43, shacks up in a luxury service apartment complex, off Bordullion in the Ikoyi area of Lagos from where he shuttles to his Ikeja office thrice or so a week.

Besides his business ventures, Ajibulu also plays politics, or in his words, moves in the background, being one the earliest to have registered for the All Progressives Congress, APC. As the Vanguard team entered his office in his apartment last Wednesday for the scheduled

appointment, conspicuously noticed was the portrait of Ajibulu in his Nigerian Defence Academy c a d e t uniform. The picture immediately drew the question.

"Were you at the NDA?" For the young man w h o apparently has life •Ajibulu: Commends the positive direction running in being taken by the Buhari government the good direction for him, it was like an from the University of Illorin. Mr. undercut delivered to a Ajibulu who was a member of the professional boxer.

43rd regular course of the NDA “One of the regrets of my life, I continues to relish his life in the walked away after four years,” he military. Many of his colleagues confessed. He eventually in the NDA are now in the obtained his gruadate degree Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—39

Why Buhari should travel more — AJIBULU Continues from page 38 Colonel and Lt. Colonel bracket.

Saraki as a mentor

A native of Ijumu in Kogi State, he, however, confesses to playing politics more in Kwara State, which he regards more like home. Unsurprisingly, he acknowledges Senator Bukola Saraki to be an elder brother, mentor and guide, affirming his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the Senate President.

Given his appreciation of the restructuring of the taxation regime by the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in Lagos State, one was tempted to prod him on the relationship between the taxation wizard and his political mentor, Saraki. But not yet.

Ajibulu sees the current trials of the Senate President as political, asserting it to be one of the low points of the nation’s democratic practise.

He equals the present travails of Saraki to the pre-election hullabaloo on the certificates of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“That is pure politics for me. Politics is at play. Nigeria is a young democracy and we are bound to see all sorts of things.

Everything that happens and how it is settled sets precedence. Let me take you back to the last presidential campaigns, there was a very low moment in the campaign, people came after President Muhammadu Buhari when he was a candidate, and the lowest point for me was the certificate scandal. It was low because I have a military background which is my first constituency, I felt bad because I believe the military should be apolitical I think what and the politicians have used the military the to do this. And if you President is look at it, Buhari was a former military trying to do President of this is to let the country, he is a hero, he was a warrior, he world know risked his life to that Nigeria defend the integrity of is a serious this country. Then you come 30 years after he country, has been head of state before he as a General and say he is an illiterate, and came into he does not have a power, school certificate?

“That is very low for Nigeria was me because this man a joke to the went to a Staff College in India, he went to rest of the the United States world

Army College, which is an equivalent of the Nigerian War College, he had a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies, and then you now say he is not qualified,” Ajibulu quipped.

“So what is happening to the Senate President is also for me a low point at this time. I believe it is politics, and things have a way playing out. However, I will say what is happening is very obvious.”

On the sustenance of the Sarakis’ political dominance of Kwara, Ajibulu affirmed that a legacy built over 50 years would not be easily taken down.

“They have been there since during the Second Republic, Senator Saraki’s father started politics in the sixties and took care of his people, you cannot start to count how many people he sent to school and that is where the strength and loyalty stands and that is why the people who are supposed to be in opposition to him all the time stay with him.”

Given his admiration of Buhari, his response to recent flaks of the president’s handling of the economy and the repeated travels of the president was illustrative of a young man looking beyond the present.

“I think Nigerians needs to be patient with President Buhari, and I believe there are a lot of things going on underground, and that is why I said Nigerians should be patient,” noting that Nigeria was on a free fall during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Correcting the perception Giving a robust defence of the president’s travel plans, he said: “He is just in Saudi Arabia, what is he doing there? He went to discuss how to stabilize oil prices. I think what the President is trying to do is to let the world know that Nigeria is a serious country. Before he came into power, Nigeria was a joke to the rest of the world, Nigeria was becoming a laughing stock, and this was set by the last administration.

“So he has to go to correct the perception, and that is why he has to travel, and I will support him to travel because anybody meeting the President will know he is not a joker. So I believe if he can achieve that, it will further stimulate the economy, and the money that is being retrieved from this anti-corruption crusade as well will also help the economy.”

