UK's £3,000 visa bond discriminatory —FG

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61912

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

NGF crisis: Drama as lawyers ‘fight’ over Jang in court 15

2013 Budget: Let's resolve grey areas, Presidency pleads with NASS 8

UK's £3,000 visa bond discriminatory —FG •Senate rejects policy, threatens reciprocity

BY OKEY NDIRIBE, •Reps summon Foreign Affairs minister •No decision taken yet — British High Commission — THE Fed •Says it'll affect only small number of highest risk visitors ABUJA eral Government, yesterday, described as BY

VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG, JOSEPH ERUNKE & VICTORIA OJEME

discriminatory and capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family, the pro-

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COLUMNISTS:

ROTIMI FASAN

19

OGAGA IFOWODO 19

DEAR BUNMI 53

Mr & Mrs

FIRST BRIDGE IN 35 YRS: Newly commissioned Mokola bridge in Ibadan, Oyo State, first in 35 years, yesterday.

Why I can't assent to State of the Nation Address Bill —Jonathan 8 C M Y K

Akande, Masari, El-Rufai, Lai in APC exco 13

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 3

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

finally introduced."

CONFAB: From left: Former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan; President, Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies Nigeria, Mr. Ausbeth Ajagu; Chairman of occasion and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Guest Speaker and Minister for Works, Arch. Mike Onolememen and Chairman, AES Excellence Club, Dr. Nike Akande, during the fifth AES Annual National Conference, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

UK's £3,000 visa bond discriminatory Continues from Page 1

posed new UK visa policy requesting visitors from Nigeria to post a £3,000 bond before entering the UK. The Nigerian government has, therefore, asked the British government to reconsider the proposed policy, saying it is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.

The Federal Government also assured its British counterpart that it has a responsibility to take

appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who might be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.

The Senate on its part rejected the policy and threatened to push same treatment for UK citizens travelling to Nigeria if the UK government goes ahead with the visa policy.

The British High Commission in Nigeria has, however, clarified that no final decision has been made on the matter. British High Commissioner to

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

TRUE friends are like mornings, can’t have them the whole day, but they will be there when you wake up every day.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T

HIS life, therefore, is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness; not health, but healing; not being but becoming; not rest but exercise.

We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. The process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road.

All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified — Martin Luther.

A wise philosopher once stated that “If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” This allegory best illustrates this principle succinctly.

One of the monks at a monastery made a mistake, and the wisest monk was summoned to judge him.

He refused, but when the other monks insisted, he answered their call. He arrived carrying on his back a bucket with a hole in it, out of which sand was spilling. ’I came to judge my brother,’ said the monk to the monastery superior. But my faults and errors are spilling out behind me like the sand from this bucket, but since I don’t look back and don’t notice my own errors I was summoned to judge my brother!’ The others monks immediately gave up any idea of judging.

Remember these beautiful quotes from Marcus Aurelius: “Don’t go on discussing what a good person should be. Just be one.”

Nigeria, Dr Andrew Pocok, made the clarification when he honoured the summons on him by Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, to express Nigeria’s displeasure over the proposed visa bond of £3,000 for intending visitors to UK from Nigeria.

At the end the closed door meeting, which lasted for several hours in the ministry, the British envoy clarified that the policy had not reached the stage of implementation.

A statement from the ministry, signed by its spokesman, Ogbole Ode, confirming the meeting, said: “At the meeting which was held at the Tafawa Balewa House, the minister expressed strong displeasure of the government and people of Nigeria over the policy, which he described as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family.

Policy'll negate joint commitment "The minister recalled with nostalgia, the times when nationals of the Commonwealth travelled freely to the UK and to other member states. This, no doubt, deepened the strong historical bonds among the peoples of the various countries who were all regarded at that time as Commonwealth citizens. He further recalled that this time-honoured practice was unilaterally jettisoned by the UK government in 1986,

thereby weakening the bonds of the Commonwealth family.

“The minister further opined that the proposed policy would definitely negate the joint commitment by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan to double the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by 2014, just as it would hinder people-to-people contacts, which is one of the cardinal principles of the Commonwealth.

“Ambassador Ashiru said the decision of the UK Government is coming at a time the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers have unanimously recommended for adoption at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, holding in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November, a proposal to remove visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports from member states.

"The minister, therefore, called on the UK Government to reconsider the proposed policy, which is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.

"He, however, informed the British High Commissioner that the Federal Government of Nigeria has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who may be affected by the proposed policy, if

No decision yet —British High Commissioner Clarifying the visa policy, the British High Commissioner in a statement signed by Head of Press and Public Affairs Section, Rob Fitzpatrick, explained the position of his government.

According to him, “the details of a pilot scheme are still being worked out. No final decision has been made. If the pilot were to go ahead in Nigeria it would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors.The vast majority would not be required to pay for a bond.

Those paying bonds would receive the bond back, if they abided by the terms of their visa.

“Let me put this in perspective. Over 180,000 Nigerians apply to visit the UK each year. About 70 per cent or around 125,000 of those applicants are successful. Travel between our two countries is a key part of our strong cultural and business relationships. Financial bonds would be focused on only a tiny minority of potential abusers.

It would not be a '£3000 visa charge' as some media reporting has alleged.

“As soon as more details of the policy have been decided, we will inform the Nigerian government and public fully and officially, in the spirit of our long standing friendship and our wish to help bonafide Nigerian visitors to work, study,or do business in the United Kingdom."

Senate rejects proposed policy In its reaction, yesterday, the Senate said it rejects the proposed UK visa policy, threatening that it would push for similar treatment for UK citizens in Nigeria or those seeking entry into the country by the time Nigeria is officially notified of

the new development.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Matthew Nwagwu, PDP, Imo North, told Vanguard that Nigeria would not hesitate to subject UK immigrants in Nigeria to the same fate but said the payback would only commence when the country was formally communicated.

His words: “I want to say that I have heard about this proposed policy by the United Kingdom government but I must tell you that I have not received any official statement from the UK or Foreign Affairs Ministry.

When we get the official position of UK regarding this, whether it’s a law or policy or whether it is an instrument that passes through the parliament, then one can make a very precise comment on it.

"But as a Nigerian, I have to say that any government, including the UK government has the right to make a law that will protect its interest. So it’s left to Nigeria also to make laws that will protect Nigerian citizens’ interests also.

When they inform us officially on this policy, we will sit down to study it and then respond to them officially. We will not accept it if Nigeria is branded among countries they are targeting and we will respond to them in that order. That is what we call reciprocity.

“Reciprocity implies that for example if the UK government imposes this obnoxious policy on Nigerians, Nigeria also has the right to find a way to reply. It is done in relationships.”

But he advised Nigerians trooping to the United Kingdom to begin to think of alternative travel destinations, saying: “If the policy comes into effect, it’s left to Nigerians also to begin to find alternative to travel destinations.

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6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Judge allegedly attacks clerk

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia, has allegedly assaulted a clerical officer in her office.

The incident, according to a petition by the father of the clerical officer, took place in May 2013.

It was gathered from the petition that the court clerk, Mr. Israel Okodugha, on that fateful day, was said to have gone to Justice OfiliAjumogobia’s chambers to inform her that he was going home at 4:15p.m., when the incident occurred.

Okodugha’s father, Mr. S. O. Okodugha, petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

In the petition, also sent to the most senior judge in the Lagos division of Federal High Court, Justice James Tsoho and Chief Registrar and Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of Administration at Lagos division of the court, he narrated how the incident happened.

Okodugha, in the petition alleged that “sometime in the month of May 2013, at 4:15p.m., he (Israel) entered the chambers to inform his Lordship that he wished to accompany the staff bus home since the money on him would not be sufficient to carry him home that evening to Ikorodu by public transport.

“In the presence of female students, his Lordship got up from the seat, went to Israel, grab his ears with her nails, pulled them and, in the process, inflicted pains on the ears and wound on the back of his left ear.

“He bled on the ear to the house that night. We had to take him to a nearby pharmacy to give him analgesics after washing the wound with antiseptics.

“Before the incident, our son, Israel, was one of the staff her Lordship was using as house-keeper to scrub the toilet, wash her clothes, sweep and clean the house during official hours and even at weekends.

“This continued until Israel told her Lordship that he had to attend lectures on weekends.”

BY EVELYN USMAN

A

final year student of Imo State University, Chibuzor Akobundu, has been arrested by operatives of Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, for allegedly swindling foreigners to the tune of $48,000 through a dating website.

Surprisingly, the 22-yearold Microbiology undergraduate confessed that his victims, resident in the United States of America, were ‘swept off their feet’ by his profile on the dating site.

He spoke with journalists yesterday, while being paraded alongside two staff of a second generation bank, who allegedly facilitated withdrawal of the money via Western Union Money Transfer.

The suspect adopted Devon Miles as his name and pasted a photograph of an unknown American citizen as his profile on the dating site.

Victims

He confessed to have swindled five American single women within the ages of 40 and 50, in search of husbands.

He gave the name of his first victim as Antoinette. He promised to marry her and was able to dupe her of $16,000 before she suspected he was a fraudster.

His next victim was one Jettie Simpson, who reportedly sent $5,000 to him via Western Union.

Others also duped by Akobundu were Shelly Bashir, $100; Billie Klock, $13,000, in a relationship that reportedly lasted five months, and Andrea Desena, $8,000.

‘How I operate’

Akobundu said: “I started browsing the dating site three years ago, posing as a US citizen residing in Nigeria.

“At that time, it was a common game around my area in Ikeja. Along the line I met these ladies who were looking for husbands.

“They fell in love with me because of my profile, where I stated that I was a 49-year-old divorcee in search of a wife. I claimed to be an engineer.

“I would tell them I was stranded in Nigeria and needed some money to travel back to US and they would send the money via Western Union.

“At other times, I would tell them that my daughter was sick and that I needed money to offset her hospital bills and they would fall for the trick. I have never used charms to hypnotise any of them.

“My parents were never aware of what I was into because anytime I got a reasonable amount, I would travel to South Africa and squander the money.

“My regret is that I never used the money for anything

CYBER CRIME SUSPECTS: Chibuzor Akobundu, A.K.A. Devon Miles, Martin Williams (left) and three other suspects.

How I swindled American women of $48,000— Student 'I squandered the money in South Africa' tangible, to avoid suspicion.

My mum is a teacher, while my father is a businessman and have been responsible for the payment of my school fees.”

Victim’s story

Explaining how he was arrested, spokesperson for the Unit, Ngozi Insitume-Agu, said: “The arrest followed a petition via the Unit’s website from one Amelia Brosick, a US citizen, dated April 16, 2013, where she alleged that one Devon Miles, suspected to be a Nigerian, defrauded her to the tune of $16,439 using different tactics.

“She added that she met the suspect on a dating site in June 2012, and the suspect, under the guise of dating her for the purpose of marriage, obtained the alleged sum fraudulently through Western Union.

“Armed with the petition, Western Union was contacted and they sent a detailed spread sheet showing all the transfers in the name of the suspect.

“Following the information, the duo of Nnamdi Nwakwue Dike and Olawale Oguniran attached to Western Union in Skye Bank, Owerri and Allen Avenue, Ikeja, branches, respectively, were arrested.

“Their revealing statements led to the arrest of the serial internet fraudster, Chibuzor Akobundun also known as Devon Miles, Martin Williams and Sani Bala Ismaila. He adopted Devon as the internet name, but opened the account in the name of

Martin Williams.

Accomplices confess

“He confessed that he provided the bank staff with the photocopy of his identity card so that they could withdraw the monies, while he gave them some percentage.

“The bank staff also confessed that they used Uche’s particulars to withdraw money from other persons’ accounts without his knowledge.”

However, Dike of the Owerri branch denied knowledge of what Akobundun was into. He maintained that he was only doing his job as a front-line teller staff of the bank, add-

ing that he had never at any time paid Akobundu above the stipulated amount.

He said: “Anytime he came to collect the money, he would answer the question given correctly, including the secret code.

“Mine is to ascertain whether the details corresponded with what was in the system at the end of which I would hand his money over to him.”

Asked if he received any gratification from Akobundu, he said he was given tips of N1,000 or N2,000 at times, just like some other bank customers do.

'MANUFACTURERS': Suspected Gold Custard counterfeiters paraded Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, at a briefing in Lagos. P

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013—7

FLOODED: Osiri Road in the Ekeki suburb of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, flooded after a

downpour.

Man posing as Uduaghan on Facebook in court I 'm not guilty, he says

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—A 27-year-old graduate of Accountancy from Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Mr. Philip Urieh, was yesterday arraigned before an Asaba Chief Magistrate’s court on a fourcount charge of impersonating Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on the social networking site, Facebook, thereby defrauding some unsuspecting members of the public.

The charges read: That you, Philip Onos Urieh (male) and others at large sometime in January 2013 at Asaba in the Asaba magisterial district, conspired among yourselves to

commit a felony to wit, defrauding members of the public by impersonating Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State and thereby committed an offence punishable under sections 422 and 516 of the Criminal Code Law cap C.21 volume I, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

That you Philip Onos Urieh (male) sometime in January 2013 at Asaba in the Asaba magisterial district obtained by fake pretence the sum of N562,000 from one Alex Roy Omoni.

