Foreign diplomats cry out for protection

C M Y

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 61652

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

•P.9

Third Mainland Bridge: It 'll be partial closure —Lagos govt •P.50

TERROR ATTACKS

Foreign diplomats cry out for protection

BY HENRY UMORU & FAVOUR NNABUGWU

•Fish out Boko Haram members — David Mark •Says Nigeria 'll break if sect continues A •Jonathan seeks NASS support for anti-terrorism laws

B U J A — FOLLOWING increasing wave of terrorism in the country, foreign diplomats, yesterday, cried out to the Federal Government for protection.

The diplomats took their case to the government on a day Senate President, David Mark warned the Boko Haram sect that there is a limit to which the country can tolerate their bomb attacks which have claimed several lives.

The Senate President therefore challenged northern leaders to own up if the problem of Boko Haram is beyond them,

Continues on page 5

Mr & Mrs

COMMISSIONING—President Goodluck Jonathan with Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (left) and his Bayelsa counterpart, Gov. Seriake Dickson (right), during the commissioning of Ibom E-library in Uyo yesterday. Photo: State House.

Insecurity: Govs call for state police

—P.6

2— Vanguard, TUESDAY,

JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—3

4—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

Terrorist attacks: Foreign diplomats cry out for protection Continues from Page 1 saying the sect’s terrorist activities will break up Nigeria if they fail to stop them.

The foreign embassies in Abuja, worried by the security challenges in the country, yesterday, took their worries to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Administration for proper assurance on the security of their offices in the territory.

High Commissioners of Trinidad & Tobago, Rwanda and Mali who visited the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed in his office sought improved security around the diplomatic community in Abuja and appealed to the minister to ensure improved protection of lives and property of diplomats in Abuja.

The three diplomats are High Commissioner of Trinidad & Tobago to Nigeria, Ambassador Nyahuma Obika; Rwanda High Commissioner, Joseph Habineza and Malian Ambassador, Mahanane Amadou Maiga.

Though, the ambassadors promised to strengthen trade ties between their various countries and Nigeria, they, however, called for enhanced security of the diplomatic community.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed assured the ambassadors of the safety of the members of the diplomatic community saying their safety is of utmost importance to the government and that security agents are on top of the security challenge in Nigeria.

According to him, “we will do all it takes to protect lives and property of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory, including members of the diplomatic community”.

There's limit to patience, Mark tells Boko Haram Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark warned yesterday that members of the Boko Haram sect who engage in massive bombings thereby killing innocent

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

The best advice is given silently by example — Unknown Be careful what you do, be careful how you are perceived, be careful how you are living, because your life is a pointer to many because of what they see in you.

Kids are not looking for someone to be like them, but someone to be like — Unknown Be careful…

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things —Donald Miller HE truth of the matter is that there’s nothing you can’t accomplish if you clearly decide what it is that you’re absolutely committed to achieving.

If you’re willing to take massive action, if you notice what’s working or not, and , if you continue to change your approach until you achieve what you want, using whatever life gives you along the way.

For change to be of any true value, they’ve got to be lasting and consistent. Edwin Freidman in his meaningful insightful writings sums aptly: “The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them.

Even choice words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.”

T

persons must know that there is limit to patience, just as he urged northern leaders to own up if the problem is beyond them.

Speaking yesterday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the Senate Retreat, Mark also said that if these bombings by the sect do not stop soon, there was the fear of religious war which would break up the country. He, however, called for political solution to the insurgency, noting that military solution has failed, but that, "there’s limit to patience and, people have to be told that.”

The retreat with the theme: "The National Assembly and National Security: Securing the Future for Development, is being attended by all the senators.

Meanwhile, except for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who gave his goodwill message, Chairmen of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progress Change, CPC; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; Labour Party and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA shunned the Retreat even though they were on the programme to give their goodwill messages.

Preachers to be licensed The Senate President who expressed worries over the killings and destruction of property by the insurgents, said that issuance of licences to preachers will be considered as that will help guide what the preachers tell their listeners, adding that a situation where a preacher would tell his listeners that when you engage in an act, you will have access to over seventy virgins in heaven must be checked.

Senator Mark however rejected the excuses of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy being cited as reasons for the current spate of violence by members of the Boko Haram sect, insisting that it was all about religious fundamentalism, adding that there was the urgent need to investigate the source of funding and

training of the group.

Mark admonished Christians to leave vengeance to God by not seeking reprisals even when churches were attacked, arguing that reprisals by Christians would mean victory for the deadly sect as that was their target.

North has suffered under development He regretted that the northern part of the country had suffered e n o u g h underdevelopment and that terrorist acts of Boko Haram was tantamount to double tragedy for the region, just as he called on northern state governors, leaders and elders to think properly on how to stop the violence before the activities of the sect bring the north to its knees.

According to him, "the problem we have in this country today as far as security is concerned is Boko Haram. Whatever name you want to give to it is just getting round the issue. People have given reasons for the action of the Boko Haram sect, they say it is poverty, to me if every poor man decides to become a suicide bomber, Nigeria will cease to exist. Secondly, people are saying it is lack of education, I agree that could be an issue, but we cannot overcome that overnight.

"To me if everybody in this country who is not educated decides to become a suicide bomber, who is going to remain in this country; I don’t think that there is any country of the world where everybody is gainfully employed.

"I read in the papers the other day about the Islamic position on the issue of suicide bombing; it is the same as the Christian stand that if you commit this crime, you are going straight to hell.

So who are these preachers who are telling them that a suicide bomber will go to heaven and have seventy-seven virgins, something is definitely fundamentally wrong there.”

Mark noted that there can be dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect if only they come out or their leaders

could identify themselves with the government to dialogue with, adding that the government cannot dialogue with leaders it does not know, even as he said that northern leaders should come and say the problem has overwhelmed them.

In his goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who urged all Nigerians, regardless of their faith, to rise against lawlessness of whatever type, especially terrorism, stressed that the indivisibility of the country should not be compromised.

Also in his remarks, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stressed the need for synergy by the National Assembly with other agencies of government in addressing the security challenges in the country, adding that Nigeria as a country is bigger than any individual or group.

Jonathan seeks Senate, Reps' support on law against terrorism Meantime, President Goodluck Jonathan has said that as part of moves to address the security challenges in the country, the federal government will continue to reposition the security agencies for effective and efficient service delivery.

Speaking yesterday in Uyo, at the Senate Retreat, President Jonathan warned that as a country, we must not play politics with the present terrorist acts of members of the Boko Haram sect.

President Jonathan who strongly condemned their activities, however, promised that the government will not relent in taking very

serious and decisive actions to put an end to these wanton killings and bombings by the Boko Haram sect.

The President who called for the support and endorsement of the National Assembly on the need to promulgate laws that will give the government the teeth to deal with the situation, however said that Nigerians should not pretend to be ignorant of the root cause of the current spate of violence in the country, which he attributed to what he called “politics of bitterness”.

According to President Jonathan, “it is unfortunate that politics has become a major source of insecurity as evidenced in the do-ordie politics of some practitioners. Bitter and inflammatory statements, emanating from some politicians have, at different times in the history of this country, consumed thousands of innocent lives and the foundations of our nation.

We must return to politics as espoused by the late Ibrahim Waziri: “politics without bitterness". ‘’Terrorism, which has become a global phenomenon, is now unfortunately a direct experience in this country. A faceless group of enemies of our democracy and prosperity of our nation has continued to carry out terrorist attacks on innocent people in our nation. ‘’This development is one that particularly concerns me as the president, and is one I will continue to decisively deal with. It is one on which I seek the support and cooperation of the Senate and the House of Representatives. We must work together under a new social and political contract, to safeguard our nation”.

6—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

4th Vanguard’s Children Confab holds Thursday AGOS — THE 4th Van guard’s Children’s Conference, organised by Vanguard Newspapers will come up on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos by 10.am.

The conference theme is "Child Abuse: Enforcing the Child’s Rights for a Peaceful Nation."

Chief Guest of Honour at the event is the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Hon. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, while the Mother of the Day is the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola.

According to the management of Vanguard

L

From left: Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba; Senate President, David Mark and President Goodluck Jonathan during the opening of Senate 2012 retreat in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Insecurity: Govs call for state Police Make case for security intervention fund

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA — WORRIED by the level of insecurity in parts of the country caused by the Boko Haram sect, the 36 state governors under the aegis of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, have called for the establishment of state Police.

Rising from a meeting at the Rivers State Governor ’s Lodge, Abuja, yesterday, the governors who noted that state police was a strategy for combating the rising insecurity in the country, however, called on the Federal Government to establish a special intervention fund for state governments especially to states that are presently most affected.

In a communiqué signed by the NGF chairman and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, the governors stressed that the intervention fund had become imperative against the backdrop that state governments were currently overstretched in funding security.

The communiqué read: "We, the governors of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at our meeting deliberated on a number of issues.

The following resolutions were reached: "Forum strongly condemned the current spate of insecurity and violence which has been drifting the nation towards anarchy and called for a multi-dimensional approach to security issues including en-

A

hanced coordination and collaboration among security forces, effective use of technology and intelligence, value re-orientation, employment generation and sincerity of purpose.

"Forum reiterated its commitment to convene a Governors’ Forum Conference on security in Nigeria.

"State governments are

currently overstretched in funding security and called for a special intervention fund from the Federal Government, especially to the states that are most affected.

"Finally, the forum identified the increasing need for state police as a strategy for combating the rising insecurity in the country.”

Present at the meeting

were governors of Rivers, Niger, Bornu, Enugu, Sokoto, Delta, Taraba, Ekiti, Oyo, Kwara, Plateau, Zamfara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Abia and Anambra.

Also present were deputy governors of Ondo, Jigawa, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos states.

Lawan at Force Hqtrs, expresses disappointment with colleagues Insists he 'll return the bribe money As Police invite probe c'ttee members

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

BUJA — THE embat tled erstwhile Chairman of the House probe committee on the fuel subsidy regime, Mr Farouk Lawan, yesterday, reported at the Force Headquarters in conformity with his bail conditions and insisted before the Police investigators that he handed over the $620, 000 bribe money to Adams Jagaba, House Committee Chairman on Narcotics and Financial Crimes.

Farouk, who came to the Force Headquarters at about noon, immediately walked into the office of the detectives, investigating the $620,000 bribery allegation, given to him by Zenon Oil Chairman, Mr Femi Otedola.

Though details of his

A

discussions with the Police were kept secret, Vanguard gathered from sources that Lawan also pleaded for more time to enable him return the money, regretting that his colleagues in the lower chamber particularly Jagaba disappointed him by denying that he received the money from him (Farouk).

Optimistic of returning bribe money The source revealed that Lawan was optimistic that he would be able to retrieve the money and return it to the police.

Regarding the non return of the $120,000 received by the secretary of the committee, Boniface Emenalo, the source said he told the Police that his $120,000 was handed over to his chair-

man, Lawan, immediately after collecting it from Otedola.

Police invite probe c'ttee members Meanwhile, in continuation with the investigation, Vanguard gathered that detectives have formally invited all members of the fuel subsidy probe committee to the Force Headquarters to make statements on their financial dealings with petroleum marketers who appeared before the probe panel.

It was gathered that the invitation of the entire members of the probe committee may not be unconnected with new petition and complaints from other oil marketers to the Special Task Force that they were forced to part with other bribe monies in several foreign and local currencies amounting to about N11billion in total.

Newspapers, the conference is organised annually to draw the attention of government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in Nigeria to the plight of Nigerian children, who are the future leaders, as well as create adequate awareness, monitoring and implementation of the Child Right Law in Nigeria.

Highlights of the event include the induction of participating children as Anti-Child Ambassadors who will in turn champion the crusade in their various schools for better monitoring and implementation of the Child Rights Law.

N32.8BN POLICE PENSION SCAM:

We have enough evidence to nail Kigo, 5 others —EFCC Accused persons beg court to quash charge

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA — THE Eco nomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, said it had enough evidence to prove that a former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Atiku Abubakar Kigo, conspired with five other civil servants and diverted N32.8 billion from the Nigeria Police Pension Funds.

The anti-graft agency stated this on a day the accused persons approached an Abuja High Court at Gudu, begging it to quash the entire 16-count charge preferred against them by the commission for want of evidence.

Besides Kigo, those charged by the EFCC were Mr Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, John Yakubu Yusufu, Mrs Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula and Sani Habila Zira.

EFCC, in a counter affidavit it filed in opposition to the motion seeking to quash the charge against them maintained that its investigations revealed that the accused persons sequentially withdrew monies from Police Pension funds domiciled in an account at FirstBank of Nigeria.

It told the court that the withdrawn monies totalling about N32.8 billion were subsequently shared between the Permanent Sec-

A

retary and the other accused persons who it said were signatories to the police pension fund account.

Insisting that it has sufficient prima-facie evidence capable of securing their conviction, EFCC told the court that the 3rd accused person, Mr Inuwa Wada, collected N18 million from Unity Bank Plc as his reward for ensuring that the Police Pension Account was retained in the bank.

It noted that the said fraud was perpetuated between January 2009 and June 2011, saying the offence amounted to a criminal breach of trust, punishable under sections 97, 315, 115(ii), 119 and 309 of the Penal Code Act Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007.

Meanwhile, the accused persons, yesterday, asked the court to allow them to study the counter-affidavit filed against their application by the EFCC, contending that the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, served it on them in the court premises.

They further expressed determination to join issues with the prosecuting agency on points of law with a view to showing that there was no nexus linking them to the commission of the alleged offence.

Consequently, trial Justice Talba adjourned the case till July 17, to take arguments on the applications for quash.

C M Y

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—7

Church formally announces Okotie’s divorce

BY SAM EYOBOKA

AGOS — HOUSE HOLD of God Ministry, yesterday, released an official statement, announcing the dissolution of the marriage of its founder/General Overseer, Pastor Christopher Akpoborie Okotie, to Stephanie Henshaw.

The statement signed by the spokesman for the church, Pastor Ladi Ayodeji, stated: “Pastor of our church, the Household of God, Oregun, Lagos, Rev. Chris Okotie, announced his separation from Stephanie, his wife of four years, at the end of service last Sunday.”

Ayodeji, in the three-

L

From left: Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Gov. Basbatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Special Duties and Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Fashola in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Mainstreet Bank sacks 800 workers As Labour demands immediate reversal

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

AGOS —THE manage ment of Mainstreet Bank Plc, formerly Afribank Plc, Friday, sacked no fewer than 800 workers despite the Federal Government's directive to the management of the bank and organised labour to maintain status quo pending resolution of labour issues between the management and labour.

It was gathered that the sack came few days after the Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity at a meeting in Abuja with the organised labour and management of the bank on the outstanding gratuity of staff of the defunct Afribank Nigeria Plc. Meanwhile, organised labour, yesterday, asked the management of the bank to immediately reverse the termination or labour and its allies would shut down its operations nationwide, describing the management's action as illegal and unprocedural.

Vanguard gathered that of the 800 affected staff, over 650 were members of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, affiliated to the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, while the rest were members of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Employees, NUBIFIE, affiliated to Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. Vanguard gathered that the management just locked the affected workers out of the bank’s network, denied them access to their offices and asked them to

L

wait for their termination letters through their email boxes.

Labour demands immediate reversal Organised labour described the management’s action as unprocedural, illegal, and anti-labour, demanding immediate re-

versal or all the bank’s operations nationwide would be shut by labour and its allies.

At a briefing, yesterday, Secretary-General of TUC, Chief John Kolawole, said: "The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) views this act of Management of Mainstreet Bank Ltd as the height of provocation and

lawlessness which is condemnable. Consequently, TUC unequivocally states and demands the reversal of these terminations and other anti-labour acts immediately, failing which TUC will mobilise all its affiliates, allies and resources to shut down completely the operations of the bank nationwide."

Ibori: How UK police plotted to hack ex-foreign minister’s phone

BY UDUMA KALU WITH AGENCY REPORTS

AGOS — MORE scan dals are coming out in Britain following the trial and incarceration of the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, in the United Kingdom.

The new scandal, published in Sunday Mail said British detectives plotted with private investigators to hack into email accounts and cell phone of UK’s former Foreign Minister, Lord Malloch-Brown; former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, MET, Cressida Dick and Nemat Shafik, Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Development, DFID. However, Scotland Yard has kept mum over the allegation. The plot was said to have been executed in 2009 when detectives from the MET’s anti-corruption and money laundering unit, SCD6, were investigating Ibori, who a few months ago pleaded guilty to select charges of money laundering and fraud.

L

London’s The Mail on Sunday said the officers involved were those already being investigated over bribery allegations while it investigated Ibori.

A whistleblower, who blew the current scandal in a letter to Britain’s Commissioner of Police, Sir Paul Stephenson, said in 2009, there were fears within the SCD6 which is being funded by the Department of International Development, DFID, that bosses at the DFID were about to withdraw financial support for the unit.

Their fears prompted them to seek the assistance of RISC Management, a private detective agency, to hack into email accounts and mobile phones of the top public servants. RISC Management is also being investigated for its role in the bribery scandal.

Britain’s most senior policewoman and a senior Whitehall civil servant, also said to have been targeted, told police about alleged ‘communications interceptions’ in two cases and an ‘attempt’ in another. It is claimed the detectives involved were part of an elite

Metropolitan Police anticorruption and moneylaundering unit called SCD6.

Last Saturday, the MET declined to say how seriously it is taking the claims or to what extent, if any, they form part of a wider inquiry into the activities of SCD6.

DPR uncovers 4 more illegal barges of diesel BYKUNLE KALEJAYE

L

AGOS — IN its resolve to crack down on the operations of illegal jetties in the country, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday, discovered another illegal jetty at Kirikiri, Apapa, where petroleum products were being discharged illegally.

Four barges laden with Automated Gas Oil, AGO or diesel were uncovered by the DPR monitoring team during a raid at the DICON Salt Jetty in Kirikiri.

The four barges included, MV Priye, MV Kome, MV Soa, and MV Fuadl, all laden with diesel.

In a similar raid last week, the DPR discovered two million litres of contami-

NEC wants Excess Crude Account boosted to $10bn

BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA — THE National Economic Council, yesterday, called for the boosting of the Excess Crude Account, ECA, from $5.3 billion to $10 billion to provide a buffer for the economy for at least three months as a means of protecting the country from the mounting uncertainty in the global economy.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, said the decision was arrived at following a briefing

A

paragraph statement, said both parties arrived at this decision after careful review of the prevailing circumstances which pointed to the fact that it is the best option for them at this time, adding that both Pastor Okotie and his second wife, Stephanie, have agreed to be silent on detailed reasons for the separation.

“They also agreed not to divulge details of this incident for personal reasons,” the statement added.

Rev. Okotie thanked concerned friends and wellwishers and asked for understanding, while expressing the “hope that their decision would be respected as no further details would be given on this issue.”

by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala.

He said the council noted that the economy was in good standing but pointed out the need for more judicious borrowing and application of funds by different levels of government.

According to him, the meeting also resolved to support the President in his plan to appoint members of the Board of Directors of the Sovereign Wealth Funds, including the MD/ CEO as well as the executive and non-executive directors, after a painstaking and credible recruitment process.

nated diesel at the Defence Jetty, Marina, which was already in circulation in the market.

The team arrested two of the suspects, who claimed they were working for the owner of the barge, without disclosing his or her identity. They were immediately handed over to men of the Police Headquarters, Zone Two, Lagos, for further investigation.

The Manager, Downstream Operation, DPR, Mr. Wasiu Soyebo, who led the team told newsmen that action would be taken against the culprits.

He said the petroleum industry regulator would continue to monitor areas where petroleum products are suspected to be discharged illegally in the country.

According to him, “we went to the Kirikiri Jetty where we discovered two abandoned ships, pumping machines, gallons, and places where they store the petroleum products. We have made consultation with NIMASA, so that we can join forces to ensure that there are no more illegal movements of petroleum products in the country.

“We suspect AGO as the content of the gallons because we have seen the barges and the tools they use in working, and we are going to take further actions on them.”

The regulator thereby warned consumers nationwide to be careful while buying diesel, and urged them to buy only from reputable outlets dully accredited by it.

8— Vanguard, TUESDAY,

C M Y K

JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—9

Briefly

Consecration

BY EMEKA MAMAH HE new Catholic Arch bishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, is to be consecrated on August 4. This was announced by priests in masses conducted in all the parishes and outreach churches on Sunday.

He will replace Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, who was among the bishops who consecrated Martins bishop in Abeokuta in 1998.

Okogie retired from the pastoral governance of the See of Lagos having reached the age limit of 75 years.

Archbishop Martins, 53, was born in Abeokuta on June 1, 1959, and was ordained priest on September 18, 1983.

He was consecrated Bishop of Abeokuta by Arcbishop Carlo Maria Vigano assisted by Okogie and Bishop Albert Ayinde Fashina on January 24, 1998.

T

Tributes

BY DAPO AKINREFON

ATIONAL Coordina tor, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, has described the late Ambassador Segun Olusola as a cultural icon who will be missed by Nigerians.

While commiserating with the Olusola family, Adams said: “His sense of humility and love for humanity will linger with us for life. His death has robbed Nigerians of yet another icon that would be hard to replace.”

In a statement, he said, “we wish to commiserate with the family of Ambassador Segun Olusola, African Refugees Foundation, AREF and all Nigerians over the passing on to glory of the cultural icon.

N

Induction IGERIAN Institute Training and Development,NITD, will today induct no fewer than 200 new members at Etal Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

President of the institute, Mr. Kayode Ogungbuyi, in a statement, said code of professional practice was already being developed by the institute to regulate the practice of the profession, and also address the problem of quacks infiltrating the profession.

N

UNILAG name-change: Stop it, Court tells Jonathan

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & MICHAEL OLADAPO

I

KEJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was yesterday restrained from changing the name of University of Lagos, UNILAG, to Moshood Abiola University, MAU, by a Federal High Court

siting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Trial judge in the suit, filed by seven students of the institution, Justice Steve Adah, who also restrained the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from deliberating on the proposed bill of renaming the institution pending before the lawmakers, also directed that

parties should maintained the status quo while the suit challenging the renaming of the school lasted.

Some students of the university and the alumni association had filed separate suits challenging the propriety of renaming the university through a broadcast by President

Goodluck Jonathan.

The student-applicants are led by Ogunmola Olajide and six others who sued for themselves and on behalf of the students of the school.

Defendants in the suit are University of Lagos, its Council, Senate of the university, Attorney-General of the Federation and

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (left) addressing local government workers undergoing certificate screening at the state Local Government Service Commission, Secretariat, Ibadan, recently.

With them is the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Mr. Adegboyega Adebunmi. Photo: Oyo State Government House.

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & MICHAEL OLADAPO

AGOS—THE trial of the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank, Dr Erastus Akingbola, continued yesterday with the second defendants' witness, Mr. Thomas Ayodele, testifying to how his company operated independently without any influence from Akingbola.

L

Intercontinental Bank affiliates were independent — Witness Court allows ex-Finbank boss to travel Ayodele, who was a former Managing Director of Intercontinental Capital Markets Limited (ICML), a subsidiary of Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank), made claim that his company transferred fund to Regal Investment Ltd.

Lagos restates commitment to schools' development

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI AGOS—THE Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to education by improving on its schools’ physical structures so as to make the future of the students rewarding.

Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire, said this at the grand finale of Lagos State Schools’ Debate competition for public and private secondary schools in the state.

Orelope-Adefulire said the state government would improve on the schools’ physical infrastructure and also pay attention to the development of students’ mental and intellectual capability.

Urging students to take their studies more seriously so as to become economically-relevant in fu-

L

ture, the deputy governor charged their teachers, parents and guardians to be more committed to their duties.

The grand finale saw Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, emerge winner while Community Senior Grammar School, Maryland and Epe Senior Grammar School, Epe, came second and third respectively.

Two hundred and eightyeight public and 89 private schools participated in this year’s edition while the two debate topics were: ‘Presidency should be on merit’ and ‘Dialogue is a way to resolve terrorism in Nigeria.’

Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, urged the winners not to rest on their oars and the defeated colleagues to brace up for future editions.

based on a business transaction between the two companies.

Also, the former Managing Director of FinBank Plc, Mr Okey Nwosu, standing trial over alleged stealing of N16.2 billion belonging to the bank alongside three other directors was yesterday granted permission to travel out of the country for medical treatment.

Akingbola is answering a N47.1 billion charge of stealing alongside one of his associates, Mr. Bayo Dada, a charge preffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The witness who was led in evidence before Justice Habeeb Abiru of an Ikeja High Court by Akingbola’s counsel, Mr Deji Sasegbon, SAN, said Akingbola neither benefited from the transactions between his company and its cutomers nor was part of the transactions.

Though he admitted that his company (ICML) was a subsidiary of the former Intercontinental Bank Plc, he said the N2.1 billion transaction involving ICML and Regal Investment Company Limited was done with the approval of the board of ICML. He told the court: “On

March 10, 2009, Dr Raymond Obieri, the chairman of Regal Investment sent us a business request that we should transfer some (N2.1 billion) for the company.

“After we received the financial request, we examined the financial viability and the integrity of the client and sent a memo to the board for approval.''

the National Assembly.

The two applicants were represented by Mr. Afolabi Fashanu, SAN. Fashanu had urged the court to give “an interim order” to maintain the status quo, saying the application for the order was urgent because the Federal Government was “desperate” to give effect to the presidential pronouncement.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, the two defence counsel, one of whom was representing University of Lagos and its Council, Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, and the other representing the Senate of the university, Mrs. Titi Akinlawon, SAN, did not oppose the request of the order.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, and the National Assembly (the fourth and fifth defendants) were not represented by any counsel despite confirmation by the plaintiffs’ counsel that all parties in the suits had been served with the court process.

However, Osipitan and Akinlawon, who represented the institution, were yet to file any defence, saying they had just been briefed.

The judge, however, directed that the two suits be harmonised.

National President and Secretary of the Alumni Association of the university, Prof. Olayide Abass and Femi Olatunji, respectively, on behalf of the association, instituted the suit seeking nine reliefs as those contained in the one filed by the students.

The judge adjourned the matter till July 4 for hearing.

UNILAG to MAULAG: Reps 'll consider all views — Ihedioha

BY EBELE ONUORAH & LAJU ARENYEKA A G O S — DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, has assured the University of Lagos, UNILAG, community that the house will take their views into consideration before taking any decision concerning the renaming of the institution.

Ihedioha said this, yesterday, at the annual public lecture at UNILAG themed: “Roles, misconceptions and experience in the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.”

According to him: “The President has sent a bill on the subject which is currently pending before the House of Representatives

L

for legislative action. As a representative institution, the House of Representatives will take into consideration the views of the students, university alumni, other relevant stakeholders and indeed, the majority of Nigerians before arriving at any decision.”

Ihedioha seemed to have answered the unspoken question of members University community including the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, who said in his opening remarks: “I am quite sure that as an alumni, you would always prefer the name UNILAG, and I thank the President through you because I am sure that due process will take its course.”

C M Y K

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Briefly

Ogun ACN chieftain killed

Snapped PHCN cable kills pregnant trader, six others in Ibadan

BY OLA AJAYI

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA—THE crisis rocking Ogun State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has claimed another casualty barely two weeks after a chairmanship candidate in Ogun waterside was mysteriously killed.

The recent killing occurred on Sunday night in the Ipokia Local Government Area, when a loyalist of ex-governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Mr. Solomon Ogunbele, was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen .

Vanguard learnt that Ogunbele was the former chairman of Ihunbo- Ilashe ward in the council area.

It will be recalled that the ruling party in the state had been polarised with Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Osoba leading the two groups.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the incident was a case of a lone accident and not murder as being speculated in some quarters. He said the corpse was found by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who were said to have reported the case at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Idi-Iroko.

Ondo ACN's spokesman defects to LP

BY DAYO JOHNSON KURE—THE crisis within the Ondo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, over the choice of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu as its gubernatorial candidate deepened, yesterday, as the party ’s spokesman, Gbenga Akinmoyo, defected to Labour Party, LP. Also, yesterday, placardcarrying youths from Akoko area of the state, stormed the party's secretariat in Akure to reject the imposition of Akeredolu by leaders of the party Akinmoyo said he left ACN because Governor Olusegun Mimiko had embarked on life-changing programmes and policies which were unprecedented in the history of the state.

Akinmoyo said he used to be a critic of the Mimiko government by virtue of his position in the opposition party and that had afforded him an opportunity to have a critical assessment of his programmes.

A

C M Y K

BADAN—IT was a day of rage and sorrow, yesterday, in the ApataGanga area of Ibadan metropolis, when a live distribution wire of the Power Holdings Com-

I

pany of Nigeria, PHCN, snapped and electrocuted no fewer than eight women, including a pregnant woman, to death.

Though, some of the traders claimed that seven people died, the Police Public Relations

Officer, Oyo State Command, Mrs. Olabisi Ilobanafor, confirmed the death of five people, saying two survivors were receiving treatment at a hospital.

However, a one-year-old boy, who was strapped to

his mother's back, escape the early morning death unhurt.

One of the rescuers, an Okada rider, said they rescued the baby when they saw the mother burning.

He said: “We used a stick to separate the baby from

the mother. It happened around 5.50 a.m, when the wire just came down suddenly. There was no time for the victims to run.”

The victims, who were vegetable sellers, according to an eye witness, had arrived the popular Agbekoya Market as early as 5.50 a.m. to transact business, but instead death came calling.

Among the victims was a nursing mother whose hair was burnt in the process.

A resident of the area, who gave his name as Sikiru Ajiboye, said there had been several reports to PHCN on the precarious state of the wire.

He said: “We don’t know what to do again. We had complaint about the wires for long. Apart from looking too fragile, they also used to cut often.”

PHCN reacts

LEFT, a victim of the incident, Mrs. Afusat Abiade, receiving treatment at Garden of Eden Hospital, Agbekoya Aba-Alamu Road, Apata, and RIGHT, the PHCN live wire which killed the seven vegetable sellers in Ibadan, yesterday, on the ground. Pix: Dare Fasube.

FG hails Mimiko's education policies

BY DAYO JOHNSON KURE—THE Fed eral Government, yesterday, lauded the Ondo State Government for providing quality education to the people and other dividends of democracy that has made the state a cynosure in the country.

Minister of State for Education, Mr. Ezenwo Wike, gave the commendation at the commissioning of Caring Heart Mega Primary School, OkeIjebu, in Akure.

Wike noted that Governor Olusegun Mimiko had proved himself going by the transformation that had taken place since he assumed office.

He argued that the construction of roads without education was not dividend of democracy, noting that the present administration had not only constructed roads but had provided quality education for its people.

Wike said: “There cannot be true dividend of democracy without education; this kind of schools that have been built by the Ondo State Government will improve the standard of education in the state.”

The minister stated that the activities of the state government in the education sector were in tandem with the philosophy of

A

President Goodluck Jonathan in the sector.

He said because of this, the Federal Government's flag off of the distribution of textbooks in the SouthWest would be done in Ondo State next week.

Gov. Mimiko, in his address, said his administration was spending not less than 35 per cent of the total budget of the state on education.

He said if the premier of the defunct Western Re-

gion, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, could spend 42 per cent of the region’s budget on education, there should be no excuse for any government in the South-West to spend less on the sector.

Alleged slander: Daniel pushes for sanctions against EFCC officers B E O K U TA — FORMER governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, urging it to investigate and sanction two police officers seconded to it who claimed before a court that he was a killer and patron of a killer-squad, should the allegations be found to be untrue.

The two police officers, Ekele Ihinacho and Danladi Yathah, made the allegations in counter-affidavits filed on behalf of EFCC before a High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in the two cases instituted by the anti-grant agency against Daniel.

In a letter by his lawyers, Bayo Osipitan and Co, dated June 13, 2012 and addressed to the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, Daniel noted that the two officers de-

A

posed to the counter-affidavits to oppose his applications for bail in the two cases, one of which has been discontinued.

In the letter, signed by Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, and copied the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Daniel noted that the depositions were accorded wide publicity in the print and other news media, adding that these baseless allegations of being a murderer and of sponsoring a killersquad had adversely affected him.

He said: “The publication has exposed and continues to expose our client to suffer hatred, and ridicule in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society within and outside Nigeria.

“The attempt by Danladi Yathah in his counter-affidavit to link our client with the death of Apagun Olumide falls flat in the face of the

statement by Apagun Olumide to investigating officers of the EFCC.

Reacting to the incident, Principal Affairs Manager, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Mr. Jide Oyenuga, said external investigators had been engaged to ascertain the cause of the death.

A survivor, Afusat Abiade, who was rushed to Garden of Eden Hospital, said she was the first to be brought to the hospital before other dead victims were brought.

Mean time, authorities of Ibadan South-West Local Government had ordered the immediate closure of the market and declared three days mourning to sympathise with the victims' families.

A youth leader, Mr. Wahab Bamidele, led other youths to rescue the survivors.

He told newsmen that the wire snapped as a result of the rain that fell yesterday morning.

LG poll: Court restrains OGSIEC

BY INNOCENT ANABA AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, restrained Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, from taking any step in respect of the forthcoming local government election in the state, pending the hearing of a contempt proceeding against some chieftains of Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, and some principal officers of the electoral body.

At the resumed hearing in the contempt proceeding, those mentioned included Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, (Media aide to Agriculture Minister), Ireti Oniyide, Faisiu Bakenne and OGSIEC. Also joined in the suit as

L

respondents are Principal Officers of OGSIEC, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, Alhaji Korede Lawal, Alhaji Bisiyu Adekanmi, Mutiu Agboke, Oyediran Aina, Kolawole Odesanya and Adetokunbo Williams.

The committal proceeding seeks to commit the alleged contemnors to prison for allegedly disobeying the court’s judgment of May 2, declaring Dayo Soremi faction of PDP as the authentic state executive of the party in Ogun State.

Trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong, ordered that no action should be taken in respect of the local government election pending the hearing of the contempt charge, which is the subject of the suit before him, and adjourned the matter till July 4.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—11

Delta Speaker tasks IG on security of witnesses against former anti-kidnap squad boss

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA SABA—SPEAKER of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, yesterday called on the Inspector-General of Police, IG, Mr Mohammed Abubakar to ensure that adequate protection was provided for persons willing to offer useful evidence that might nail the former leader of the antikidnapping squad in the state, Mr Dickson Adeyemi, who was earlier arrested for aiding and abetting kidnapers in the state.

He was released by the police following alleged lack of evidence to prosecute him.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Asaba, to mark the first anniversary of the Fifth Assembly, the Speaker said that a high-powered panel had been set up after the leadership of the Assembly had a meeting with the IG, during his recent visit to the state.

He said: “A lot is going on but we still leave it to the

A

Nigeria Police to ensure that they bring the culprits to book. The IG may have been quoted as telling people to come forth with evidence, which is fine, but let him also ensure the protection of those who intend to give the evidence

and you will be shocked by the level of evidence that he (IG) will receive.

“We stand by our resolution, wearenotshakingandwebelieve the right answers will come out soon if not very shortly.”

Deltalawmakers had, recently,

on the eve of the IG’s visit, passed a resolution calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the IG to revisit the investigation of Mr Adeyemi, who was released bythepoliceoverlackofevidence to prosecute him for allegedly assisting kidnappers in the state.

ARRI—THERE is apprehension in Abavo community in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, following weekend’s dethronement of HRM Uche Irenuma, who was also asked to quit the palace.

Vanguard gathered that there could be bloodshed in the community if the matter was not properly handled, as irate villagers, numbering over 5,000, were set for a showdown, if the king failed to vacate the palace within a particular time.

Investigation revealed that the monarch had contacted the police, while able-bodied youths, from outside the community, had also been allegedly recruited to guard the palace.

Delta State police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, who confirmed the tensed situation in Abavo to Vanguard, yesterday, said the police had beefed up security in the town, but did not give details.

The protesting villagers, led by chiefs of the community, claimed that James Okubor, father of the deposed king was wrongfully imposed on them in 1991 by some

G H E L L I — PENTECOSTAL Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Ughelli North Chapter, Delta State, yesterday, expelled Rev. Lucky Utakpa Oghenemiroro of God’s Gifted Ministry International for allegedly impregnating a woman outside wedlock and remarrying.

Handing the letter of expulsion to the church, chairman of PFN in the area, Rev. Emman Eredoro, the Secretary, Dr. Mereh Wariri and other executives, said they had exhausted all efforts to make Oghenemiroro “retracehissteps

U

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

UN-WTO Conference in Calabar: From right; Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left); Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke and wife, Mrs. Obioma Imoke on arrival of the First Lady at the Calabar Airport to attend the event.

Police beef up security

W

BY FESTUS AHON

marriage between him and his wife was still subsisting.

Alleging in the letter that “the immoral activities of Oghenemiroro were glaring,” it said:“Theextra–maritalaffairand adultery were proved and our warning and wise counsel fell on deaf ears.

“Consequently, this expulsion has, therefore, become absolutely necessary as we cannot condone these atrocities from a professed minister of the gospel. You know that the word of God forbids any Christian from engaging in such activities."

Reacting, Oghenemiroro said: “marriage is not by force as we all know, if I say I will not marry you again it is not by force. The father ofmywifehasrefundedthedowry I paid, to me and the matter is before a Customary Court.”

Bini group tasks guber candidates on policies

Tension in Abavo as villagers sack monarch

BY EMMAAMAIZE

PFN expels pastor over alleged adultery but to no avail,” adding that the

persons from the Abavo royal family, even when their former bonafide monarch, late Obi S. Jegbefume II, wrote a testament, dated April 4, 1985, saying that his eldest son, Prince Sunday Ekhator, should be crowned as the next Obi of Abavo, whenever he (Jegbefume) joined his ancestors.

A community leader, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “James Okunbor died mysteriously five years after and instead of allowing

Prince Ekhator to take over the throne of his father, which is hereditary, few members of the royal house ganged up again, and made Okubor’s son, Uche, the Obi of Abavo.

“Now, because of the abominationthatwascommitted, those who committed the sacrilege have been dying mysteriously in the community.

More than 10 persons had died so far and the facts of the will, which was written by the late monarch, stating that his oldest son, Prince Sunday Ekhator, should not be denied his rights

as his successor, is now public knowledge. So, there is panic everywhere on who will be the next and the people want to cleanse the land.”

The community leader explained that, “one of the prominent membersoftheAbavo royal family, before he gave up the ghost, last month, confessed that he was the person, who fraudulently altered the royal ascendancypathwaytopaveway for the installation of James Okunbor as the Obi of Abavo in 1991.”

After his death, the

Ugborodo Community Trust hails JTF over destruction of illegal refineries

BY DANIEL GUMM

ARRI — THE recent successes recorded by Joint Task Force, JTF, in the destruction of illegal refineries in Warri area, Delta State, have received commendations of the people of Ugborodo community in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

The community in a statement, by chairman and secretary of Ugborodo Community Trust, Mr David Tonwe and Dr. Ayo Ayomike, noted with satisfaction, what it

W

described as the gallant and patriotic accomplishments of the military outfit in its efforts to rid the area of the menace of illegal bunkering and refineries.

They said: “We collectively and in unison condemn the high level of environmental degradations of the ecosystem as it affects Ugborodo and its environs resulting from the activities of oil conglomerates in their exploitation of crude oil The recent activities of operators of illegal refineries and oil bunkering in Ugborodo area have

further exacerbated the already bad situation, whereby marine lives, forest among others are further put into jeopardy.”

The community wondered why a few individuals from the area collude with ‘foreign’ elements to wilfully destroy their environment, and thus put the ‘individuals’ and collective future of those from the area at stake."

They called on all relevant security agencies, including oil related ones to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that such criminal acts of illegal refining of oil was stopped immediately.

ENIN CITY—AS campaign for the July 14, governorship election in Edo State continues, a socio-cultural organisation in the state, Bini Development Union, BDU, has challenged politicians to tell Binis how they intended to move the ethnic group forward and not politics of ethnicity, which they described as archaic.

BDU, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Okaro Luggard Edoimioya, after the maiden meeting of the association, said the Binis peole want a governor, who will bring development and maintain its cultural heritage.

He said: “Any candidate who feels that because he is Bini, he will get the votes of our people without telling us how he intends to bring development, job opportunities for our people, will bewastinghistimebecausegone are the days when our people voted based on ethnicity.”

While urging that every Igue Festival should coincide with a Pan-Bini Economic Summit, which will help appraise the business and investment climate in the area, the association lamented the alleged encroachment on land belonging to the Bini by the Ijaw and urged the relevant authorities to intervene in the matter as they would not allow their land to be consfiticated.

Ika elders petition Uduaghan over failed roadsFunkekeme Solomon, who was

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

YOUNG GBOR—LEADERS and elders in Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, have petitioned Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan over the deplorable state of roads in the council.

In a Save Our Soul, SOS, petition presented to Commissioner for Works, Mr.

A

in the area on assessment tourof the roads, the elders called on the governor to do something urgent about the roads. They expressed confidence in the administration of Gov. Uduaghan to address the challenge.

The commissioner expressed shock at the level of dilapidation of roads in the area, saying “what I have seen is that the roads are not in a very good state and they require attention.”

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Amnesty yielded N6trn in 3yrs —Kuku Says Itsekiri youths agitation for inclusion valid

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF BUJA—THE Presidential Amnesty Programme has saved the nation about N 6 trillion in production gain, in the last three years, the Senior Special Adviser, SSA, to the President on Niger Delta and Chief Executive Officer of the programme, Mr. Kungsley Kuku, has revealed.

Addressing a press conference on the programme’s third anniversary in Abuja, yesterday, he also described as ‘valid’, the agitation by Itsekiri youths for inclusion in the programme and that he was already persuading President Jonathan to include them.

Explaining what the programme achieved since inception and the cost of running it, the SSA explained that the office was running the programme with less than three days oil production gain with the 2012 budget standing at about N70 billion but added

A

that the budget was little when compared with the overall national benefits.

He said: “For this year, we got a budget of about N70 billion. Note this, when you hear N70 billion, people shout but they have

forgotten the commitment we have with the exagitators. The commitment is clear- every month, we give them their stipends and allowances.

“I believe there is nothing too much in putting

together, financially, to sustain the peace we are enjoying and the security situation as it stands today, in the Niger Delta for the whole of Nigeria to benefit because when you talk about N 70 billion; you are talking about N33.4 billion daily as production gain."

Jonathan commissions projects, opens Senate retreat in Akwa Ibom

BY TONY NYONG

U

YO—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, commissioned the E-Library, and the Aka Nnung Udoe road projects undertaken by Akwa Ibom

Delta Green Economy Initiative 'll alleviate poverty, says Uduaghan S A B A — GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan has vowed to go ahead with the state green economy initiative as this will alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable development of Delta State in line with his vision of ‘Delta beyond oil’.

Governor Uduaghan made this declaration in Rio, Brazil, during the United Nation’s Sustainable Development conference, at the panel of Governors of R20 members, led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, (former governor of

A

California) an international organisation, committed to combating climate change by building climate resilient projects.

Governor Uduaghan, who is

the Vice Chairman of R20 (Africa and Middle East), expressed frustration at the inability of national governments to make progress in reaching agreement on how to tackle climate change.

He however expressed the hope that through sub-national governments, some actions are

being taken, stating that Delta State is serious about its climate change programme, adding: “Delta desires to diversify her energy economy from overreliance on traditional fossil fuel and environmentally degrading sources to clean and renewable sources.”

DESOPADEC rep makes case for youth empowerment

S

A P E L E —

COMMISSIONER representing Ethiope West, Okpe and Sapele Local Government Areas in the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Dr. Henry Ofa, has urged youths to embrace the youthempowermentprogramme of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Ofa, who spoke at the unveiling of the book Potential Youth authored by Mr. Truman Whonana, said youths should exploretheirGodgivenpotentials and talents instead of taking short cuts to livelihood.

Hesaid:“DeltaStateGovernor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan mindful of the situation has in the past five years of his administration initiated far-

reaching youth empowerment programmes that have taken thousands of youths off the street.

“Agriculture has become one of the most lucrative economic ventures in the world today.

This is the time to recommit ourselves more to agricultural programme now that Delta State is focusing more on an economy without oil.

State Government and also declared open the 2012 Senate Retreat holding in Uyo, the state capital.

Johnathan who at the opening of the retreat with the theme: “The National Assembly and National Security: Securing the Future Development,”decried the level of politics being played by Nigerian politicians said it has led to the power game contributing to insecurity in the country.

The president, who admitted that the theme of the retreat was apt owing to indiscriminate bomb attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist sect, regretted that politicians who playedthegameagainsttherules have made politics become a major source of insecurity in the c o u n t r y .

He said: “It is unfortunate that politicshasbecomeamajorsource of insecurity as evident in the do or die politics of some politicians.

Incidents and actions emanating from some top politicians have in recent times been a source threatening the foundation of our nation.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—13

Okonjo-Iweala lauds SEC board INANCE Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has commended the Senator Udoma Udo Udoma-led board of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, whose tenure ended on June 15, 2012.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, who is also the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, stated that the board served meritoriously until its statutory mandate came to an end.

In a statement by Paul Nwabuikwu, Senior Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Okonjo-Iweala denied widespread media reports that the last board was ever sacked.

F

RETREAT—From left: Senators Gbenga Ashafa, Jide Omoworare and Femi Ojudu during the 2012 Senate retreat at Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Doctors' strike paralyses activities at Imo hospitals

Ebonyi NDLEA arrests 69 suspected drug traffickers

BY PETER OKUTU

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—HEALTH care services in Federal Medical Centre, FMC, and Imo Specialist Hospital, Owerri, have been shut down following an indefinite strike by doctors in the two hospitals.

The doctors are protest-

ing what they termed “indiscriminate sacking of our colleagues and other medical officers by the managements” of the hospitals.

Announcing the indefinite industrial action, the Chairman, Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Dr. Chidi Obisi, said it was their last resort.

“We have decided to em-

bark on strike to express our dissatisfaction over the sacking of 26 doctors by FMC management. We will only resume when the affected doctors must have been recalled and the sack letters given to them withdrawn", Obisi said.

Efforts to speak with the Chief Medical Director of FMC Dr. Angela Uwakwe,

failed as her aides told Vanguard that “she was outside the state on official assignment.”

The story was the same at Imo Specialist Hospital, Owerri, when Vanguard visited, as services were grounded and relations of patients were seen moving their loved ones away from the place.

Okorocha threatens to sack state exco for non-performance

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA WERRI—IMO State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, yesterday warned that he would not hesitate to sack any member of the State Executive Council that fell short of expectation.

Okorocha, who read the riot act while swearing-in the new commissioners, also said his administration was in a hurry to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

“We are in a rescue mission. There is no room for procrastination. Your personal interest should not overshadow the collective interest of Imo people”, Okorocha warned.

While reminding the new commissioners that there was no room for corruption and laziness in the administration, the Governor declared that “any public office holder found wanting

O

C M Y K

in this regard will be shown the way out.”

It was the considered opinion of the Governor that the new appointees should make the best of the opportunity as they may not get the chance again.

It will be recalled that Mr. Chinedu Offor, Lady Ugochi Nnanna Okoro and Mr. Uche Mbanaso were assigned to the Ministries of Information and Strategy, Culture and Tourism and Commerce and Industries

respectively.

The rest are Emma Ekweremba, Petroleum and Energy, Professor Chima Iwuchukwu, Public Utilities and Rural Development and Dr. Charles Onuoha, Housing.

LAUNCH—From left: Mr Mike Sidwell, Sales Director; Mr Niyi Olukoya, Director of Marketing; Chioma Akpota, Glo Ambassador and Mrs Titi Ebinisi, Head, Gloworld during the launching of Glo Gista in Lagos, yesterday.

Photo: Shola Oyelese.

Indeed, the minister said that the board never sought for extension of its tenure.

“Contrary to some media reports that the immediate past board of the Securities and Exchange Commission was forced to wind up against its will, the board made no request for an extension of its tenure,” the statement said.

In the heat of the board’s resolution to send the commission’s Director General, Ms Aruma Oteh on compulsory leave, it was reported that the Finance Minister had sacked the SEC board itself, having declined to grant the board’s request to have its tenure extended beyond June 15, 2012.

BAKALIKI—EB ONYI State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday said it arrested 69 suspected drug traffickers and seized 35.440 kilograms of cannabis otherwise known as Indian hemp in the last one y e a r .

Speaking with Vanguard to commemorate the United Nations Day against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking, Commandant of NDLEA in the state, Dr. Ngozi Madubuike, said

A

apart from the arrest of suspected drug traffickers, the command was able to prosecute six suspects successfully at the Federal High Court, Abakaliki.

According to Madubuike, the command was faced with the challenge of getting rural dwellers to cooperate with the agency in the fight against drug trafficking, lamenting that suspects apart from hiding in the hinterland, had devised means of bringing in drugs into the state through neighbouring states like Abia, Cross River, Edo, Anambra and Enugu states.

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

APGA crisis worsens as Umeh, Anambra E caretaker chairmen trade accusations

BY TONY EDIKE

Obi denies plans to factionalise the party

BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—THE crisis rocking the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, took another dimension yesterday as the transition chairmen of the 21 local government areas in Anambra State verbally attacked the national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, urging him to stop blackmailing the state government.

But Umeh, in a swift reaction said he would not join issues with the transition chairmen appointed by Governor Peter Obi because they were not officers of APGA. This came as Anambra State Government said Governor Peter Obi had no hands in the attempt to factionalise the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, and destabilize the party.

A statement by the tran-

A

sition chairmen dismissed the suspension of the six members of the party’s NWC in Abuja, claiming the NWC was not properly constituted and did not speak for APGA. According to the statement, the committee did not satisfy the requirement of the constitution of APGA in terms of quorum and composition as most organs and offices of the national executive were non-existent or functional.

It accused the national chairman of using the issue of non conduct of local government election in the state as a diversionary gimmick to cover a hidden agenda and wondered why he should be very particular about Anambra State when only 11 out of the 36 states had so far conducted local government election.

But Umeh, in a reaction said the communiqué issued after the party’s NWC was not ambiguous and

that the party’s position on the conduct of local government election in the state was very clear.

He said: “I know many of the transition chairmen and they must have signed the statement under duress.

They are not the authors of the document they signed.

Some of them call me to say they are in support of the action we are taking to strengthen APGA and that the document they signed did not represent their interest. They have been telling me that they share with me the action taken by the party, but that in this matter, they are helpless. Their signing the statement is understandable because they are protecting their job and I know that it is their master that is behind all these problems.”

According to Umeh, there are 29 members in the NWC of APGA and the constitution of the "party says that one–third of the mem-

bers, which is 10 and the national chairman, can form a quorum at any meeting", adding that 18 members of the NWC were present at the meeting that suspended the six persons.

Meantime, Anambra State Government said Governor Peter Obi had no hands in the attempt to factionalise the party’s NWC, and destabilize the party.

In a statement by the chief press secretary to Governor Obi, Mr. Mike Udah, the government said the allegations and insinuations that the governor was sponsoring crisis in the party were baseless, false and malicious.

He said: “The truth of the matter is that the governor has no hand in the crisis in APGA. He has neither contracted, nor dispatched anyone to anywhere with a view to engendering the crisis in APGA, a party which he built and has nurtured all these years.

NUGU—TRADITION AL ruler of Adogbalato Kingdom in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Chris Oti, yesterday, called on government to distribute fertilizers and other farming implements to rural farmers through royal fathers, lamenting the exercise had been hijacked by politicians.

The monarch said the involvement of royal fathers in fertilizer distribution would go a long way in addressing the endemic corruption that characterized the scheme in the country.

Distribute fertilizers through us, monarch tells govt Speaking during the formal announcement of the community’s 2012 New Yam festival, the royal father regretted that over the years, fertilizers and other farming implements meant for farmers in Enugu and the country at large had always been hijacked by politicians and political office holders.

Abia farmers' co-operative guarantees N1bn agric loan

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ABIA Farmers’ Cooperative Union Limited, AFCUL, has promised to guarantee farmers interested in assessing the N1billion agric loans in the state.

Chairman of the union, Chief Uzoma Nwogwugwu who announced this, said the state government had

already set out the conditions for assessing the loan.

According to him, “one of the conditions is that the potential beneficiary must be guaranteed by a senior civil servant from Grade level 9 and above.”

Vanguard learnt that the government imposed the condition to ensure that beneficiaries are real farmers that will not divert the loan for other things.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—15

Release your salary details, court orders NASS

BY INNOCENT ANABA BUJA—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, ordered the Clerk of the National Assembly to release to a human rights group, Legal Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP, details of the salary, emolument and allowances collected by legislators between 2007 and 2011.

Trial judge, Justice B. Aliyu, gave the order following the suit by LEDAP against the leadership of

A

C M Y K

National Assembly under the Freedom of Information Act. The court held that the FoI Act permits the group to demand for any public information such as the details of salaries, emoluments and allowances earned by the legislators.

It noted that these were of public interest since the payments were from public funds.

The suit LEDAP had, in September 2011, filed the

suit to compel the clerk of the National Assembly to furnish it with the requested information.

LEDAP argued in the suit that the legislators were overpaid beyond the rate approved by law.

LEDAP had earlier written to the Clerk of the National Assembly for the information on the earnings of the legislators and demanded refund of excess payments.

The request was ignored, leading to the suit.

The National Assembly argued through its counsel that the information

requested by LEDAP was not permitted to be released under the FoI Act, and that the group lacked the locus standi to make such request.

FoI Act Overruling the objection, the court said every citizen was entitled to have access to public information under the FoI Act, and ordered the Clerk of National Assembly to release the requested information within 14 days of the judgment.

It will be recalled that at the end of the 6th National Assembly in June 2011, it was widely reported that some legislators collected as much as N100 million per quarter in allowances, excluding official salaries and emoluments, and that principal officers collected even more.

‘We 'll not give up' LEDAP’s lawyer, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, said: “Legislators are those who made the law on

how much each public officer should be paid in salary and allowances.

“It is unlawful and irresponsible for them to break the law and collect, for themselves from public coffers, much more than what is permitted by law.

“They are liable to refund any excess money collected beyond approved sum, and we will pursue this issue in the courts until all unlawful over-payments to the legislators of the 6th Assembly are repaid to public coffers.”

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Yari's security aide dies in accident with camel USAU—HEAD of the Special Protection Unit of Governor AbdulAziz Yari of Zamfara State, Mr. Ado Yahaya, a police officer, died in an accident involving the governor’s convoy and a camel on Gummi-Sokoto Road, Sunday.

Five other policemen sustained injuries.