While lauding Asiwaju Tinubu for his success in re-engineering the finance model for Lagos through taxation, Ajibulu commends the positive direction being taken by the Buhari government in the same direction saying that very soon, Nigerians would very soon, start flocking to tax offices to show compliance.

“The people have to see what the government is doing. Every one of us provides his security, provide water, power and these are three things that the government is meant to provide for you.

"So if you are securing yourself, powering yourself and drilling a borehole for yourself, so what are you paying tax for? These services have to improve, and when they improve, people will be too happy to pay tax.

Most migrants arrive in Greece and then head north through Balkan states

Migrant crisis: Greece recalls ambassador from Austria amid EU rifts

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REECE has recalled its ambassador to Austria amid sharp divisions among EU states over the migrant crisis.

It acted after Austria hosted a meeting with Balkan states on the migrant issue, to which Greece was not invited.

Meanwhile, EU and Balkan interior ministers met in Brussels to try to heal rifts over the migrant issue.

Speaking afterwards, the EU’s migration commissioner warned the

bloc’s migration system could “completely break down” within weeks.

Dimitris Avramopoulos said member states had until a 7 March summit with Turkey to curb the number of migrants. “In the next 10 days, we need tangible and clear results on the ground,” he told reporters. Austria, Serbia and Macedonia have taken their own steps to limit entry to migrants, angering Greece, which fears the controls will cause a

bottleneck. The measures also threaten Europe’s Schengen passport-free travel area that spans 26 countries.

Greece’s foreign ministry said the ambassador was being recalled “in order to safeguard the friendly relations between the states and the people of Greece and Austria”. Problems facing the EU, it added, could not be addressed with “mentalities and extrainstitutional initiatives that have their roots in the 19th Century”.

MH370: Missing Malaysian’s wife seeks $7.6m in damages

A

MALAYSIAN w o m a n whose husband was on the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is seeking $7.6m (£5.4m) in damages from the airline and the government.

K Sri Devi accuses the airline of negligence and breach of contract.

Her lawsuit also names Malaysia’s civil aviation authority and air force for losing track of the plane with 239 people on board on 8 March

2014. Many more similar lawsuits are expected before a two-year filing deadline set by a global aviation agreement.

In the lawsuit, Ms Devi together with her two sons and parents-in-law alleges wrongful death of her husband, S Puspanathan, due to negligenceandbreachofcontract by Malaysia Airlines and the Malaysian government authorities.

“They were waiting for

some development in the search for the plane but nothing has been forthcoming so far. Everyone is hoping for some answers through the court,” her lawyer, Shailender Bhar, told the Associated Press news agency.

Several other relatives of some of the passengers on board MH370 have either already filed or are preparing to file similar claims in other countries, reports say.

Somalia’s al-Shabab kills ‘180 Kenyan troops’ in el-Ade

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T least 180 Kenyan troops were killed when al-Shabab attacked their base last month, Somalia’s president has

said. Kenya’s army said the number was untrue, but again refused to give its own casualty figures for the assault in the south-

U.N. to announce new round of Syria talks

T

HE United Nations will name a date on Friday for Syria’s warring parties to return to the negotiating table for a second round of talks, U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said yesterday.

De Mistura abruptly aborted a first round of talks on Feb. 3, saying more preparatory work was needed from the “International Syria Support

Group” (ISSG), led by the United States and Russia.

Since then Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have continued a major offensive against rebels around the city of Aleppo, and President Bashar alAssad’s government and the opposition have both said they could support a U.S.-Russian proposal for a “cessation of hostilities”.

ern Somali base of el-Ade. The Islamist militant group said it had killed about 100 Kenyan troops.

If it is confirmed that 180 troops were killed, it would be al-Shabab’s deadliest assault since it was formed nearly a decade ago.

Its previous most deadly attack was the killing of 148 people in the day-long assault on Garissa University College in north-eastern Kenya last April.

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud gave the death toll of 180 in an interview with a Somali television station, while defending his attendance at a memorial for the soldiers in Kenya.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

StarTimes beams 88th Academy Awards

T

•Fred Amata

•Lancelot Imasuen •Kingsley Omo-Efe

Battle for the soul of DGN ...as Guild elects new president today

By Benjamin Njoku

A

S the general election of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN, holds this morning in Asaba, Delta State, expectations are high as pundits are busy, predicting the outcome of the election.