The sum of N2.8 million from one Felix Usih and the sum of N200,000 from one Jerry

Odugula and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 419 of the criminal code law cap. C.21, volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

That you, Philip Onos Urieh (male) sometime in January 2013 at Asaba in the Asaba magisterial district cheated Alex Roy Omoni, Felix Usih and Jerry Odugula of their monies by fraudulently tricking them to believe that you would link them up with the Delta State governor and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 421 of the criminal code law cap C.21 volume 1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria 2006.

That you, Philip Onos Urieh (male) sometime in January 2013 at Asaba in the Asaba magisterial district impersonated Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta State with intent to defraud and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 484 of the criminal code law cap 2.21 volume I, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

He pleaded not guilty to all the count charges and was, however, admitted on bail with stringent conductions.

He is to provide N500,000 plus a surety, who would either be in the local government, state or federal service, and not less than level 16.

The surety, according to the court, must swear to an affidavit of means, submit two passport photographs and also produce his pay slip.

... as bizman pretends to be lawyer

BY IJEOMA NATHANIEL

L

AGOS—A 35-year old businessman, Obi Azuka, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate court for allegedly posing as a lawyer.

d by Dr. Paul Orhii, Director-General of National Agency for Food and PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

The defendant, who was docked before Magistrate Sule Hamzat, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and impersonation, brought against him by the Police.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Romanus Inuhegbe, told the court that the defendant and one other at large, committed the alleged offence on May 21, 2013, at 10a.m. during the Ikeja Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, law week programme at Ikoyi prison.

He said that they conspired together and presented them-

selves as lawyers, during the Ikoyi, prison visit by the Ikeja branch of NBA. The prosecutor said that the offence committed is punishable under section 409,378, of the criminal law No ii Vol 44, laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

When the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

However, Magistrate Hamzat granted him bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

4 suspected pirates nabbed in Ondo

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—FOUR suspected pirates, who also engage in robbery, have been arrested and handed over to the Joint Task Force, JTF, operating in Ondo State.

They were arrested by men of Gallery Security Services, a private security outfit in the riverrine area of the state.

The suspects had reportedly been tormenting the people of the riverrine communities of the state.

Vanguard gathered that those arrested by the outfit include Samuel Odigbo and Bewereweigha Eligbe all from Warri North local Government Area of Delta State; Dinba Michael and Love Okugbe from Arogbo in Ondo State.

The suspects were apprehended at Arogbo-Ijaw junction, Omeleita by men of Gallery Security that were guiding the coastal communities of the state.

Speaking with newsmen on the development, spokesperson of Gallery Security, Molos Ebi, said the four were arrested while coming from Delta State where they had gone to operate.

Ebi alleged that the two men from Delta State had earlier been involved in an operation between Delta and Bayelsa states, where they had allegedly robbed innocent people of valuables.

He said the people specialised in piracy, robbery of valuables including money, speed boats and boat engines.

Ebi said the two boys from Delta State were the main culprits, while Okugbe usually buy stolen goods from them and Michael was their informant.

‘How driver attempted to kill judge’

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

witness, Adedayo Akinsete, yesterday narrated to a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere how 32-year-old commercial driver, Quadri Kasali, attempted to kill a judge of the Lagos High Court, Justice Adeniyi Adebajo.

The prosecution witness 1 (Akinsete) told the court that he was employed by Justice Adebajo as Personal Assistant.

He said he was with the judge

and the driver (Ibrahim) in an Everest Jeep with number plate BG 401 EPE, going to Moloney Street when the defendant hit the judge who had stepped out of the Jeep to greet somebody.

He said: “We were going to Obalende and on the right side of the road, while the defendant was on the left side causing traffic.

“The driver and I called the commercial bus driver (defendant) and asked him if he was aware that he was causing traffic. The bus driver then said he want the

taxi driver behind him to fly.

“He started accelerating as if he want to move and at the same time stepping on the break.”

Akinsete further told the court that when Justice Adebajo stepped out of the car, he heard a shout that the commercial bus driver had killed someone.

He said when he stepped out of the car, he saw the bus moving with speed.

He said: “When I ran back to where the incident happened, Justice Adebajo was still on the ground at the middle of the road."

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Nasarawa 2015: Maku to tackle Al-Makura

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

T

HE coast is now clear for Mr. Labaran Maku, Nigeria’s Information Minister to confront his Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-makura, in the next election with a view to stopping him from actualising his second term ambition.

Vanguard learnt from a competent source that Maku, an Eggon, got the backing of the tribe’s leading political bigwigs, who met last week to review the recent Alakyo massacre of 100 security men and set the ball rolling for the 2015 gubernatorial race.

The source, who was at the meeting, told Vanguard on Monday that the people opted to throw their weight behind Maku because of his closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan, who, they claim, would also influence his emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the election.

It was learnt that the endorsement of Maku by the political and opinion leaders from Eggon, informed his decision to bring in the national leadership of the PDP, led by Bamanga Tukur, to storm Lafia, the state capital on Saturday, during which many natives of the area denounced their parties and joined the PDP. Although a serving Senator, Solomon Ewuga, of the Congress for Democratic Change, CPC, is rumoured to be interested in the race, the source said the Eggon had noted the immense contributions of the lawmaker to the people of the area but would want him to concentrate on representing them in the National Assembly.

Another outstanding Eggon indigene currently serving with a federal judiciary agency in Abuja, who had indicated interest in the gubernatorial race, is said to have been asked to stand down and concentrate on the job since his post was big enough to continue to attract patronage for the tribe.

With the adoption of Maku for the gubernatorial race on the platform of the PDP, and the decision of governor Al-Makura to go for a second term, the Eggon, who believe they hold the ace in the state’s politics on account of their numerical strength and spread, the battled is likely to be a tough one.

Although the governor will get the CPC ticket for his rerun, he is not likely to get the support of the Eggon, apparently because of the claim by the Eggon that he promised to run for a term and then hand over to one of their sons in 2015.

2013 budget: Let's resolve grey areas, Presidency pleads with N-Assembly

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—WORRIED that six months into the year 2013 and implementation of the budget still hanging, the Presidency yesterday, pleaded with members of the National Assembly to expedite action on the existing grey areas for its quick passage for the overall interest of Nigerians.

As members of the National Assembly resume from the break, the Presidency has urged them to forge crucial partnerships with the executive in the spirit of moving the country forward and for the wellbeing of Nigerians, even as it stressed the need for the lawmakers to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. Addressing newsmen yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi said, "I once more applaud your cooperation which ensured the historic passage of the 2013 budget before the commencement of the fiscal year.

"Although there are issues we are still working together to resolve, this does not detract us from this unprecedented feat. We need to consolidate on the gains of this achievement.

"I therefore appeal to the National Assembly to once again, exhibit uncommon leadership by expediting legislative actions on the grey areas of 2013 Appropriation Act to ensure that we have a first-rate budget that addresses undesirable issues while also actualizing the aims and objectives set out in the current fiscal year".

2014 Appropriation Bill will be submitted on time The Presidential aide who noted that the 2014 Appropriation Bill would be sent on time to the National Assembly for early consideration and passage said, "Mr. President will still keep his promise of timely submission of the Appropriation Bill this year to allow for early consideration and passage. I believe the lessons from our present experiences will help make our future budget smoother and better.”

Speaking on the PIB, Senator Emodi noted that it has become imperative to accelerate the passage of the bill into law because of its importance as a policy tool to improve the nation’s economy, even as she promised that the Presidency was prepared to work desirously with the Senators and members of the House of Representatives, adding that it was the only way both arms of government could move the country forward.

Early passage of PIB She said: "I want to assure that the Presidency is committed to working with the National Assembly to move the nation forward; and it is indeed my hope that Distinguished Sena-

tors and Honourable Members will continue to forge crucial partnerships with the executive geared towards impacting the lives of Nigerians positively and steering our nation on the path of growth and rapid transformation.”

The former Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, however pleaded with her colleagues to ensure that the constitution review was completed and a constitution that would be people oriented would be produced at the end of the day.

MEETING—From left: Trade and Investments Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Comptroller-General of Customs, Alhaji Mohammed Dikko and Chairman Forte Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola during a meeting at the State House, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

....Why I can't assent to State of the Nation address bill — Jonathan

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—A cold war ap pears to be brewing again, between the Presidency and the National Assembly following President Goodluck Jonathan’s outright rejection of assent to the State of the Nation Address Bill, passed by the National Assembly on March 13, 2012, and forwarded to him for assent.

The President, in a letter to the legislature, dated June 10, 2013, through the Senate President, David Mark, explained that his action was based on the grounds that the proposed law was a duplication of the extant law as contained in the 1999 Constitution.

He said the bill which was particularly transmitted to him on May 22, 2013, by the Clerk of the National Assembly for assent amounted to what he referred to as “a duplication of Section 67 of the Constitution”.

Both chambers of the National Assembly passed the State of the Nation Address Bill with the Senate passing it on March 13, 2013 having been earlier treated in the same manner by the House of Representatives.

The bill provides for an an-

nual State of the Nation address by the President to be delivered to a joint sitting of the National Assembly on the first legislative day of July of every year.

President Jonathan explained that the 1999 Constitution has already given him the mandate to meet with a joint session of the National Assembly to deliver an address on national affairs or policy of government which he noted, were of national importance.

The President frowned at some sections of the bill which empowered the National Assembly to summon the President in the case of his failure to deliver the address on the specified date, saying it was coercive.

“He said “in view of the express provisions of Section 67 above, I am of the considered opinion that the 1999 Constitution has made ample provision for the kind of address contemplated by the Bill”, adding, “It would, therefore, amount to a duplication to enact legislation on the same subject matter”.

“This is more so as the proposed legislation seeks to circumscribe the President’s discretion regarding whether or not, he should attend the joint session meeting of either House of

the National Assembly.

“The time to present the address, his determination of which policy of government is of national importance for the purpose of an address in addition to the threat of the use of coercive powers in the event of non-compliance,” the president insisted, adding that it was inconsistent with the doctrine of the separation of powers and the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

He tasked the National Assembly to redraft some clauses to bring the bill in conformity with the dictates of the constitution which confers discretionary powers on the President under Section 67.

He said: “Clause 1 should be redrafted to read: The State of the Nation of Address shall be delivered to a joint sitting of the National Assembly within 30 days of the commencement of the legislative year.

“Clause 3 which empowers the National Assembly to summon the president where he fails to make the address should be replaced with a flexible clause, to mean “if unable to present an address, the president should be allowed to designate the Vice President to present the address on his behalf”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 9

N

IGERIA and other D-8 coun tries have agreed to increase the volume of trade among member countries from its current $150 billion to $500 billion within the next five years.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this during the first D-8 Ministers Council meeting on the Preferential Trade Agreement in Abuja, yesterday.

He also proposed that the D-8 Trade and Investment Council made up of the private sector and sponsored by the Ministers of Trade be established as soon as possible.

The Developing Eight countries, popularly referred to as D-8, include Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan and Egypt.

To fully maximise the benefits of trade between Nigeria and other D-8 member countries, Aganga said Nigeria would develop its own country specific and regional trade strategies, which would be based on the areas where the country had competitive and comparative advantage.

He said, “At the moment, the value of intra trade between D8 countries as of 2012, is about $150 billion, but our target is $500 billion in the next five years.

"The details of this will be agreed at the next meeting. On that basis, Nigeria will have its own trade strategy, based on where we have competitive and comparative advantage and also on what D-8 countries import from member countries.

"Then, we will make sure that we have our own import substitution so that we can trade with other D8 countries.

“For Nigeria, our emphasis will be on improving the quality, volume and value of trade by moving away from exporting raw materials to exporting semi-processed and finished goods so that we can create jobs locally.

PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGNS:

PDP wants axe on ACN, CPC

BY HENRY UMORU

A ANNIVERSARY—From left: Sir Theodore Ezonfade, Vice President, Ijaw Nation Congress; Arc Ebievidei Charles Ambaiowei, President Odo-Abaji of Okrika, Chief Tari James Sekibo; Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Kingsley Kuku and others, at the 4th year anniversary of Amnesty Proclamation in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Nigeria, other D-8 countries target $500bn trade volume in 5 yrs "Also, we have unique country specific and regional strategies for West Africa, Africa and for D8 countries to achieve our overall international trade objectives.”

The minister noted that Nigeria would work closely with other D8 countries to remove the barriers to improved and mutually beneficial trade relationship among member countries within the next five years.

He said, “As a result of the current global financial, economic and sovereign debt crises which have adversely affected many

countries, most countries have realised trade and investment are the most powerful tools for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

“There are three most important things that D8 member countries need to work on immediately. The first thing is to allow our business men and women to have easy visas which will make it easier for them to move across member countries to do their businesses.

"The second thing is to have a better and friendlier environment

for customs in terms of operations.

"The third thing is to have a Preferential Trade Agreement across member countries in the areas where we have competitive and comparative advantage.”

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, called on the Organised Private Sectors of the D-8 countries to take advantage of the Preferential Trade Agreement to boost trade and investment among member countries.

Court orders arrest of EFCC boss, Lamorde

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—JUSTICE Peter Kekemeke of an Abuja High Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to arrest the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, for disobeying a valid court order.

Justice Kekemeke directed that the EFCC boss and an operative

of the anti-graft agency, Mr Friday Ebelo, should be apprehended and kept in prison custody within the next two weeks, except they apologize to a lawyer whose fundamental human rights were allegedly violated by the commission.