Director of Press and Communication to the Governor, Alhaji Nuhu Anka, in a statement, yesterday, said the accident occurred when the governor’s convoy was returning from Talata Mafara, after a road inspection visit in Gummi.

He said the governor had instructed that the corpse be conveyed to Gusau for funeral rites, while the injured policemen were admitted at the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.

Anka added that those who sustained fractures had been referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Kano.

Bombs discovered in Jos, defused

BY TAYE OBATERU

J

OS—ANXIETY gripped residents of

Tudun Wada area of Jos, Plateau State capital, yesterday, following the discovery of two impro-

vised explosive devices, IEDs, at two different locations in the area, Sunday night.

G

RSPO holds dinner on palm oil TAKEHOLDERS in the national interpretation process of the principles and criteria of the Round-table on Sustainable Palm Oil, RSPO, will, today, gather for a fundraiser/dinner at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos.

A budget of N109 million has been prepared to implement the entire RSPO Interpretation Process that will span about two years.

S

LECTURE: From left— Mr. Ahmed Ibeto, Deputy Governor of Niger State; Governor Babangida Aliyu, and Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, at the 4th Nupe Day lecture held at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, weekend.

The two explosives were said to have been discovered about 9.30pm and safely defused. One of the explosives was planted near the fence of a residential apartment, while the other was planted under a parked vehicle in a remote part of the area.

Some residents said they alerted security men on noticing the strange ‘packages’ and thanked God that the devices did not explode before they were discovered.

One of the residents said: “It would have been devastating because this is a densely populated area.”

A n o t h e r

resident, Steven Yusuf, said the discovery sent shivers down the spines of many residents.

The discovery was confirmed by Captain Salisu Mustapha, spokesman of the Special Task Force, STF, maintaining security in the state.

He said the two devices were detonated by the Anti-Bomb Squad of the Plateau State Police Command, adding that there was no casualty and that the situation in the area was calm.

He advised residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious persons or strange objects in their vicinity to security agencies.

... as Kaduna, Yobe relax curfew

BY LUKA BINNIYAT & NDAHI MARAMA ADUNA and Yobe states have relaxed the curfew imposed in the states as calm seem to be returning gradually in Kaduna metropolis and Damaturu, the state capitals, respectively.

A statement by Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State’s Media aide, Mr. Rueben Buhari, said: “After serious deliberations, Kaduna State Security Council has reviewed the curfew hours as follows: for today (yesterday), people can move freely from 12 noon to 4pm.

“For tomorrow (today), people in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi and Chikun local government areas can move freely from 7am to 4pm.

“For the remaining 19 local governments, people can move from 6am to 6pm.

K

All are advised to remain peaceful.”

By 1pm yesterday, most parts of Kaduna came alive with activities as residents took advantage of the little available time to attend to their needs.

Also in Yobe State, the state government in a statement by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Alhaji Abdullahi

Bego, said a day after the trouble in Damaturu, the state capital witnessed a devastating jailbreak, where over 40 inmates were set free by some Boko Haram sect members.

Itread:“Consequently,publicmovementwithinDamaturu metropolis is now allowed between7amand6pmdailyfrom today (yesterday).

“Members of the public are expected to remain in

their homes from 6pm to 7am daily.”

Bego, however, said that restriction on public movement in other parts of the state, except Potiskum town, remains from 10pm to 6am daily, while that of Potiskum town remains between 6pm and 6am daily.”

He added that the decision was taken following a meeting the governor had with heads of law en-

Court sacks Bauchi lawmaker, orders replacement

BY SUZAN EDEH AUCHI—A Federal High Court sitting in Bauchi, yesterday, sacked Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, representing Toro /Jema'a Constituency in the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

The suit challenging Ibrahim’s election into the

B

House, was filed by Alhaji Yahaya Ishaq, with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as codefendant.

The plaintiff alleged that he won the CPC primaries held on January11, 2011, with the highest votes of 240, adding that his name was substituted with Ibrahims’s few days to the election, contrary to Sec-

tions 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

He asked the court to declare him (Yahaya Ishaq) as winner of the primary election, saying that the electoral body had no provision for substitution of his name with anybody, including Tukur Ibrahim.

In his judgment, Justice Mohammed Salihu, de-

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

forcement and security agencies in the state.

Bego reminded the public that the task of ensuring and maintenance of security was not the task of security agents alone, but that of every law-abiding citizens, and urged the people to continue to assist and cooperate with the security agents in their task of ensuring security, law and order in the troubled city.

clared the plaintiff as the winner of the primary election with the highest vote.

He noted that INEC cannot legally and lawfully substitute the plaintiff ’s name for another person, adding that the substitution of his name by the electoral body was null and void.

He ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to the plaintiff.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (nwamad@yahoo.com)

What's your take on reprisal attacks in the North?

C

HRISTIANS and Muslims are one.

The problem is not religion but politics. The government needs to understand that bombs are not manufactured with five naira; there are people in government who are sponsoring this unrest.—Mr. Shewu Abdulgafar, Computer Engineer.

C M Y

HE matter should be in the hands of the security agencies, though they have not really done well in protecting lives and property of Christians. Dialogue, negotiation and representation are what may address the issue properly.— Chief Morah Ekwunor, Legal Consultant.

T

HE government betrayed the citizens by failing to play its part in the social contract, in the area of protection of lives and property. Since the government failed in protecting the people, the people went for self-defence. —Mr. Donald Iyashere, Lawyer.

T

T is quite unfortunate that we have found ourselves in this state. It seems security agencies and the government, that should control security both locally and internationally, are totally incapable of addressing the situation. It is such a pity—Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN).

I

E are faced with a situation in this country where all hands have to be on deck. Only the government may not be able to tackle the issue. With collective effort, there could be a way out. Vengeance is of the Lord and not of man.—Mr. John Uwabunkeonye, Teacher.

W

E cannot really say it is right.

But why does it have to be churches?

This issue of gunmen killing Christians, who go to church to worship their God, is beyond human comprehension. The North is turning to something else.—Ms. Abimbola Omolabi, Student.

W

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—17

OME years back, I think around 1985-86, while we were working in the African Guardian, I noticed that for some weeks, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, (the intifada poet!) had been waltzing in and out of the office, without anyone knowing precisely what he was onto.

One day I asked him pointedly what he doing loitering about for. He said, as breezily as only Maxim could conjure, “Oga Pini, am doing a story on Fela!”

“And so!?” I countered. Then he told me how difficult it was getting people who could talk on Fela. At that point I asked him: “Have you spoken to Sunmi? How can you be writing about Fela without interviewing Sunmi?” He looked at me quizzically, with barely suppressed risibility as if to say, are you serious? What could possibly be the connection between Fela and Sunmi who, to many people, was famously known only as a photographer? Unknown to Maxim, and equally many, the man sitting in his office in the newsroom downstairs as photo editor, was an encyclopaedia of the social and entertainment circuit of Lagos, and Nigeria! Any socialite Sunmi does not know is not worth knowing. In United Kingdom or United States, Sunmi would be on top of his game as a gossip columnist!

Hardly did Maxim know how close Sunmi and Fela were!

Few days later, Maxim came to me breathlessly excited and screamed that he didn’t know what a hell of a man Sunmi was. Sunmi is indeed a hell of a man! Many times we waste a lot of ink and space celebrating nonsense people whose greatest achievement is that they have cheated the society, stolen us blind, had the privilege of public office and helped themselves with public funds, swallowed condoms stuffed with hard drugs or are scions of those whose depravity has turned our society into a cesspool of corruption. To put it mildly, we sometimes hold out the wrong people as role models and thereby unconsciously elevate knavery to a national culture!

S

S

unmi has been working since the age of 15 when he started life as an elementary teacher. On 25 September 2011, Sunmi turned 70. In all of his 70 years on earth, he has never held a public office, yet he has wined and dined with the high and mighty, shaken the hands of Royals and Presidents. Above all he has lived a very fulfilling, in fact enviable life as gardener, environmentalist, horticulturist, barber, jazz drummer, multiple award winning photographer, editor, author and publisher! He has provided for himself through hard work, all the material desires of his dream, including a comfortable home.

The fascinating thing about the man I fondly call SSC is that he is a quintessential self made man. When he was a barber, he taught himself how to barb. Barbing, for SSC, went beyond the pragmatism of grooming oneself.

It was another form of art. One of the many ways he influenced the social scene in Lagos was by introducing us to the Kennedy style haircut. He was the only one who could do it at that time and his barber ’s shop, called Sunmi’s Place, somewhere along Alagomeji area of Yaba, Lagos, became a rendezvous for hippy youths. Any time you came in contact with SSC, the part of your anatomy that came under immediate scrutiny and drew comments from him was your hair.

Sometimes he would insist on giving you a haircut, almost by force! He is that sensitive. He cut, and still cuts, the hairs of many prominent Nigerians. And that drew him into a

Unusual life

A

Sunmi Smart-Cole unique intimacy with very important Nigerians. It was therefore given that every important acquaintance wanted him to cover his or her events. Such high level contacts, coupled with his professionalism, helped him become the society photographer he is today.

SSC taught himself the tricks that have made his photography unique.

For many years, he was not persuaded to do colour photography. For him the art intrinsic in photography was only achievable in black and white, with the interplay of light, shadows and silhouettes. It was to satisfy socialites who wanted his work that he began to do more colour photography. I am aware that SSC did not accept photographic engagement just because one came knocking with a bulging wallet. He complained to me a few times how insulted he felt by people who thought that because they had money he would come running to their son’s or daughter’s wedding or birthday. To him, his photography was a statement of integrity, a devotion to art and a chronicling of history. He has thus documented the history of Nigeria, its people and places, through his lenses. Through his lenses he has taught us how to look at ourselves with different eyes.

Legendary Peter Obe gave photojournalism recognition as an essential part of news just as Kenny Adams pioneered political cartooning as an essential form of news commentary. But the generation of SSC and Jide Adeniji-Jones gave photojournalism panache and respect as a profession, just as Bisi Ogunbadejo (Cracks!) has done with political cartooning. People began to look up to, not down on people who carried the camera or brushes. That is why a delectable and multi-talented lady like TY Bello, instead of decorating the front office of a bank or oil company, could drop her university degree and pick up her camera and today become a multi-million Naira presidential photographer, creating jobs for herself and others; this after she had like SSC, had her stint as a successful musician. Following on the footsteps of greats like Jackie Phillips

and his contemporaries, SSC and the generation following him have taken studio photography to a dizzying new height. The importance of this is that in a country afflicted by necrosis, there is a generation keeping hope alive!

,

Man of many parts

Sunmi Smart-Cole: An authentic role model

discipline, hard work and grit.

The irony is that SSC who delights in giving to society, has had to contend with the greed of the society that consistently tried to take the little he had been given. For example, every time a Governor of Lagos State allocated a piece of land to him, a succeeding Governor revoke it! This arbitrariness, though, is not peculiar to Lagos or SSC. There have been victims in other states and in the FCT Abuja! SSC has also seen the ups and downs of life. Twice armed robbers broke into his home roughened him and stolen his property, including, most painfully, his treasured cameras.

Many things SSC has done in life he did with minimum supervision and maximum determination to succeed!

He simply drove himself fortified by self discipline, hard work and grit

SSC taught himself how to drum. He was a founding member of one of the popular bands in the country in the sixties, the Soul Assembly, led by Segun Bucknor (adorin sogba sogba, oko iya al’amala!). SSC went on the play and feature in jazz gigs with legends like Fela, Dizzy Gillespie, the incredible Jimmy Smith and Cannonball Arderly, and other jazz greats. SSC played music to give joy, just as his involvement with gardening and horticulture was mainly to give pleasure to society.

Capacity for hard work

W

nybody could ask what is so unusual about the life of SSC that makes it worthy of being celebrated.

This is not a biography, so we cannot possibly chronicle the humble beginnings of SSC and the challenges he had to overcome to make his life a fulfilling one. Former US President, Richard Nixon, said that whenever he was awarding the Medal of Honour, he often used to reflect on how many of those who won it must have appeared to be quite ordinary people until they had risen with supreme valour to an extraordinary challenge.

Without the challenge, he said, they would not have shown their courage.

Many lives are flavoured by the challenges we face and how we rise to overcome them.

We are today preaching about how the youths can make their own world.

Often we exhort them to follow their dreams. If they want to see those who have followed their dream and made success of their lives, we can point them to the likes of SSC and TY Bello.

If they want to see those who pulled themselves by their bootstrap, we can

hen he trained at age 17 as an architect draughtsman, he did not attend an Ivy League school of architecture! But he had the privilege of designing the country home of late Sierra Leone’s Prime Minister Sir Albert Magai. When the Guardian handed him the responsibility to edit Lagos Life, it was not because he was minted in one of the best journalism schools in the world. It was just because the organisation believed in his capacity for hard work. He made the publication one of the formidable soft sale newspapers in the country.

He was later to launch his own magazine, Photonews, in 2004.

Photonews is now an online magazine. Many things SSC has done in life he did with minimum supervision and maximum determination to succeed! He simply drove himself fortified by self

,

point them to the likes of Eddie Iroh, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Ekeinde etc. If they want to see those who have shown exceptional courage and succeeded in this society without cutting corners or stealing from us, we can point them to the likes of Pat Utomi.

Given how easy it is now to die in Nigeria, I will be devoting some time to celebrate and pay tribute to both ordinary and exceptional Nigerians doing extraordinary things; those giving of themselves and their talents to society instead of stealing from us and those silently influencing a new course of life, so that they can read it while alive and know that they are appreciated. I do not want to wait till they die. I don’t want to compete with hypocrites in writing obituaries and elegies.

Last Saturday, 23 June 2012, SSC launched his latest book titled “Sunmi’s Lens—A Medium between Man and Nature” which foreword was written by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka. An exhibition of his photographic works spanning 36 years followed the book launch at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

I could not be there because the event clashed with the burial on 23 June of our son Prof. Celestine Onwuliri who was killed in the Dana Airline crash.

This is my humble way of celebrating SSC, a man who has exhibited in four continents graced by Presidents and royalties, and all those ordinarily people rising daily with supreme valor to extraordinary challenges.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 EARLIEST interests in constructing Nigeria’s coastal road, dates back eight decades. The Niger Delta Environmental Survey of 1998 rated the road among development priorities for the Niger Delta Region.

After eight years, it was included in the Niger Delta Development Commission Master Plan of 2006, which proposed a road to cover nine coastal states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers.

It will stretch 704 kilometres from Calabar in Cross River to Epe in Lagos, weaving through swamps, river paths, marshy ground, thick forests; and 1,000 communities, most of which do not have any form of land access.

The road will open immense social and economic opportunities in the coastal communities through infrastructure. The Calabar end, with further road developments would be the North-East’s fastest access to Southern Nigeria.

A marvel and the largest engineering project in Africa, its projected N1.8 trillion cost (37.9 per cent of the 2012 budget), pales beside accruable benefits in political, social, economic terms. About 180 bridges, two of them ‘cable-stayed’ and another two being

BY EHIMHEN AMANDE INCE the campaign for the July 14 governorship election kicked off in Edo State, the activities of Edo youths have been consistently hallmarked by the intellectual need to place government within a comprehensive, practical and imaginative context. In their various groups, they have expressed support for Oshiomhole’s vision and by implication endorsed him for the July 14, 2012 governorship election.

From all indications, the youths have since noticed the difference between the lagoon of cozy ambiguities, compounded by ethnic politics being played by opposition forces and Oshiomhole’s specifies on board-based development, good governance and development. Not only are they sickened by messages that lack content and focus, the youths have indeed moved to a point in placing good governance in clear historical perspective.

“Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is addressing the future of youths hence the need for all youths to voice for his re-election”, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, recently said when he received a youth group from Edo South Senatorial District, the National Union of Edo South Youths, who came to his office to express support for the candidature of the governor in the election and their commitments to the gospel of good governance as propagated by the Governor.

Dr. Imuekemhe whose office has become a Mecca for the different youth groups that have come to lend their support for the good works the Governor is doing in Edo State, noted that the real voters in an election are the youths and women, adding that so far the state government under the leadership of Comrade Oshiomhole has been committed to youth empowerment to the extent that the Governor has taken and implemented several decision such as the Youth

S

Impetus for East-West Road ‘suspension’ bridges are some of its wonders.

The multiplier effects are beyond the unimaginable shortening of transit times from Lagos to Port Harcourt and Calabar to about three and five hours. Other benefits include: •Generation of over 11,000 jobs during construction; •Linkage of coastal economies to the national economy; •Boost of major economic activities of fishing and related businesses in the region; •Provision of safe and direct access to currently under-utilised or unused waterways; •Fostering maritime industries such as ocean terminals, ship repair and maintenance; •Unlocking of the region’s vast tourism potentials in ocean viewing, natural beaches, eco-sanctuaries, spawning grounds, spectacle of the world’s fifth longest cable-stayed bridge

OPINION Edo guber: Youths take stand Empowerment Scheme, YES, in which thousands of youths have been gainfully engaged.

“At a particular time in the life of a nation, God hears the prayer of its people by bringing out somebody to rectify the anomalies on ground. And that person sent by God has a mission and until it is fulfilled, God will not allow the mission to be truncated,” said Imuekemhe.

Speaking further, he said Edo people are no longer in an era of ethnic jingoism, stressing that what Edo State needs is somebody who will take the state to the next stage of development and set standard on good governance.

According to him: “Adams Oshiomhole is addressing the problems of the Youths in Edo State. Therefore, whatever he is doing to reposition the education system in the state with diligence and hard work; whatever he is doing to ensure the health sector is working, whatever he is doing to ensure there are good roads in Edo State, whatever he is doing to ensure there is water, are all for the survival of our youths”.

Continuing, the former Head of Service commended the youths for coming out to pursue the course of good governance which he said is the exemplary leadership values the Comrade Governor is providing in the state.

E

arlier, the President of the National Union of Edo South Youths, Comrade Collins Osaghae said for a very long time Edo people did not know what good governance was all about until the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole came on board. His word: “Once upon a time, there was a man called Comrade

and eighth longest suspension bridge; •Expansion of the service sector of the economies of the contiguous states; •Enhancement of exploitation of vast oil and gas reserves in the region; facilitation of regional integration; and, •Spur establishment of more export processing zones.

Few projects are capable of the anticipated impact of the road on the most degraded region of the country. Completely new vistas of possibilities would open with the completion of the project, including viable light rail systems to link new cities that would be built. Yet the road is bedevilled by poor funding and a seeming lack of interest by the authorities in the economic opportunities it can unleash.

On completion, the benefits of the proposed road could make it the most profound economic legacy from the present generation to the next.

Governments have a duty to discover the political will that would translate this lofty vision into reality, and with it transform our economy and our lives.

Oshiomhole, the only man who has set unbeatable standard in Labour; when he came on board as Governor of Edo State he said it was possible to have good governance. Many people were skeptical and wondered how he would be able to do it considering the very lean resources from the Federation Account. But the Comrade-Governor promised that he would turn things around in the state. And that was why many of us queued behind him in the 2007 elections. It is gladdening to note that today he has not disappointed us”.

Lastly, he said the Union is set to mobilise their friends and families for the re-election of the Comrade-Governor.

A careful examination of these statements reveals the existence of a nexus and ‘alliance solidarity’ between the Comrade-Governor and the Edo South youths and indeed youth groups across the state. They have seen the rapid development in the state, they are seeing the massive and solid infrastructure base being laid, which, as a matter of fact represents a heroic and progressive response to the developmental needs of a state that was, for many years, in the vortex of infrastructural deficit and abysmal neglect.

The state and its people agonise with tears dropping from their eyes until Oshiomohle, by divine arrangement, came to set things right.

So when the youths describe those who pretend not to see what Oshiomohle is doing as suffering from willful blindness of narrow-mindedness, they, in fact, know what they are talking about.

The youths who mill round Oshiomohle’s vision and his person know that the former foremost labour leader came with great ideas and dynamics which few opposing forces have flatly rejected because of their jolting effect. They know that the Comrade-Governor came at a period that was particularly bewildering and confusing. *Mr. Amande, a political analyst, wrote from Benin, Edo State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 19

, Govt policy on prosecution of the corrupt (2)

The intractableness of the problem and the routines of its occurrence suggest that corruption may, after all, be the norm and not the exception

,

Continues from last week

legislative approval; illegal and fraudulent concessioning for 25 years of Gateway Hotels, Ota, for N120 million and in violation of the provision of the state’s commercialisation and privatisation law and the diversion of the proceed from the same without remitting it to the state’s consolidated account. EFCC also listed the illegal concessioning of Gateway Hotels, Ijebu-Ode for 25 years at the cost of N100 million, while the proceeds were diverted as well as the illegal concessioning of Gateway Hotels, ..Abeokuta for 25 years at the cost of N300

million. The money has equally been diverted.

EFCC further alleged another N72 billion fund diversion being 10 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, going to the 20 local government councils in the state within the years on review. However, Kawonise said: "These are tricks from the opposition. They are from our people in Abuja. There is nothing in it. So, whatever you have is not true. It is a smear campaign (the late) Dipo Dina started it in 2004/2005; yet, there was nothing in it. I don’t need to see any details; I know there is nothing to it”.

Edo politics: The truths and the deceptions

BY OSAGIE JACOBS

T

HE political landscape of Edo State has become a hotbed of raw politics as we move towards the July 14, 2012 governorship elections in the state. Unrefined politicking, characterised by vicious propaganda, mudslinging, falsehood, make-believe, gimmickry and brutal assassinations, has become the order of the day.

In the mindset of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the battle is not between him and the candidates of the other parties but a foe called Chief Tony Anenih. He believes Anenih is the mountain that must be removed.

Many have wondered if Anenih is a candidate in the forthcoming election. Some have even been compelled to ask if the Esan Chief was the immediate past governor of Edo State.

In short, the shadow of Anenih haunts Oshiomhole right from his office to his bedroom. On all the roads renovated or in the schools re-roofed by the ACN government, there is a billboard erected with the message: “Tax payers money at work, no more for godfathers”. This seems an apostolic declaration; but the company belonging to the Governor’s godfather in Lagos had renovated roads in Benin City at huge cost .

It is curious that the ACN government has been unable to show any evidence that Anenih benefited from a single contract in Edo State during the eight years Lucky Igbinedion was governor. Had it been otherwise, the ComradeGovernor would have blown it open.

Similarly, there is no proof that any of Anenih’s children has benefited from an appointment in any of the three levels of government.

The truth is that Oshiomhole has leverage in terms of support as a result of the woeful performance of the previous PDP government in the state headed by Igbinedion. The Comrade is also having the advantage of having emerged from the labour movement.

The misdemeanor of labor activists, especially the vociferous type who had won bargains for workers, is often sheltered from public knowledge. Their wrongdoings are often discountenanced by the unintelligent who have made them cult heroes and who, at all

times, see them as freedom fighters.

The most prized possession of Anenih is the power of silence. He has not uttered a single word to the vituperations of Oshiomhole. It is this that is putting the Comrade-Governor on edge. This is very daunting, especially when one is dealing with a master strategist like Anenih. Unfortunately, Oshiomhole’s extravagant zeal to rout the PDP has been his undoing. He has taken some actions and made unfounded allegations which many believe are unbecoming.

Imagine the governor of a state running round the streets to protest an alleged sighting of INEC officers with voter registration materials in a state where he is the Chief Executive. He led the protest with Okada and tricycle riders, street urchins and party lubbers behind him. Had the PDP reported same to him (since he is the governor of everybody in the state), would he run round the streets with them? In the ensuing chaos, two ACN members fought and one died. Couldn’t he have remained in his office to deal with the problem?

Since he renamed the street where Anenih’s house is located after Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, his slain aide, he should have renamed the Osadebey Avenue where the government house is located after this dead ACN member.

A similar blunder was committed when a dumper truck hit Oshiomhole’s convoy, leading to the death of three people. The Governor claimed the truck was sent by the PDP whereas it was discovered few days later that the truck belonged to an ACN member.

Oshiomhole, in his cleverness, has renovated five major roads terminating at the centre of Benin City. He knows that all eyes would behold the work done on the roads, as if building road infrastructure is not a basic responsibility of government that should be taken for granted. This political stunt has fooled many of my people, the Binis. They forget that Biniland does not start and end with Benin City. Biniland, which is about 56 percent of Edo State land, is housing seven local government areas and more than a half of the state’s population.

It is a tragedy that many of us know no

,

N addition, also, are such allegation as the illegal purchase of 20 refurbished graders at the cost of N950 million for local government councils and subsequent deduction of the same from their allocation from the Federation Account; illegal purchase of 20 Toyota Prado SUVs to the tune of N200 million for local government councils and the illegal deduction of the same from their allocations.

EFCC is also looking into what it described as illegal and fraudulent procurement of loan from financial institutions to the tune of N22 billion without

I

Highlight of allegations: N1billion unremitted pension deducted from worker ’s salaries. ·N1 billion illegally spent as counterpart funding for workers project ·N5.2 billion illegally expended on debt servicing. ·N300 million fraudulent paid electricity charges ·N500 million agric loan diversion ·Diversion of N5 billion purportedly spent on salary/ allowance for workers in government’s office ·Diversion of N15 billion released from transfer/disposal of government-owned enterprises. ·N90 million spent on illegal purchase of refurbished graders ·N200 million illegal purchase of Toyota without legislative approval ·Diversion of N 120 million proceed from illegal concessioning of gateway Hotel Ota for 25 years ·Diversion of N100 million realised from illegal concessioning of Gateway Hotel, Ijebu-ode for 25 years ·Diversion of N300 million proceeds from concessioning of Gateway Hotel, Abeokuta for 25 years ·N7.2 billion diverted IGR due to local governments”.

The problem of Edo State should not be attributed to any imaginary godfather; All the politicians who decamped from the PDP to the ACN gave Anenih as reason for their action

,

other place than Benin City. We have abandoned our villages which are now farm settlements with mud buildings many of which have collapsed. If Oshiomhole should construct (not renovate) a road in each of the six local government areas in his senatorial district, he would have surpassed by a wide margin his achievement on roads in Biniland.

S

ome Bini leaders believe they owe Oshiomhole a lot of gratitude. They have made him a patron of a Bini heritage organisation, a gesture which I consider an abomination for the reason that he is not a Bini. There is no tribe that is superior to the other but we should not desecrate our most revered tradition. If there is a ceremony in Oshiomhole’s village and the Governor is present, priority will be given to a Bini man (even if he is 15 years old) to break the kola nut before the start of proceedings. By so doing, they have honoured the Oba, themselves and all Edo people. Edo people who are not Binis obey the Bini tradition better than us the Binis. May God continue to bless them!

We should appreciate the Governor if he has done well but not grovel at his feet. I felt ashamed when a friend told me my Chiefs had been bribed with jeeps and their children made personal assistants without offices.

There is no wisdom in telling the Binis to vote against their son who is a candidate for reasons other than incompetence. I pray the Binis will not weep without tears when Oshiomhole will no longer need their votes.

It is unfortunate that we have over exposed our sacred palace to all manner of politicking.

I thank God that our revered monarch has put a stop to all this nonsense. It is we, the Binis, who did the Governor a favour by massively voting (?) for him. In Nigeria,

The ThisDay story describes a policy of impunitive administration of executive authority. The policy of impunitive execution of office is system wide, with occurrence at the three levels of government and the three branches of government. There is need for a case study of incidences of corrupt use of power from 1999 to date- to advance a methodological platform for review of the present laws establishing the agencies and the assumptions that inform the definition of corruption as a crime.