Although many have opined that the major battle for the post of the presidency would obviously be between Fred Amata and Lancelot Imasuen. Kingsley OmoEfe who is also contesting for the coveted presidential seat may not be a push over after all.

The last few weeks have seen the aspirants being locked in aggressive campaigns, as they reeled out their manifestos to win the support of DGN members. Lancelot Imasuen who celebrated his 20 years in Nollywood last year believes that he has what it takes to become the next president of the Guild.

contesting for this position for more than three times, the Delta State-born thespian is not giving up the fight for the hot seat of DGN president. According to him, “I am one of the longest serving professional in the industry. I have a product that happened even before the new environment, Nollywood, was born. I have being a director since 1986. “With my threatening records, I feel there is the need for my colleagues on the other side to make me their consensus candidate.” He promised to get the guild a befitting secretariat, a functioning constitution and website in his first three months in office.

On his own, Kingsley Omoefe popularly called “King of soaps” describes himself as director of directors. He said, “Nobody

Adokiye stuns in new photo shoot

Popular director “Judging from the past and present, I see myself as most capable and competent to steer the ship of the directors in Nigeria because film directing has been my life and God has been merciful to me,… You cannot give what you do not have,”the popular director declares.

If elected, the producer of the epic film, Ïnvasion 1897”said, part of his plans is to have three DGN lounges in addition to engaging government and private sector to invest in the industry. “It’s in my character to dream and desire great things, go for heights deemed impossible and climb to its zenith. I want to remake the individual Nigerian film Director for the 21st century challenges of film making, globalise and draw National and international attention to our DGN, engage government and private sector with interests in our craft”.

However, Fred Amata sees no other candidate than himself. Despite C M Y K

among those contesting have what I have. It’s my prerogative to re-awaken the ailing directors’ guild. It’s been too long in coma.

My brothers and sisters in the guild have to put in my hands the future of the DGN if they want that desired change for our dear body.

We are intellectuals and know what we want.

I am here to serve them.”

“The desire for change and repositioning the profession of movie directing and directors has inspired my resolve to become DGN President. My leadership will be hinged on good and quality leadership based on these four cardinal points; Commitment, Service, Loyalty and Respect for members”, says Mr Omo-Efe. With their intimidating credentials, the question now on everyone's lips is, “Who emerges the new president of DGN?.”

HIS month is the 88th Academy Awards month and StarTimes will be celebrating it with an Oscar’s special ‘The Big Weekend’ on C Music TV. The event holds February 27 and 28, 2016.

The award will be honouring the extraordinary talent of film score composers, the Big Weekend will explore the world of music in film to coincide with the 88th Academy Awards. With a host of exclusive soundtrack music-videos from all the major nomination categories, The Big Weekend will also give viewers insight into a series of enlightening composer promos and abundant film and Oscar facts. The Oscars Special will include some of C Music TV’s favourite artists and evaluate the nominee line-up and possible winners Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes Nigeria, Mr. Jack Liu said “Many of our subscribers enjoy the glitz and glamour of the Oscars. Hosting the Big Weekend on C Music TV on StarTimes, we hope will be the “cherry on the cake” for Academy Award fans on the African continent.”

After the nominations were announced this year, the audience reaction was heated as many complained about the apparent lack of diversity, resulting in some of the stars deciding to boycott the event.

Oscar winner and former host, Whoopi Goldberg, defended the Academy saying, “The issue is not the Academy. Even if you fill the Academy with black, Latino and Asian members, if there’s no one on the screen to vote for, you’re not going to get the outcome that you want. I won once, so it can’t be that racist. I’ve been black the whole time."

F

AST rising singer, Adokiye returns with new extra sultry and glamorous promotional shots photographed by Timmy Davies.

In the shoot styled by Ifan Ifeanyi Michael, Adokiye slays in every costume - rocking them in a stance that reveals what she's got planned for the year 2016. This is on the heels of her upcoming video for Afro pop collaboration with Sym 19 entitled 'Glory'.