Meantime, EFCC, yesterday, vowed to appeal the ruling.

We 'll appeal ruling — EFCC Reacting to the order, spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, who acknowledged that a copy of the order was served on the agency, said EFCC has perfected plans to get it vacated.

The court had on March 8 and December 5, 2012, ordered Lamorde to release the call-to-bar certificate of one Mr Innocent Onwu, apologize to him through a national newspaper as well as pay him N50, 000 as compensation.

Onwu who is an Abuja-based lawyer had on October 31, 2011, initiated a fundamental rights enforcement proceeding after he

was detained by the EFCC between June 27 and July 1, 2011 without order of court.

His detention was sequel to a petition by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, accusing him of complicity in fraud pertaining to a case he was investigating for a client.

Dissatisfied with the way he was allegedly manhandled by the commission, Onwu demanded N300 million as compensation for the unlawful search of his house and office and the trauma he suffered in the hands of the EFCC. Besides, the lawyer, claimed his ailing mother was admitted at the Garki General Hospital on the day he was arrested by the EFCC, insisting that despite his passionate pleas, the commission refused to release him to attend to his mother, resulting to her death three days later.

The court had on June 4 and June 24 this year, dismissed two applications filed by the EFCC counsel, Mr James Onu, wherein he sought to void the contempt proceeding.

BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken a swipe at the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, on their call for the prosecution of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan over alleged violation of campaign regulations.

Rebuffing assertions of the opposition parties, the PDP through its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke said that sanctions for pre-emptive campaign should rather be taken against the two parties who he claimed have been involved in nefarious political activities.

The ACN and PDP had last weekend separately called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sanction Dame Patience Jonathan for allegedly soliciting support for her husband ahead of the 2015 presidential election during a private visit to Port-Harcourt.

Okeke said: "It is amazing that the opposition came up with this allegation. I think basically what they are doing is the old doctrine of attacking instead of defending because it is the opposition parties who have been talking about merger, they are the ones that have been campaigning.

"PDP has not been campaigning. It is the opposition parties that mounted campaigns and I think even the INEC warning was directed at the opposition parties because they are the ones who have been involved in all sort of campaigns and as a party, the PDP is calling on INEC to sanction the opposition political parties. We are not campaigning yet, they are the ones campaigning, they should be axed because they are breaching the law.’’

Repeated efforts to get reactions from INEC on the development were unfruitful. After first promising to give a feedback on the issue, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu was subsequently not forthcoming as he could not be reached on telephone.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Lagos taskforce threatens to prosecute lawyers over extortion

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, yesterday, threatened to prosecute any lawyer caught extorting money from people facing trial in its court on the pretence of being taskforce officials.

Chairman of the taskforce, Bayo Sulaiman, gave the warning, following claims by unsuspecting relations of arrested suspects that lawyers claiming to be officials of the taskforce were extorting money from them.

Sulaimon said the measure became necessary because of complaint by relations of a 19-year old boy, Sunday John, who was arrested and sent to jail by the Special Court in Alausa over inability to meet bail condition.

It was alleged that taskforce officials were demanding money from the relations to get the boy released.

Mrs Justina Moses, a relation of the suspect, claimed she was asked to bring N40,000 by unnamed taskforce official to release the boy who was said to have been arrested without committing an offence.

After investigation by the taskforce, it was discovered that some lawyers, not staff of taskforce, approached the unsuspecting Moses and demanded for money.

2 children win ICT competition

J

OMILOGU OLADIPO and Tosin Tejumola, both nine years old, have emerged winners of this year ’s UGRL Information Communication Technology, ICT, quiz competition held in Lagos.

UGRL is an ICT training organization.

The pupils, who represented Role Model School, Ikeja, emerged first place winners in a keenly contested IT competition involving 13 Nursery and Primary schools in Lagos.

Cashless policy will curb terrorism financing — Fashola

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

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AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, has said that the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, will help to check the increasing menace of terrorism in Nigeria.

According to Fashola, through cashless transactions, it would be easy to account for all transactions and eliminate the possibility of terrorism financing.

The governor who spoke at a conference to chart the way forward for the cashless transition, said, “there is nothing that attracts crime more than cash and this transition to cashless transactions would help to address these crimes especially the increasing wave of terrorism.

“The transition involves everyone having a part to play as it will ensure safety and also reduce the cost of cash management.

“About 65 per cent of circulating cash in Nigeria are not

in the banking system, this results to about N900billion that remains unaccounted for and nobody knows whether this money is being used to fund terrorism, drug peddling and other vices, which are huge risks to all of us.”

Fashola who was represented by the Accountant General of the state, Mr. David Sunmoni, argued that cashless transactions eliminated fraudulent practices and ensured that money was retained for development purposes.

Speaking , CBN’s Deputy Gov-

ernor, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo, said the cashless policy was an initiative aimed at reforming the banking payment system in Nigeria, noting that “the cash-less economy policy is designed to promote financial intermediation, financial inclusion, minimise revenue leakages and thus increase Internally Generated Revenue, reduce incidences of robbery and also reduce the amount of cash payment while encouraging electronic payments.

COMMISSIONING: From left, ACN Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, at the commissioning of Mokola Bridge in ibadan, yesterday

Court disqualifies prosecutor in Fani-Kayode’s money laundering case

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, disqualified Mr. Vitalis Ahaotu, the prosecutor in the trial of a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, charged with money laundering.

The trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, disqualified the prosecutor because he

lacked the fiat (authority) of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to prosecute the case.

Ahaotu is a counsel in the firm of Festus Keyamo and was prosecuting the case on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The judge held that there was doubt as to whether the A-G had issued a fiat to the

chambers of Keyamo to prosecute the case on its behalf.

According to him: “There is no doubt that the A-G has the power to issue a fiat to any lawyer to prosecute a case on his behalf, but the prosecutor has shown no evidence of delegation in this respect. The prosecutor claims it possesses the fiat of the A-G, when in fact it has not been exhibited before this court.”

...dismisses Ajudua’s application to quash charge

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & IJEOMA NATHANIEL

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AGOS — An Ikeja High Court, yesterday, dismissed an application by an alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua, asking it to quash the $1.6million fraud

case preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Justice Joseph Oyewole, in his ruling, dismissed the application, saying Ajudua’s application lacked merit and that he could not terminate the case since he was not responsible for the prosecution of the case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had filed the criminal case against Ajudua, a lawyer, alongside Charles Orie in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of $1.6m between July 1999 and September 2000.

Zus Bureau to hold client service seminar

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

F

ORMER CHAIR MAN of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, and Chief Executive of Zus Bureau Limited, Professor Chris Doghudje, will this Thursday in Lagos, speak on Client Service Skills Development, to an audience made up of junior and middle level client service executives in advertising agencies.

He is expected to share his 25 years experience in advertising to his audience and enlighten participants on the skills required to be first-class client service executives.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 —11

C’ttee on Ile-Oluji violence ends sitting

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — AS the commission of enquiry instituted by the Ondo State government to look into the recent violence in Ile Oluji area of the state concluded its public sitting, police in the state said a service pistol was lost during the crisis.

The state government following the bloody riot by youths in the town who were desperate to sack their traditional ruler, Oba Suulade Adedugbe set up the commission of enquiry.

The youths in their hundreds went on rampage, destroying property worth millions of naira over alleged refusal of the Oba to allow the Federal Government to cite a tertiary institution in the town for selfish reason.

Nine memoranda were submitted by different groups within and outside the state to the commission headed by Nelson Adeyanju which was inaugurated on May 30 this year.

Those that submitted memoranda include the Police, the National Union of Ile Oluji Students, Ile Oluji National Union, Olojas under Ile Oluji, Ile Oluji National Union Lagos, Jegun in Council and Ile Oluji Development Committee.

The Police Command in its memorandum which was presented by the Area Commander in Ondo Hamzat Ameyi on behalf of the police commissioner in the state, Patrick Dukumor said that many policemen including himself were injured by the rampaging students.

Osun to plant 2.5m trees

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N LINE with its green policy, the government of Osun State has purchased 2.5 million seedlings of different tree species tagged ‘Igi-Iye’ (tree of life).

The governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated this, yesterday, during his remark as a recipient of the 6th edition of Environment Gold Award, organised by the Institute of Environment and Ecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife held at the University’s Sports Centre.

Aregbesola noted that Osun’s green policy is aimed at the regeneration and sustainability of the environment, adding that the state is mindful of the fact that the environment is a common heritage of all of humanity thus the “Igi-Iye” tree planting.

He held that a good environment is a vital legacy for the generation to come and that all hands must be on deck at ensuring that the environment is useful for those who will inherit it.

MEETING: From left, national auditor, PDP South West, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju; Chairman, Reconciliation Committee, PDP South West, Chief Ishola Filani and Zonal Secretary, Chief Adepegba Otemolu, at the expanded meeting of PDP South West in Ibadan, yesterday

Tinubu, Ladoja trade words over alliances .Ladoja, Akala’s accord will soon collapse – Tinubu .APC is an egg that hits a rock – Ladoja

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — THE National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the alliance between former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala would soon collapse like a pack of cards.

He said this at the commissioning of a flyover at Mokola, Ibadan and other completed projects by the administration of Governor

Abiola Ajimobi.

Present at the meeting were Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Rochas Okorocha of Ogun and Imo states respectively, National Chairman, ACN, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, who was represented by High Chief Omowale Kuye, Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao.

Tinubu said: “The old enemies who chased themselves out of of-

Ondo guber: A/Court reserves ruling in Akeredolu, Oke’s appeal

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — THE Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has reserved judgement in the appeal filed by the governorship candidates of the ACN Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his PDP counterpart, Olusola Oke against the election petition tribunal decision to uphold the victory of governor Olusegun Mimiko in the last election.

Presiding Justice M.L. Garba leading a five-man panel said judgement would be delivered in the appeal soon following the adoption of the addresses by the parties yesterday.

Justice Garba said the date

for the judgment will be communicated to the parties.

The Court of Appeal has five days to deliver judgement after the adoption of the addresses by the parties.

All things being equal the judgement may be delivered the first week in July.

Akeredolu’s lead counsel, Chief Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN) urged the court to uphold the appeal as the tribunal erred by dismissing his petition without considering the merit.

According to him, “the central issue in this appeal is the 2012 voters register which we discovered was not used on election day after having been assured by INEC that it is the valid register for the poll.”

fice with cudgels, cutlasses and guns said they want to collaborate again. They failed, they failed before and they will fail again.

They were down before, they will be down again.

Whatever evil they continue to put together, they will continue to fall like a pack of cards”.

Tinubu alleged further that the ex-governors were enemies of progress.

“We helped them before, let their conscience tell them. I Bola Ahmed Tinubu did what I had to do to protect the character, principle, and content of our democracy for Ladoja.

What did he do? He is a dog who went back to his vomit. They left the governor ’s office rearing snail, that is why the state was not making progress.”

Ladoja, in a swift reaction, said he was sure that the All Progressive Congress could be likened to an egg that had contact with a rock.

He denied being an enemy of progress, adding that the people in the state knew he was not an enemy of progress.

He explained that his coming together with Akala was not an alliance, but he just wanted to see if they could work together.

S-West PDP doubts Oyinlola’s return as party sec

BY OLA AJAYI & DAPO AKINREFON

B

ADAN — THE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South West said, yesterday, that it was not sure if the former National Secretary of the party could re-contest for the position.

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola was removed as the National Secretary following a court order.

The Chairman of the party in the zone, Mr. Ishola Filani said this, in Ibadan after the expanded zonal meeting where 10 notable chieftains of the party from each of the six states in the South West were invited.

He said that though the position was still zoned to Osun State, it was not clear if he could vie for the position again.

He said the kernel of the meeting that held in the party’s zonal office at New Bodija, Ibadan was to fine-tune plans on how the party would regain Ekiti and Osun States in 2014 election.

On the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term ticket in 2015, he denied any opposition to the stance of the party.

He added that the problem in the party had been resolved, noting the party is now one big family.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Call Wike to order, Rep urges INEC, PDP

Alleged Police harassment of supporters worries Amaechi Says Rivers has been reduced to a Police state

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— THE member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, Rivers State in the House of Representatives, Mr Andrew Uchendu, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to urgently call the Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom Wike to order.

Speaking against the backdrop of statements credited to the minister at a rally organised by Grassroots Development Initiative, GDI, in Elele, Rivers State, the lawmaker said the minister had apparently kickstarted his campaign for the position of governor of the state, an action he said violated the Electoral Act. It will be recalled that among others, Wike had ruled out zoning of offices in the PDP for the next general polls. He had told the gathering that he was now the acting leader of PDP with the suspension of Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has expressed worries with the alleged harassment, yesterday by the Police of some Rivers citizens, who were on their way to pay him a solidarity visit.

The governor at Government House, Port Harcourt, when he received the people on solidarity visit from Orashi region, said some persons had reduced Rivers State to a Police state.

He said he will continue to fight for the rights of the people of the state, adding that he would soon lead hundreds of Rivers people on a street protest, to challenge the recent ban of such action by the state Police Commissioner.

According to him, protest is part of the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, enshrined in the constitution, hence it cannot be outlawed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu. The governor said: “The state Commissioner of Police cannot ban protest, when it is your fundamental rights and it is enshrined in the constitution.