The ThisDay story suggests that there is need for a recategorisation of the phenomenon of corruption.

The criminalisation of corruption defines corruption as a deviant behaviour of a minority. The intractableness of the problem and the routines of its occurrence suggest that corruption may, after all, be the norm and not the exception, the majority view, not a deviant view of the use of power and authority. The facts suggest such a view. The case studies can confirm the plausibility of the hypothesis or its incompleteness.

The importance of the problem argues for a review of paradigms.

Concluded

voting for a governor into office makes the governor an emperor and a billionaire. It should be noted that our governors owe us a duty of good performance.

The problem of Edo State should not be attributed to any imaginary godfather. All the hungry politicians who decamped from the PDP to the ACN gave Anenih as reason for their action. Why did they not decamp when the PDP was in power? If this man alone could shortchange all of them for 13 years, then, they should be ashamed of themselves. It means they are all insignificant.

It is pertinent to inform the unwary that the total length of all the roads renovated in Benin City by the ACN government is not up to the length of the Benin bypass given to the city courtesy of Anenih as minister. He also facilitated the construction of the BeninSapele express road and the completion of the Federal Secretariat in the city which had been abandoned since 1975. You are free to hate or despise Anenih, but the fact remains that this is the gospel truth.

Someone once told me the bypass was done with Federal Government money. I asked him if the renovated roads in Benin City were done with Oshiomhole’s pension benefits from the Nigeria Labour Congress. Whichever way we look at it, Anenih’s reputation is safe in the hands of instructed people.

We should not be sentimental about the politics in Edo State. There is nothing extraordinary Oshiomhole has done. The people are highly taxed and school fees have increased. Few months ago, three female students of the state’s University at Ekpoma fell into a well and died while fetching water.

This is a shame. For the four years Oshiomhole has been in power, the local governments have been run using Caretaker Chairmen. He collects all the money since all powers belong to him. This is happening in a state headed by a self-ordained apostle of democracy who chants at all time, “One man, one vote”.

I accept the fact that the previous PDP government led by Igbinedion failed, relatively, in Edo State. He did not fail by virtue of his being a PDP member. By the way, who can be more PDP than Oshiomhole? Fact is, Igbinedion allegedly financed his election to power. It is for this reason he has never one day verbally insulted Igbinedion. *Mr. Jacobs, a political analyst, wrote from Ikare, Ondo State.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 21

Nigeria advised on fiscal policy readjustment

BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI NLESS Nigeria readjusts its spending pattern coupled with unchecked domestic borrowing, signs are rife that the country’s economy may have to grapple with recession shortly, say analysts at Partnership Investment Company Plc. “While Europe has been grappling with economic recession for the past few months, the reality is coming home to Nigeria. The fluctuation in the price of oil, Nigeria’s mainstay and the reckless spending by government, coupled with unchecked domestic borrowing send signal that the economy may be entering dire straits.

“GDP growth has slowed to 6.17 per cent year-on-year in first quarter 2012 from 7.68 per cent in fourth quarter 2011 and 7.13 per cent in first quarter 2011.

“This performance points to an economy in need of rejuvenation. The warning of impending recession may not be unconnected to recent downward review of GDP growth forecast for 2012 to between six per cent and seven per cent from seven per cent to eight per cent previously,” the analysts said in their weekly report.

The analysts are of the opinion that the partial removal of fuel subsidy which hit average disposable income has affected consumer spending while decrepit infrastructure is stifling the productive sector.

They further stated that the level of insecurity is a disincentive to investment while government policies or lack of it, in critical sectors like the petroleum sector leaves the economy hanging in the balance.

The analysts added that corruption tends to fritter away whatever good intention the government as lack of fiscal discipline is hampering efficiency in the disbursement of budgetary spending.

Continuing, the analysts said,

U

“Effort to revive the agriculture sector, the biggest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, is ongoing but better mileage will be gained if emphasis is in ensuring that intervention funds gets to the endusers.”

In its analysis of the capital market, the analysts said the Insurance subsector of the Financial Services industry, is open to mergers and acquisition due to the low price level and the fact that the sector has so much potential for growth.

-3.15

2,113.00

-34.00

19.75

-1.04

91.42 80.08

+2.19 +1.88

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING CFA KRONER EURO POUNDS RIYAL SDR FRANC DOLLAR WAUA YEN RENMINBI

0.281 26.1448 194.415 241.6905 41.3023 234.6115 161.8093 154.9 235.3924 1.9285 24.3338

0.291 26.2292 195.0426 242.4707 41.4356 235.3688 162.3316 155.4 236.1522 1.9348 24.4128

0.301 26.3136 195.6701 243.2508 41.5689 236.1261 162.8539 155.9 236.912 1.941 24.4918

CBN Exchange rate as at 25/06/2012

“The major threat in the sector is the limited foreign collaboration and participation especially in the potentially robust oil and gas insurance business. Also, the poor dividend and bonus history of the sector paints the picture of a sector in distress. Also, foreign participation is expected to improve once there is ample indication of a sector rebirth. The relatively low price of insurance equities creates opportunities for institutional investors to gain a foothold.”

From left: Deputy chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Industry, Princess Peace Nnaji; Chairman, Ladol Free Zone Logistic Base, Chief Oladipo Jadesimi; Chairman, House Committee on Industry, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo; member of the committee, Moshood Mustafa and Yusufu Salle Dunari, during House Committee on Industry inspection of Ladol Free Zone Logistic Base, in Lagos.

Turkey to expand steel trade with Nigeria, parleys OPS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

155.65

They are of the view that strategic alliance is expected to unfold as recent effort by regulators to enforce compulsory insurance in some segment of the economy can only enhance efficiency and profitability.

The analysts said, “The sector is fraught with challenges, though, both regulatory and operational.

Apart from the negative perception due to poor or non payment of claims over the years, the operators’ effort to instill confidence in the sector by Nigerians has not paid off much.

RADE and business relationship between Turkey and Nigeria is set to receive a boost as Turkish steel dealers under the auspices of Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association is making moves to meet with the Organised Private Sector, OPS, in Nigeria, with a view to growing the steel industry in Nigeria.

To this end, a high-powered Turkish business delegation of about 30 business people and investors in the steel industry have concluded plans to visit Nigeria in early July to hold meetings with top government officials, private sector captains and industrial users of steel in Lagos and Abuja, a statement from the association, made to available to Vanguard said.

The delegation representing 21 leading companies across Turkey and Europe will be led by its board chairman, Mr. Namýk Ekinci.

The visit, according to the statement, is expected to shore up bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Turkey,

T

expand platforms for fresh strategic partnerships and explore new business and growth opportunities for both nations.

According to the finalized programme, the delegation will arrive Lagos on July 02 and after several meetings, visit Abuja on July 04 and 05, 2012. The Turkish companies represented are offering a wide range of steel products, including HR/CR coils, diamond and tear-drop pattern plates, wire rods, billets, beams, bars, hollow sections, tubes, pipes and other steel products, the association said in the statement.

“Turkey is Europe’s second biggest crude steel producer, and the 7th largest steel exporting country in the world with exports to more than 180 countries. This significant business visit and trade exchange sessions will not only be a great platform for productive dialogue between Nigeria and Turkey. It will also boost the steel sub sector and the Nigeria manufacturing base.

“Turkey has emerged very strongly on the global steel market and its total

crude steel production was expected to reach 38 million tons at the end of 2012, with exports for around 18.1 million tons worth US$ 15.4 billion in 2011. Turkish steel has been in several high-profile projects around the world, including the Al Burj tower in Dubai, at 1,050 meters, the world’s tallest building, the Dubai Underground Project; Heathrow Airport terminal extension; Turkey-Greece natural gas pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline. Turkish steel is also used in car manufacturing of Toyota Corolla and Verso, Honda Civic & City, Hyundai Accent & Matrix, Renault Megane & Clio and Fiat Albea, Palio Doblo & Linea,” it statement said.

Steel Exporters’ Association was established in October 2005 with the basic aims of increasing exports and facilitating the business of its 652 member firms. The Association maximizes Turkey ’s steel export potential by undertaking studies on harmonization of types, qualities and quantities of exportable products with importing countries’ needs, among others.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Analysts predict upward trend in second half 2012

By NKIRUKA NNOROM TOCKS of some quoted are poised for further upward movement for the remaining part of the year going by the bullish trend in the market, say analysts at Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) in their June, 2012, review of the economy and financial sector.

S

The report said, “Any further downside is apt to be limited, and we should start to see more longterm upside by September or October (at the latest). The bigger-picture data still looks too encouraging to discourage long-term investors.”

Following the expected capital gains, the company enjoined investors to take

advantage of the low value of stocks and increase their portfolio rather than playing wait and see game, saying that banking and consumer goods sectors are still remained the favourable investment options in the market.

It stated the banking sector was the most attractive sector in the month of May,

accounting for 69.57 per cent of the total market turnover.

“Just because we are waiting for signs of a bottom forming does not mean investors should sit on their hands. The market always provides opportunities to profit, regardless of whether it goes up, down or sideways. Investment opportunities remain in the banking and

consumer goods sector,” the report said.

It added, “Sitting the summer out and letting the dust settle before wading back in is also a strategy that has worked well in the past in similar market condition. Just don’t stay out of the pool too long.

“Aside from the fact that the market is undervalued at current levels, there are two important points to bear in mind when investing during these volatile months: Stocks are poised to keep going higher (in the long term) because we’re still in a bull market. This market is still fuelled by measurable growth from key economic indicators.”

For the month of May, it stated that the All Share Index (ASI) edged up by 0.09 per cent to close at 22,066, adding that the dollar return was negative1.43 per cent due to the weakening in the value of the Naira.

Giving an analysis of transactions in the banking sector, the report noted that top traded

equities in the sector included GT Bank with N15.0billion worth of shares or 21.5 per cent of turnover), Zenith Bank (N10.3bn; 14.8 per cent of turnover), First Bank of Nigeria (N9.4bn; 13.4 per cent of turnover) and UBA (N7.6bn; 5.3 per cent of turnover). There were five gainers and nine losers in the banking sector, which led to the depressed performance of the index.

The losses in the sector are not the result of weak fundamentals but rather the result of liquidity in the stocks, it further stated.

Top sector gainers in heavy trading were First Bank of Nigeria which rose by 15 per cent within the month; Access Bank placed second, rising by 14 per cent, while UBA appreciated by 9 per cent.

The sector ’s lead decliners were FCMB with 31.2 per cent, followed by Skye bank with 24.2 per cent and Stanbic IBTC which nose-dived by 10.4 per cent.

SEC boss vows to stablise capital market, parleys with operators

By PETER EGWUATU From left: Former Vice President, World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; a student of Alakoto Senior High School, Samie Idoko; Founder, Rainbow Book Club, Mrs Koko Kalango and Head, Western Union, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Lekan Faleye, at the book presentation to students by Rainbow Book Club, in Lagos.

Nigerian Ropes repositions for improved returns, earnings

By NKIRUKA NNOROM IGERIAN Ropes Plc has disclosed that it has sufficiently improved its operations and expects the result of the turnaround programme undertaken in 2011 to begin to impact its performance in addition to fostering faster recovery rate within the year.

Making the disclosure in the company ’s 31st annual general meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Mr. Kola karim, stated that though the expansion has impacted the company’s cost, it is expected to engender more profit for all stakeholders in the coming year.

He said, “We eventually succeeded in securing Import Finance and overdraft facilities for

N

the purpose of direct importation of our much needed raw materials in March 2012. Though this will increase our finance costs, the effect on increasing sales as well as improvement in our gross margins will lead to a significant net improvement in our profitability.

He however, explained that the company would not be able to benefit from the import finance and overdraft facilities until the third quarter of the year.

The Nigerian Ropes boss noted that turnover for 2011 which was N492.11 million, N112 million or 30 per cent higher than N379.80 million reported in 2010 was the highest achieved by the company in recent times, saying that it was as a result of reorganisation within the sales department and the

result of beginning of local content Act. He noted that despite the growth in sales, results were far below expectation as significant sales were lost as a result of shortage of raw materials, adding that cost of sales was higher than expected at N326 million which was 66 per cent of the total turnover.

Further analysis of the financial performance showed that gross profit achieved was N165.51 million, N23 million or 17 per cent higher than N141.71 million. The profit after tax rose from negative position of N1.77 million in 2010 to N5.14 million in the review period. Total assets grew marginally by three per cent to N719.33 million from the previous N636.22 million.

Karim stated that though the management

has been able to steer the company back to profitability, the true potential is yet to be realized due to the slow pace of implementation of the local content law as well as the harsh business environment.

He noted that as a result of insignificant profit made within the year, the company was unable to declare either dividend or bonus issue, while imploring shareholders for patience and understanding.

Lamenting the harsh operating climate under which it operated within the year, Karim stated that infrastructural deficiencies in the country has continued to affect all sectors, especially manufacturing companies where capacity utilization continued to be below 30 per cent.

CTING Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission SEC Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Bolaji Bello has stated that his priority is to stabilize the Nigerian capital market and put it on the path of growth.

In a meeting with market operator, weekend, he solicited for the support and collaboration with various stakeholders in adopting some quick-win strategies to reposition the market.

Speaking at the weekend in Lagos during his maiden meeting with the major operators in the market, Bello said his mandate from the Federal Government through the Finance Ministry is to stabilize the market and put it back on the path of growth which he said he is determined to do within the shortest possible time. He vowed to carry this out by collaborating with stakeholders in the market and will commence with some quick-win strategies which he appealed to the operators to support.

A

Such strategies, according to the SEC boss, include the various meetings with the stakeholders to get their inputs and buy-in into the various activities that could engender investor confidence and help stabilize the market.

Others include immediate restoration of Registration Meetings in which new operators (individuals and firms) would be registered to operate in the market as well as immediate inspection of existing firms to ensure that they comply with laid down rules and regulation in the market. Both tools of regulation (registration and inspection), have been suspended for over one year and they are tools to ensure that only ‘fit and proper’ operators operate in the market.

Besides, Bello also disclosed that the commission would immediately embark on investor education to ensure that investors know their right and adopt better ways of investing in the market to further protect their investment, adding that a well educated investor is a well protected investor.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—23

NDIC holds seminar for judges HE Nigeria Deposit In surance Corporation (NDIC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI) will hold a one-day sensitization seminar for judges and other key stakeholders.

The seminar, with the theme: “The Challenges to Deposit Insurance Law and Practice in Nigeria” which holds on Wednesday, 27 June 2012 at the NJI main auditorium, Abuja will be declared open by the Special Guest of Honour, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher (GCON).

One of the primary objectives of the sensitization seminar is to brainstorm on the ways to improve the administration of justice towards effective implementation of deposit insurance system (DIS) in Nigeria.

Eminent jurists and legal luminaries from the bar and the bench, the banking sector and the academia have been invited to the seminar as chairmen, discussants and paper presenters on legal and technical issues on bank liquidation. The dignitaries include Hon. Justice Aloma M. Mukhtar of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice G. O. Oguntade, retired Supreme Court Justice, Dr. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), Ricky Tarfa (SAN), Dikko Mahmoud SAN), Director-General of Nigerian Law school, Dr. Mamman Tahir and MD/ CEO, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. J. K. Olusegun Agbaje.

The seminar is expected to draw participants from the NDIC Board and Management, judges from the Federal, State High Courts and Appellate Courts, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and National Judicial Institute. Other participants that are scheduled to attend the seminar are representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as Federal Ministries of Justice and Finance.

T

From left: Mrs. Gladys Umoh, Head, Human Capital Development, May & Baker Plc; Mr. Valentine Okelu, Head, Foods Division, May & Baker Plc; Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, MD/ EO May & Baker Plc and Mr. Ezekiel Ibidapo, Executive Director, May & Baker Plc at a press briefing on the renewal of a joint venture programme on local vaccine production between the Federal Government and May & Baker Nigeria,, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Cash-less: CBN, service providers in talks on cloud services HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) is talking with service providers to create cloud Wi-Fi hotspot services to facilitate seamless electronic payment (e-payment) services in the country.

The initiative, which would be driven by banks, according to the CBN’s Head of Shared Services, Mr Chidi Umeano, would enable customers access e-payment services in areas where the over 60,000 activated Point of Sale (PoS) terminals are clustered.

Bringing more cash into the formal financial system of the economy, through electronic payment platforms such as PoS terminals, would be useful in the overall economic planning and development of the nation, Umeano said.

Specifically, by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot in areas of concentration of PoS terminals, he said customers within range of the hotspot get automatic connectivity to the Internet for e-payment transactions.

“This means e-payments costs for customers are slashed by at least 30 per cent,” he said.

“This is ideal and less expensive because wireless Internet access is more practical and flexible than each user getting separate connectivity in areas such as markets where there are clusters of PoS terminals.

“Reduction of payment charges and seamless integration of the un-banked into mainstream financial services through easy accessibility, affordability and reliability of transactions would drive financial inclusion in the country.

“Additionally, as all transactions would pass through the

T

Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) for settlement, transparency would be ensured,” he added.

While the telecommunications companies are investing in adequate infrastructure to boost connectivity services and have pledged to make the cash-less policy successful, Umeano disclosed that CBN was preparing a Proof of Concept to demonstrate the soundness of the Wi-Fi cloud idea.

He noted that the newly-created CBN consumer protection department will ensure issues relating to transaction

failure and customer complaints are promptly resolved.

The cash-less policy was introduced, among other things, to meet the Vision 20:2020 requirements, modernise the nation’s payment system, reduce cost of banking services and drive financial inclusion of the un-banked.

The objective is to reduce the amount of physical cash in the economy and encourage more electronic-based transactions.

Umeano said after extensive implementation of the policy in the country, CBN would review the policy every six

months to iron out thorny issues.

Amid calls for increased awareness of the policy especially among the uneducated, Umeano noted that CBN, as initiator of the cash-less policy, had been at the forefront of campaigns and sensitisation programmes through activities such as road shows, grass roots mobilisation and multimedia campaigns.

He restated the commitment of the apex bank to creating more awareness on the policy through increased collaboration, in order to make it successful.

...Cash-less policy ’ll enhance payment system — CBN HE cash-less policy will enhance national payments system and address currency management hitches in the country, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said.

Speaking at the fourth memorial lecture of the Clement Isong Foundation titled: “The Nigerian Banking Sector: Reforming Opportunities for Real Sector Growth,” held in Lagos at the weekend, Sanusi explained that the economy is heavily cashoriented, a trend that increases the operational costs of the banking sector. These costs, he said, are passed down to the customers in the form of high service charges and high lending rates.

Sanusi who was represented by CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Suleiman Barau said the operational costs were wholly due to the high cost accrued in cash management, cur-

T

rency sorting, cash movements and frequent printing of currency notes.

He said the direct cost of cash management to the banking industry was estimated to be N192 billion by 2012. “Research has shown that about 90 per cent of bank customer daily withdrawals are of amounts below N150, 000 whereas, only 10 per cent of bank customers who withdraw over N150,000 are responsible for the rise in cost of cash management being incurred by all the bank customers,” he s a i d .

The new cash withdrawal policy, he further explained, is expected to remove the huge cost of managing cash from 90 per cent of the bank customers. He explained that the retail cash policy, which started on April 1, 2012, in Lagos, as a pilot project, stipulates that over the counter cash transactions above

N500,000 and N3,000,000 for individuals and corporate, respectively will attract a charge.

Mainstreet Bank Board adopts market-driven growth plan N response to the dynam ics of the global financial markets, the Board and Management of Mainstreet Bank Limited have adopted a positional strategy that will place the bank in good stead to meet the needs of its growing customers.

Rising from a three-day strategy retreat in Lagos, the Board and Management of the bank in a statement declared that its guiding vision is “to be the financial institution of choice for value creation and be among the top four banks in Nigeria”.

In order to achieve this, the

I

bank believes that it will start by “creating enduring value for our stakeholders by delivering exceptional financial services”. The lender also defined its stakeholders as its numerous customers, shareholders, staff, the regulatory authorities and the government.

Giving further insight into the bank’s new competitive positioning, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Faith Tuedor-Matthews explained that the bank was careful in its statement of intent as its vision looks simple and realistic.

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 25

DPR worries over decline in oil, gas reserves

By CLARA NWACHUKWU HE Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR,has expressed concern over the continued decline in Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves.“For the first time in many years, Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves are on the decline.”

The petroleum industry regulator attributed the decline to the lack of investments in the sector over the last five years, on account of the non-passage of thePetroleum Industry Bill, PIB. The Director of DPR, Mr. OstenOlorunsola,expressed the concern when members of the House of Representatives Committees on Gas visited the DPR Headquarters in Lagos, in line with their oversight functions. Olorunsolanoted that it will take the country another five to six years to recover from the lost time, and argued that the situation called for urgent investments by both the indigenous and foreign companies in the sector.

He put the country ’s oil production at 2.5 million barrels per day, while gas production stood at 8.0 billion cubic feet per day,bcf/d,of which 5.2 billion is from associated gas and 2.8 billion from non-associated gas.

He said that the country’s gas utilisationcurrently stood at 6.6bcf/d, while gas flaring in the country is about 1.4bcf/d.

Olorunsola, however, said that gas flaring in the country has reduced from 1.4bcf/d to 1bcf/deven as flare down process remained slow as government battles the challenges of flaring.

Gas monetisation Accordingly, he said there is the “need to create more revenue from gas; we should monetise the domestic gas to develop the country.Nigeria has not commenced gas exploration, which is the next step for the government to look into.” In view of the slow development of the nation’s gas resources,and the absence of a robust legislative and commercial framework for gas, Olorunsolacalled said that enactment of a new gas act.

He argued that the existing Gas Master Plan is fraught with a lot of challenges in view of the underdevelopment of the domestic market for gas, inadequate funding (cash-call issues), as well as inadequate gas transmission and distribution infrastructure, and insecurity in the Niger Delta.

Notwithstanding these challenges, he noted that the Federal Government has made a series of interventions over the past decade to fast track gas

T

... Calls for new gas act development, adding that the next steps are for the: Implementation of major gas grid infrastructure to enable delivery of gas to Power and other end users •Implementing the Commercial Framework for Gas •Put in place a transitional framework to facilitate gas access in the short to medium term, particularly for the power sector •Facilitate the passage of the

Petroleum Industry Bill •Initiate Aggressive Gas Exploration to discover more gas He noted that Nigeria ranked 8th in the world gas reserves and first in Africa, and reserves could grow up to 600 trillion cubic feet if properly harnessed.

Olorunsola said that the legal and regulatory framework for the petroleum industry was written primarily for oil, and

does not provide a complete commercial framework for the development of gas. There is therefore, the need to strengthen it with a new gas act, which will underpin the sector reforms. He said that there is need to invigorate the development of infrastructural backbones (pipeline transportation network), adding that real time monitoring of pipelines, facilities and production will help track production performance.

From left: Director of Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. OstenOlorunsola; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, as she receives a souvenir from Shell’s Executive Director, Upstream International, Mr. Andy Brown, when she led a team on a visit to the headquarters of Royal Dutch Shell in The Hague, Netherlands.

FG to introduce expatriate quota management ... Nigerian Content key for bid rounds, licences, permits

BY OSCARLINEONWUEMENYI

T

HE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMD, has disclosed plans by the Federal Government to introduce an Expatriate Management Quota, EQM, to regulate the use of foreigners for jobs that could be performed by Nigerians in the oil and gas industry.

A statement from the Board, made available to our correspondent in Abuja, noted that the local content agency is seeking collaboration with other agencies on the programme, which is expected to be formally endorsed by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke.

The idea for the EQM, the statement noted, is geared towards ensuring industry compliance with Section 33 of the NOGIC Act, as well as minimizing incidents of abuse and ensure optimal knowledge transfer to Nigerians from enforcement.

Meanwhile, a new partnership being forged by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, will ensure that compliance the Act by operators and service companies will be a key condition

for participating in bid rounds and securing licenses, permits and approvals in the industry.

The Management of the two agencies, who agreed to ensure this at a meeting in Lagos on Thursday, also set up a joint committee to design an interface model with regard to common mandates related to Nigerian content development in the industry.

Among other things, the committee will develop procedure for operationalizing sections 3 and 7 of the NOGIC Act, which provides that compliance with the provisions, promotion of Nigerian Content development and submission of Nigerian Content Plan will constitute conditions for the award of licenses, permits and any other project in the industry. DPR handles bid rounds and grants licenses and permits, which producing and service companies need to operate in the petroleum industry.

The committee is also to address the increasing incidence of staff disengagement by operators and design partnership model for critical information sharing between DPR and NCDMB, to facilitate effective regulation of the industry.

The meeting was led by the Director of DPR, Mr. OstenOlurunsola, and the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, with top management team of both agencies in attendance.

BRIEF PHCN district debt profile hitsN1.2bn

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

HE debt crisis of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, is growing, as the Ojo Business District under the Eko Distribution Company recorded a debt of N1.2billion own by its customers.

Ojo Business was carved out of the Agbara/Badagry Business District in September 2011.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the District’s Customers Consultative Counil Forum, the Business Manager, Mr. Lambe Adesina, said the N1.2billion debt is the highest among the 11 Business districts under the Eko Distribution Company.

“We have the highest debt profile in Eko DISCO, and we want to appeal to our customers to pay up their outstanding bills so that we can serve them better.”

With 33,306 registered customers in the district, Adesina said 30,345 are credit metered customers.

“The breakdown include: Ajangbadi 9,502 customers, Iba 12,948 and Ojo 7,895, and since inception the district has had no fewer than 2,961 prepayment meters installed for the customers who have made payments for them.”

The district covers areas such as Volkswagen, Agric, Ojo, Alaba, Iba Town, Iba Estate, Iba New Site, Igbo Elerin, Shibiri, Agboroko, Imude, Ishagira, Ese-Ofin, Idoluwo, Itegbe, Egan-Omi, Igbede, Mile 10, Tedi-Muwo, Ilufe, Sabo, Okoko, Shibiri, Ajangbadi, Ilogbo, Afromedia, Isashi, Mebamu and environs.

Being a relatively new district, Adesina said that “it is paramount to have the collaborative support of our esteemed customers in order to be effective and efficient in the business of electricity supply because we hold our customers in high esteem, as they are major stakeholders in our company.”

“Let me reiterate our commitment to improving on our efforts to render quality services. But our customers have to fulfill their own side of the bargain by promt settlement of bills, reporting of faults, not engaging touts to damage PHCN network, assisting us to arrest vandals of PHCN properties within their neighbourhood and avoiding vices that could derail the project expansion effort of the company.”

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Petroleum ’ll meet half global energy need in 2035 — IEA THE International Energy Agency predicts that in 2035 oil and gas will meet around half of the world’s energy needs– down slightly from current levels – with oil and gas remaining the largest contributors to the energy mix.

Energy in general – and oil and gas in particular – help to meet basic human needs, such as food and shelter. Oil and gas also contribute to social development by improving education and public health.

Access to affordable and reliable energy is fundamental to reducing poverty and

improving health, increasing productivity, enhancing competitiveness and promoting economic growth.

In the course of providing this essential energy, the oil and gas industry stimulates economic activity as a major source of income, tax revenues and jobs along the supply chain. None of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, can be met without the discovery, production and supply of energy in the form of oil and gas.

Sustainable development is a shared responsibility that needs action today. The

industry ’s challenge is to continue to find and provide essential fuels in ways that are environmentally and socially responsible. To do that, the industry is working with governments, business, academia and communities around the world.