•Adokiye

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—41

Matters arising from the Supreme Court judgment in the Saraki case (2) This is the second edition of this discourse. In the first part which was published in Vanguard yesterday, the author argued that the issue of jurisdiction in the Saraki case cannot be settled aright without reference to section 6 of the constitution and the decisions based on it section 20 of the Act is a

By Ben Nwabueze duplication of paragraph 15(1) of HETHER the Supreme the Fifth Schedule to the Court decision on the Constitution, only the legal of such issue of the jurisdiction of the consequences CCT has a basis in a law validly duplication remain to be made by the National Assembly determined. And the Supreme The Supreme Court decision Court itself has determined them attributing a quasi-criminal by its decision in Att-Gen of Abia jurisdiction to the CCT was State v. Att. Gen of the Federation anchored not only on the (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt 763) 264 at Constitution itself, but also on the 369, where the Court, per Kutigi Code of Conduct Bureau and JSC (later CJN), delivering the Tribunal Act. The question arising judgment of the Court, held: “Where the provision in the Act is whether the Act is consistent with the Constitution and valid. is within the legislative powers From what is said above, the Act of the National Assembly but the is inconsistent with section 6 Constitution is found to have vesting judicial power in courts already made the same or similar listed therein, of whom the CCT provision then the provision will be regarded as invalid for is not one.

Apart from being inconsistent duplication and or inconsistency with section 6 vesting judicial and therefore inoperative. power in the courts named therein, the Act is inconsistent Authoritative with the Constitution for another statement reason, made so manifest by Onnoghen JSC in his lead The same fate will befall any judgment where he sets out the provision of the Act which seeks provisions of paragraph 15(1) of to enlarge, curtail or alter any the 5th Schedule to the 1999 existing provision of the Constitution and section 20(1) of Constitution. The provisions will the Act, as follows: be treated as unconstitutional Paragraph 15(1) : “There shall and therefore null and void.” be established a tribunal to be (emphasis supplied). The known as Code of Conduct decision is re-affirmed by the Tribunal which shall consist of a Court in INEC & Anor. v.

Balarabe Musa & Ors [2003] 3 NWLR (Pt 806) 72 at page 158, where Ayoola JSC for the Court said: “Where the Constitution has covered the field as to the law governing any conduct, the provision of the Constitution is the authoritative statement of the PROF BEN NWABUEZE law on the subject… Where the Chairman and two other Constitution has provided persons” exhaustively for any situation Section 20(1) : “There is hereby and on any subject, a legislative established a tribunal to be authority that claims to legislate known as the Code of Conduct in addition to what the Tribunal (in this Act referred to Constitution had enacted must as ‘the Tribunal’) show that, and how it has derived (2) “The Tribunal shall consist its legislative authority to do so of a Chairman and two other from the Constitution itself. In members.” this case, section 222 of the It is obvious on the face of the Constitution having set out the two provisions that section 20 of conditions upon which an the Act is a duplication of association can function as a paragraph 15 (1) of the Fifth political party, the National Schedule, a fact so obvious as to Assembly could not validly by make it unnecessary for counsel legislation alter those conditions in their pleading or brief of by addition or subtracting and argument to draw the Supreme could not by legislation authorise Court’s attention to it. As earlier INEC to do so, unless the stated, the Supreme Court, as the Constitution itself has so court of last resort, has the duty, permitted.” (emphasis supplied) without special pleading or The decision of the Supreme urging by counsel, to ensure that Court in these two cases has a laws enacted by the legislature good rationale to support it. An which it is called upon to apply inconsistency arises from the in the adjudication of cases different sources of authority for before it are consistent and not the two provisions, one source of at variance with the supreme law authority, namely the embodied in the Constitution.

Constitution, being superior to Given the obvious fact that the other i.e. an ordinary law

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•Senate president, Bukola Saraki made by the legislature; for this reason, a statutory provision, deriving authority from an inferior source, simply cannot exist and operate together with the same or similar provision in the Constitution which it duplicates.

It makes hardly any sense that something established or existing by the Constitution should be established yet again by an ordinary law which is inferior to the Constitution; the basis of its existence, its character and authority is certainly not changed from the Constitution to the ordinary law, nor will the repeal of the ordinary law terminate its existence and powers under the Constitution.

This rationale finds further support in the decision which, based on the superior authority of a federal law vis-à-vis a state law on a concurrent matter, holds that where the Federal Government has legislated completely and exhaustively on such matter, so as to cover the entire field of the subject-matter, then, a state law on the same matter which duplicates the federal law is void for inconsistency, since the state law, deriving its existence from an inferior authority, cannot exist together with the federal law: AttGen of Ogun State v. Att-Gen of the Federation (1982) NSCC 1, particularly pages 11 (per FatayiWilliams CJN delivering the judgment of the Court) and 28 (per Idigbe JSC).