They can bring so many Mbu but promise me that you will resist them the way you did to-

day (yeaterday). We will take a date to demonstrate. I had told the Commissioner of Police to shoot me. I will be in front, I will lead the march with you my people to the Secretary to the State Government, who will receive our protest letter.”

Amaechi said the people have a right to express their views legitimately on any is-

sue, including attacking his government, if he was not performing. He assured that he would continue to utilise the funds of the state for the development of the area.

Thanking the people of Orashi region for the solidarity visit, the governor said his administration would construct a bridge connecting Abua and Agbandere. He said he will

also construct a road between Abua-Odua.

Some of those who spoke earlier for the people, lauded the success of the Amaechi administration in several areas. They also pledged the support of Orashi people to the government. They appealed for federal presence in Orashi region.

Orashi region is made up of Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba Egbema Ndoni and Abua-Odua Local Government Areas. In a chat later with newsmen, Chairmen of the four local governments alleged that the Police made effort to stop people of their various councils from coming to Port Harcourt for the solidarity visit.

SOLIDARITY VISIT: From left: Member, House of Representatives, Mr. Asita Asita; Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and Senator Wilson Ake, during a solidarity visit by a delegation from Orashi to the governor in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Edo AG faults Amnesty Int’l on execution of 4 death row inmates

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— EDO State Attor ney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Henry Idahagbon, yesterday, faulted Amnesty International for condemning the execution of four death row prison-

ers by the prison authorities in Edo State.

Idahagbon noted that the Nigerian judiciary had heard the cases of the convicts and found them guilty accordingly.

He said that one of the death row prisoners, Thank God Ebos was not executed on Monday with others because the court held that he would die by firing squad,

which according to him, the prison officials said would be done on a later date.

Idahagbon said it was laughable that Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State was being blamed for the deaths of the death row inmates, just because “he only signed the death sentence of two after they were convicted as the

former governor of the state signed two earlier.

“The truth is that once there is a conviction, governors are now under a legal duty to sign their execution warrant and the prisons under a duty to execute it. If the governor does not sign, somebody can go to court to ask for an order of mandamus to compel the governor to do his legal duties. The governor merely performed his duties as governor. What the governor has done is 100 per cent in tandem with the law.

“But let us ask Amnesty International, if a man were to rob a woman in Texas, rape and then killed her by insertion of bottle into her private part, what would be the punishment in Texas? It will be death sentence.

Yes, we know that the United Kingdom had abolished death sentence but it still exist in some states in the United States.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013—13

UK’s new visa policy is multi-edged sword NEWS ANALYSIS

By ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA, GENERAL EDITOR

T

HE news broke, Monday, that the UK government plans imposing a visa bond on nationals of some countries intending to travel to the UK. According to the report, from November, nationals of Nigeria, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to post a bond of N723,000 or £3,000 ($4,600 or 3,500 euros at current exchange rates).

The Home Secretary, Theresa May, made the proposal which targeted nationals of the countries tagged as “high-risk.”

Expectedly, there has been an uproar as various individuals and groups reacted to the development which not a few see as discriminatory. But the UK’s visa policy has in reality been discriminatory against Nigerians and if you like, nationals of other countries included. It started in September 1986 when the Margaret Thatcher administration decided, at the end of a cabinet meeting that in future, travelers from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Bangladesh and Pakistan will need to obtain visas in their own countries before travelling.

Before the 1986 decision, nationals of all Commonwealth nations, except Sri Lanka did not need visas to travel to the UK. Justifying the decision, Home Secretary at the time, Douglas Hurd said: “We have to have immigration checks, and I think it is more sensible that these checks are carried out before someone sets off on a journey.”

Reacting, the opposition Labour Party described the Thatcher government decision on visa requirements for the five countries as racist. Then shadow home secretary in the Labour Party, Gerald Kaufman said: “It is typical of this government that in future white visitors from racialist South Africa will be able to come here without a visa while a visa will be required for parents and other family members of British citizens living and working in this country.”

Beyond these, however, many Nigerians who see UK’s visa pol-

icy towards Nigeria over the years find it difficult to wish away discrimination. "Why are visa restrictions not slammed on nationals of countries who are known havens of terrorists? Why target innocent blacks who are merely seeking greener pastures?” asked a Lagos banker who opted not to named.

And so has it been, since 1987 when the policy took effect. The new initiative merely added Sri Lanka, whose nationals had needed visas to travel to the UK before 1986.

In perspective, the policy, if implemented, will have repercussions on both sides. If dealing with illegal immigration is the sole object of the policy, then Nigerians who see the UK as an escape destination will be affected. On the contrary, Nigeria is a business destination for many UK nationals, including those of Nigerian descent. If Nigeria reciprocates, as government may be required to, businesses on both sides will suffer irreparably.

On the face of it, the UK government is set to earn a lot of money from bonds posted by illegal immigrants, who, at the same time will be hunted down and repatriated. At the personal level, it is a loss situation for those who see UK as escape destination. Again, the visa policy will affect thousands of Nigerian students in UK institutions of higher learning. Though full details are yet unknown, parents of students in UK schools may have to cough out millions for a child (or chidren) that will be in school for about four, five years, or more.

That will have grave implications for resources needed at home.

Whichever way one looks at it, it is hard blaming the UK government for trying to protect its “lebensraum,” to use a German word. The onus is on the government of Nigeria to make the country liveable in all ramifications; then Nigerians would stop seeing the UK as an escape destination in a bid to avoid the problems of bad roads, epileptic power supply, insecurity, lack of water, and every other undesirable that index Nigeria at the moment.

It can be done.

UK's £3,000 visa bond discriminatory —FG Continues from Page 5 “I’m sure Nigerians would also respond on their own without anybody telling them.”

Senator Nwagwu said if the UK authority was coming up with the policy because of Nigeria’s security challenge, then they must think twice.

Nigeria is generally calm He said: “If the Britons are judging us like that, then, that is their own judgment. We have many Britons, many UK people living in Nigeria and they are moving about freely and doing their businesses. At times, you want to refer to situations in some parts of the North, and say yes, that may have been the reason they are coming up with this but Nigeria generally is calm and peaceful and many foreigners are doing their work and businesses.

“So, to classify Nigeria as one of the countries posing security threats is out of the way. And like I have said earlier, you have to look at your friend properly, to know whether he is the friend you know or not.

Britain should even be the one to properly understand Nigeria and her problems and then help us in whatever way they can. I am sure they are helping but if they impose law on Nigeria, then that questions our continued relationship in this country.

“Again, if this is true, then we will have to begin to think of how to reciprocate. That is my position on this. I have told you about the principle of reciprocity.

That is what it means.

Normally, if Nigeria is threatened in a shady way and Nigerians are excluded from a country, then, Nigeria must find a way to respond. Whatever that response should be, it’s up to the government

to decide.”

Labour condemns policy Organised Labour also, yesterday, condemned in very strong terms, the new visa policy introduced by the British Government, describing it as racism.

The two labour centres in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, said the policy was unacceptable and called on the government to respond with stiffer measure should diplomacy fail to resolve it.

Bad omen Newly elected President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, said it was a bad omen and that Nigeria should impose same policy on British citizens coming to Nigeria.

According to him, “we are in a global village. No country should feel it is more important than the other. If diplomatic efforts are unable to resolve it, Nigeria should retaliate and impose same fine on British citizens coming to Nigeria. It should be tit for tat."

On his part, Deputy President of NLC, Joe Ajaero said it was a diplomatic slap on Nigeria and other African countries affected.

He said: “If economy is not doing well, it should not impose such fine on Nigerians to make their economy to recover. Nigerians visiting Britain are already contributing to the recovery of British economy through tourism and the hotels they lodge among others. This is pure racism and apartheid. It is unacceptable. Nigeria should look for areas that will hit the British Government severely to punish Britain, it could be oil. Nigerian government should not accept it. It is pure apartheid.”

Nigeria should not be apologetic— Fasehun In his reaction, founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun

said: “What Britain has done is good because I see it as a challenge to Nigeria. The nation should also increase its visa fees.

"What is stopping Nigeria from responding to Britain action for action and word for word? We don’t need to be apologetic over this or cry over it, because this is international diplomacy. What is expected of this nation in this circumstance is to also show that it is a sovereign nation by coming up with a response to it. I know that not all the British people living in this country are desirable. Some don’t even have valid documents and are undesirable. Who are the people stealing our oil?

Reps summon Foreign Minister Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, to brief the lawmakers on the planned policy of the British Government.

A member of the committee who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity confirmed that the meeting would hold tomorrow by 2 pm at Committee Room 107 of the House.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Warman Ogoriba (PDP) representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State who spoke to Vanguard in a telephone interview last night said Britain had the right to introduce any policy to safeguard the interest of its citizens and economy.

According to him, “inasmuch as I believe that the policy about to be introduced by Britain is unfair to Nigeria and other countries that are affected, I think it is a wake-up call on the nation. If Nigerian leaders had put their acts together to make this country work, I don’t see any reason why we should be rushing to the United Kingdom or any other country in large numbers. ”Can you ask yourself why didn’t they introduce such a policy against South Africans? “They

Continues from Page 41

Akande, Masari, El-Rufai, Lai in APC exco

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor & CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

T

HE All Progressive Congress, APC, has confirmed chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Bisi Akande as the Interim National Chairman of the emerging political party set to confront the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in coming elections.

The decision on Akande was

reached last night after an exhaustive meeting of the four parties involved in the merger at the Lagos State Governor’s Residence in Abuja.

Besides, Akande, Alhaji Lai Mohammed of the ACN was returned as the national publicity secretary of the APC. Erstwhile speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari is to serve as the Deputy National Chairman, North of the party while

All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA’s Senator Annie Okonkwo is to serve as the Deputy National Chairman, South.

The national secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Alhaji Tijani Tumsa is also to serve in the same position in the APC while the erstwhile Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai is to serve as the Deputy National Secretary on the sponsorship of the CPC. Hajiya Sadiya Farouq

of the ANPP is to serve as the national treasurer of the fledgling political party.

The APC was unveiled last February by four political parties, ACN, ANPP, CPC and APGA as a common platform on which they expect to fuse into to battle the ruling PDP. The nomination of national officers is one of the last requirements stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for any par-

ty expecting to merge. Three of the parties, ACN, CPC and ANPP had earlier forwarded a joint letter to INEC giving their indication to merge and accompanied same with their registration certificates.

A faction of APGA led Governor Rochas Okorocha is involved in the merger but the legacy parties have excluded APGA from the documentation procedures on account of the internal divisions in the party.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Rotary, Gates Foundation to raise $525m for Polio eradication

BY EMEKAAGINAM, IN LISBON, PORTUGAL

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ISBON— ROTARY International and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, yesterday, announced an extension of their existing fundraising partnership that could generate up to US$525 million for polio eradication.

The new agreement announced at the ongoing Rotary humanitarian annual convention in Lisbon, Portugal, is expected to generate $35 million per year till 2018.

Under the new agreement announced before an audience of more than 20,000 Rotary members from 160 countries that gathered in Lisbon for the humanitarian group’s annual convention, the Gates Foundation will match 2 for every new dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication.

Rotary and the Gates Foundation have partnered on polio eradication since 2007, when the Gates Foundation gave Rotary a $100 million challenge grant for polio eradication, increasing it to $355 million in 2009.

To date, Rotary clubs worldwide have contributed $1.2 billion to polio eradication effort.

Currently, only three countries including Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan remain polio-endemic

Kano Airport: FG blames low passengers’ traffic on insecurity Faults attempt to tie it to ongoing remodelling exercise

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

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AGOS—THE federal gov ernment has dismissed attempts to link the re-modelling of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano to alleged low passengers’ traffic at the airport, saying the present security situation in the city was responsible.

A newspaper report had alleged that since the remodelling of the airport, the facility had been lying dormant.

But reacting to the report, General manager, Corporate Communications of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said the transformation of the airport ought to open it to floodgate of patronage and not the other way round.

According to him, the low level passengers’ traffic into the airport can be traced easily to the security situation in Kano, fuelled by the activities of the fundamentalist Islamic group, Boko Haram.

Dati, who noted that improved security in Kano would boost air travel in the city, said: “The newspaper also alleged that there was sabotage by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and the Ministry of Aviation to make the

terminal and perhaps the airport dormant, but this is not true. “We wish to state that Kano has been and will continue to be one of the major airports in Nigeria and it is because of the importance attached to the airport that FAAN embarked on rebuilding the domestic terminal

which was commissioned in early 2011.

“When the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah visited the Kano airport and was shocked at the decrepit state of the international terminal, she immediately embarked on its remodelling. In addition to that, the Minister immediately desig-

nated the airport perishable cargo airport and embarked on building a perishable cargo terminal as well as another international terminal at the airport. Work on the projects would soon be started as contracts for them have been awarded.”

PARTNERSHIP From left: Corps Marshal/CEO, FRSC, Osita Chidoka; Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka and MD/CEO, UBA Foundation, Ms. Ijeoma Aso, at the launch of the ‘Don’t Text and Drive,’ DTD campaign initiative of the UBA Foundation in partnership with FRSC in Abuja, yesterday.

Police lament spate of child trafficking, kidnapping in S-East 228 kidnap, robbery suspects arrested in Anambra A

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA—THE police hierar chy yesterday expressed worry over the high rate of child trafficking and kidnap cases in the South East geopolitical zone, with the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Mr. Mohammad Yabo, saying the police had resorted to combining prayers with arms in the fight against the two crimes.