The first aim is to operate responsibly. That means a commitment to safe, clean, reliable, efficient and ethical operations. But conducting business along these lines isn’t enough in itself. The oil and gas industry’s also takes responsibility to provide energy products that contribute to global economic

and social development. The role that oil and gas will play in sustainable development is crucial.

Energy in the form of oil and gas will play a major role in meeting the world’s growing energy needs for the foreseeable future, and this role is vital. Oil and gas benefit all by enabling – and driving – widespread economic growth.

Moreover, the business of exploration, extraction, marketing and refining also provides economic and social development in itself. This happens by implementing programmes that encourage local content and capacity building as well as job creation and technology transfer. To continue doing so, the oil and gas industry is heavily investing in new technologies to meet both demand and the challenges of climate change.

From left: Vice Chancellor, University of Port-Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka; Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Mr. Osten Olorunsola; former Senior Presidential Adviser on Energy, Dr. Emmanuel Egbogah; and President of Global Water and Energy Strategy Team, Mr Paul Michael Wihbey, at the Emerald Energy lecture series in Lagos, recently.

NNPC, Shell to increase NPDC production to 250,000 bpd

By CLARA NWACHUKWU

T

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, have agreed to turn the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to a world class exploration and production company.

Speaking after a tour of the Shell Training Technology Centre at The Hague, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Austen Oniwon, expressed the readiness of the Corporation and SPDC to grow the NPDC, the upstream arm of the

NNPC, to an enviable height in the global hydrocarbon industry.

“We believe that in less than 50 years from now, NPDC will become a world class exploration and production company by producing 250,000 bpd in 2015,” the GMD enthused.

In his remarks, the Director Upstream International, SPDC, Mr. Andy Brown, said Shell is committed to the partnership with the NNPC, adding that going forward the joint venture partners will explore ways to develop domestic gas for the Nigerian and global market.

“We have been partners in

progress for the past 50 years in the oil and gas industry and we are delighted that the NNPC was able to visit our facility at The Hague,” Brown said.

Also commenting, the Group Executive Director Exploration and Production, NNPC, Messrs Andy Yakubu, and the Managing Director of SPDC, Nigeria, MutiuSumonu, both described the partnership as a success story.

On his part, the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources,DPR, Mr. OstenOlorunsola, said that as a watchdog of the industry, the regulator is glad to witness

a partnership that would transform the landscape of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

It would be recalled that oil was discovered in Nigeria in 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta after half a century of exploration. The discovery was made by Shell-BP which was at that time the sole concessionaire.

Nigeria joined the ranks of oil producers in 1958 when its first oil field came on stream producing 5,100 barrels per day. After 1960, exploration rights in onshore and offshore areas adjoining the Niger Delta were extended to other foreign companies.

BRIEF

‘Low crude production, major loss of revenue’

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE RESIDENT of Global Water and Energy Strategy Team, Mr Paul Michael Wihbey, has expressed concern over the low production of crude oil in Nigeria, adding that it is a major loss of revenue to the country.

Speaking at the Emerald Institute, Energy Policy and Strategy, lecture series held in Lagos, Wihbeywarned that the country is now at the risk of losing its position at international oil market if nothing was done to boost oil production.

He said, “Other countries in Africa have joined the league of oil producing states, and they are increasing their crude oil export to Asian countries like China. He identified the non passage of the Petroleum Industrial Bill, PIB, as one of the factors affecting investments in the country’s oil sector.

He argued, “..the challenges facing the industry today are enormous. Some of them are widespread uncertainty about the state of the ongoing reforms in the industry with the nonpassage of the PIB; slow-down of investment in virtually all aspects of the industry... low growth of our oil and gas reserves; confusion surrounding the renewal of leases held by some oil companies.”

As a result, he maintained that “Nigeria is committing economic suicide by not implementing the PIB. About $28billion of the energy sector investment was lost to neighbouring countries in 2010.”

Other implications of the non passage of PIB, Wihbey said, include the fall of oil production, onshore depletion, and offshore delay. “Production from current project will be steady until 2015/2016, then drop sharply unless investment increases,” he argued.

Speaking on, “Strategic Developments in the Middle East and Implications for the Nigeria Oil Economy,” Whibey noted “Decline in oil prices is a major concern for the country because Nigeria runs a single phase economy and the decline in oil prices will lead to depreciation in the country’s currency.

Also Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka, said the partnership between the institute and the industry is worthy of emulation.

P

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 27

BRIEF

Shell’s Afam delivers 10 twh electricity into National Grid HE Afam VI Combined Cycle Power Plant in Rivers State achieved a milestone in May 2012, as it has delivered about 10 trillion watt-hour,TWh, of electricity into the National grid since first power in 2008.

The Afam V1 power plant was built by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Ltd Joint Venture and achieved first power in August 2008, about three years after the contract was awarded “Afam V1 is evidence of our strong support for the Federal Government’s power agenda,” SPDC said Managing Director, Mr. MutiuSunmonu. “Since 2008, the plant has continued to impact positively on power generation capacity in the country and we’re looking forward to more years of sustained performance.”

Located at Okoloma village in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State, the plant has an installed capacity of 650 mega watts, MW, and consists of three gas turbogenerators of 150MW each, and 1 steam turbogenerator rated at 200MW. The gas turbines were fully commissioned in July 2009, while the steam turbine came on stream in December 2010. The plant receives gas from SPDC’s gas plant also at Okoloma.

Afam VI is the second largest contributor to the National grid (contributing about 17%) and the largest combined cycle power plant on the grid. Built on the best technology in the industry and utilising waste heat energy in the gas turbine exhaust gas, the plant generates an additional 200MW from the steam turbo -generator, thereby providing a huge reduction in the carbon footprint of the plant.

The plant’s combinedcycle technology also enhances the efficiency of electricity generation.

T

From left: Vice President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN; Mr. Lateefowoyemi; Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mr. Lateef Abari; ICAN President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi; and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mrs Moyo Wande, at the 2nd Annual Public Lecture on: ‘Accounting and Accountability in the Oil and Financial Sectors’, in Lagos, recently. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

NERC invites EFCC over Eko Distribution alleged exploitation of customers

By OSCARLINE ONWUEMENYI HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate a possible case of fraud and corruption by officials of the Eko Distribution Company Plc against residents of the highbrow Victoria Garden City, in Lagos.

In a letter entitled ‘Possible Fraud Against NERC and Electricity Consumers’ signed by the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, to the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, the regulator alleged possible forgery of its documents, which was used by the officials of the distribution company to exploit the unsuspecting consumers in the area.

NERC said it came across a ‘circular ’ on its letter-head, which was allegedly circulated amongst electricity consumers in Victoria Garden City by the Eko Distribution Company Plc. “The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission denies having issued the said circular and states categorically that the information contained in the

T

circular is a misrepresentation of the contents of the MultiYear Tariff Order 2 (MYTO 2) issued by NERC on June 1, 2012,” it stated.

By the said circular, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, ‘Eko Distribution ComonayPlc’ Imposed a mandatory fixed charge of N21,256 on all R3 (Residential Class 3) customers and prevented the customers from buying credit for their meters except they paid the mandatory fixed charge.

According to NERC, some customers complied with the

‘demand’ by the company and paid the mandatory fixed charge. “By the MYTO 2, the former R3 customers have become R2 and are required to pay N500 per month as fixed charge as opposed to the N21,256 charged by the Eko Distribution Company.

“NERC is concerned about the effect of this possible forgery on consumers as the successful reform of the power sector is predicated upon stakeholders’ confidence in the regulatory framework.

Corruption has been the main cause of collapse of the sector in the past,” the agency

noted. It added that, “To misrepresent to customers the Order from the regulator and make them pay more than was approved by the regulator destroys the basis of the reform. In the event that the matter is left uninvestigated, thousands of customers could be ripped off and confidence in the on-going reform may be damaged.

“We therefore request the kind assistance of the EFCC to investigate the origin of this forgery, determine which staff of the Eko Distribution Plc or any other organization is involved in the perpetration of this act, determine the extent to which the customers within the jurisdiction of the company have been defrauded and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime,” the letter concluded.

Olorunsogo contributes 160MW to national grid

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU UBLIC power supply in the country recently received a boost from the OlorunsogoPower Station, as the plant is now contributing of 160mega watts of power to the National Grid. The power station has eight units with combined capacity of 304MW or 38MW each, but has been working far below capacity since its inauguration due to gas supply issues.

However, with the recent improvement in the supply of gas to the station, seven of the eight units became operational and are now contributing about 160MW to the National Grid.

A statement from the Public Affairs Unit of

P

the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, last week expressed the hope that this will provide some succour to the public who have been groaning under irregular power supply due to poor generation as a result of gas shortagesto the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCNthermal plants.

The management explained that aside from one of the eight units which has a technical hitch, the station was in prime condition and ready to contribute its own quota to the National Grid, as long as there was sufficient gas.

The power station which is located in Olorunsogo, near Papalanto in Ewekoro Local Government area of Ogun State, was commissioned by former President OlusegunObasanjo.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Anglo Dutch Shell hosts Alison-Madueke

By CLARA NWACHUKWU ENIOR Shell executives of Anglo Dutch Shell recently hosted Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Group’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Minister was accompanied by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC, Mr Austin Oniwon, and the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR, Mr. OstenOlorunsola, among other senior officials.

‘We are delighted to welcome the Honourable Minister,’ said Andy Brown, Shell’s Director of Upstream International.

‘Nigeria is an important energy producer with huge potential

S

for growth and Shell would like to contribute to that growth.”

In addition to new investment opportunities, the delegation discussed a number of issues of national importance including Nigeria’s Natural Gas Master Plan. The Minister reconfirmed Shell’s commitment to work through the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Joint Venture, (SPDC JV, to help deliver support to projects that will provide additional domestic gas consumption.

Brown said, ““The SPDC joint venture pioneered and has continued to be at the forefront of gas development and utilization since the 1960’s.

It remains the single largest supplier, at about 45%, of the country’s domestic gas supply

used mainly for power and industries. The venture therefore has the presence and experience to collaborate with other parties to help achieve this important national aspiration” The national interest to reduce flaring was also discussed. Since 2000, the Joint Venture has spent more than $3billion on associated gas gathering infrastructure. As a result, between 2002 and 2011, SPDC JV flaring dropped by more than 60% from over 0.6 billion cubic feet a day to about 0.2 bcf/d. This makes the SPDC JV among the best of its peers in amount of flaring per volume of oil produced.

The delegation discussed the need for long term solutions to illegal refining and crude oil theft that cause the majority of

oil spills in the Niger Delta and deprive the government and the people of Nigeria important revenue. The SPDC JV is committed to cleaning up spills related to company facilities regardless of the cause.

However, these efforts will not be effective if illegal activities re-impact the same sites.

The delegation visited the Rijswijk Technology Centre, to learn about the latest oil and gas development technologies and participate in a well drilling simulation.

The visit underscored the mutual interest of Shell and the Nigerian delegation to find innovative ways to develop the capacity of domestic exploration and production companies such as the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited.

From left: Representative of the Director DPR and Guest Speaker, Mr. Alphonsus Mudei; Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr. Adam Idufueko; and Chairman, Petroleum Downstream Group, Mr. Emma Osagie, at the chamber’s forum on: ‘Sharp Practices in the Downstream Sector.’

Chevron brings back 2,000 bpd crude production ...Appoints new spokesman C

HEVRON Nigeria Limited, CNL, the local unit of America’s Chevron Corporation, said on Monday that it has restored 2,000 barrels per day crude production at its North ApoiField.

The resumption of production at the field followed the completion of the drilling of a relief well, and upon the sealing and abandonment of the Funiwa 1A. It is uncertain why Chevron chose to abandon the well, as enquiries to this effect to Chevron were not responded to, but it is believed that the damage caused by January 16, rig explosions at the Funiwa gas field in Bayelsa State, may have been more than the oil

giant is willing to admit.

In a one-paragraph statement sent out by Chevron, the company simply announced that it “has sealed and abandoned the shallow water Funiwa 1A natural gas well after completing the drilling of a relief well. Production at the North Apoi field, which had been shut in as a precaution, has also been restored and the field is now producing approximately 2,000 barrels of oil per day.”

It would be recalled that the natural gas fire raged for weeks until the company finally put it out after 46 days. The fire followed series of explosions from Chevron’s KS Endeavor

natural gas rig, which sits abouty 10 kilometers (6 miles) from shore. Two workers died in the blast, who officials identified as nationals of India and France.

Meanwhile, Chevron the operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has announced the appointment of Mr. DejiHaastrup, as its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA) Department.

Until his new appointment, Haastrup was the General Manager, Security Services.

Haastrup has a Master ’s Degree in Communication Arts from the University of Ibadan.

He joined CNL in 1995 as a

Coordinator, Government and Community Affairs, and has handled assignments of increasing responsibilities in Chevron operations within and outside Nigeria.

He has worked in most PGPA Manager roles including Manager Corporate Responsibility, Manager Communications, Manager Community Relations, Public Affairs Superintendent (Escravos – Delta State), PGPA Manager, East (Port Harcourt), and Manager PGPA Business Services (Lagos).

He also worked in the United States of America as International Liaison for Latin America Business Unit and as Corporate Responsibility Project Advisor.

BRIEF Suspected contaminated cooking gas enters Nigerian market

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE NDUSTRY operators have raised an alarm of a large quantity of contaminated or off-specification liquefied petroleum gas, LPG or cooking gas finding its way into the Nigerian market.

The operators suspect that the product may have come in through the borders from Niger Republic, in spite of efforts to beef up security cross the borders. The contaminated product is said to contain about 55 per cent propane and 45per cent butane.

In an interview with Vanguard, the Chairman, LPG Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. BamboAdemiluyi, said the 55 per cent propane content was very high.

“LPG is a type of petroleum gas that contains propane and butane. In Nigeria, what is acceptable is 20 per cent propane and 80 per cent Butane. Butane is stored at much lower pressure than propane, propane has higher pressure.

“But what is coming into the country from Niger, has 55per cent propane and45per cent butane and most of our cylinders cannot store propane for a long time including some of the tanks used in the plants cannot store propane.”

He maintained that such LPG specification, if exposed to very hot environmental conditions, could result in complications that might lead to explosion, adding that just one truck of LPG that contains high level of propane is enough trouble.

He urged the federal government to find a way to stop the importation of thecontaminatedLPG into the country, adding that if the product must be brought in, “government has to find a place very close to the border to have this gas blended to the right proportions before they are brought into the country.”

Ademiluyi admitted that just a small quantity of high propane LPG is entering into the country. “They come in trucks but one truck is enough trouble.

“That is why we have to discourage the importation of the product from Niger Republic, and raise the alarm over it for the safety of Nigerians. People who are importing this product should know that the industry is aware of their illegal acts.”

I

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 29

Lagos drains of pure water sachets, plastic bottles *LAWMA introduces waste banks, buy-back programme

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

B

locked drains, gutters and canals that emit foul odour have continued to be a regular feature of Lagos metropolis and indeed other urban centres in the country. The unfortunate aspect of this development is that many Lagos residents have come to accept it as part of city life. Most parts of the sprawling city are flooded during rainy season due to blocked drains, gutters and canals arising from the mountains of refuse that litter every part of the densely populated commercial nerve centre.

It is commonplace to find pure water sachets, plastic bottles and in some cases old tyres indiscriminately disposed of by people ending up in these drains, gutters and canals. The result is that most of them are blocked all year round.

This ugly scenario poses a great challenge to the concerned authorities. Efforts by the Lagos state government to make residents pay some money to have their wastes disposed of by government approved agents PSP have not failed to yield positive results.

The introduction of waste bins and bags in front of every house as it obtains in organised societies has not been properly embraced, as many households cannot afford the waste bin not to talk of paying for regular evacuation of the waste generated by them.

Vanguard Homes & Property learnt that the volume of waste generated in Lagos is so much that the only way to take care of it, is by burning them at landfills or garbage dumps. But this leads to air pollution and the attendant health hazards.

In a bid to have a refuse free city, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority LAWMA recently initiated the

I

T is a widely held view that about 90 percent of childhood injuries are preventable.

Parents of young children should therefore make changes in the family home to reduce the risk of unintentional injury from falls from heights, burns and scalds, and poisoning.

Reduce the risk of unintentional injury caused by falls from heights by not using a baby walker and also making sure that:

recycling of waste to wealth and buy- back waste programme where people can make money from waste items that usually litter the streets of

buying them back from members of the public with little money.

“So, we buy here at this landfill, just as we have other

HIGH POINTS *Pure water sachets, plastic bottles and in some cases old tyres indiscriminately disposed, block the drainage channels *LAWMA introduces waste banks at designated spots in Lagos and council areas for the collection of such recyclable materials *Buys pure water sachets for N5 per kilogramme provided it is clean and moisture free; plastic bottles at N20 per kilogramme *Recycles pure water sachets into black nylon bags

C

•Pure Water Sachets being washed for recycling

Lagos. The agency has set up waste banks established at designated spots across the city and Local Government Areas for easy accessibility and collection of these wastes.

AWMA’s Recycling Man ager, Mrs. Titilolu Adeyo told Vanguard Homes & Property, that the buy- back project was initiated because the landfills cannot continue to take all the non-biodegradable materials. She pointed out that it was also noticed that plastic bottles and such items were becoming a menace to the environment because of the attitude of the people to discard refuse indiscriminately which end up in canals, drainage channels and the rest thereby causing floods during rainy season. Mrs. Adeyo added that to arrest the situation, LAWMA decided to put value on these waste materials by

our recycling plant here.

“We give the recycled bags to people who need them. The idea behind putting money value to pure water sachets is to discourage people from flying them all over the place thereby degrading the environment. Again, the idea behind the buy back project is to create job market for people just as unemployed Lagos residents can tap into the recycling business which is lucrative, as a way of encouraging people to be self employed,” she said. ontinuing, the LAWMA Recycling Manager said:“To make our land fill sites less odorous and over packed with waste, we have adopted a zero waste initiative to improve life in the society. The best way to become eco-friendly and help protect our environment is by recycling. This helps to eliminate the problem of landfill areas becoming filled with junk that could harm the soil as well as the environment.

“Under the adoption of our zero waste initiative, we have drastically reduced the volumes of waste being disposed at the various landfill sites by employing waste to wealth alternatives. Out of approximately 9,000 metric tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos, about 1,200 metric tonnes of waste is now being converted to other useful resources under a formal arrangement with the private sector as follows- Waste to Compost Plant at Ikorodu, eight percent, Waste Paper bailed at Ojota, one percent Plastic/Nylon recycling at Ojo and Ojota, two percent, Other informal activities; five percent”, Mrs. Adeyo explained.

L

•Heap of pure water sachets for recycling designated spots where we equally buy these materials so that people don’t have to go very far to sell these waste materials. We buy the pure water sachets for N5 per kilogramme provided it is clean and moisture free. We buy the plastic bottles at N20 per kilo-

gramme. There must not be water inside the bottles, as they will be weighed on the scale to determine the cost. So, that is the essence of the buy back project. However, after the buy back, we recycle the pure water sachets into black nylon bags as you can see from

Hazard How to protect children from home injuries * there are safety straps on the diaper change table * there are gates at the top of all stairs in the home * there is a mechanism to prevent a young child opening the basement door * there is a mechanism to prevent all bedroom and living room windows opening more

than 15 cm Reduce the risk of unintentional injury caused by burns and scalds by making sure that: * the hot water tap temperature is less than 54 o C * cords do not dangle from the kettle or other appliances in the kitchen

* there is a stove guard to prevent a young child from grabbing pots * matchers and lighters are placed out of a young child’s reach. * there is a functioning smoke detector in the home * there is a fire extinguisher in the home

Reduce the risk of unintentional injury caused by poisonings and ingestions by making sure that: * all choking hazards in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, or garage cannot be reached by a young child * all bathroom beauty supplies and medications cannot be reached by such children * there are child_resistant lids on all bathroom bottles.

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

London Olympics: No quick returns on property for landlords

BY JUDE NJOKU (with agency reports)

Cement Dangote cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Elephant cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,800.00 Sandcrete Blocks 6 inches vibrated per block--N130 9 inches vibrated per block--N150 6 inches hand mould per block---N80 9 inches hand mould per block---N90

W

ith barely one month to the summer Olympic Games slated to hold in London, reports indicate that landlords hoping to make quick returns by letting out their properties to Olympics visitors at inflated rents could be in for a nasty surprise.

Agency Reports quote estate agents as warning that the 2012 games rental market is being flooded and that a huge number of properties remain unlet.

Expectations were high that with millions of visitors expected to London during the summer period, short term rental accommodation and holiday lettings would be in strong demand.

To meet this demand, projections were that London will have approximately 100,000 hotel rooms as well as university and college halls of residences and other student accommodation, but the majority of visitors to the Games may opt for private, short term rentals, not only in Stratford, but across London and Surrey.

But reports filtering in from the host city indicate that such projections might have been inflated. For instance, when London was announced as the host city in 2005, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games LOCOG secured 600,000 room nights with hotels and apartments and locked them into contracts, a move that was later regretted by many. In January this year, LOCOG announced that they were releasing 20 percent of this inventory, some 120,000 rooms, back onto the market, perhaps having grossly miscalculated their likely requirements in the first place.

Messrs Foxtons, the letting agent in charge of North London told a British tabloid, the Observer, that “We physically can’t get out to see all these properties because of the number of enquiries coming through from potential landlords,” Fewer than 10 of the 500 properties Foxtons was offering at a premium rent during the games in the Islington, Clerkenwell and Shoreditch area had been let, he said, adding: “Absolutely do not kick out your tenants for the Olympics.”

Keatons, another major games lettings agent, said it was no longer actively marketing individual properties, but was instead registering potential landlords as “interested parties” and contacting them

Building materials watch

Sand Soft per tipper load ---N13,000 Sharp double tipper load--N23,000 Gravel double tipper load--N25,000 Gravel single tipper load--N18,000 Granite per tipper load---N120,000 Reinforcement 8 mm (153) pieces per ton --N125,000 10 mm (153) pieces per ton--N136,000 12 mm (93) pieces per ton--N161,000 16 mm (93) pieces per ton--N172,000 20 mm (53) pieces per ton--N122,000

•Luxury apartments for let to visitors during Olympics if there was demand from corporate clients for a cluster of properties.

“I have closed my books in this office at 40 properties because I have an example of just about every property I need,” the Keatons agent responsible for Olympics lets in Hackney said. “I am not at all confident of renting what I have. Supply is way outstripping demand.”

“Most landlords need four weeks plus to make it work,” the agent said. “But 99 per-

cent of bookings have been corporate, mainly mediabased, and most just want to come and go for three weeks.

They want the cheapest price possible for the exact period they need.”

“Short-term lets, especially when involving ‘temporary’ landlords and not seasoned investors, is complex and labourintensive. Our Olympic shortlet operation provides extra services so our commission structure does reflect this.”

Rents being asked for an Ol-

ympics let are typically five or six times the going rate. A onebedroom flat in Tufnell Park is being offered by Keatons at £3,000 per week, while Foxtons is marketing a modest two-bedroom terraced house in Stratford for £4,000 per week.

There are also risks once the games are over: “After the Olympics there will be so many properties available, it might take a long time to find replacement tenants and rents might go down.”

Air Force tasked to complete ongoing estates ...200 housing units inaugurated

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

gainst the backdrop of the security challenges plaguing the nation and the need to provide conducive accommodation for military personnel who are in the forefront of tackling the challenges, the Ministry of Defence has directed the Nigeria Airforce to embark on the completion of construction works on all abandoned MOD housing projects in NAF Barracks across the country.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar gave the directive while commissioning the ‘NAF Unity Estate’ at Kuje, Abuja. He noted that the directive was borne out of the need to adequately cater for the officers and men as well as their families to enable them give 100 percent to the task of securing the nation.

He however pointed out

that the construction and completion of the abandoned housing projects would depend largely on the availability of resources especially when present day realities are put in place.

Air Marshal Umar who used the occasion to inaugurate the 200 units of 2-bedroom and 3bedroom houses constructed by the NAF Post Housing Development Ltd in partnership with Hydraform at the NAF Unity Estate, described the houses as a fulfillment of the promise the Air Force made at different fora to their personnel relating to provision of post service houses.

He said the provision of decent and affordable accommodation for both serving and retired NAF personnel would remain cardinal in NAF resolve to improve on personnel welfare.

“This is so because of our

firm believe that owning ones abode must not be seen as a luxury or privilege but a fundamental right of all Air Force Personnel,” he said.

Umar disclosed “that another 110 hectares of land have been purchased at Lugbe Extension ‘to ensure that a good number of our personnel are catered for, bearing in mind that this estate is relatively small’.

“We are also hopeful that in no distant future, Nigeria Air Force Post- Service Housing Development Company Limited NAFPHD would exploit the possibility of building qualitative affordable houses for our personnel wherever they may wish to reside in the future”.

Managing Director, NAF Post Service Housing Development, Air Vice Marshal Moses Akinsanmi disclosed the the unity Estate is sitting on 9.8 hectares of land.

Woods Timber (hard) 1x1x12--N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12---N800 Timber (hard) 2x4x12---N700 Softwood 2x2x12---N260 2x3x12---N300 Plywood 3x3x8---N3,500 2x4x8---N2,400 Roofing Sheets Corrugated iron sheets per bundle---N10,000 Asbestos (Super) 4x8 per piece--N1,600 Asbestos (Solo) 4x6 per piece--N1,500 Wall tiles (ceramic) 6 x 6 per square metre-------------------------------------N1,200 20 x 20 (China) per square metre-------------------------N1,100 20 x 25 (China) per square metre-------------------------N1,400 Floor tiles (ceramic) 14 x 14 (Spain) per square metre-------------------------N1,800 14 x 14 (Brazil) per square metre------------------------N1,420 13 x 13 (Spain) per square metre------------------------N1, 550 45 x 45 (Spain) per square metre------------------------N1,900 40 x 40 (Marble Spain) per square metre--------------N3,800 30 x 30 (Marble Spain) per square metre--------------N2,000 Plumbing Materials Galvanised conduit pipes per length 20 mm diameter -----------------------------------------N170 25 mm diameter------------------------------------------N170 PVC conduit pipes 20 mm diameter per length ----------------------------N120 25 mm diameter per length-----------------------------N130 Source-----------Cement tiles and building materials market along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 31

ENVIRONMENT WATCH

Rio+20 ends with weak text, emboldened observers IO DE JANEIRO (Reu ters) - Global leaders ended a U.N. development summit on Friday with what was widely considered a lackluster agreement, leaving many attendees convinced that individuals and companies, rather than governments, must lead efforts to improve the environment.

A report by Reuters stated that nearly 100 heads of state and government attended the conference. But a lack of consensus over those goals in Rio de Janeiro led to an agreement that even some signatory nations said lacked commitment, specifics and measurable targets.

A series of much-hyped global summits on environmental policy has now fallen short of expectations, going back at least to a 2009 U.N. meeting in Copenhagen that ended in near chaos. As a result, many ecologists, activists, and business leaders now believe that progress on environmental issues must be made locally with the private sector, and without the help of international accords.

“The greening of our economies will have to happen without the blessing of the world leaders,” said Lasse Gustavsson, executive director of the World Wildlife Fund.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrived early on Friday for a quick announcement on U.S.-backed projects in Africa and a series of bilateral meetings with various world leaders, admitted as much. “Governments alone cannot solve all the problems we face,” she said, “from climate change to persistent poverty to chronic energy shortages.”