But see the judgment of Eso JSC who, dissenting on this

The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act is even more glaringly unconstitutional and void because some of its provisions also purport to vary the provisions of the Constitution which they duplicate

point, holds that the identical state law is only in “abeyance” or in suspension, but not void: at page 35. Even on Justice Eso’s dissenting view that the duplicating state law is merely in abeyance or suspension, the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap 56 LFN, that duplicate those of the Constitution, being in abeyance or suspension, cannot be used as authority for the trial by the CCT of the offences charged against the Dr Saraki.

But there is another, perhaps stronger, reason for the unconstitutionality and nullity of an ordinary law that duplicates the provisions of the Constitution.

Duplication, even when the duplicating provision in the ordinary law does not in terms purport to do so, imports by implication the supersession or supplantation of the provisions of the Constitution.

Supersession or supplantation To supersede or supplant means, according to the definition of the two words in Webster ’s Dictionary of the English Language, “to replace in power, authority or use; to succeed to the position, function or office of.” By duplicating the provisions of the Constitution, therefore, the Act purports to make itself the governing power or authority in place of the Constitution as the governing law in use for all purposes.

In fact nearly all the provisions of the Act have the clear effect and manifest a clear intention of superseding or supplanting the provisions of the Constitution.

Such, for example, are the provisions: (i) establishing the CCB and the CCT (sections 1 and 20); (ii) authorising the National Assembly to “confer on the Tribunal such additional powers as may appear to it to be necessary to enable the tribunal to discharge more effectively the functions conferred on it under this Act” (section 20(5); emphasis supplied); since they include the trial and imposition of punishment for a criminal

offence, “the functions conferred on [the CCT] under this Act” are much greater than the functions conferred on it by the Constitution. (iii) authorising the Tribunal to impose “any of the punishments specified under subsection (2) of this section” upon a public officer whom “it finds guilty of contravening any of the provisions of this Act” (section 23(1); emphasis supplied); (iv) relating to the manner for exercising “any right of appeal to the Court of Appeal from the decision of the Tribunal conferred by subsection (4) of this section” (section 23(5); emphasis supplied); (v) excluding “any punishment imposed in accordance with the provisions of this section” from the provisions of the Constitution relating to the prerogative of mercy.

The clear meaning and effect of these provisions and similar other provisions in most sections of the Act, such as those in sections 3, 6, 7, 9(1), 10(2), 15(1), (2) & (3), 16, 17, 18(1) & (2), 19, 21(1), & (2), 22(1), (3) & (4), 23, 24 and 25 is to replace the authority or use of the Constitution for this purpose with that of the Act. The Constitution ceases, to all intents and purposes, to be relevant or applicable, and is superseded or supplanted by the Act.

Definition of ‘the Tribunal’ On this ground, therefore, the Act, together with Charge No. CCT/ABJ/01/2015 based on it, is unconstitutional, null and void.

The definition of “the Tribunal” in section 26 to mean “the Tribunal established by and under section 20 of this Act” is conclusive on this point.

The Act is even more glaringly unconstitutional and void because some of its provisions also purport to vary the provisions of the Constitution which they duplicate, as with the provisions establishing the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and prescribing its functions. The provision of section 1(2)(a) of the Act that “the Bureau shall consist of…persons of unimpeachable integrity in the Nigerian society” is an addition to, and a variation of, the qualifications prescribed in section 156 of the Constitution.

Section 3(d) of the Act is at variance with paragraph 3(e) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution. For, whereas the latter empowers the CCB to “receive complaints about noncompliance with or breach of the provisions of the Code of Conduct…, investigate the complaint and where appropriate refer such matter to the Code of Conduct Tribunal”, (emphasis supplied) the Act omits the power to “investigate the complaint” and replaces the phrase “where appropriate” with the words “and where the Bureau considers it necessary to do so, refer such complaints to the Code of Conduct Tribunal established by section 20 of this Act in accordance with the provisions of section 20 to 25 of this Act.” (emphasis supplied).