The AIG, who spoke during a visit to Anambra State police command, said there is need for the police in the South East zone to be up and doing in the discharge of their functions, instead of flouting the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IG, on the mounting of road blocks.

He said: “Stopping people and collecting money from them has very serious consequences, but that does not mean that you should not carry out stop and search.

“You should stop being friends of criminals and Indian hemp smokers and you should be careful how you handle your rifles as there is nothing like accidental discharge in the force.

“Corruption and extortion had become the bane of the police force and that is why the zone has established monitoring units to expose the bad eggs in the force.”

Briefing the AIG on the state of Anambra State police command, the commissioner of police, Mr. Bala Nasarawa, said 228 kidnap and robbery suspects were arrested in the

state in the last six months.

He said of 31 kidnap cases reported, 22 victims were rescued, while three kidnap attempts were foiled.

According to him, 15 suspected criminals were killed by the police during the period, while 105 magazines, 13 Ak-

47 riffles, one type 06 K2 riffle, one air riffle, 4385 assorted ammunition among other weapons were recovered. Also, 20 cases of stolen or snatched vehicles were reported in the state during the period.

Return of mission schools: Anglican church alleges marginalisation

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—THE eight Dio ceses of Anglican Communion in Enugu State have raised an alarm over the withdrawal of 54 primary and 10 mission secondary schools earlier handed over to the church by the state government.

The church said the mission schools were all returned to the churches for better management but noted, while other churches retained theirs, those given to the Anglican church were surprisingly withdrawn by the government.

The church alleged partiality in government’s dealing with the various church de-

nominations in the state and asked the state government to immediately resolve the impasse by returning all their o r i g i n a l schools to them.

The church, represented by the eight Bishops of the dioceses in the state, led by the Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Oji-River, His Grace Most Rev. Amos Madu, at a press conference in Enugu, called for the immediate removal of the state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Simon Ortuanya, who they alleged was directly responsible for the “marginalization and humiliation” of the Anglican Church in the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 15

No devt without peace —Jonathan

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU & PROVIDENCE OBUH

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, sued for peace among all the ethnic groups in Nigeria. Jonathan, who made thee call at the fifth annual Conference of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies (AES) in Lagos, said that without peace Nigeria would not achieve any meaningful development.

This was as a former Head of State; General Abudusalami Abubakar who was chairman of the occasion also agreed that the issues of good governance and peaceful coexistence were central to any effort to improve the lot of Nigerian people.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Minster of Works, Arch. Mike Onolememen said: “The task of national transformation is a collective responsibility. We may not achieve any meaningful development without peace. I, therefore, call on all Nigerians and those living in Nigeria to embrace peace and support this administration in her transformational agenda."

He added: “The present administration lays emphasis on entrepreneurship and human capital development as it is our determination to reduce drastically the level of unemployment in our country.”

Abubakar in his remarks identified three other key challenges, which he said has slowed Nigeria’s march to proper nationhood. He listed them as the absence of stable state institutions, a lingering constitutional problem and a related questions of inequity and inequality.

NGF crisis: Drama as lawyers ‘fight' over Jang in court ••as SANs clash in court over brief

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THERE was a mild drama before an Abuja High Court in Jabi, yesterday, as two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, clashed in the open court over who was duly briefed by the factional chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, to represent him in the suit entered against him by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.

Immediately the case was called-up in court, the two SANs, Chief Tayo Oyetibo and Paul Erokoro, separately announced their appearances, with each of them, insisting that he had the mandate of Governor Jang to file processes in opposition to the suit.

Both lawyers maintained that having been duly briefed by Jang regarding the matter, they proceeded with filing separate preliminary objections before the court seeking the dismissal of Fashola’s suit.

Ferocious argument Following an argument that ensued between the two senior counsel over who should he allowed to represent Jang in the matter, Justice Peter Affen, decided to adjourn the case till July 3, to enable the SANs sort themselves out. Before adjourning the case, however, Justice Affen, who was visibly irked by the uncanny drama that played out, said he would not tolerate anyone bringing to his court confusion capable of exposing the judiciary to public ridicule.

Meanwhile, Fashola’s counsel, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, who appeared alongside Lagosbased human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, prayed the court to go ahead and dismiss Jang’s objection, despite who between the contending lawyers filed it.

Osibanjo vehemently opposed

the idea of granting a stand-down in the matter to allow Governor Jang sort out the confusion. He said: “We do not need a stand down, as there are two counsel for a party, it is an abuse of court process. My Lord, this was the same confusion they brought to the Nigeria Governors Forum, now their plan is to bring the same confusion to this court.”

At that juncture, Justice Affen enjoined all the lawyers to act with caution, noting that the judiciary was in the spotlight again. He said that lawyers should not do anything that would erode the credibility, adding: “Let us not toe the line of the Nigeria Governors Forum. We are here to resolve their differences and not to add to it.”

Consequently, he held that in view of the conflict in representation, the best thing was to adjourn the case.

It will be recalled that Jang had in one of his counter-affidavits filed by Oyetibo, SAN, urged the court to strike out Fashola’s suit against him for being frivolous. It was his argument that the Lagos State governor was bereft of the

legal right to seek an order restraining him from parading himself as chairman of the NGF. He further challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear and adjudicate on the matter, contending that “any dispute within NGF cannot be taken to an Abuja High Court by virtue of Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which prescribes that disputes should be resolved at the Federal High Court instead.”

Describing the dispute bedeviling the NGF as “nonjusticeable as it relates to a mere dispute as to political dignity”, Jang, maintained that the fact that Fashola never contested the NGF chairmanship election, stripped him of the legal right to institute or sustain the action.

He argued that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State who Fashola claimed won the election, never complained to the court that his mandate was usurped nor was he named or joined as a party to the suit.

Jang further maintained that going by the way the suit was

couched between the governor of Lagos State and his Plateau State counterpart, the Plaintiff suggested a dispute between Lagos and Plateau States governments which automatically stripped every court of jurisdiction, save the Supreme Court which is bequeathed with the exclusive jurisdiction to determine or resolve disputes between governments of states or state and federal government.

He said: “Traditionally, the NGF does not hold elections to produce a chairman. It is the practice that the chairman of the Forum is appointed by consensus of the members. Where a consensus cannot be reached, the candidate supported by a simple majority would become the chairman.

“In pursuance of that fact above, Governor Amaechi was informed that nineteen of the thirty-six Governors of the states of the Federation have indicated in writing their decision to support Governor Jonah Jang as Chairman of the NGF."

From left: Mr. and Mrs. Femi Adesina receiving a gift from Mrs. Funke Oluwole, at a luncheon hosted in their honour by the Committee of Friends to commemorate Mr. Adesina's election as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors

2015: Tambuwal blasts agents of autocracy as House resumes

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

S the politics of 2015 con tinues to gather steam across the country, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, blasted those he described as agents of autocracy and accused them of putting democracy at risk. He discouraged his colleagues from belonging to such a group.

Tambuwal said this in his opening speech during yesterday’s commencement of the seventh session of the House of Representatives.

In a bid to indicate the direction the House would follow in the days to come, Tambuwal had used the opportunity to inform Nigerians about the thinking of the leadership of the Green Chamber on the need to separate politics from governance.

Said he: “...While we are clamouring for the deepening of democracy, including internal party democracy, there has arisen a new group championing the obnoxious cause of the deepening of internal party autocracy and demagoguery.

“This is inexcusable and, indeed, reprehensible at this time

in our history. Dissent is a healthy element in any democratic setting and those who equate loyalty to sycophantic followership not only miss the point but put democracy at risk. Preparatory to 2015, many have started introducing political doctrines that are alien to democracy and destructive to peaceful social coexistence in a civilized society; they are busy fanning the embers of partisan hate and strife.

“According to this new doctrine it is a political offence for a member of one political party to exchange greetings with someone in another political party. It is indeed a heinous crime for one

to visit, attend the burial, birthday, coronation, wedding or any such ceremony of someone in an opposing political party. The proponents of this shameful doctrine not only offend our sensibilities, they constitute an affront on the whole essence of democracy and civilized coexistence and must be halted before they do incalculable damage to our polity. My dear colleagues we refuse to be students of this school of thought.”

He further reminded his colleagues that “beyond the challenges routine to our functions as legislators, an even bigger challenge is fast approaching. I am

referring to 2015 and the gathering clouds of politicking: first we must resist the temptation to jump the gun.”

Tambuwal advised Nigerian politicians to wait for the whistle of the electoral umpire before commencing the politics of 2015, stressing that “we must resist being distracted from the execution of our mandate which is only half done and finally but perhaps more importantly we must make a difference by rising against every attempt to cause disaffection among Nigerians.”

C M Y K

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Kaduna denies loss of N560m SURE-P fund

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

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ADUNA—THE Kadu na State Government, yesterday, denied allegations by the state House of Assembly that N560 million from Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, fund was missing from the state’s coffers.

Commissioner of Water Resources, Dr. John Ayuba, who made the clarifications in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna, said the lawmakers lied over the said missing funds.

An ad-hoc committee of the House which investigated the implementation of the programme in the state had, among others things alleged that there were many dubious transactions in the implementation of SURE-P in the state leading to alleged disappearance of N560 million from the fund in 2012.

The discovery of the alleged missing N560million led to the suspension of the SUREP in the state and the passing of a vote-of-no-confidence on Dr. Ayuba by the House.

However, Ayuba who was the Finance Commissioner during the period under investigation dismissed the allegations.

Troops seize Boko Haram's online video equipment, computers •Commence day & night patrols to capture regrouping terrorists

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—FOLLOWING at tempts by fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorist sect to regroup in a bid to fight back, the Defence headquarters, yesterday, said that communication equipment used by the group for shooting and posting online video messages of their leaders have been recovered.

The disclosure was made just as Special Forces of the JTF commenced night and day patrols to dislodge remnants of terrorists still hibernating in the camps and hideouts of the hilltops and forests where the terrorists had made their den.

The equipment recovered including laptops, mobile communication equipment (GSM phones) and others used for shooting and posting online videos, as well as locally made rockets and rocket launchers were among several items seized by the JTF from the arrested terrorists. They were displayed for a nine man Defence Headquarters Assessment Team that visited Borno and Yobe states, weekend.

A statement by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information said: “As a follow up to scheduled assessment visits to troops in the North East of the country, a nine member Defence Headquarters Operational Assessment Team has returned from Yobe and Borno

States to brief the Chief of Defence Staff with updates on the situation in the operational area of the Special Forces operating in the North East.

“The force which has been tasked in support of the implementation of the State of Emergency is conducting operations to stop terrorism and to restore normalcy to the security situation in north eastern part of the country. The team visited troop’s location in various parts of Borno and Yobe States.

Interacting with the troops inside Sambisa forest, the team leader and Director of Operations in the Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Olatunji Faloyin, conveyed the greetings and commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), whom he said was very proud of the troops”.

He expressed the CDS satisfaction with the high level of successes so far recorded in the operation and thanked them for a job well-done, urging them not to rest on their oars until the entire region was fully sanitized and cleared of all terrorists activities. The team also assured the troops of regular logistic supplies while the mission lasts.

Earlier, the team was briefed by commanders, on conduct of the operation to rid the forest of the insurgents who had made the location their sanc-

tuary. They were told that some notorious leaders of the terrorists have been captured while some materials recovered in the camp have also provided useful intelligence for subsequent operations.

The team was told that some casualty in men and equipment were recorded on the part of troops during the operation. Commanders also disclosed that the troops were currently engaged in night and day patrols of the area to dominate the forest and appre-

hend any terrorist who may be lurking around.

Meanwhile, the nine man assessment team has confirmed that the military was still in control of the situation in the two states adding that the troops were combing the forests and the terrorist camps to fish out the remnants.

On fears that Boko Haram members were regrouping, AVM Olatunji Faloyin while delivering their report, assured the CDS that the possibility of the terrorists regrouping was not possible, because all the camps have been taken over by the military. He dismissed such rumour as coming from the segment of people who were not aware of what the military had done so far in the two states.

Yuguda blasts civil servants over unruly behaviour •Says he gave 1,300 cars to civil servants at 50% cost

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BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI State Governor, Isa Yuguda yesterday tongue-lashed civil servants in the state over alleged unruly behaviour.

The governor also ordered two civil servants out of the MultiPurpose Hall venue of the Civil Service Day celebrations for allegedly sharing food while he was making his speech at the ceremony. The incident caused confusion as some civil servants struggled for it instead of listening to the governor’s grammar.

However, a visibly angry Yuguda, wondered why the civil servants should show disrespect to him even as 80 percent of the revenue generated in the state was spent on the civil service leaving only 20 percent for the common man who was in the majority.

He also said that he provided 1,300 cars to civil servants at 50 per cent of the cost. The governor who decried the attitude of the affected civil servants, described it as outright

disrespect for the ethics of the civil service and code of conduct. He warned that his government would no longer tolerate any form laxity, indiscipline and corruption on the part of any civil servant.

According to Yuguda,“ since the inception of my administration, I have ensured that 80 percent of the revenue generated for the state was channelled towards improving productivity in the civil service and 20 percent channelled towards the common man who is unemployed, so I expect much from civil servants in the state. The government introduced SERVICOM in the civil service to inject professionalism and ethics into the service, but it beats my imagination that some civil servants still do not have regards for principles of civil service.”