Most troubling for many critics of the summit is the fact that leaders arrived in Rio merely to sign a text that their diplomats had all but sealed beforehand. The text, dubbed “The Future We Want,” left little room for vision or audacity from presidents and prime ministers, critics argued.

“The world we want will not be delivered by leaders who lack courage to come here, sit at the table and negotiate themselves,” said Sharon Burrow, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.

“They took no responsibility for imposing the action, the targets, the time lines.”

Some heads of state and government stayed away, given the global economic slowdown, worsening debt woes in Europe and continued violence in

Rights activists protest negotiated text ROTEST erupted in the Rio+20 conference centre last week as civil rights groups carried out a “ritual rip-up” of a negotiating text that they condemn as a betrayal of future generations.

Climate campaigner and founder of 350.org Bill McKibben joined youth delegates, indigenous groups and environmental NGOs in the raucous demonstration, which included speeches and songs in the walkway outside the plenary pavilion.

“We were promised leaps and bounds but this agreement barely moves us forward by inches,” shouted Cam Fenton, a Canadian in the Major Group of Children and Youth, as protesters ripped up a giant mock text that they called “The Future We Bought”.

“World leaders have delivered something that fails to move the world forward from the first Rio summit, showing up with empty promises at Rio+20,” said Miariana Calderon, a young woman from California. “This text is a polluters’ plan, and unless people start listening to the people, history will remember it as a failure for the people and the planet.”

A short distance away, the Earth summit was underway, but negotiations on the outcome text – the Future We Want – were finished before the arrival on Wednesday of more than 150 world leaders and ministers.

Despite widespread disappointment at the weak content, the visiting leaders – Chinese premier Wen Jiabao, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and other national representatives – have largely been given a ceremonial role in the talks.

Eleven-year-old Ta’Kaiya Blaney of the Sliammon nation, an indigenous group from British Columbia, sang to the gathering and appealed for action. “What are we going to leave for future generations.

There’ll be no environment left without change. It needs to come not tomorrow, but today.”

“This kind of action is important. If change is to come it won’t be inside the conference halls, it will be made here outside. These meetings just ratify weakness of what we have done,” said McKibben. “The script doesn’t seem to advance anything. The real news today is that sea ice in the Arctic is at a record low for the date and that every state in the United States, except for North Dakota, has temperatures above 90 degrees.”

P

R

President Jonathan and Environment Minister during Rio+20 Earth summit the Middle East. Notable absentees included U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron, all of whom attended a gathering of the Group of 20 major economies earlier this week in Mexico.

Goal different from ’92 summit The summit, known as

Rio+20, was never expected to generate the sort of landmark accords signed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, which included a treaty on biodiversity and agreements that led to the creation of the Kyoto protocol on greenhouse emissions. Although this week’s meeting attracted more than 50,000 people, many were disappointed that the leaders made few specific commit-

ments on issues ranging from energy to food security to oceans.

Throughout the three-day gathering and weeklong negotiations beforehand, the streets of central Rio and surrounding the suburban conference hall that hosted the summit were filled with demonstrations by activists ranging from Indian tribes to environmentalists to anti-nuclear protesters.

What is the green economy?

T

HE Green Economy Initia tive is one of the nine United Nations UN Joint Crisis Initiatives JCI launched by the UN System’s Chief Executives Board in early 2009. The Initiative includes a wide range of research activities and capacity building events from more than 20 UN agencies including the Bretton Woods Institutions, as well as an Issue Management Group IMG on green economy, launched in Washington, DC, in March 2010 The United Nations Environment Program, UNEP has developed a working definition of a green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

Practically speaking, a green

economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes. This development path should maintain, enhance and, where necessary, rebuild natural capital as a critical economic asset and source of public benefits, especially for poor people whose livelihoods and security depend strongly on nature. How can green economy reduce poverty?

Experts posit that today’s economic wealth, as traditionally defined and measured through GDP, is often created through the over exploitation and pollution of our “common” natural resources, from clean freshwater to forests to air es-

sential to our very survival.

This type of economic growth, has resulted in high economic and social costs, especially for the poor who depend on these resources for their livelihoods and are especially vulnerable to environmental contamination and degradation. The current unprecedented loss of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation is affecting sectors such as agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing and forestry – the very sectors which many of the world’s poor depend on for their livelihoods.

Equally important, the move towards a green economy aims to increase access to basic services and infrastructure as a means of alleviating poverty and improving overall quality of life. This includes, for example, providing energy access to the 1.4 billion people who currently lack electricity, and another 700 million who are deprived of modern energy services.

32— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Infrastructure decay: Quantity Surveyors back fuel subsidy removal

PROPERTY BRIEF Firm hosts maiden facility management roundtable STORIES BY KINGSLEYADEGBOYE ROFESSIONAL facility managers and experts in real es tate and related disciplines from across the world will on Thursday gather in Nigeria for a roundtable discussion aimed at positively shaping the future of the practice in the country.

Participants will brainstorm on the theme of this year’s World Facility Management Day which is “Advancing global best practices in the real estate and facilities management industry in Nigeria”.

The Managing Director of Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services Limited, organisers of the roundtable, Mr. Femi Akintunde, said the increasing interest in the real estate and facility management industry globally is driving a corresponding demand for professionalism and best practice standards, in view of the huge influence of the sector on economic prosperity.

“As we join the rest of the world in celebrating the 2012 World Facility Management Day, we also believe it has become imperative to drive the discussion for better standards in Nigeria, given the enormous benefits it holds for the common good”, he said.

Discussions at the Roundtable will focus on best practices, innovative technologies, global market trends and ideas that will positively shape the Nigerian facility management industry, as well as identify and reinforce the collective thinking on topical issues affecting the practice.

P

A road in Lagos before government's intervention

BY JUDE NJOKU ORRIED by the con tinuous decay of the nation’s infrastructure, Lagos based quantity surveyors have called for the de-regulation of the petroleum downstream sector, but not as dictated by the World Bank.

The construction cost experts who brainstormed on “Total deregulation of the down stream Petroleum sub-sectoraftermath and effects on the real sector of the economy” at the 4th Distinguished Annual Lecture, organised by the Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors NIQS, declared: “ deregulation is an option we must take but not as directed

by World Bank, instead we should go by our own terms”.

In a communique issued at the end of the lecture and signed by the Lagos NIQS Chapter chairman, Mr. Tijani Lasisi, Chairman of the Lecture Planning Committee, Mr. Olayemi Shonubi and Mr.Raymond Chike Enemoh, the cost experts also decried the continued reliance on wood by the construction industry. They described this as unsustainable, and insisted that efforts should be made to exploit opportunities in the petroleum down stream sector using PVC products.

The quantity surveyors who noted that the petroleum downstream sector is not driven by merit, called for the urgent reversal of the situation through removal of the platform that encourages corruption. “A methodical transfer of the sector from the government to the private sector required. “The country is at a crossroad as either continuing with the unsustainable fuel subsidy with attendant effect of continuous decay of infrastructure and poor development or removing the fuel subsidy with attendant effect of marginal hardship on the part of the masses – The latter option is a risk but a better option,” the cost experts said.

NIQS President, Mr. Ajele John Alufohaii in his goodwill message stated that fuel subsidy is not sustainable. “Re-

W

moving it will be of immense benefit to our economic and social development, he said. ”The amount budgeted for the fuel subsidy is still over N800 billion-half of which has been spent by the fifth month of this year. The Excess Crude Account will be raided as usual to meet any shortfalls. Do we seriously believe that subsidizing the consumption of fuel in a few cities in a country where the majority live in the

rural areas- places where a higher proportion of jobs and non-oil income and exports are generated -is the best way to diversify our economy and create jobs? What is the sense in spending so much money on subsidized fuel amidst dilapidated transportation infrastructure? Will not more people in Lagos and elsewhere use public buses and even ferries and rail if they are safe, clean and modern?

FERMA builds trailer parks in 7 states

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

F

EDERAL Roads Mainte nance Agency, FERMA has provided parking lots for trailers and tanker drivers in seven states across the nation.

The Agency has also paved the shoulders of AbujaKaduna Road for brief parking of trailers and tanker without obstructing traffic flow on that route.

Thiese facts were disclosed to Vanguard Homes & Property by the Managing director of the Agency, Mr Gabriel Amuchi during an inspection on the progress of work done on the Abuja Kaduna road.

The inspection focused mainly on Tafa town axis of that highway where the long vehicles used to park before they were taken off from the highway.

Mr Amuchi revealed that the agency cleared the highway of refuse and provided a 15 hectares of land for trailers and tankers in Abuja/Kaduna road alongside six other states in the federation.

He said, “The agency has similar parking lots in other parts of the country where parking of trailers was an issue. The places are Mararab/ Jos, we have fenced that. We also have another one near Lopanta where we have a market between Enugu and Portharcourt and that we have also fenced; There is one in Akinyele in Oyo state which we have also fenced; And just recently, we acquired a place

in Umunede in Delta which we are making arrangement to clear. We also have at Obolafor where we have this kind of challenge”.

Though Amuchi did not disclose the amount of money so far invested in the parking lots because their challenges differ depending on scope of work needed to be done on each of the sites, he gave the assurance that having acquired all those locations for fencing, “the new strategy of the agency is to ensure that we put them to use which is what has brought us to Tafa.

We do not intend to keep them waiting till all the facilities are in place”.

What FERMA is doing now is to pave the shoulders of the highway so as to accommodate trucks that will stop for a brief period before proceeding or before entering the parking lot.

“The project is intended to take trailers and tankers off the highway. When the trailers move in to the parking lot, we will develop the park to have facilities that will provide light accommodation for transit drivers, shopping malls, places to service to their trucks, water and lighting”.

“And we have decided to do this jointly with the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD to ensure that they will at the end of the day accept to park in the parking lot provided for them”, he said.

Nigerian wins UK Times award for estate agency ANIEL Ford & Co Limited, a UK-based firm of estate agency managed by a Nigerian, Mr. Yemi Edun has clinched the ‘best property management agency’ at the lettings agency of the year awards 2012 organised in association with the London Times and sponsored by Zoopla.co.uk.

North London-based Daniel Ford & Co won in the silverbest property management agency (0-200 properties) category.

Edun said the firm specialises in overseas landlords, giving it an edge in the highly-competitive lettings market.

Judges praised “the agency’s highly compliant systems and processes, which are managed by a dedicated compliance professional,” a role they believe clearly demonstrates the team’s awareness of the increased responsibility of managing property for overseas clients.

Over 450 leading lettings agents from across the UK attended the ceremony where the winners of only dedicated awards for the lettings agency industry were revealed.

The winners received their awards from former Olympic Champion, Sir Matthew Pinsent who thrilled the audience with some incredible stories of his achievements.

Edun said customer service is clearly crucial to the agency, with “response times for client and tenant queries swift and communication with both consistent. Regular staff training ensures the team is kept up-to-date with industry changes, so they can offer clients a comprehensive property management service, which clearly outshines a whole host of its competitors.”

D

Lagos NIA gets new executive council HE Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, NIA has elected a new executive council to pilot the affairs of the branch in the next two years. The election of the new council which took place at the weekend saw Mr. Ladipo Lewis, the immediate past general secretary emerging as the new chairman. Mrs. Titilayo Adeleye, the immediate past public relations officer was elected vice chairman while Nkechi Nnama, Paul Egwakhide Samson Akinyosoye were elected welfare officer, treasurer and public relations officer respectively.

T

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—33

Lagos gives ultimatum to FG Mass Transit owners

T

•Almera

Almera, the big bang from Nissan

BY THEODORE OPARA

HIS looks like a big bang from Nissan representatives in Nigeria, Alliance Autos and Sun Motors. The new Nissan Almera Sedan which was presented to the Motoring press over the weekend in Lagos for a test-drive might be the joker Nissan will use to take over the highly competitive Nigerian passenger car market.

Though built to compete in the B Class auto segment, the new Nissan Almera has the attributes of cars in the C and D segments. With amazing interior space, generous luggage compartment, high level safety features and comfort, the new Almera handles like a ‘senior’ Sedan with less noise.

Speaking to the Motoring press shortly before the test-drive, the Managing Director Alliance Autos, Mr. Ian Middleton said the new Almera is a global Sedan by Nissan and a very important model for the company in Nigeria.

According to Middleton, the new Almera is very important for the Nissan development in Nigeria as they hope to sell over 3000 units of the Sedan annually.

He explained that the Almera is already making

T

C M Y K

waves in most part of the world especially in India and China where it has been well received since introduction late last year.

Also speaking during the occasion, the General Manager, Sun Motors, Mr. Pankaj Arora described the new Almera as a smart and stylish car which has proved Nissan’s continuous endeavour to deliver quality and stylish car that gives value for money.

Accord to the General Manager, Marketing, Alliance Autos, Mr. Gaurav Kaul, the new Almera is a B segment car with attributes of C segment cars

in terms of size, safety features and comfort.

According to him, the car has the same level of legroom with BMW 5 Series with trunk capacity of 400 litres. This enables it to take more load than any car in its class.

Powered by a 1.5 litre engine, the new Almera comes with either manual or automatic transmission. Its fuel efficiency ranks about the best in class while the ground cleance is 5mm higher than the class leader in the segment (155mm ground clearance).

The Almera boasts very stylish design. Some of

the journalists that took part in the test-drives described it as a Nissan teana in a compact size. It is classy and compact from the outside but very roomy inside.

Built on the Nissan Vplatform, the Almera has the right contours in the right places, giving it the imposing look of a bigger Sedan. Nissan used quality materials in the Almera. The comfortable, yet functional interior endowed the Almera with the assets to meet real customer needs.

The Almera safe and easily suitable for variety of uses from business to family excursions and corporate uses yet afford-

able with price starting from N2.5 million.

The Almera, no doubt, has raised the bar in terms of safety in its class.

Standard safety features include two airbags, antilock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), electronics managing braking for shortest stopping distance while maintaining full control in emergency situations.

The excited Managing Director of Alliance Autos, Middleton said "with the new Almera, Nissan has not been afraid to do things differently – to get rid of past limitations and creating a car for the present.

Lagos aids Mega City Transport with Greatwall Florid HE profile of the Greatwall auto brand seems to be on the rise in Nigeria as the Lagos state Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association recently adopted it as the official taxi cab in the state in conjunction with Busywheels, a private sector initiative.

At a public ceremony, the President of the Association, Alhaji Lateef Useni said the introduction of the new urban taxi scheme was in-line with the administration’s desire to alleviate the sufferings of the people and the Florid was recommended to Busywheels

T

International Service Limited because of its many advantages, including costs, durability and functionality.

“In our country, before any vehicle can be used for taxi, such a vehicle must be strong enough to withstand the rough terrain and we found these qualities in the Greatwall Florid and that is why we recommended the Florid to Busywheels.”

He further explained that the taxis and their operators will be marked and registered in such a manner as to make for their easy identification and location in order to

prevent fraud and robbery, adding that other stern measures will be taken to ensure that the scheme was not abused.

Speaking shortly after the handing over ceremony, the General Manager of Busywheels, Mr Omileye Oluwaseun, thanked the company for accepting to partner with his firm, promising to do everything possible to ensure the success of the partnership.

Mr Regis Tromeur, Managing Director CFAO CICA Nigeria Limited, described the event as historic, adding that the company was

committed to the success of the scheme and would do everything within its powers to remain committed to the international standard and good corporate governance.

“We are committed to the safety of lives of Nigerians and that is why we in CFAO CICA Nigeria Limited believe in the provision of quality products and services at affordable prices." As good corporate citizen, we will continue to support and promote those ideals and philosophies that are aimed at uplifting and improving the quality of life of the Nigerian citizen while ensuring their safety and wellbeing.”

HE Lagos State Government in its determination to ensure adequate monitoring of operations of commercial vehicles and compliance to traffic rules and regulations in the State, has given a seven – days ultimatum (starting from June 20, 2012) to beneficiaries of the Federal Government assisted mass transit buses meant for other States of the Federation but now operating in Lagos State without due and proper registration to regulate their papers or risk being impounded from tomorrow.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, who said this in his office at Alausa, Ikeja, added that the ultimatum was necessary in order to ensure that the beneficiaries properly register their mass transit buses in line with the State Mass Transit Bus Franchise Scheme or the State Commuter Bus Scheme.

According to the Commissioner, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) have been mandated to ensure strict compliance and impound any of such vehicles which after the expiration of the ultimatum tomorow is found not to have complied with the directive which requires that they perform their operation under the LAGBUS Franchise Scheme (BFS).

Opeifa appealed to all professional drivers in the state,including employees of corporate organizations and commercial vehicles with private chauffeurs to in their own interest ensure that they undergo the re-certification training at the Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) before engaging in professional driving in the State.

34—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Driving Safety Tips XPORTS Director for General Motors Sub-Sa haran Africa and Managing Director of General Motors East Africa Operations, Rita Kavashe shares the following driver safety tips for tackling the roads during bad weather conditions.

Rain: •Before heading out into the rain, ensure that your windscreen wipers are in proper working order and that your tyres have sufficient tread.

•Turn your headlights on to make your vehicle more visible on the road •Avoid sudden moves. Try to drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you.

•Reduce your speed and maintain safe following distances by allowing for additional stopping distance.

•Be aware of water build up on the roads, which could lead to hydroplaning. This is when the tyres of your vehicle lose contact with the road and ride on a wedge of water, causing your vehicle to lose traction and impacting on your steering capacity.

•If you do find yourself hydroplaning, keep the steering wheel straight and take your foot off the accelerator. Do not hit the brakes or try to steer, as the vehicle slows down the weight of the vehicle will cause it to settle back down on the road and restore control of the vehicle.

•Light rain or mist can also cause dangerous travelling conditions by lifting the oil and dirt on the road surfaces, making this extremely slippery.

•Remember puddles can disguise potentially deep and damaging potholes. Try and avoid them where possible.

Thunderstorms: •It is safest to stay in your car when lightning is present. If you have to park, do so in an open area, away from trees.

•If you are driving through a storm, be mindful of possible flooded roadways and other road hazards, as you would when raining.

•If you are driving after a thunderstorm, be vigilant for downed branches and power lines or other debris lying in the road.

Hail: •Hail is often associated with thunderstorms. Getting caught in a Hail storm can hamper visibility, shatter windscreens and cause extremely slippery and icy road conditions.

•In the event of being caught in hail, pull safely onto the shoulder of the road, away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.

•If at all possible, try pull into a sturdy garage, parking garage, or under a shelter to minimise hail damage.

Floods: •Never attempt to drive through flooded sections of road, as the water may be deeper than it appears. Two feet of water is enough to carry away most vehicles.

•If you do find yourself driving in an area where water is running swiftly, the force of the current may pull your car to one side.

If this happens ease off the gas pedal, but don’t touch the brakes. Then steer away from the swift water.

•If your car is caught in a flash flood, get out of your car immediately and move to higher ground.

Fog •If you see a patch of fog covering the road ahead, slow down before you reach it.

•Turn on your low beam headlights, or fog lights.

Avoid using your brights, as this will impair, rather than aid your vision.

•Turn on your windscreen wipers.

•Be alert for slow moving vehicles and traffic stopped ahead.

•In heavy fog, roll all your windows down. You may actually hear other cars before you see them.

E

Skoda Superb is Best Estate Car — CarBuyer ARBUYER, a pop ular consumer monitoring website has given Skoda Superp Estate the ‘Best Estate Car,’ awards for the second consecutive time, retaining same title it won last year at the inaugural CarBuyer awards.

The annual honours are voted for by experts at CarBuyer, headed by Car Buyer’s Editor-in-chief, Steve Fowler who in his remark described the Škoda Superb Estate’s win, “ well-deserved”.

Skoda Superb won the title amidst strong contest from competing brands.

This award according to Fowler cements its position as the best estate car you can buy, whatever your budget.

He said: “The Superb continues to impress for its practicality and versatility, without compromising on the detriment of driving manners. Crucially for today’s car buyers, it’s well priced, cheap to run, reliable and

C

backed up by dealers who will fall over themselves to make sure you’re kept happy.” Škoda UK Brand Director, Robert Hazelwood said it was great for the company to start 2012 as it had ended 2011 – by winning awards.

“This honour is an excellent one for our trophy cabinet because it recog-

nizes all elements of the Škoda business – our wonderfully versatile Superb Estate, our hard work to make it desirable and affordable, and our outstanding dealer network.”

And back home, Sanjay Rupani, marketing manager, Skoda World, Nigeria Skoda dealership

said the award reaffirms the ingenuity of the brand that has become the toast of discerning drivers.

He however enjoined prospective buyers to take advantage of the dealership to come and test drive Skoda models including the award winning Superb Estate sedan.

Sikkens organises training for auto firms IRST System Refinishes Limited, representatives of Akzo Nobel, manufacturers of Sikken car paints will be organising a two day training for workshop managers of leading auto companies in the country.

The two day training scheduled to hold at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, near Festac Town, Lagos holds on June 28 and 29, 2012.

According to the Managing Director, First

F

System Finishes Limited, Mr. Gowon Onuh, the training is aimed at exposing the car companies to the latest technologies in car painting industry.

A resource person from Akzo Nobel, Holand, Mr. Nico Ouwehand, senior application Technician will be conducting the training.

The programme will include training on workflow, layout, quality control systems in modern body shops. Nico will

take the participants on how to organise body shops, to position the system to deliver desired profit.

Some of the companies invited for the workshop include Elizade Motors, Metropolitan Motors, Germaine Motors, Briscoe Motors, C & I Motors (Suzuki), Honda, Hyra Motors and Kinjad Technical Limited.

Others are Wahab Auto Workshop, Abuja and Soars Motors, Enugu.

Porsche Excels in J.D. Customers' satisfaction survey .D Power and Asso ciates has issued a solid-gold certificate to Porsche for emerging highest in customer satisfaction in the luxury sports car segment.

In its “Initial Quality Study” on customer satisfaction, Porsche 911 – the icon of the Stuttgartbased sports car manufacturer won first place.

The 911 model received the J.D. Power Award as the vehicle with the highest level of

J

customer satisfaction in the luxury sports car segment and was also ranked best vehicle of the entire survey owing to the extremely low number of complaints.

The Panamera sports saloon came third in the luxury car segment, and the sporty Cayenne SUV was in 6th place.

In the brand ranking, Porsche came second out of a total of 34 international automakers covered in the survey and

the main Porsche plant in StuttgartZuffenhausen won second place in Europe while the Leipzig plant came in sixth.

The “Initial Quality Study ” involves interviews with 75,000 American car buyers.

They were to deem how satisfied they were with the quality of their new cars in the first three months after delivery. A total of 230 vehicle models (model year 2012)

were analysed.

•Porsche 911

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 35

36— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26,

2012

•Lagos...buildings to be marked by LASAA

Lagos starts numbering 1.2m buildings

BY EBUN SESSOU

M

ANAGING Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, Mr George Noah, has flagged off the comprehensive house numbering project in the state, with the assurance that his agency is expected to number about 1,194,525 houses.

The state is believed to be housing over 17 million population estimate release by the Lagos State Geographic Information System, GIS. The LASAA team led by Noah, kick-started the project at Akerele Street, Surulere Local Government area of the state with the aim of making Lagos State businesses and residential buildings easily identifiable. The scheme is also designed to provide a more secure environment within the state and increase the quality of life of all citizens.

According to the managing director, every house and office in the state will be numbered as much as they are statutorily recognised by the state, adding: “Every dwelling in the state will be numbered. So long it is within the official statute of Lagos, it will be numbered.” He stated further that the project of numbering Lagos houses and offices is very essential as to ensure that businesses and homes are easily assessed.

Lagos State house numbering project: Frequently Asked Questions What is this House Number-

ing Project all about?

House numbering entails the allocation of a unique number to each building, tenement or compound along a street, road or occupied area, with the intention of making it easier to locate particular structures or tenements.

Why are you changing my house number?

Our purpose is not to change your house number; our purpose is to implement a system where all structures will be assigned a permanent house number to ensure orderliness, especially in

properties occupying two or more boundaries.

Who will issue the house number plaque?

The State Government is implementing a programme that will follow global standards in issuing the correct house number.

Will I have to pay for the number plaque or will it be free?

The State Government is paying for this first installation of house number plaques.

What is the size of this house number plaque?

The number plaque is of reflec-

tive sheet engineering grade, measuring 254 x 254 mm with 3mm thickness, which will be installed with anodized bolts.

What will the house number plaque look like?

The House Number Plaques will have the street name and the number for each house on the named street as well as the crest of the Lagos State Government and the inscription; “Property of Lagos State Government”.

Where will this house number plaque be placed?

It will be displayed on the

fence, outer pillar or wall of the qualifying structure in such a way as to make it clearly visible from the road or street and this shall not be lower than four feet or higher than six feet from the ground level.

What will happen to my old house number if my house number changes?

The property owner shall remove all old numbers, inscriptions or plaque within a period of three hundred and sixty five (365 days) after the installation of a new plaque.

When will this exercise get to my area?

We are starting with Surulere Local Government but will gradually work our way round all the Local Government Areas within the State during the course of the exercise.

Who will notify my bank/school etc. of my new house number where my house number changes?

It’s everyone’s responsibility to notify interested parties with his/ her new house number; however, LASAA will notify the major Government Agencies and other major interested parties.

What if I do not want my house number to change?

Our purpose is not to change your house number; we will at all times try to keep the same number if at all and where possible.

We are trying to create a uniform and orderly house numbering system, which will elevate the status of our State in the global marketplace.

What are the benefits to numbering my house?

•Provision of a convenient, accurate and systematic means of property identification for owners, residents and visitors.

•Facilitation of emergency response by fire, police, rescue and other emergency services.

•Establishment of property identification that will serve as mail delivery addresses.

LAGOS Vs NIGERIEN

We’ll not pay N7m judgment debt – Lagos govt

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & MICHEAL OLADEPO

L

AGOS State Government has insisted that it will not pay the N7million judgment granted against it in favour of a Nigerien, Malam Maman Keita.

The government which made this known before Justice Habeeb Abiru of an Ikeja High Court, therefore, requested the court to grant her leave to appeal its earlier judgment before the appellate court.

The move was sequel to the refusal of the court to accept an application for a Stay of Execution of Garnishee Order Absolute ordering Skye Bank to attach N7million in the state govern-

ment account and pay it to the Niger Republic citizen, for alleged illegal detention by the government.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, the state Attorney-General through the state Solicitor General, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, asked for a stay of execution or in the alternative asked the court to allow them pay the judgment debt into the court’s account pending their appeal against the main judgment on the ground that the judgment creditor is not a Nigerian, and has no fixed address and means of livelihood. The state argued that they will not be able to recoup the money from the man if the court refuses their plea.

The Judge, however, insisted

that it is bound by his earlier decision, relying on the Court of Appeal judgement in UBA vs Ekanem where it was held that a judgment debtor has no right of hearing in Garnishee proceedings.

T

he Solicitor General, how ever, drew the court’s attention to provisions of the Judgment Enforcement Rules made pursuant to provisions of Sheriff and Civil Process Act, stating that Rule 6 provides that, “that where money is paid into court by the garnishee, the registrar may by consent of the judgment debtor order the money be paid out before the return day, or in the absence of the consent of the judgment

debtor, the court may return day after hearing the judgment creditor and judgment debtor, if he appears, make such order in the proceedings (including an order as to costs) as may be just.