To be continued

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—43

Nigeria needs a Corruption Truth Commission

T

By O B Omatsuli

HE story of corruption in Nigeria has become like the story of tortoise in most Nigerian folklore. Everyday when Nigerians wake up, they are eagerly waiting for the release of next list of names of allegedly corrupt government officials and politicians; be it Dasukigate (the list of persons and companies allegedly involved in the stealing/sharing of the $2.1 Billion meant to fight Boko Haram), the alleged fraud in the Ministry of Defence (which I refer to as Defencegate), particularly the one against the top officials of the Nigeria Air Force, or the alleged fraud at NIMASA or the alleged fraud in Nigeria Customs Service or even the one at the National Broadcasting Commission.

The number of allegations surfacing daily are so much that Nigerians are getting desensitised about corruption in the country. Nowadays, the question on the lips of most Nigerians is: who will be next or which government ministry or agency will be next?

Most informed Nigerians know that what we are seeing currently is a tip of the iceberg. As Mr Magu, the EFCC boss stated recently, the EFCC has not even opened one percent of the petitions they have received. President Buhari has not visited most of the Federal Ministries. To my knowledge he has only visited the Defence Ministry. Also the president is yet to visit most of the Federal Parastatals.

From information available in the public domain, he has only visited the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

We still have Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)(formerly Federal Environmental Protection Agency), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Prison Service (NPS), just to mention a few.

Then, what of the almighty Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)?

For those who have had the time to read the 163 page report on NNPC published by the Natural Resource Governance Institute in August The 2015, they would have known that NNPC painful stinks up to high truth heaven. President Buhari has not even however is looked at State that the governments and Nigeria Local Governments. I am not oblivious that Police investigating states Force, as and local governments has its own currently c o n s t i t u t i o n a l constituted challenge due to the Federal system of was not government we designed currently run. Let me sound a note of caution to prevent here. I am not and detect suggesting that any of these government crimes ministries, agencies

and parastatals have done anything wrong but with the level of madness under Jonathan’s government, we cannot bet our necks that there will not be revelation of high level corruption in any other government ministries, parastatals or agencies in Nigeria.

I recall last year after the election of Buhari, April 8, 2015, I sent a proposal to him on what I thought then (and I still believe so) was the best way to fight corruption in Nigeria. I advised him that as corruption has attained a pandemic level in Nigeria, it would not be the best use of his tenure to devote his 4 year term to fighting corruption. I posited that if Buhari were to devote a significant part of his time fighting corruption, he would have little or no time to implement the much needed social and economic programmes that will improve the life of Nigerians and the change that Nigerians yarned for, and for which he was overwhelmingly elected, will become a mirage.

War against corruption Most importantly, I noted that just as War Against Indiscipline (WAI) died after he was overthrowned in 1985, the currently war against corruption will die a natural death, after he leaves office in 2019 or 2023, if he is re-elected. Instead, I advised him that what Nigeria required was to build the two principal institutions (the Police and the judiciary) that will make it impossible or at least difficult for Nigerians to get away with corruption, just as it is done in most western countries. I will publish the full letter in due course.

It is not a secret that we do not have a police force in Nigeria that is capable of preventing and detecting crimes. This is not an attempt to paint the Nigeria Police black. I have huge respect and admiration for members of the Nigeria police Force, who are doing a difficult job in a very difficult circumstance. As a lawyer, I have done so many cases against the Nigeria Police Force and some of the finest people I have met in Nigeria are in the Nigeria police Force. In my view, the Nigeria police Force itself is a victim of the Nigerian system.

The painful truth however is that the Nigeria Police Force, as currently constituted was not designed to prevent and detect crimes. I will leave the discussion on the Nigeria Police for another day. Even if Nigeria Police Force has the expertise, they do not have the capacity to take on the flood of allegations of corruption that we are experiencing today. The current staff strength of the Nigeria Police Force, obtained from information available in public domain is about 371,800.

According to the Country of Origin Information report on Nigeria published

by UK government, February 1, 2013 at paragraph 8.03 ‘Approximately a quarter of the NPF staff perform personal protection and guard duties’.

To be continued •Omatsuli is a legal practitioner

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

ITTF confirms prize money for Lagos Open W

ORLD table ten nis ruling body, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed the prize money for the 2016 Lagos World Tour.

According to ITTF Director of Competition, Karl Jindrak, the Lagos Open as one of the Challenge Series tournaments in the ITTF calendar, the championship holds on May 18 to 22 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, with top players across the world expected to grace the five-day tournament.