Yuguda who noted that civil servants were team-mates in his administration, however, said his government would punish any of them who violate or act contrary to the rules and regulations governing the service.

“Every profession has its ethics and culture, so if any civil servant in the state, no matter how highly placed, violates the rules of the services, he must be punished and disciplined.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 —17

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

BY August, the National Automotive Council, NAC, would be 20 years old. Its mandate in Act 84 of 25 August 1993 is to ensure the survival, growth and development of the Nigerian automotive industry using local human and material resources.

NAC was to drive employment generation, technology acquisition, and effective utilisation of local raw materials in the Nigerian automobile industry. Ultimately, NAC was to fund research in the making of the Nigerian car, an automobile that would have most of its components from local materials, and with the artistry of Nigerian engineers in order to save Nigeria money – and the jobs that are lost to imports. Instead NAC officials are busy complaining about the failures of the industry.

Few would remember the politician Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, an electrical/electronics engineer, and a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Owerri, who in 1997 made prototypes of his first ever all-African car which he named Z-600.

BBC’s Hilary Andersson described it as the all-African dream machine, made for the family market with a top speed of 140km (86m) per

Death Of The Nigerian Car hour. Ninety per cent of its parts were sourced locally. It would have cost just $2,000 to own one, which would have made it the cheapest car in the world. In 2005, South Africa authorities wanted Izuogu to build the car in their country.

NAC never looked Izuogu’s way until the dream died in 2006 when armed men broke into his workshop and stole all the manuals, designs, engine blocks and completed prototypes of Z-600.

It is unfortunate that NAC missed the vision.

It never provided support that would have

prospered the Nigerian automobile industry.

Sources of funds for NAC according to Section 9 (a) of its Act includes, “Two per cent of the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of all imported, Fully Built Units (FBU) auto component spare parts, Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and raw materials brought in for the automotive subsector.”

NAC Director-General Mr Aminu Jalal laments that about 50,000 new and 150,000 used vehicles were imported into Nigeria yearly. “Nigerians spend an average of N400 billion on importing passenger cars and by the time you add trucks and other vehicles, the amount Nigerians spend on imported vehicles will be running to N600 billion annually.”

We do not know when he started counting, but N600 billion on vehicle imports translates to N12 billion revenue for NAC. It is money that should be invested in research and promotion of the Nigerian car. What has NAC done with the funds in 20 years?

The launching of Made-in- Nigeria vehicles in 2017 is no longer realistic, according to Jalal. When will it be possible?

NAC should worry about its relevance.

OPINION

BY PELUMI ALAWODE […] It is only when the minds of men have been properly and rigorously cultivated and garnished, that they can be safely entrusted with public affairs with a certainty and assuredness that they will make the best of their unique opportunity and assignment.

---Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

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NYONE who conscientiously observes the policy initiatives of the current administration in the State of Osun since inception may not be hard-pressed to aver that it is increasingly working its fingers to the bone in order to make the effects of governance felt in all households in the state. Through many of its “O’projects”, the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration is unusually raising the bar of governance.

Indeed, here is a governor who with uncommon hardihood and ideas is making life more meaningful for the generality of Osun citizens.

What I personally find incredible is that in less than three years of assuming office, this O’Governor (as some people warmheartedly brand him) has initiated a highly comprehensive reform that the Philistinic and rapacious PDP administration deemed impossible in the education sector of the state for an unbelievably uninterrupted seven years! In various aspects of the education sector of Osun today is striking evidence of how structured thinking and judicious use of resources can make a huge invaluable difference in the life of a people. Certainly, as clearly stated in the epigraph to this piece,

Appraising Osun's of knowledge only rigorously cultivated and garnished minds can make the best of the opportunity availed them to serve the public.

One of those beneficial projects Governor Aregbesola’s government will be forever remembered for is the newly launched computer tablet, an I-pad-like learning device christened Opon Imo. It was reported that about 150,000 units of the device would be given free of charge to both students and teachers in the State’s public schools – 20,000 for teachers and 130,000 for students in the high schools. With the introduction of this learning device, there is no doubt that the lacuna between teaching and learning, and access to requisite materials will be greatly reduced.

It is noteworthy that the tablet of knowledge is preloaded with different tutorial notes, past questions, and textbooks on 17 subjects that students register for in the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations, WASSCE, the National Examination Council, NECO, and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME. This is a potent elixir for students; they will be motivated to really settle down for business as the tuneless music of lack and dearth of necessary learning materials would have been taken care of. Experience has shown that where students are availed of the required learning materials their capacity to excel is greatly enhanced. I am confident that the

new

tablet

use of this device will greatly increase the capacity of our students for remarkable performances in their studies. Also, with this Opon Imo, it is certain that public schools in the state will no longer produce students who are happily alien to the use of computer, which every young adult in current time can only neglect to their own disadvantage.

F

or the government, parents, and teachers, it is all the way a win-win situation. In other words, while government saves money from buying textbooks (each computer tablet has about 65 textbooks), the teachers as well will no longer be tortured with teaching students who know nothing about the unsullied joy of possessing textbooks. Let me observe here that those who whoop and whine about the substantial billions of naira that the government will save from not having to buy textbooks because students can now access them on the tablets are only being mischievous. Only asinine kind of opposition politics would inspire anyone to condemn and howl negatively against a prudent government, which has even demonstrated in more ways than one that it is committed to allocating resources across the various sectors of the State astutely. I think it is a sensible and laudable move for the Aregbesola government to even recognise in the first place that it can make savings from the huge investment it

is making in the education sector. What is more, even parents, especially those with financial challenges, now have their burdens significantly crashed as they may not have to worry about how to buy textbooks for their children. Whether the nagging nabobs of notorious negativities in Osun find it palatable or not, the different households in the State are firmly convinced that they have a government which adds lasting values to their lives.

The Opon Imo device is also said to contain six extra-curricular subjects, to wit: Sexuality Education, Entrepreneurship, Yoruba Proverbs, Civic Education, Yoruba History and the Yoruba Traditional Religion. This is a welcome development as it will go a long way in equipping the minds of the students with knowledge in other useful areas other than their school subjects. The fact that the students may not be examined on these areas suggests to me that the government is directly awakening the consciousness of the students to the inexorable need for them to stuff their minds with knowledge not purposely for the sake of examination. Their capacity for dialectical thinking will be developed and they will not suffer from the malaise of insular and shallow thinking mostly favoured by charlatans and pedestrian souls. Surely, as they furnish their minds with the knowledge from those diverse subjects, they will know something about everything and everything about something. *Mr. Alawode, a retired secondary school teacher, wrote from Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013— —19

, J

UNE is the month of Nigeria’s controversial election that was held in 1993, precisely on 12th, a day many Nigerians believe was specially set apart to make all that was wrong with electoral matters in Nigeria right. The fact that all that could go wrong went right on this day made the annulment of the election and the controversy it generated thereafter all the more remarkable. The truth really is that no Nigerian election has been controversy-free. Many times the foundation for the controversy would have been programmed into the elections right before the first votes had been cast. It’s therefore always easy to see and read bad faith into the management of such elections by those disfavoured by them. The manner the Jonathan administration has been manipulating issues within and outside the PDP, for instance, makes clear that the 2015 elections will suffer credible problems if nothing is made to steer the President and his supporters off the path political misconduct. The taste of power has become irresistible for our socalled reluctant politician and everything, both fair and foul, is

being done to stir trouble in the PDP, their Governors’ Forum and among the opposition. When all manipulations have been exhausted and indeed done with, the coming election for which all arsenals have been deployed would have suffered irreparable moral deficit. It was different with the June 12 election. Then the usual drama that accompanies Nigerian elections had been played out fully with incessant shifts in the military transition having come to an end. The field was then left for such key players as the ABN, Third Eye and Arthur Nzeribe, among others. These too would play themselves into exhaustion such that on the day of the election only the supernatural, a definite ‘act of God’, could have stalled or disrupted the election.

But on this day there was neither an earthquake nor was there a tremor. There was neither violence nor threat of any. All went well.

Until the military intervened and the pre-election actors that had been silenced were jolted back into action. Twenty years on and the book is yet to be closed on the matter. It might never be fully closed.

,

The 20th anniversary of the election has slipped in quietly. And although I knew the date was around the corner, indeed, it fell on that day of the week this column appears, I had a different point to talk about. Yet I didn’t think the 20th anniversary of such a day as the June 12 election should go unremarked, hence my return to it. This anniversary was another opportunity for comrades in the fight to validate the electoral mandate given Moshood Abiola, the winner of the election, to come together. These activists took time out to mark the 19th anniversary of the Epetodo Declaration during which MKO Abiola declared himself president after the military failed to do so following months of political stalemate. In the Yoruba-speaking states of the South-West, the day was marked in different ways.

W

hile some declared public holidays, others organised

Why the Senate’s single six-year term should be resisted

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OON after his election, President Goodluck Jonathan proposed his panacea for the political troubles of Nigeria: a single six-year term. And now half of the nation’s senators, purporting to know the will of the people, have dutifully obliged him by rubber-stamping the obnoxious idea. Their premise is that democracy, and not its purported practitioners, is to blame for the failure of representative governance in our country. The logic is as follows: the President and state governors are always consumed by the goal of securing a second four-year term under the current system.

Consequently, they abandon governance and, using the enormous power and privileges of incumbency, squander time and scarce financial resources in that bid.

Senator Ekweremadu’s committee puts it beyond doubt: “The financial expenses often associated with re-elections” and the need to “ensure that the executive heads are freed from distractions so that they can concentrate on public policy issues.”

Only that the President and senators’ solution has nothing to do with democracy and everything with the anti-democratic disposition of our politicians. The problem we have is that of trying to practise democracy without democrats; of having as its standard-bearers persons weaned on the poisonous milk of military dictatorship, steeped in the culture of power without responsibility and political office as the gateway to unaccountable riches. It is almost axiomatic that a single term turns the office holder into an autocrat with the elimination of the most effective check on power. So the president or a governor may not be

distracted by the quest for a second term, but might he not be by any number of megalomaniacal dreams? For example, to be the Eze Ego (king of money) of Africa, the Ogidigborigbo (ask ex-Governor James Ibori what this means) of the universe? The dream of owning the most prestigious golf course on earth? To steal enough to build a private heaven amidst the poverty and misery of the vast majority of his fellow citizens?

Were Jonathan and his senators really interested in radically cutting the exorbitant cost of our demon-cracy and imbibing a genuine spirit of service, they would have considered a more sensible alternative: parliamentary government. Unfortunately, they take the presidential system as sacrosanct. We began our experiment in selfgovernance with the parliamentary system.

Then in 1979, we sought to conjure national unity through the magic of a president elected by popular mandate. Hoping, thereby, to slay once and for all the monster of tribalism. Well, you know it: that dream has since been turned into a nightmare by the ensuing mechanical notion of unity which transformed a shaky but thriving federation into a constricting unitary state.

It is time, I think, to return to the parliamentary model. For one, the presidential system tends to be prohibitively expensive, in poor and rich countries alike.

Moreover, it has failed to deliver to us the golden fleece of national unity. And speaking of democracy, how much more representative can a system be than one which makes politics truly local? In a parliamentary system, the candidate stands

symposia and discussed the significance of that election in Nigeria’s history. As usual there were calls for proper recognition of Abiola as symbol of the election.

The civilian administration of Obasanjo failed remarkably to do anything by way of recognition of Abiola or the victory that the June 12 election represented. Indeed, the declaration of May 29, the day Obasanjo was sworn in as Nigeria’s president after 16 years of military rule- declaration of this day as Democracy Day has been seen by many Nigerians as indication of Obasanjo’s aversion to any kind of recognition for Abiola.

The attempt by the Jonathan administration to accord Abiola recognition was as self-serving as Obasanjo’s declaration of May 29 as Democracy Day. The administration renamed the University of Lagos, Moshood Abiola University without consultation with the university community. Having failed to follow due process in renaming the university, the administration soldiered on determinedly, arguing it has the right to do as it pleases in the matter. The entire episode was a fiasco as it only brought unwanted and indeed bad publicity to the administration.

The insensitivity displayed by the Jonathan administration during the renaming episode is only matched by that displayed by the so-called head of the Abiola family, Mubashiru Abiola, who on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the June 12 election announced that Ibrahim Babangida has been the pillar of the Abiola family, providing financial and moral support whenever this was needed. Mr. Mubashiru Abiola spoke in a manner clearly meant to counter the general perception that Babangida bore personal

for election in her own immediate constituency.

Her electorate consists of the people best able to judge her character and fitness for public office. At the centre, the party with the majority of seats forms the government. And failing a clear governing

,

June 12 election: Twenty years after

It is crass of Mubashiru to choose the time people are calling attention to more fundamental issues raised by the June 12 election to announce Babangida’s generosity to him or his own part of the Abiola family

It is time, I think, to return to the parliamentary model; the presidential system tends to be prohibitively expensive, in poor and rich countries alike

,

majority, forms alliances to that end. One could argue that the parliamentary system is more conducive to federalism defined as the devolution of power by constituent units to a central authority. And that the United States, ironically, is the perfect illustration of this concept: its president is not elected by popular ballot but by an electoral college constituted by the states’ delegates.