Justice Abiru, however, insisted that he cannot overrule himself and he is bound by the record of the Court of Appeal, directing the parties to settle the matter at the Appellate court. Justice Abiru had earlier awarded the sum of N7 million as compensation to Keita, a cattleman from the Niger Republic for illegal detention and had awarded a garnishee order directing that the money be deducted from account of the government and given to Keita.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26,

2012— 37

Okada business survives govt assault

BY BOSE ADELAJA

P

EOPLE call it different names: Igbos call it Ina aga, those in the Northern parts of Nigeria call it Achaba. In Kafanchan, Kaduna State, people call it “Going”, while in the neighbouring Benin Republic and its environs, people call it Keke and in the South/West parts of Nigeria, the name is Okada.

All these acronyms put together, boils down to motorcycle.

For some time now, activities of motorcycle operators in Lagos metropolis have come under the searchlight of the state government owing to flagrant disobedience of traffic rules by some of them. The state has recorded a lot of criminal offences through the use of motorbikes. To curtail such activities, the State government on July 1, 2010, announced a restriction order on the operators which was reviewed in 2012.

Commercial motorcycle riders On their own part, commercial motorcycle riders under the aegis of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria, MTUN; National Association of Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, NATOMORA; and All Nigerian Autobikes Commercial Owners and Workers Association, ANACOWA; came together to employ the services of a Lagos based activist and legal practitioner, Bamidele Aturu, and sued the state government over the issue.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Stephen Adah of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja on Friday May 4, 2012, in favour

of the Okada riders and since then, many of them have been operating fully in Lagos metropolis including the Government Reserved Areas where their services were earlier restricted.

Mega City spotlight went to town to seek Lagosians’ opinion on why many of them prefer this means of transportation in spite of the mishaps associated with it and many of them adduced various reasons for this.

Patrons of okada: Engineer Wale Odutola who works in Victoria Island and resides in Shomolu said he prefers to ride on Okada because of the persistent gridlock on Lagos roads. He said: “Before now, I usually leave home by 5am to resume work at 8am. Imagine spending three hours on the road on daily basis!

This is tasking and makes one grow old quickly. I adopted the Okada method about two years ago and I get to work under a period of thirty minutes.”

Mr. Paul Aladipupo a car owner, who resides in Ikotun area of Lagos and works at Apapa wharf attributed his decision to the fact that most roads are in a deplorable condition which often causes persistent gridlock. He said: “I know it is risky riding on Okada but it is better than losing my job as my boss has threatened to sack me if I continue coming late to work.”

A marketer, Mrs Gloria Okafor said her business entails distribution of some items in various places. She said: “Commercial buses do not take you to your door step but Okada does. I have a lot of goods which I distribute to consumers on daily basis and staying inside the gridlock is a way of losing my customers.”

•Renewed Makoko..a tourist’s delight

Makoko slum transformed through resource buy-back scheme

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS Waste Management Authority recently handed over the just completed Makoko Resource Centre, which aims at ensuring a cleaner environment via the 3Cs project that is, Community Clean-up Campaign.

The project, which began November 2011, was embarked upon to ensure every community collaborates with LAWMA to sustain a clean environment.

The new initiative involves the exploration of technical and human capacity in partnership with Community Development Associations CDAS, communities focal persons, women leaders, NGOs, media among others to achieve a clean and aesthetically viable environment.

The site on which the Resource Centre/ Recycling Bank stands had been an illegal dumping ground for more than ten years.

Little wonder members of the community were happy to witness its new status.

General Manager, Technical Services of LAWMA, Mr. Jelili Olubori, who represented the Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya, said that the whole idea of the Resource Centre is bent on inculcating the spirit of sanitation, encouraging grassroot participation and also to improve the economy of the community.

While emphasizing the immense benefits of the centre for the community, Olubori, urged the community members to embrace the opportunities made available through the LAWMA Waste-to-Wealth initiative programme.

The initiative is whereby people would be paid for bringing recyclable waste materials like

Lagos bars drivers not certified by its institute

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

•Okada... has become preferred means of transport by some

plastic and papers, invariably, empowering them economically and also maintaining the healthy status of the community. Apart from the buy-back cum recycling bank, Makoko resource centre can also serve as recreational ground where people can unwind after the day’s job.

Olubori, therefore, seized the opportunity to appeal to individuals to take ownership of their environment and support government in the drive for a cleaner city.

The Baale of Makoko Community, Prince Raymond Adekunle Olaiya, who led other leaders at the commissioning, commended LAWMA for executing such a laudable project in the community.

AGOS State Government has said that henceforth, professional drivers who are not certified by its Drivers’ Institute will be barred from operating in the state.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, noted at Lagos State Drivers Institute, LASDRI, Oshodi centre, that such drivers include commercial drivers operating intra routes; commercial drivers moving people from other states to the state; drivers in companies and those driving private persons among others.

Opeifa said that using uncertified drivers would attract penalties of between N50, 000 and N250, 000 fines or jail terms as prescribed by the state traffic law of 2008.

He said: “For four years, we have been campaigning and slowly enforcing the rule. We are now ready to enforce it seriously.

We have spoken with transport unions, companies and other stakeholders on the need to comply with the new regulation.” He added that the law of the state stipulates that any professional driver who wants to ply roads in the state must be certified competent by the state driver’s institute.

Also commenting on the issue, Chief Executive Officer of LASDRI, Mr. Ayodeji Oyedokun, who also took journalist round the facilities of the institute in Oshodi, said there are five centres across the state: Epe, Badagry, Ikeja, Oshodi, Ikorodu and Lagos Island.

He explained that the institute offers “Mandatory, Rehabilitation and Instructors’ courses for new drivers, those who committed offences and those who would train others. He urged private vehicle owners to upgrade their driving skill and knowledge of roads by voluntarily enrolling for rehabilitation course.”

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

— 39

40—Vanguard , TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

N-Delta hails Dasuki's appointment

Anambra to disburse N1bn to mission schools

A

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—ANAMBRA S t a t e government said yesterday that it would disburse an additional N1billion to the schools returned to their original church owners for reconstruction to improve the quality of education in the state.

The governor, Mr. Peter Obi who broke the news while addressing the 19th Synod of Awka Diocese at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka local government area, said the amount was in addition to the funds already released to the churches since the schools were returned.

According to him, the state government was determined to rebuild and reposition the schools to effectively serve the education needs of the people and announced that a law would be passed to ensure that the schools continue to receive government grants for the next 10 years to make up for the gross neglect they suffered since government’s forceful take over after the Nigerian civil war.

Aladja community tasks AMCON

BY FESTUS AHON GHELLI—THE peo ple of Aladja Community, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State have called on Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, new managers of the Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja to build trust and mutual undestanding with its host communities, to eliminate avoidable frictions.

Speaking at the annual conference of the community, First Deputy President General of Aladja Elders Council, Chief C. Whiliki, lamented that as the only Federal Government company in the area, its immediate past managers, Global Infrastructure Holding Limited, demonstrated disregard for the host Aladja and the larger Udu communities in the management of the company.

U

AWARD—From left: Marketing Consultant, Sir Segun George; Chairman, Lisabi Mills Ltd, Mama Oloye V.J. Iyabode Ladipo; Managing Director, Mr. Shex Ladipo and Director, Dr. Joseph Kayode Ladipo during Lisabi distributors award.

9 injured in Bauchi bomb blast

BY SUZAN EDEH AUCHI—GUNMEN on Sunday detonated an explosive in an uncompleted building in Bayan Gari at Tudun Wadan dan Iya in Bauchi State, leaving nine people injured.

Vanguard gathered that the blast which was the second in the area in recent times, occurred where there were many hotels, brothels and other relaxation cen-

B

tres.

Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ladan, who confirmed the incident to newsmen said some hoodlums detonated an explosive in an uncompleted building in Bayan Gari, where the victims were injured.

He added that those injured were rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, for treatment.

Other security sources,

however, said no death was recorded during the incident even as those affected were said to have sustained injuries when they tried to escape from the scene of the blast.

Policemen had in the past, allegedly raided the empty building severally and arrested Indian Hemp smokers there.

An eyewitnesses who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said: “We were dancing

in a nearby hotel when all of a sudden, we heard a loud bang. The sound was deafening and it shattered the glasses of our cars, which led us to scamper for safety.

“When soldiers came to our rescue, I counted 10 people injured. God saved us as nothing happened to some of us.”

Meanwhile, security was beefed up in the state Sunday to prevent attacks on churches.

Ogun PDP asks judiciary to check abuse of contempt proceedings

A

BEOKUTA—OGUN State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the judiciary to shun those it described as “serial contemnors masquerading as people seeking justice.”

The party spoke against the backdrop of moves to stall the contempt of court proceedings against some of its chieftains at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

In a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, PCA, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and judges under them, the party alleged that some highlyplaced individuals within its fold and their “external collaborators who have continued to disobey valid court orders and judgments are running from one court to the other, making frivolous applications.”

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Waliu Oladipupo, the party said it was trite in law that “he who must come to equity must come with clean hands; hence those who do

not have respect for the judiciary cannot seek to be protected by the same institution.”

Oladipupo further said the state chapter of the party was constrained to raise the alarm given the fact that the antecedents of those

involved are well-known “as they have continued in their abuse of the judicial system through frivolous petitions and forum shopping”.

The party, however, urged the CJN, the Acting PCA and Chief Judge to

allow the rule of law to prevail adding that “just like in the labour movement where an injury to one is an injury to all; an act of impudence to one judicial officer is an impudence to all – and indeed the institution they represent.”

Group blasts Oshiomhole over Ada-Okere-Ukoni-Amedokhian road

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

A

GROUP, Edo Youth Vanguard, EYV, has expressed shock over alleged claims by the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that the AdaOkere-Ukoni-Amedokhian old road in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State which contract was allegedly awarded by the Federal Governmant did not exist.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Matthew Idemudia and Publicity Secretary, Sylvester Osagie respectively said, 'Nigerians and the

people of Edo State were shocked when Comrade Oshiomhole publicly said the recently awarded AdaOkere-Ukoni-Amedokhian old road in Esan North East Local Government Area was not in existence.

"This declaration has further confirmed Governor Oshiomhole’s politics of ethnicity, culminating in his rejection of the people of Uromi and Esanland by his administration over the years.

"He has also, by this action, insulted the Federal Executive Council and President Goodluck Jonathan over their good intentions to bring development

to the people of the State. ’’The Minister of State for Works, Amb Bashir Yuguda had visited this abandoned Ada-Okere-UkoniAmedokhian old road in preparation for the flag-off of the rehabilitation works. ’’The Onogie of Uromi, Zaiki Anslem Eidenojie 11, had also condemned Governor Oshiomhole for attempting to deny his kingdom of this laudable project.

“We unequivocally call on him to retract his statement in the same manner he made it and tender an unreserved apology to the good people of Esanland and Edo State.”

Niger Delta-based civil society organisation, People and Environmental Rights Assembly, PERA, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for dispelling the insinuation that he is a sectional leader by choosing the new National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Mohammed Dasuki (rtd) from the North.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Prince Mefe Akiri, PERA said the South-South region had cause to be proud of the President’s decision in view of recent accusations by critics that he only considers persons from his Ijaw clan or Niger Delta extraction for sensitive positions.

76 oil wells: Group faults Bakassi's claim YO— A SOCIO-CULTURAL group in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the Ibaka Development Organisation, IDO, weekend, condemned the protest by indigenes of Bakassi Peninsular ceded to Cameroun, over the ownership of the 76 oil wells, describing it as uncalled for and part of an orchestrated propaganda aimed at confusing members of the public.

Chairman of the Ibaka Development Organisation, Engr. Asuquo Ating, told newsmen that the protest was unwarranted since the facts of the ownership of the oil wells were clear and locate the wells within Akwa Ibom territory.

U

APCON holds forum DVERTISING Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, will hold its 2012 advertising forum in Lagos on Friday, July 6, with focus on Outdoor Advertising Regulation and Control in Nigeria.

The forum will be declared open by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal. Lead Speaker is Chief Tony Idigbe, (SAN).

The forum, according to the Chairman, Governing Council of APCON, Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, will review the outdoor practice and regulatory environment with the aim of identifying grey areas and charting the way forward.

A

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—41

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Chronicles of a cancer survivor OU’RE living the good life.

You’re successful, exercise regularly, eat the foods you grew up with, have a loving family, and one day you feel you need to visit your family doctor for a medical check up, or you don’t feel right and so you go to your doctor and get the news nobody wants to hear – Cancer!

What you say, this can’t be true, not me I’ve done everything right! Well all that doesn’t matter, cancer is an indiscriminate disease, choosing who it wants, where it wants, when it wants with no regard of lifestyle, social status, or education.

But that doesn’t mean you have to accept the diagnosis, or for that fact, the treatment options of the medical establishment which is to cut, burn, and destroy (surgery, chemo, and radiation treatments).

There is a story of a person who almost fit the lifestyle description painted above; adding in stress and decreases the exercise a bit and you have a picture of this person. The cancer diagnosis was a shock to say the least and instead of relegating herself to the conventional wisdom of treatment, she decided to fight on the different terms.

She endured many surgical procedures

Y

Julia Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

but then started on a campaign of natural living. She eliminated certain foods and even food groups; she reduced her exposure to certain chemicals; she balanced her body’s chemical structure, in short, she allowed her body to fight the good fight and in four years was diagnosed as cancer free.

If you are thinking she was a lucky person, you are correct but not for the reason you are thinking. She is lucky because she was determined to fight a natural fight that allowed her body to heal itself and not rely on other unnatural procedures which may have ended up killing her even if the cancer didn’t.

Most cancers caught in the early stages may be eliminated by a change in lifestyle, diet, and reducing exposures to hazardous chemicals. There is some medical thought

that says that cancer cells are present in everyone and they can manifest themselves anytime and there is nothing one can do about it. I disagree.

Just as the above mentioned practices can help after the cancer diagnosis, they can also help in the prevention of the disease to begin with.

By changing your practices now, you can reduce or even eliminate the chance of contacting cancer. In case you are wondering, the above story is true, I know because it is my story and I’m here to talk about it five years after the diagnosis.

You can find out more about me, cancer prevention and treatments by reading my book “Chronicles of a Cancer Survivor” available at all bookstands in Lagos and Abuja.All correspondence to juliafortune@hotmail.com

NAFDAC seeks inclusion of cancer pain management in medical curriculum ...decries detection of 350,000 cancer, kidney cases annually

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & PETER DURU

ORRIED about the agonising pains cancer patients go through, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has called for the inclusion of pain management of cancer into medical schools’ curriculum, just as the Agency decried the diagnosis of over 350,000 new cases of cancer and kidney related ailments in Nigeria annually.

Director General, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, who made the call at the Nigerian Medical Students Association, NIMSA, Summit on Cancer in Lagos, noted that such a move would ensure good understanding of cancer management as well as treatment.

Orhii who lamented that most patients with advanced cancer experience severe pain if they do not receive good pain management, said such pain could be relieved if managed correctly.

In his lecture entitled: "Drug Regulations Related to Cancer Therapy," noted that Chemotherapy, the treatment of diseases, especially cancer, with the use of chemical substances, is expanding as new efficient anticancer drugs are discovered.

According to him, the objective of chemotherapy in cancer which is the selection of drugs and dose levels, would eradicate disseminated cancer cells, without causing severe host toxicity.

He affirmed that maximal therapeutic effect is obtained in the case of moderate drug toxicity, adding that a careful monitoring of the patient was necessary and being required in the long term.

Pointing out that the management of pain is not fully understood by some healthcare practitioners, Orhii noted that the prevention of infections should be given priority and "if these occur, prompt antibiotic therapy should be instituted."

Continuing, he said; Orhii stated that the regulation and control of drugs used in cancer therapy is aimed at ensuring their quality, safety and efficacy.

W

C M Y K

He said necessary monitoring was also required which include; behaviour, appetite, body temperature, mucous membrane integrity, serum and blood biochemical examination.

According to him, "Narcotic analgesics used in the management of pain associated with cancer are regulated and controlled by International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and NAFDAC to prevent their diversion, abuse and misuse.

"The toxicity of anticancer drugs necessitates the effective monitoring of their safety profile to ensure that the benefits of their continuous use outweigh the risks. In addition to toxicity of these drugs, cancer patients experience severe pain, which requires proper management.

In a related development, Orhii deecried the 350,000 new cases of cancer and kidney related ailments diagnosed in Nigeria annually.

He attributed the unhealthy development to the abuse of drugs, bad eating habits of Nigerians and wrongful application of chemicals to farm produce.

Speaking in Makurdi while addressing the Senate of the Federal University of Agriculture on assessment of the cassava based products of the Institute of Food Security of the institution.

He disclosed that the Agency has been reorganized to ensure effective monitoring of the use of chemicals in farms adding that a veterinary directorate has also been created in the agency to ensure proper monitoring of the feeds produced for animal consumption in the country.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.

Vershima Uza urged NAFDAC to assist the institution in training farmers/groups to comply with good agricultural practices and consult with the institution on water and food quality analysis.

• L-R: Chairperson, Peace Campaign Team, Mrs. Oluwayomi Uteh, Medical Director, Association of Volunteers International, Dr. Alda Gemmani, Founder, Women of Global Impact(WGI), Bishop Peace Okonkwo, and Consultant AVSI, Mrs. Aoc Onyenwenyi, at the free check-up for cervical cancer for women, organised by WGI in Lagos. PHOTO: Etop Ukutt

Cervical cancer:

PEACE targets 10,000 women nationwide

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

T

OUCHED by the plight of Nigerian women suffering from cervical cancer, wife of the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Christian Church, TREM, Bishop Peace Okonkwo is targeting 10,000 women nationwide for free cervical cancer screening as part of activities to mark her 60th birthday.

At the flag off of the free screening exercise held at the TREM, Headquarters, Lagos, Okonkwo who described the gesture as her own way of being a blessing to womanhood said: “Having read the statistics of how cervical and breast cancer kills women in Nigeria, I decided that on my 60th birthday, I am going to be a blessing to womanhood through this screening exercise to save women from needless deaths. Some of the women are widows and I don’t want them to die and leave their children for nobody to take care of. “I am a woman with passion and I hate to see other people suffer”, she added Lamenting the rate at which cancer is ravaging Nigerian women, stressed the need for policy makers in the country to pay more attention to those areas by deploying more resources to nip the various diseases in the bud.

“We are taking this screening to the villages. We only kicked off from Lagos. Already we have been to Akure, Ogbunike and we are moving to other communities in the Nigeria.”

Coordinator of the programme, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Uteh said the PEACE, Providing Early Attention for Cervical Cancer Everywhere initiative founded by Bishop Peace Okonkwo was borne out of the realisation that cervical cancer could be easily be treated if discovered early.

“Cervical cancer does not have to kill anybody. We realized that in developed nations, cervical cancers no longer kill anybody anymore. But in Nigeria, it has remained the second highest killer. This is what brought about this campaign. First we are trying to create awareness about cervical cancer and to provide free screening. At least this year, we are planning to screen 10,000 women free of charge.”

The programme includes free breast examination for women and free de-worming exercise for children, free eye test for men and women, free blood pressure test, blood sugar test and free height and weight measurement, Body Mass Index.

Public Health Consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Mrs. Onyeweyin Anthonia, who is also a specialist in primary healthcare said the exercise which is done in collaboration with the Association of Volunteers in International Service, an international nongovernmental organization was very important in view of the fact that most patients with cervical cancer usually present late to the hospital when nothing concrete could be done to save them.

“We are looking at women comprehensively. We examine their breast and teach them how to carry out self breast examination and then check their blood pressure and then look at their cervix to screen for cervical cancer through a simple method that can address many women at the same time at the community level”, she explained.

Six new cervical cancer cases are seen in LUTH, every week.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—43

New pentavalent vaccine will save 30,000 children in Nigeria annually, says GAVI

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

HE introduction of the pentavalent vaccine in Nigeria, is estimated to save the lives of at least 30,000 children from death as a result of vaccine preventable disorders every year.

Launched with support from the GAVI Alliance, the pentavalent vaccine protects against five deadly diseases and GAVI estimates that 72 GAVIeligible countries will be using this life-saving vaccine by 2013 in their routine immunisation systems.

According to a recent report, Nigeria is highly strategic for GAVI which aims to reach the final 20 percent of the world’s children who still do not have access to routine immunisation.

T

• L-r:Prof Ifeoma Okoye; Dr Paul Orhii, DG NAFDAC; and Prof Abayomi Durosimi-Ett,i displaying their Awards at the first Auwal Mohammed Shanono National Health Summit organised by the Nigeria Medical Students Association with the theme; “Cancer and MDGs Awarnessy in Lagos. Photo:Biodun Ogunleye

DABMA tasks parents of children with sickle cell disease

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

ARENTS of children living with Sickle Cell Disorder, SCD, and carriers of SCD gene have been urged to adopt a positive attitude towards the condition so as to help them effectively cope.

The charge was given in Lagos last week at an awareness event organised by DABMA sickle cell Foundation in conjunction with Progeny Foundation, Genotype Foundation, Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative,

P

SAMI and TonyMay Foundation to commemorate the 2012 World Sickle Cell day.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, DABMA Foundation, Pastor Emmanuel Ibekwe said SCD patients needed to be respected, loved and cherished. He advised parents to go the extra mile to love the and lighten their burden and try a not to treat their children who have SCD any differently from other children so as not to affect them psychologically.

"As parents, we should not let the day end without addressing

any negative outbursts made during their crisis. Our communication with our SCD children must evolve some level of positivity especially during their adolescent years without complaint."

Ms. Bukola Shogbuyi, President Progeny Sickle Cell Foundation and a sufferer advised other persons with SCD to pursue their dreams irrespective of the condition they have found themselves in.

Mr Fillius Osubor, Vice Chairman, DABMA foundation

said that a sickle cell bill had been passed to the senate for assent to help the government look into the needs of people living with SCD. "We hope that the bill which has been sent to the senate would get the assent of the whole house so that we can begin to see how we can manage SCD as a nation "We also appeal to corporate organisations to provide funds in order to alleviate the plight of sufferers in the country."

Africa’s most populous country accounts for an estimated 1.7 million of the 19.3 million children who did not receive routine immunisation in 2010.

In 2013, Nigeria is set to introduce pneumococcal vaccines, helping to protect against pneumonia, still the world’s biggest killer of children under the age of five.

When the pentavalent and pneumococcal vaccines are fully rolled out, Nigeria’s child mortality rate will drop by an estimated 17 percent, preventing some 30 000 child deaths every year.

Meanwhile the GAVI Alliance has commended the leadership and generosity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its US$ 1.5 million gift and the volunteer work of LDS members to support immunisation programmes through the GAVI Alliance.

The donation will be doubled as part of the GAVI Matching Fund by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, making the Church-sponsored LDS Charities the seventh publicprivate partner in the programme.

The Gates Foundation and the British Government have agreed to match contributions to GAVI from corporations, foundations, their customers, employees, business partners and members to raise US$ 260 million for immunisation through 2015.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

S

IR, what do you recommend? My mar riage is breaking up because I cannot perform well. My penis grows soft easily. There is no prolonged and good hardness and I ejaculate fast. I can only go for one round and of course I cannot get her to orgasm – Musa Musa your erection is weak because your body cannot maintain adequate and consistent blood flow to your penile tissues. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Prescription drugs such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, appetite suppressants and antidepressants and so can prostate cancer surgery and bladder removal surgery. As men get older, their bodies and organs begin to shrink including their veins. This shrinking of the blood vessels restricts blood flow to the penis thereby causing weak or no erection.

I am hoping you have no serious illness behind this.

Try taking an erection supplement. It helps a lot. Natural herbal supplements such as Sex Volts and Libigrow help facilitate greater blood flow to the penis for very strong erections. These supplements also give energy and erections on demand for several rounds of performance. As for your premature ejaculation, using a delay cream during intercourse will reduce your sensitivity and help you last longer. I write about them almost every week and delay creams such as Emperor’s Delay Cream and Rock Hard Delay Cream are very good for this. Once your performances improve, your wife will be more satisfied. You can also get her a vibrator and an orgasm gel to aid her satisfaction. Ask for Jelly Chocolate Vibrator and Tingle Gel Orgasm Lubricant – Uche My penis is like that of a 15- year-old. It is too small and it makes me feel bad and shy when I am with women. Please what do you recommend for enlargement? Austin Combine Max Size Penis enlarger with a penis en-

largement pump such as Jack Pump. That will help enlarge your tissues faster by working from both the inside and outside – Uche Thank you sir for the Mega Me Penis Enlarger.

I didn’t think it would work at first but my organ is bigger and my erections are stronger too – Stanley Please my husband complains about not enjoying intercourse. After having our fourth child, I have been quite loose down there. Do you have anything that will make me tighter?

I also experience dryness which makes sex painful – Mrs Agbado You can use a vagina tightening lubricant and orgasm balls to firm up your pelvic muscles for tighter intercourse. Ask for the Tight Stuff Oriental Oil and the Real Skin Ben Wa Balls. Tight Stuff Oriental Oil will provide lubrication for your dryness as well – Uche Sir it is not as if I don’t have erection. My erection is okay but sometimes during intercourse, it will just go soft – Chairman That is also a form of erectile dysfunction. Next time, wear a Cockring during intercourse. It will enable you maintain a firm erection even after you have ejaculated.

Ask for Support Plus Cock Ring or Purrfect Pet Cockring – Uche Please what are the best female strap-ons for a satisfying intercourse? Angel The Black Magic Strap-On is very good. It is big and it vibrates. But the Double Delight Strap On is the best for multi person stimulation - Uche I really like that Enzyte supplement. My erections are harder than ever and I have more stamina for extra rounds. God bless you – Soji I come home from work and I can only perform one round due to tiredness – Isaac Try Libigrow Libido Shots drink. It is a natural supplement that gives energy for sexual performance Uche C M Y K

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 —45

EDO GUBER:

Only unusual people 'll vote against Oshiomhole — Odigie-Oyegun

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM SOME were surprised when you joined the ACN. Why did you dump the ANPP? Well, I don’t know if I will agree that a lot of people were surprised that I left ANPP. But I know what most seem to be telling me is that they were surprised that I was there for that long.

They are now glad that I have disengaged from the ANPP. At the risk of being immodest, they said we know your politics and we thought that you will be better utilized some where else.

At the end of the day they turned out to be correct.

As a matter of fact when I left the ANPP, I had two thoughts: to retire from active politics after all I am 72 or to just as I have been doing, personally support the candidature of Oshiomhole, but then, all of a sudden the whole might of the ACN descended on me in this house, coming to Benin in a private plane just to say we need you on board.

JOHN Odigie-Oyegun, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary was the first democratically elected governor of Edo State, a leading light in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2011 election. Odigie-Oyegun, however, recently decamped from the party to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN for reasons he claimed to be the good work of the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

In this interview with Vanguard in Benin City, he gave reasons why he dumped the ANPP for the ACN and also made a call to President Goodluck Jonathan to concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians by shunning the clamour for the 2015 presidential contest, at least for now. He also spoke on other state and national issues. Excerpts:

Delivering on the promises

Support for Oshiomhole

*Oyegun: Clearly Oshiomhole has performed

today that he is not only building roads, schools are being built, health services are being built. In places where they have not seen water like in Edo Central, he has provided water.