As the highest prize money tournament in the Challenge Series of the ITTF World Tour, players will jostle for $46,000 (N13.8m) this year while defending champion, Egypt’s Omar Assar will be making a return to Lagos after the disappointing defeat he suffered against Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri at the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup in Khartoum, Sudan.

Also, other top players from Egypt who have been part of the championship in the last three years are expected to return to Lagos in their bid to sweep the prize money.

By Jacob Ajom

T

*ALL HANDS ON DECK... Students, Management staff and parents of Chrisland High School Abuja during their 2nd Annual Inter-house sports competition.

Nwakama hits Bet9ja jackpot I N line with Bet9ja’s philosophy of rewarding people’s passion, the company has again paid out a huge bonus win of N36,702,316.98 to another winner Nwakama Uzoma .

According to the CEO Of KC Gaming Network Ayo Ojuroye” In line with our promise of always rewarding our customers passion, we just paid a huge winnings of N36,702,316.98 to one of our winners Nwakama Uzoma with Betslip

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We will continue to strive to serve our customers to the best of our abilities. We will always operate in line with agreed terms and within the ambit of the regulatory agency.”

Ighalo

only make a decision on whether he will appear in Brazil if he is directly approached by Samson Siasia.

Another player above the age limit being touted to represent the Dream Team VI at the Olympic Games is Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel but he is not interested in defending the colours of the national team at that level. Uche Okechukwu, Emmanuel Amuneke (1996), Garba Lawal, Godwin Okpara (2000) and Peter Odemwingie(2008) are the over-aged players that represented Nigeria at previous editions of the Olympic Games.

Continued from B/P Eagles striker is keen on a reunion with one of his favourite pupils based on his recent pronouncement.

The former Lyn Oslo and Granada ace will

Vanguard Pools with Bayo Akinwamide

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Oliseh Continued from B/P Thursday that the offer from the African country came in just three months after he took charge of Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

“I must state that within three months of coaching the Super Eagles, I got an offer from a top African nation to become the coach of their national team, but I turned it down,” Oliseh said via Skype from his base in Belgium.

Oliseh also said that there have been improvement in the style of play of the Super Eagles and the results as the team have lost just once in competitive matches since he took charge.

He wants football analysts in his country to help inform fans with the correct information

HE 2016 Zenith Bank Women Basketball League dunks off March 15 with 18 teams participating.

The sponsors, Zenith Bank of Nigeria yesterday presented a N35 million cheque which represented the fund for the running of this year’s league.

The Group Managing Director, Peter Amangbo presented a N35million cheque to the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Tijani Umar. This amount represents the sponsorship fund for the 2016 Zenith Women’s Basketball League season.

Although Zenith Bank of Nigeria’s sponsorship of the national Women Basketball League elapses this

NFF Continued from B/P Al Khalifa today in Switzerland as the next president of world football governing body FIFA. Asia Football Confederation (AFC) president Salman is favourite in the presidential polls that also has UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein from Jordan, ex-FIFA chief Jerome Champagne and South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale.

The top officials of the Nigeria Football Federabout the national team.

“We have lost just one competitive match in 14.

That is an improvement.

The team has improved in areas of movement and passing of the ball, so analysts must give fans the correct information because the team has improved in a very short time considering that there are new players in the team too,” Oliseh said on Thursday.

Ugbade Continued from B/P victory is the tactical discipline. Tactics keep you in the game. Tactics give you the edge to win matches and that is what Oliseh needs against the mesmerising Egyptians who will be out to maintain their top spot in the group.”

Ugbade also advised the Nigerian players to keep their cool through-

year, but the financial institution has assured of continuing its partnership with the Nigeria Basketball Federation for a long time to come.

Giving the assurance at the bank’s corporate headquarters yesterday, Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo said, “as a bank, we will continue to support this worthy cause and do more than we have been doing in the past.”

Amangbo recalled that in the last 12 years of Zenith Bank’s unbroken sponsorship of the women basketball league, the sport has witnessed an unprecedented level of growth, raising numerous stars, most of who are plying their trades in different leagues across Europe, Asia and America. ation (NFF) have refused to make any public commitments or comments on how the association will vote at today's presidential polls.