B

ut that is not the only ideal that recommends the parliamentary model. Six or eight years, in my view, is not enough time for meaningful achievement in a country without passable basic infrastructure (roads, railways, electricity

responsibility for the annulment of the election. But more than this, the statement from MKO Abiola’s so-called brother portrays him as one whose sole concern is about how much economic or financial advantage could accrue from the annulment of the June 12 election, the death of Abiola and his wife, Kudirat to the Abiola family if not Mubashiru himself. For Mr. Mubashiru also made loud complaints about failure to compensate the family for the financial loss suffered by the family (Abiola?). While he may be right to demand compensation for losses deliberately brought on Abiola’s businesses by the military, the self-appointed spokesperson of the Abiola family has no business talking as if his membership of the extended Abiola family confers on him special rights to speak on the larger issues concerning the June 12 election.

If as a friend of Abiola, Babangida has been of assistance to Abiola’s family, it is insensitive of Mr. Mubashiru to make this point at the same time people, many of who suffered serious losses, including bereavement and bodily harm- it is crass of Mubashiru to choose the time such people and others are calling attention to more fundamental issues raised by the June 12 election to announce Babangida’s generosity to him or his own part of the Abiola family. For it is now clear Mubashiru couldn’t have been speaking for the entire family.

If the June 12 election and the battle to accord MKO Abiola recognition has been dogged by controversy, it is statements like Mubashiru’s that complicates what should ordinarily be a simple matter. He has turned a serious matter of principle into one of cheap pursuit for lucre. The disgrace is his and the so-called family he claims to speak for.

and communications grids, schools, healthcare, water works, etc.). Under a parliamentary system, the tenure of a dynamic and truly transformative leader would be subject only to the popular will.

Left to me, I would say that if only for his bold commitment to building a light rail transport system in Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola ought to remain in office for as long as his electorate returns him. Vision and dedication to the common good being so rare among our politicians, we ought to be able to retain the few who display these qualities to any appreciable degree. A parliamentary system enables this and, even better, the electorate does not have to wait till the end of an electoral cycle before ridding itself of a corrupt or inept government: elections can be called at any time as a referendum on the party and persons in power.

Still, it is true that without statesmen and women, no form of government is any good.

“For forms of government let fools contest,” the great English wit, Alexander Pope, proclaimed in his Essay on Man, adding that: “Whate’er is best administer’d is best.” I agree insofar as Pope presumes selfless men and women who can be trusted to rise above the claims of this or that ideology or social system. Unfortunately, these are not the kind of men seeking to persuade us that in order to advance democracy, we must first constrict and weaken it.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 21

Why we detained NLNG vessels — NIMASA

By GODFREY BIVBERE & IFEYINWA OBI

T

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has said that it detained the three vessels belonging to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) due to its failure to pay levies due to and its lack of respect for the Nigerian government.

Speaking with Vanguard on the issue, a NIMASA official who does not want his name in print explained that the detention, was made on Saturday.

He explained that contrary to claims by NLNG that NIMASA is lawless, it is the officials of NLNG that are lawless, because despite the intervention of government and the directive to settle out of court, NLNG seemed to have ignored the directive.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, NIMASA, Isichei Osamgbi, read in part, “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has today in its enforcement of Nigerian laws, served detention notices/orders on vessels belonging to/chartered by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (NLNG).

“This course of action was forced on NIMASA by the NLNG’s subsequent refusal or/ and failure to abide by the outcome of the negotiated settle-

ment arrived at through the mediation process it willingly instigated and subscribed to after reaching agreement with NIMASA on its outstanding debt and paying $20m out of it and its continued flagrant disregard for Nigerian laws.

“Contrary to NLNG’s position, NIMASA is not aware of any court order against it or any suit brought by NLNG against

NIMASA. “By its action, the NLNG has trivialised the mediation process and the position of the Federal Government of Nigeria whose Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation owns and holds 49 per cent of the shares in NLNG and which endorsed the agreement reached that NLNG should pay its taxes/levies and observe all its obliga-

tions under the laws of Nigeria in which it is operating.”

A statement by Kudo EresiaEke, spokesperson for NLNG, had described the action as a flagrant disregard for court order, stating that LNG Enugu, LNG Oyo and LNG Imo, were barred from accessing or leaving the company’s loading bay.

“The potential implications of this current action by NIMASA

From left: Mr Kofi Akyea, Marketing Executive, Anglophone West Africa, Moneygram; Mrs Chinelo Ezenwa, Head, Customers in Diaspora and Remittance, Mainstreet Bank and Mr Kehinde Omoshola, beneficiary during the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of Moneygram Girlchild Education Initiatives, in Lagos. PHOTO: LAMIDI BAMIDELE.

Nigeria receives N2.08trn from global agencies

By DOTUN IBIWOYE

N

IGERIA has received a total of N2.08 trillion ($13 billion) from international donor agencies under the Country Assistance Framework, CAF, as at the end of 2012, according to a report on CAF programme for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to the report sighted by Vanguard, the fund was invested in key sectors of the economy, ranging from agriculture, water and sanitation, governance, environment, infrastructure, human development among others.

The international donor agencies which constitute CAF are: World Bank, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, United States Agency for International Development,Canadian International Development Agency, Embassy of Japan.

Others are Embassy of China, European Union, High Commission of India, Japan International Cooperation Agency, United Nations System and Agence Francaise de Develop-

ment.

A breakdown of the distribution of the funds shows that Agriculture received $1.33 billion, water sanitation — $1.795 billion, governance-$1.89 billion, infrastructure-$3.72 billion, human development -$3.131billion , multi-sector $15.74 million, private $553.15 million and environment $540 million .

According to the report, the lack of official data at state level, with harmonized definitions and classifications comparable to those for the federal government is an issue which the country needs to tackle.

This further complicates the formulation of fiscal policy and the monitoring of its implementation at different levels of government.

On the risk and migration strategies in Nigeria, the report noted that there are several risks to the CAF’s implementation, including insecurity, a politically fluid situation leading to the 2015 elections, vested interests, regional instability, as well as economic volatility related to the fluctuation of oil prices.

It added that it also aims to be can-

did about identified risks and their impact - direct or indirect - on its implementation and states that the most important risk pertains to the security which remains challenging.

On the lingering global financial crisis, the international donor agencies also affirmed that Nigeria made a major step in responsible macroeconomic management by creating the Excess Crude Account, ECA, as a fiscal reserve fund in 2004 which was subsequently used to finance a fiscal stimulus package that maintained economic demand and rapid growth.

However, they noted that the remaining institutional vulnerabilities surrounding the ECA which surfaced visibly when political pressures led to excessive ad hoc withdrawals from the ECA, places Nigeria’s reserve position and financial stability at risk.

The States Governors Forum is also part of what CAF seeks to support as a state-level platform for dissemination of knowledge and experience and provision of flexible support to

on Nigeria LNG operations are enormous and would impact negatively on its international

Saipem wins $3bn Nigerian contract

By ADEBADE ADEJIMI with agency report

I

TALIAN firm, Saipem has secured a $3 billion (N480 billion) contract from Total for engineering and construction work on a subsea facilities for development of the Egina field off Nigeria.

The work is due to take place in 2016, and the field is expected to come on stream fully in the second half of 2017, about three years behind the original schedule.

The contract will see Saipem undertake the engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation and precommissioning of 52 kilometres of oil production and water injection flowlines It will also deliver 12 flexible jumpers, 20 kilometres of export pipelines and 80 kilometres of umbilicals, as well as mooring and offloading systems, with installation work to be carried in 2016 and 2017.

Saipem said most of the fabrication work will be carried out at its Rumoulumeni yard in Port Harcourt in line with Nigeria’s local content requirements.

Total will use a floating production, storage and offloading vessel to develop the deep-water field, located in a water depth of 1700 metres.

120.0

1.3

2,151.00

-20.00

17.02 101.02

+0.11

94.97

+1.28

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

0.28

154.75 155.25 237.8198 238.5882 202.6761 203.3309 166.6128 167.1512 1.5839 1.589 0.2924 0.3024 233.4406 234.1948 25.2273 25.3093 41.2623 41.3956 27.3918 27.4803 234.1987 234.9554

SELLING 155.75 239.3566 203.9858 167.6895 1.5942 0.3124 234.9491 25.3913 41.5289 27.5688 235.7121

CBN Exchange rate as at 25/06/2013

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

T

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, in 2010 came up with the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative, MDRI, as part of efforts to boost insurance penetration in the country. Part of the objectives of the MDRI is to enforce the compulsory insurance under the Insurance Act of 2003. But so far, greater number of the general public is yet to buy into the initiative.

The reason is not farfetched. The Nigerian public to a very large extent has a negative perception about insurance. Although the sector is changing for the better, it has not been easy to convince Nigerians.

Unfortunately though, this poor perception is negatively affecting the growth of the sector, it is high time Nigerians began to see insurance in a new light.

Oftentimes, nigerians say that there is no value attached to insurance, but the truth is that insurance offers a lot of value.

Take for instance, people think that putting on the seat belt in a car is to prevent law enforcement agents from arresting them, whereas the purpose is to save lives.

There is no gainsaying the obvious that the loss of confidence from the general public in the insurance sector is as a result of indiscipline.

Insurance operators on their part, know that indiscipline and unprofessionalism have impacted negatively on their businesses over the years, as such, are employing all positive means to win back the confidence of the general public.

An insurance practitioner once said “We insurance practitioners are not disciplined professionals and as long as we remain indisciplined, some of those practices that we come out and criticise openly and go back to privately will continue.”

The compulsory insurances Compulsory insurances are those classes of insurance made compulsory by law, with the objective of providing protection to third parties and the general public. The following types of insurance are compulsory in Nigeria: . Builders Liability – under the Insurance Act 2003/under the Lagos State Building Control Law 2010 . Construction All Risks . Occupiers Liability – under the Insurance Act 2003 and Lagos State Law . Employers Liability – (Group Life) – under the Pension Reform Act 2004 . Healthcare Professional Indemnity – under the NHIS Act 1999 . Motor Third Party Liability – under the Insurance Act 2003 Builders Liability Insurance This type of insurance requires that all owners or contractors of buildings under construction (more than 2 floors), must purchase to provide compensation in event of bodily injury, death and property damage to workers at construction sites and affected members of the public in the event of collapse of the building and other construction risks. The penalty for noncompliance is N250, 000 plus three years imprisonment. Record of conviction, sealing-off and demolition of the building are the penalties provided under the federal and Lagos State laws.

Occupiers Liability Insurance

From left: Mrs. Gbolahan Khadijat Daodu, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB; Mr. Omar Hafeez, Managing Director and CEO, Citibank Nigeria Limited; Mr. Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, Regional Coordinator, South West, Nigeria for the UK Department for International Development, DFID and Taiwo Lanre Lukman, Education Secretary, Eti-Osa Local Government Area at its 2013 Global Community Day (GCD), in Lagos.

Compulsory insurance products and you This type of insurance requires that all owners or occupiers of public buildings, whether private or public, to provide under the National Insurance Act 2003 and the Lagos State Building Control Law 2010. A “public building” is any building that is not 100 per cent used by the owner for residential purposes. Public buildings include tenement houses, hostels, residential buildings occupied by tenants, lodgers or licensees, and any other building to which members of the public enter and exit for the purpose of educational, recreational or medical services (e.g. schools, cinemas, hospitals, malls, petrol stations, etc).

Occupiers Liability Insurance provides compensation in events of bodily injury, death and property damage to the business users and members of the public in the event of building collapse, fire, earthquakes, storm or flood.

The penalty for non-compliance is N100, 000 plus one year imprisonment, and sealing-off or demolition of the building under the federal and the Lagos State laws.

Employer’s Liability (Group Life) Insurance This type of insurance requires that all employers of labour with more than four employees are required to have under the Pension Reform Act 2004.

The law requires the employers have insurance that will provide for compensation in the event of death, disappearance, disability, or critical illness suffered by staff while in service and to subsidize pension provision in the event of mental or physical disability. This law applies to both public and private sector employees.

This means that employees (and their families) have the right to demand compensation and payment from their employers in the event of injury or death. The penalty for non-compliance with this law is N250,000, record of conviction, and in addition the place of business may be sealed up.

Healthcare Professional Indemnity Insurance This type of insurance requires that all licensed health care providers and medical practitioners (such as doctors,

nurses, pharmacists, etc) are required to have under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) 1999. The law have insurance that will protect their patients in case of accidents or fatalities (death) resulting from professional negligence. This type of insurance provides compensation to patients and their relatives in the event of involuntary murder, disability, shock and injury suffered by patients as a result of the negligence of Health Care Providers. The penalty for non-compliance with this law is a possible revocation of licence by the National Health Insurance Council, a record of conviction, and sealing-off of the premises.

Third Party Motor Liability Insurance This is the minimum insurance that all owners and drivers of motor vehicles, motorcycles and special type vehicles plying the Nigerian roads are required to have under the National Insurance Act 2003. The third party motor liability insures the motor vehicle against liability as to death, bodily injury or damage to property of a third parties arising from the use of the vehicle. The penalty for noncompliance is a fine of up to N250,000 plus one year imprisonment.

CIIN urges insurance firms to develop SMEs

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

C

hartered insurance institute of Nigeria, CIIN, has called on insurance firms to ensure that the Industry should be in the vanguard of promoting medium and small scale enterprises in line with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

It said this during the institutes 2013 International Education Conference, held in Lagos, with the theme “The Nation in Transformation: Repositioning the insurance industry”

It said that operators should take their human capital development more seriously with a view to entrenching an enduring succession plan.