So he is impacting on every facet of life in this state. Clearly the man has performed and he has performed clearly beyond the imaginations of people like myself. Part of the rumour they carry about is that, ooh the state is deeply in debt.

All of the projects are going on expeditiously, no one has been abandoned.

So when any state is lucky to have a man like this why do you want a change? As far as I am concerned anybody who does not vote for Oshiomhole must be a very unusual person indeed. You don’t have to join the ACN to vote for Oshiomhole, but if you cannot say thank you to somebody who has done so much in so short a time, then some thing must be wrong.

The PDP candidate, Gen.

,

I am human and I felt honestly, very flattered. I now said okay I will think about it and that was how I made up my mind to join the ACN and I have been very glad about it.

How do you rate the chances of Governor Oshiomhole and that of his PDP counterpart, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere in the forthcoming election?

It is a comparison that is difficult because it is a comparison that does not exist.

The white man says a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

Realities are realities. We had 10 solid years of PDP rule in Edo State and at the end of it, there was nothing. I am a very fair minded person not because I have joined the ACN. Though Prof Osunbor, while he was governor tried to do a few roads but there was nothing on ground in Edo state under the PDP. So the people finally had the courage to change from PDP to ACN and elected Oshiomhole and since then the difference has been so clear.

One month of Oshiomhole, no exaggeration is intended, is more than the ten years that the PDP spent in Edo State because when you leave Edo State today and come back after one month there is no way you cannot see something new.

And you have the reality

him and those who are purportedly speaking in his favour or against him to all shut up.

He should come out very strongly to say shut up. I do not want him to say yes I want to contest or that I don’t want to contest because it is not yet an issue.

The people of this country have elected him for four solid years, irrevocable mandate. He has just spent one year during which time I expect that he has been putting together projects and policies that will start solving the nation’s problems in year two and year three.

They must leave this man alone to prove himself and work other wise if he starts from today to start organizing how he will be nominated and elected in 2015, then they are setting him up to fail in his first term.

And my advise to him is to face his first term. Prove to Nigerians that you are the President they elected.

So the people finally had the courage to change from PDP to ACN and elected Oshiomhole and since then the difference has been so clear

Charles Airhiavbere is a Bini man like you and politicians are already campaigning on ethnic lines, do you see that affecting the election?

It does not work at all. You see Bini people have a saying that look after all your children because at the end of the day you don’t know who will save you when you are old.

As far as I am concerned, Oshiomhole is as Bini and even more Bini than any Bini man.

He is one man who believes in the commonality of the culture of Edo State and that is real.

We are certainly one people

,

culturally, we have the same root.

Yes the Bini are the majority group, we are the majority voice but that does not mean that the others do not exist, they do exist and we must give them their own pride of place in this state of ours.

People are already drumming support for President Jonathan’s second term, what does that portend for our democracy?

It does not portend well for President Jonathan and I think he should come out very strongly to tell those around

Leave the rest to God to decide after all it was God that put him where he is. He should continue to trust in God but he should concentrate today on delivering to the people of this nation on the many promises he made.

There has been this allegation by South South leaders that Northern leaders are using the Boko Haram sect to destabilize Jonathan, what is your view on that?

I will be deceiving you if I do not say that I am very very worried about the trend of events in the North. I do not know how it started; because there is no coherent explanation yet for what is going on. I am not too sure that we can interpret it because Boko Haram preceded Jonathan. Because If you remember the time their leader and his people were executed, it was before Jonathan came.

Yes of course it is possible that those who don’t want Jonathan would have fanned the flames again to bring him down. But I don’t know. What is important is that we have a serious problem and it is a problem that we must address both militarily and also by extending the olive branch.

Without the help of the Northern establishment it will be very, very difficult. People compare it to the militancy in Niger Delta but it is very different. The leaders of the militants in the Niger Delta were very well known but the Boko Haram who is their leader nobody knows. What do they want?

Nobody knows. However, without intense military pressure which will rob them of that belief that they can win, they will not sit down to talk.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

W

HAT informed the workshop? Is it that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is scared of losing the election to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN? Far from it, it was not a question of PDP being scared.

In 2011, during the campaigns, for the first time an incumbent president came out to throw a challenge to members of his party and said to them: ‘let nobody rig elections for me, if I lose, I go home.’ He went on to say that the blood of any Nigerian does not worth to waste for any electoral victory.’

When I sat down and looked at the whole thing and noticed the tension that has been mounting in Edo State, I thought it was time for the Office of the Inter-Party Special Adviser to the President to organize a workshop, invite all the stakeholders and political parties that are going to contest the election and put them in the picture that if a presidential candidate and an incumbent can take a lead and say don’t rig for me, why will one of the 36 states of the federation not organize themselves and run a free and fair election?

I did a memo to the President and said, Sir, this my thinking, I have discussed with Professor Attahiru Jega, who has been so excited.

In fact, the morning I was discussing the matter with Jega was the morning that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s Principal Secretary was assassinated. I was with Jega when the news filtered through and he said, ‘this is what you are saying, there is need for it.’ And we agreed that it is something we must pursue and take it from that point.

So, it is not a question of the PDP being scared. I met and talked with the national chairmen of the seven political parties running this election and told them what I wanted to do and all of them agreed that it was a brilliant idea.

In fact, Chief Bisi Akande, the ACN national chairman, called me at 6.30 this morning (Monday June 18) that he was flying to Benin. Unfortunately, he did not have an ID card and the airline did not allow him to board.

The bottom line is that they all showed interest. I spoke personally to all the candidates.

The only candidate that I did not speak to directly is Governor Oshiomhole. I spoke to his director –general. They, in fact, had a campaign but they cancelled it.

They were even asking me if I could shift it for tomorrow (Tuesday) and I said no, that I had spoken to the other candidates and committed them to today (June 18). He said alright that they would attend.

What is your reaction to Oshiomhole’s comment that beyond sensitizing Edo stakeholders that you should sensitize Abuja (the

Why we want peaceful polls in Edo — Ben Obi Presidency), the independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the security agencies?

If the presidency is not inclined to what I am pursuing, the president would not have approved my memo and the workshop. If as we go on there is need to draw the attention of the executive we will do that.

Fortunately, the Police Affairs Minister and Minister of State, Works, were there.

What we are saying is, for God’s sake, after 52 years of independence, we just have to get things done the right way.

We all witnessed an election in 2011 that the International Community, which had been here to observe elections in the past, said met international standards. We agree that there is room for improvement.

It is that room for improvement that we are pursuing and it has led my office into this workshop. So, I think Governor Oshiomhole’s observation is right, I don’t quarrel with it.

We have to discuss with all necessary organizations that will lead to peaceful elections.

What about the governor’s comments questioning the rationale for inviting the Works Minister to the workshop since he is not a critical stakeholder in the conduct of elections?

I don’t agree because the Minister of Works is an Edo man. I invited him as a chieftain of the PDP and a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to come to his state and deliver a goodwill message.

It is the same way when others were saying to me that Adams Oshiomhole is a candidate why are you making him a special guest of honour.

I said no, you cannot come to his state where he is a governor as of today and not recognize him as a special guest of honour.

It was good that I invited the minister. Assuming that the minister did not read the goodwill message and the PDP candidate was not there to speak for himself as it happened, how would I have been able to control the PDP’s grumbling when it started?

What is your take on the use of foul language by politicians?

I am worried myself and I have been thinking about how that can be addressed. Maybe we have to organize a workshop with the media for the media to condemn languages that are not in consonance with moral rectitude. That is something I will work on and fine-tune and then approach the media.

AFTER organizing a sensitization workshop for political parties and stakeholders in Edo State to ensure peaceful, free and fair governorship election on July 12, 2012, Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, told reporters in Benin City on Monday that it was time to get politicians to embrace credible polls saying he was becoming ashamed of being addressed as a politician. Excerpts:

*Sen Ben Obi

,

46— Vanguard,

I met and talked with the national chairmen of the seven political parties running this election and told them what I wanted to do and all of them agreed that it was a brilliant idea

Some say lack of punishment for election riggers is partly responsible for our flawed elections as nobody has ever been punished for rigging elections. Do you agree?

We are bound to get there if we begin now to imbibe the fact that we want to pursue free and fair elections. We must condemn the activities of unscrupulous politicians whose business is to come out to rig. We are complaining about the INEC and security agencies but it is we the politicians who go out of our way to compromise them.

The essence of this workshop is for us to get used to the fact that election is not a battle field and we must let the playing field be level so that anybody involved in the election can say I did my best but Mr A won the election.

It is after achieving this that we can move to the next level and say if we identify somebody who rigs an election what should we do to him?

We just established an electoral tribunal for electoral malpractices. It was not established for decoration. It was established for people to go there and face the music. Our duty is to make sure that whoever does the wrong thing pays the price.

Some of us are becoming so ashamed.

When they say this man is a politician, what it means is this man is just a common liar.

That is what we have all become now. I went into politics 35 years ago with a singular notion that politics is meant for the noble, who go to serve.

I said to myself then that if and when we get to a stage where there is betterment of the lot of the people, I had no business in

,

politics any longer. That was the truth that I saw

in 1977, 78 when I was going into politics.

Fortunately for me, I played politics with the masters, I learnt from the masters. There are few of us today, who had the opportunity of sitting down with Zik, Awo, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano, Ibrahim Waziri, Shehu Shagari, etc.

The president is doing something that is interesting. I want to see President Jonathan govern as much as possible as president not as Commander-in-Chief.

I want to see him govern as C-in-C only when it is necessary so that people will feel free to commend or criticize you and everybody is comfortable.

It is true that we are going through challenges but I am sure that the way our security agencies are moving, one is certain that sooner than later, we will overcome the security challenges that we are having.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—47

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—49

50—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

BY LEKE ADESERI, South West Regional Editor, OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

B

ARELY five days to the com mencement of repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said the closure of the bridge would not be total afterall.

However, the Federal and Lagos State governments may be on collision course over which agency will spearhead traffic management that will result from the diversion during the four months period.

Fashola who gave the clarification while speaking on the proposed rehabilitatioon of the longest bridge in the West African subregion at the Lagos House, Alausa, shortly, after swearing-in the One-day Governor, Miss. Lilian Ogbuefi, explained that the repair work on the ever busy bridge would be to fix the expansion joints which are the metals joining segments of the bridge.

He said: “Contrary to what has been reported, it is not a complete closure but a partial one. While the work is on, diversion will take place depending on the section of the road that will be worked upon at the particular point by the contractor. While we commend the initiative of the Federal Government to embark on the repair, there is no need for any fear because we have done it before and at the time we did it, we all went through it. And today, we are better than where we were then.”

Fashola who recalled that there was a similar repair work on the bridge few years ago without its being totally closed added: “at that time when we did it, we were constructing the same roads that will be used as diversion now and we are through with the

CLOSURE OF THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE:

FG, Lagos govt on collision course •Closure will be partial —Fashola of such alternative routes and means of transport are; making use of public transport by leaving personal vehicles at home and using water transportation among others.

Traffic management/control: On the issue of traffic management during the period, Fashola said: “it is unfortunate that Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, had gone to make the an-

While the work is on, diversion will take place depending on the section of the road that will be worked upon at the particular point by the contractor

,

roads.”

Choice of date/alternative routes: On the choice of the date, he said: “the date was an agreement between the Federal and State governments that the period should be almost at the end of the school session and during children’s vacation period so that the congestion on the road will be minimal. However, much of the work will be done when the pupils are on vacation. The target is that before the end of the year when the traffic is much, the repair works would have been completed. It is actually in the interest of the people.”

The governor further stated that the responsibility of the residents is to make use of alternative routes to help reduce the quantum of vehicles on the road. Some C M Y K

•Lagos Third Mainland Bridge

,

nouncement about its being responsible for traffic control. If you look into the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the exclusive legislative list, the only jurisdiction aportioned to the Federal Government as regards managing of traffic is on federal trunk roads and not roads within municipality of the various states.

We cannot continue this desperate encroachment of territories.

The constitution clearly set out roles for different tiers of government responsibility.”

Encroachment: “Therefore, the responsibility of managing and maintaining the Third Mainland Bridge is for Federal Government, but maintaining a bridge and managing traffic on it are two different responsibilities. The traffic management on it belongs to

the state. The bridge that crosses the lagoon within the territory of a city lies within the state’s control for traffic. The trunk road by definition is a road that connects two states. Like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. That is where the FRSC should be and not within the territory of the municipality of any state. The encroachment on responsibility, has led to misinformation on the repair works.

But when contacted, the new commander, Lagos State Sector Command, FRSC, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, said since he was not there when the governor made the comment he would not react to it. According to him; “I was not there when he, the governor, said so, so I cannot comment. If I were to be there, I know what to tell him.”

FRSC, Lagos sector statement: The Commander, Mr. Nseobong Akpabio, in statement yesterday, entitled: Federal Government to commence repair of the Third Mainland Bridge”, maintained that the corps has the responsibility to direct traffic during the rehabilitation period. The statement reads: “The Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Sector Command, wishes to inform the general public that work on repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos will commence on Sunday, July 1, 2012. The repair work is expected to last till November 6, 2012.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps as the lead agency in traffic management in Nigeria will coordinate the various traffic

agencies involved in the exercise.

Appropriate traffic management measures aimed at improving the safety and flow of traffic, reducing traffic emissions and utilising traffic artery capacity more effectively will be in place throughout the duration. Officers and Marshals from all FRSC formations in the state will be deployed to strategic designated locations in conjunction with other security and safety personnel to form good synergy.

Adherence to road signs “In view of this, the public is hereby informed that there will be diversions and delays during the period within the work area.

Therefore, the FRSC advises motorists and residents to strictly adhere to road signs, traffic rules and regulations to avoid hitches.

We assure that adequate arrangement has been put in place for a coordinated traffic information management which will be communicated from time to time via radio, television, newspapers and the social media during the period."

The repair which is in phases will affect traffic into Lagos from Ogudu and Oworonsoki expressway, also out of Lagos to same axis. However, the routes where there will be traffic restriction will be communicated to the public soon. The corps further advices that motorist should ensure adequate planning of their trip and utilise designated alternative

•Lagos State Gov, Fashola

routes to avoid undue delays.

Previous closures: The Third Mainland Bridge was shut last on Sunday, October 16, 2011 when there were reports that it was vibrating, indicating that it needed urgent attention. Remedial work was then carried out on the failed portions of the bridge.

Before then there were rumours of cracks on the bridge. This, however, was vehemently denied by the authorities. However, it seems there is now a final determination to rectify the situation by closing the bridge for about four months.

It has always been known that the road has been in need of repair for a while, but that can not naturally cause us to shrug off the daunting fact that traffic in Lagos will be greatly affected, and workers will have to start getting up earlier than their usual. When the last repairs were carried out last year, stakeholders held a meeting on the proposed closure.

It was learnt that the Lagos State Government objected to the closure of the bridge during the meeting to map out ways to ease the traffic chaos that might arise thereafter. At that meeting it was said that state government officials told representatives of the Federal Government that the state lacked the resources and infrastructure to deal with the likely traffic crisis that might arise as a result of the planned closure of the bridge.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—51

C M Y K

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012—53

C M Y K

54 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Venus crashes •vows to play on IVE-TIME champi on Venus Williams lost in the opening round at Wimbledon for the first time since the year she made her debut at the tournament.

The 32-year-old American was bundled out in straight sets by Russian Elena Vesnina, who claimed a fine 6-1 6-3 success on Court Two. Williams’ only previous experience of a firstround singles loss at Wimbledon came as a 17-year-old in 1997 when she was defeated by Polish player Magdalena Grzybowska.

Williams is down at 58th in the world rankings, with Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease which has had a major effect on her health, having kept her out of the game between last summer’s US Open

F

and the WTA tournament at Miami in March.

There has been speculation she could soon retire, but sister Serena Williams said on Saturday: ‘I have no intention of stopping, and I don’t think she does either.’

Asked in her press conference whether she would be back at Wimbledon next year, Venus Williams said: ‘I’m planning on it.’

She added: “I feel like I’m a great player. I am a great player.

‘I’m up for challenges.

‘There’s no way I’m just going to give up. That’s just not me.

‘I’m tough, let me tell you, tough as nails.

‘The only thing I can do is be positive.

‘I love this sport. I feel I can play well and I’m not going to give up on that.’

Federer in cruise control OGER Federer be gan his bid to win a seventh Wimbledon title in devastating fashion as he powered into the second round with victory over Albert Ramos.

The world No. 3 was in no mood to hang around as he blazed to a 6-1 6-1 6-1 victory in just an hour and 19 minutes.

R

•Federer

Djokovic off to winning start

N

ovak Djokovic be gan the defence of his Wimbledon crown with a straightforward 63, 6-3, 6-1 victory over former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero on Centre Court.

As last year’s winner, the Serbian had the honour of opening proceedings under sunny skies, and, a little early rustiness aside, he was rarely troubled.

Djokovic relaxed as the match went on, moving better and better, and he eased through to a second-round clash with American youngster Ryan Harrison or Lu Yenhsun.

Stosur coasts on S Open champion Sam Stosur won her first match at Wimbledon for three years as she reached the second round with a clinical 6-1, 6-3 win over Spanish claycourt specialist Carla Suarez Navarro on Monday.

The Australian fifth seed, a first-round loser at the All England Club for the past two years, played a fine attacking game to outplay Suarez Navarro both from the baseline and when she went on the attack up at the net.

U

C M Y K

•Djokovic

‘Bad boy’ Nalbandian exits AVID Nalbandian lost in straight sets at Wimbledon on Monday in his first match since being disqualified in the Queen’s final for destroying an advertising hoarding and wounding a line judge.

The Argentinian was beaten 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2

by Serbian eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic in the first match of the championships scheduled on Court One.

D

At Queen’s, Nalbandian had been a set ahead in the final against Marian Cilic when he booted the hoarding around the line judge’s feet, smashing it into his shin and leaving him bleeding and clearly in pain.

There was no repeat of the incident Ä no advertising is allowed at the Wimbledon championships in any case Ä but he showed flashes of the temper that has got him into trouble in the past.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012 — 55

Black England stars racially abused Tributes to tragic Roque P

OLICE are probing online racist abuse of two of England’s black footballers after they missed penalty kicks and crashed out of Euro 2012.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole and Manchester United winger Ashley Young were singled out for attacks on Twitter by vile users.

In a series of offensive postings one ‘troll’ goaded other users who criticised him for his rants.

The tweeter wrote: “All I got to say is this was just a joke, you guys need to relax, police know i was kiddin around and they won’t bother me hopefully, cheers.”

Another posting read: “The police won’t bother me mate i can assure you that.”

A Metropolitan Police

PAIN’s Euro 2012 stars are in shock after the death of former Liverpool defender Miki Roque aged 23.

The centre-back was diagnosed with pelvic cancer after a routine check-up on a back problem in March last year.

He had trained with Barcelona’s B team last season as he began his recovery but passed away yesterday.

Barca star Andres Iniesta wrote on Twitter:

S

Abused ... Ashley Young, left, and Ashley Cole, centre, with coach Gary Neville spokesman said: “We are aware of alleged racist comments on Twitter following last night’s England game and have

launched an investigation.

“The allegation was made...by a member of the public relating to

comments on a Twitter account supposedly based in London.

“No arrests at this early stage."

UEFA fines Germany • 25,000 for neo-Nazi flag EFA has fined the German football association •25,000 ($31,200) after fans dis-

U

Yakubu Continues from BP Officials from Guangzhou and Yakubu’s representatives have been negotiating the deal.

Yakubu will reportedly earn around $9m (about N1.4b) per year. The 29year-old will be following the footsteps of Didier Drogba by moving to China after the Ivory

Coast captain joined Shanghai Shenghua last week.

The Blackburn Rovers striker, who scored 17 league goals last season, is now poised to complete the deal in China.

Yakubu admitted in May he was looking at his options after Blackburn’s relegation from the Premier League.

El Clasico Continues from BP but still Spain is much more Pep Guardiola than Jose Mourinho.

Fabregas said: “Portugal is one of the strongest teams. They defend well and are lethal on the counter. They’re similar to Real Madrid and we must be at the top of our game.

“You can liken and compare it to Real Madrid– Barcelona in terms of the respective styles of the teams.

“But there are different players and we also have players from many teams so it’ll not be the same.”

Spain outclassed France to end 28 years of hurt against Les Bleus and stay on course for a historic three major tournament triumphs on the spin. Until Saturday, Spain counted five losses and one draw in competitive matches against France.

Fabregas was astounded as Spanish celebrations for their first-ever win against

the French were subdued.

Four years ago, at the same stage, they went bananas after he slotted the winning penalty against the Italians in a quarter-final shootout.

Fabregas said: “I thought at the end of the game that we were like ‘ok we won’.

“Four years ago, when we won in the quarterfinals, we were all together jumping up and down in the middle of the pitch celebrating.

“We were saluting the fans and our families, we felt the joy of a brutal success when we beat Italy. And now it seems like it was an obligation, something normal.

“But these are the wins that we have to evaluate the most inside us because they are so tough. We’ve won a Euro and a World Cup and now we’re already back in the semi-finals. It’s enormous.”

ONENESS —Participants at the 2012 Nigeria Olympic Day run in Lagos.

Lescott Continues from BP quarter-final exit should not be viewed as a disaster.

He said: “A lot was made before the tournament about how far we could get and in every performance we have shown pride and passion. That is what the England fans wanted to see.

“Is the quarter-finals the level England are at? Definitely not.

“We were confident coming into the competition, with the players we’ve got in the team.

“They are at the top of their game and some of them are the best in the world in their position.

“I think a quarter-final is the least of our expectations and progression has been made from the last tournament.

“It is disappointing to be going home but, as soon as we’ve licked our wounds, we can look back and feel

we’ve made the nation proud.”

Having been sent tumbling out of the 1990, 1998 and 2006 World Cups on penalties, as well as the 1996 and 2004 Euros, England were desperate to finally break their spot-kick hoodoo.

But Lescott, 29, admits Roy Hodgson’s men never want to be left in that position ever again.

He added: “Everyone is disappointed with the way it happened.

“The penalty shootout was nerve-wracking and a lot of credit goes to the boys who stepped up and put their name forward to take a penalty.

“It’s one of those things we need to get past — and it’s probably more mental than anything else.

“You have to blank things out to go through in a penalty shootout.”

“Very sad news. I want to send a big hug and lots of support for the family of Miki Roque.

We’ll miss you.”

Former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique added: “I met him when he played for Liverpool and I was at United. Rest in peace friend.”

Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos tweeted: “I just learned of the death of Miki Roque. I’m lost for words.”

played a neo-Nazi flag at a European Championship match.

Germany has now been disciplined for fans’ behavior at all three Euro 2012 groupstage matches, and paid fines totaling •40,000 ($50,000).

UEFA said fans were guilty of “improper conduct” at the match against Denmark on June 17.

Monitors from the Europe-wide FARE fans’ group identified the neo-Nazi symbol after being appointed to help offensive flags, chants and behavior in Euro 2012 stadiums.

German fans also threw paper missiles at Portugal and Netherlands players at earlier matches.

Kenya Continues from BP the 2010 Championships with ten gold medals against Nigeria’s eight.

Officials of the East African nation, stated that the African championships for them is like a dress rehearsal for the London 2012 Olympics and therefore they will be out to clean the medals table. They will be parading their best athletes.

“Most of our athletes who are going to London are in Port Nova. The African Championships will definitely have a bearing on how Kenyans will perform in London because it’s the same blood.

“Morale is very high in the team and everybody is thinking about victory.

“On behalf of our colleagues who are going for Olympics, we want to use the African Championships to send a warning shot to the rest of the world that Kenya is ready to conquer London,” said team captain Mark Mutai.

Nigerian athletes left Lagos yesterday in with high hopes, most especially the men sprinters who are yet to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics relay events.

National 100m champion, Obinna Metu who is carrying a weight on his shoulders stated that he and his colleagues have no option, but to put in their best and record good performances that will put them on the world top ten.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012

Spain Vs Portugal

El Clasico!

Cesc: This will be as spicy as the Barca-Real dust-up ESC FABREGAS dubbed Spain’s semi-final with neighbours Portugal as the El Clasico of Euro 2012.

The ex-Arsenal star believes that Portugal’s style mirrors Real Madrid’s counterattacking style — using the explosive pace of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

Champions Spain use Barcelona’s passing template, basing their game on their Nou Camp geniuses.

Barca stars Gerard Pique, maestro Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Fabregas form the spine of Vicente Del Bosque’s superteam.

There is a hefty sprinkling of Real Madrid in Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso, Continues on Page 55

C

TODAY'S

Tributes to tragic Roque — P.55

WOUNDED LIONS ... Ashley Young is consoled by his England pals after his penalty came crashing back off the bar

Lescott: There is no shame in losing J

•Fabregas •Miki Rodque

Venus crashes — P.54

OLEON LESCOT T insists England have nothing to be ashamed of despite suffering more penalty shootout heartache.

The Three Lions were dumped out of Euro 2012 4-2 on spot-kicks after a goalless 120 minutes of action against Italy last night.

But Manchester City star Lescott is adamant the Continues on Page 55

African championships:

Kenya ready for Nigerian challenge

Pack your bags: Venus Williams is out

PUZZLES

BY BEN EFE IGERIAN ath letes arrived in Port Novo, Benin Republic yesterday ready to dominate the African

N

Championships starting tomorrow, but their Kenyan counterparts have promised to raise the bar.

Kenya hosted and won Continues on Page 55

Yakubu to earn N1.4b in China IGERIA striker Yakubu arrived in China yesterday to seal

N

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

a move to Guangzhou R&F. Continues on Page 55

•Lescott

Euro S/final Fixtires Tomorrow: Spain v Portugal 7:45pm June 28: Germany v Italy 7:45pm

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 3 Attain (5) 9 Movement (6) 10 Work (6) 11 Composition (5) 12 Observed (4) 15 Trick (4) 17 Infuriated (7) 20 Sorrowful (3) 21 Number (5) 23 Employed (4) 25 Smile (4) 26 Plunged (5) 28 Colour (3) 30 Devalued (7) 33 Thought (4) 35 Challenge (4) 36 Heading (5) 38 Deed (6) 39 Enrol (6) 40 Eerie (5)

DOWN 1 Entertain (5) 2 Guide (5) 3 Fish-eggs (3) 4 Followed (6) 5 Applaud (4) 6 Fodder (5) 7 Premium (5) 8 Rear (5) 13 Tolerated (7) 14 Called (5) 16 Amble (7) 18 Ate (5) 19 Large (3) 22 Trample (5) 24 Obscure (3) 27 Trader (6) 28 Emulate (5) 29 God (5) 31 Agreeable (5) 32 Demise (5) 34 Pit (4) 36 Pull (3) 37 Finish (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Actor 9, Marina 10, Polite 11, Dread 12, Lees 15, Seat 17, Endured 20, Dry 21, Digit 23, Leaf 25, Dale 26, Ruled 28, Ass 30, Radical 33, Used 35, Tale 36, Erect 38, Undone 39, Erring 40, Decry.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Amble 2, Creed 3, And 4, Carved 5, Opal 6, Rod 7, Sited 8, Petty 13, Endless 14, Sugar 16, Arsenal 18, Diver 19, Bid 22, Tacit 24, Fun 27, Dancer 28, Augur 29, Seedy 31, Cabin 32, Ledge 34, Free 36, End 37, Try.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.