However, some of them, who will not be identified, say they do not see the NFF going against the CAF decision to vote for Prince Salman of Bahrain.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick was very vocal and visible during the re-election of Sepp Blatter last May and in less than two years at the helm of Nigerian football, he has warmed his way to committees in both CAF and FIFA. He has his eyes fixed on being more relevant internationally and as such he will “not want to rock the boat”.

He has also cultivated a good personal relationship with acting FIFA president Issa Hayatou within a short time, and all these point to Nigeria going with CAF to vote Salman as the most powerful man in world football. out the match as the visitors would apply whatever trick they have on offer to frustrate them.

“They must win that match as anything less will spell disaster.”

Egypt top the group with 6 points, while Nigeria with one victory and one draw is in second place with 4 points.

A victory over the Egyptians will see the Eagles leapfrog to the top, no matter how temporary.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—45

C M Y K

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016—47

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016

FIFA Election: NFF vows to go with CAF N

IGERIA will most likely go along with CAF to vote Salman Continues on Page 44

Egypt will be tough –Ugbade

BY JACOB AJOM

A

S the impending 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigerian and the Pharaohs of Egypt looms, former Nigeria international, Nduka Ugbade has sounded a note of warning to coach Sunday Oliseh and his wards not to expect an easy match in Kaduna.

In a telephone chat with Sports Vanguard, Ugbade who, until recently was a member of the technical crew of the U-20 national team said,

“ we are used to the Egyptians. They have never come cheap. Even when we were at our best, we have never had it easy against the Pharaohs. I expect a tough duel in Kaduna.”

He had some advise for Oliseh. “With this kind of match, we can’t be 100 per cent technical,” Ugbade said, adding, “I expect 40 per cent technical and 100 per cent tactical approach from the Nigerian bench.

“When you apply too much technicalities that can only help control the game, create chances and navigate possibilities. But what gives one

*Sheikh Salman

For more on FIFA election, turn to centre spread

Ighalo yet to decide on the 2016 Olympic Olympics toGames.

H

EAD Coach of the national U-23 team, Samson Siasia, is yet to contact Watford sensation Odion Ighalo over the possibility of taking him as one of the three over-aged players

*Ugbade

-P.44

TODAY'S PUZZLE

Ighalo, 26, skippered the Samson Siasia - led U20s which lost in the second round of the 2009 Fifa Under 20 World Cup and the retired Super Continues on Page 44

Oliseh rejects ‘top’ African nation’s offer

Continues on Page 44

ITTF confirms prize money for Lagos Open

*Infantino

S

UPER Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has claimed that he was approached by an unnamed top African nation last year but turned down their offer.

Oliseh, 41, revealed at one of the sessions of the Social Media Week on *IGHALO: Waiting on Siasia

Continues on Page 44

*Oliseh

QUICK CROSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Blond (4) 4 Rotter (3) 6 Acid (4) 9 Imitate (3) 10 Length (8) 11 Knife (4) 14 Obscure (3) 16 Cabin (5) 19 Debased (8) 21 Cap (5) 23 Crippled (8) 24 Live (5) 27 Number (3) 31 Shock (4) 33 Outer (8) 34 Fasten (3) 35 Caribou (4) 36 Cushion (3) 37 Consider (4)

DOWN 2 Greedy (4) 3 Ceremony (4) 4 Restricted (8) 5 Intense (4) 6 Flavour (5) 7 Fitting (3) 8 Respond (5) 12 Bordered (5 13 Astound (5) 14 Fish (3) 15 Deserve (5) 17 Answer (5) 18 Useful (5) 20 Abandoned (8) 22 Brown (3) 25 Penned (5) 26 Subsequently (5) 28 Assist (4) 29 Poke (4) 30 Secure (4) 32 Untruth (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Ardent 5, Berate 8, Adhesive 9, Oral 10, Cos 12, Glass 15, Sag 17, War 18, Use 19, Ode 20, Other 21, Nip 22, Emu 23, Gas 24, Set 26, Pence 29, End 33, Sham 32, Splendid 35, Bridge 36, Outlet.

DOWN: 2, Radio 3, Even 4, Trial 5, Bless 6, Room 7, Tiara 10, Cross 11, Sweet 12, Group 13, Ashen 14, Surge 15, Sense 16, Gaped 25, Ether 27, Ensue 28, Cello 30, Noise 31, Amid 32, Unit.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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