According to the CIIN, the Insurance Industry is facing serious challenges from the less than optimal financial literacy in the country, to this effect, the Industry should put the necessary machinery in place for up-scaling its on-going awareness creation.

It said, that modern Insurance is highly technology-driven, necessitating the need for Insurance Institutions to deploy cutting-edge technology in

order to square up with the growing trends engendered by the National Transformation Process across all Sectors of the economy According to the CIIN, the Insurance Industry should promote fruitful partnership with other relevant bodies and agencies in order to create beneficial synergies in business promotion.

“That the Insurance Industry should take a sterner look at the issue of corporate and individual practitioners’ market discipline by putting in place a disciplinary system that is compatible” it said

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 23

Why state govts should key into pension scheme

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

T

he Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, became opera tional in 2004 with the enactment of the Pension Reform Act 2004.

Unfortunately, of the 36 States in the country, not more than 10 states (22 per cent) can effectively be considered as near full-compliant to the scheme.

This is because many state governments have refused to enact their own Pension Act as stipulated by the Act. Consequently, these state governments have continuously deprived their workers of the benefits of the CPS. However, for workers in these states, it is time to make the scheme compulsory at both states and local government levels.

That the pension fund is growing on daily basis is not new, however, the fact that it is taking many state governments such a long time to enact their own pension law and cue into the scheme is cause for worry. More worrisome is the fact that it is these same states governors that have been falling over themselves to access the pension fund through bonds in the guise to improve infrastructure in their various states.

According to statistics, states are major beneficiaries of the pension fund. Pension fund investments in state bonds grew significantly by 106 per cent from N34 billion in 2009 to N70 billion in 2010 and currently stands at over N100 billion.

As regards this, it is only rational that state governments take up implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme in their respective states.

Recall that as part of measures to safeguard the pension fund from falling into wrong hands, as well as ensure that state government’s key into the scheme, the National Pension Commission, PenCom, obtained the support of the Debt Management Office, DMO, by making it a condition that state governments desirous of obtaining bonds must key into the contributory pension scheme. Unfortunately, some states that hitherto were seeking to raise bonds, subtly abandoned the move.

What the law stipulates The Pension Reform Act 2004 stipulates that state governments should enact their own pension Act; however,

L-R:Immediate past President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, Mr. Wole Adetimehin, Mr. Akintola Williams and Mr. F.K.Lawal, new CIIN President at the Educational Conference of CIIN. findings show that a greater percentage of the states that have passed the enabling Pension Bill are not funding their employees’ accounts while some that commenced funding stopped midway.

The way forward The pension Act for states serves as a platform to source for pension fund investments in proposed state bonds.

Accordingly, there is the need for states to buy into the scheme fully by enacting their own laws as well as funding the accounts of their employees in order to sustain the scheme.

Since the old pension scheme is now defunct, it is only rational that every worker in Nigeria have a funded retirement savings account because pensions and retirement benefit is arguably one of the most fundamental right of every worker irrespective of the type and nature of employer.

The CPS It will be recalled that the Pension Reform Act (2004) was enacted on 25th June, 2004 by the Federal Government of Nigeria and came into effect on 1st July, 2004.

This pension reform led to the establishment of a Defined Contributory (DC) scheme due to the prevailing pension crisis during that period which

were evident in pension deficit estimated at about N2.3 trillion in 2004; irregular payment of entitlements to pensioners; existence of ghost pensioners in the public service; death of pensioners on verification queues; mismanagement of pension assets by fund managers and unstructured and unfunded private sector schemes among other reasons.

Therefore the key objectives of the PRA 2004 are to ensure the prompt payment of benefits; to develop an efficient savings culture among Nigerians towards old age; to empower workers both in the public and private sector; to develop a uniform regulatory and supervisory framework; to develop a simple, transparent and sustainable pension system; to encourage wide coverage and ensure that every person who has worked receives retirement benefit; as well as to establish a uniform set of rule, regulation and standards for administration and payments of pension.

The reform is meant to ensure that every person who has worked in either the public or private sector gets retirement benefits as and when due and to help improvident individuals to save toward catering for their livelihood during old age.

PEFON charges professionals to build better Nigeria

F

ounder of the Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria PEFON, Mr. Dipo Bailey, has charged professional people in governance to create a better Nigeria and create better future for the younger generation.

Bailey said this during the maiden edition of the PEFON induction ceremony in Lagos where 40 new members were inducted into the foundation.

He said, “PENFON plans to increase its members across the country. It aims to identify the Nigerian professionals at home and abroad who wish to be part of the foundation.”

From his observation, he said that there were not enough professionals in different fields in the country.

Bailey said that part of the objectives of PEFON was to recognize those who have excelled in their chosen professions and also to raise a scholarship fund to assist the young ones to study and become professionally qualified.

He said that PEFON plans to assist professionally qualified ones to be employed as much as possible, and also to organize fora to seek ways of developing Nigeria further.

“The foundation plans to recognize those who, even though are not pro-

fessionals, have established conglomerates that have employed a large number of professionals, such as the builders of professionals,” he said.

Chairman, Board of Trustee, PEFON, Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said the foundation has set a task in promoting high ethical standard in the country, adding that it would grow and be useful in mentoring the younger generation.

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BRIEFS

Grassroots awareness based NGO takes off ransparent Protection Limited T (TPL), an insurance industry watchdog and grassroots awareness

mobiliser has been launched in Abuja.

A statement by its Programme Manager Godson Ibekwe-Umelo, said the event brought together captains of the industry and other stakeholders, adding that the organisation is set to revolutionalise the industry through enhancement of transparency and grassroots awareness creation.

He said the event was chaired by a renowned activist and legal luminary and Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Anselm Chidi Odinkalu and the keynote address presented by the Chairman House of Representative Committee on Public Petitions, Uzor Azubuike.

He noted that the former President Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Dr. Wole Adetimihin also graced the event.

He said the participants expressed worries on why the sector ’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has remained abysmally low at less than one per cent in spite of its huge potentials and noted that governments’ support for the ongoing enforcement of ‘No premium- no-cover’ provision of the Insurance Act 2003 is a step in the right direction.

Ibekwe-Umelo said the participants were also worried over the delay by the executive in passing the Insurance Bill into law, saying that it is a major obstacle in realising the necessary reforms in the sector.

He said concerns were also raised on the Market Development Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) which is the sector’s approach to the Financial Sector Strategy (FSS2020) and is yet to deliver on the industry expectations and the need for partnership with the civil society to enhance awareness which is still very low.

He said the participants recommended that the industry must refocus to strengthen and support necessary development reforms and to boost public confidence for insurance through prompt settlement of genuine claims.

Member donates library to NCRIB

T

he Group President, International Consultants Group, Mr. Ahmed Salawudeen, has donated an ultra-modern library to the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) to enhance the knowledge of insurance operators.

The library is sited at the NCRIB Secretariat in Lagos and was named after the donor.

Salawudeen, at the commissioning of the library in Lagos, said the project was part of his contributions to the development of the insurance industry.

He called on operators to unite and form a common front towards developing the industry.

He lauded the contributions of past and present leaders of the broking profession and called on the present leadership to esteem discipline and professionalism.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

L

Trading in non-listed securities begins next week

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

N

ATIONAL Association of Securi ties Dealers (NASD) Plc will next week commence operation of an Overthe-Counter (OTC) market for the trading of non-listed securities.

The trading of the securities of non listed companies has been scheduled to commence on July 2, 2013, after the formal launch of NASD on the first day of July, with about 40 stockbrokers.

Speaking at a press briefing heralding the launch, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of NASD, Mr. Bola Ajomale, said NASD has expanded its share capital to over N500 million with about 60 shareholders, all capital market operators.

“NASD will not have a trading floor, but a virtual market that will work in two platforms; an internet based bulletin board, christened BITS (Bilateral Interdealer Trading System) by its developers and a hosted platform leased from the NSE. With both systems, we are sure we can be accessed from any part of the world,” he said.

Ajomal further disclosed that NASD’s mission is to fuel economic growth in the West African sub-region by developing and operating active

markets that adhere to the highest standards of performance and principles of integrity whilst also creating value for its stakeholders and the investing public.

He also stated that NASD had recently formalized its relationship with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) by partnering with it and has also signed pact with six major banks, which are settlement banks.

His said, “ we remain convinced and sure that by offering more liquidity and more transparency to the capital market, we are assisting this country with economic life, if you don’t have enough savings and investment in an economy, the economy will not grow, what we are doing is that we are providing a channel where savings can meet investment easily.”

Speaking on instruments to be traded on the platform, he said, “Being an over the counter market, we believe any investment that has been approved by the stock exchange for public consumption can be traded on our platform. We, however, will open up with equities and bonds many of which are currently being traded on the black market or grey market.”

FCMB group becomes holding company

BY PETER EGWUATU & NKIRUKA NNOROM

F

CMB GROUP Plc has assured its stakeholders of sustained growth following a successful transition to a holding company structure.

As a result of the successful transition, the Holding Company, FCMB Group, was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Monday, while the 19.04 billion ordinary shares held by the bank’s 529,632 shareholders were transferred to the new company.

Speaking at the Facts Behind Listing on the NSE on Tuesday, the Managing Director, FCMB Group, Mr. Peter Obaseki, said, the quest for sustained profitability would be driven by

improved net interest margin from accelerated retail lending and current and savings accounts growth; strong retail non-interest income growth of 50 percent year-on-year, as well increasing contribution from investment banking among others.

Under the new structure, shareholding in First City Monument Bank Plc have been exchanged one for one for FCMB Group Plc’s shares, effectively making the former shareholders the owners of FCMB Group, in the same proportion as previous holding in the bank.

According to Obaseki, “the implementation of the strategies would result in 23 percent loan growth within the year and an average annual PAT growth of 35 percent in the next three years.

ET ME say at the beginning that I use the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, service between Mile 12 Ikorodu Road and Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island. The Lagos State Government, LASG, through its organisation the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, granted a franchise to Lagos NURTW 1st BRT Cooperative Society Limited, NURTW Coop, to operate the bus service. Ecobank Nigeria is involved in the financing of the buses used on the service and Ecobank Nigeria is the producer and custodian of the tickets used on the bus service.

I recall that during the most recent partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos passenger volumes increased significantly on the BRT service. NURTW Coop officials took a lot of trouble and time to pack passengers into the buses at each stop. The revenues of NURTW Coop must have been enhanced during the partial closure period. Governor Fashola of Lagos State confirmed in a recent television interview with Angela Ajetunmobi that NURTW Coop had paid for the buses in service but that there had been no reinvestment by NURTW Coop.

The result is that there are far fewer buses in operation on the BRT route today than the number of buses in use a year ago. NURTW Coop officials now pack even more passengers into the buses than the number of passengers during the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge. What can we do to improve upon the service now rendered on the BRT route by NURTW Coop?

We shall start with the more difficult

that it is. The LASG has taken a substantial World Bank loan for the reconstruction of Ikorodu Road from Mile 12 to Ikorodu Town Roundabout. The reconstructed road would provide BRT lanes between Mile 12 and Ikorodu Town Roundabout for the first time.

The justification for the investment on the reconstruction of the route is the number of journeys that BRT buses would make on the route. It is obvious that NURTW Coop cannot provide the required service on the route. LAMATA should, as a priority, appoint a second operator to provide bus service between Ikorodu Town Roundabout and Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos alongside the service provided by NURTW Coop.

Arrangements should be made with a second bank to provide financing for the buses to be used by the second operator. I note that the present ticketing system is suitable for having only one operator on the route. It may be that passengers would have 2 sets of tickets and have to present the ticket appropriate to each operator to enter a bus.

However, I believe alternatives can be worked out for the convenience of all parties.

Ecobank Nigeria can and should prepare a turn-around plan for NURTW Coop. This should be considered as an important social responsibility. I believe NURTW Coop should be made to accept a technical management distinct and separate from NURTW. NURTW Coop should have a supervisory role as shareholder over the technical management. Ecobank Nigeria knows how and when the revenues came in that

It is obvious that NURTW Coop cannot provide the required service on the route. LAMATA should, as a priority, appoint a second operator to provide bus service between Ikorodu Town Roundabout and Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos alongside the service provided by NURTW Coop

,,

From left: Managing Director/CEO, ABC Transport, Frank Nneji; Anchor Person, Fidelity SME Forum, Martin Udogie; Executive Director, Lagos and South West Bank, IK Mbagwu and Divisional Head, Managed SME, Ken Opara at the maiden edition of the Fidelity SME Forum on Inspiration 92.3FM, Lagos.

Transportation Blues

issues. LAMATA has a half-hour television programme on Lagos Television, LTV. The programme is essentially for the public to be educated about the BRT service and there is a portion of the programme during which the pubic can call in by telephone and direct questions at the programme’s moderator and the guest, usually a LAMATA official.

NURTW Coop officials should be invited to appear on this television programme such that they can inform the public of the problems they have in operating the bus service. The public will also have the opportunity to direct comments and questions at the NURTW Coop officials.

When the BRT service was being initiated, the LASG gave the franchise to NURTW Coop such that the transport unions would not resort to violence and prevent the service from going into operation. The transport unions may have come to believe that the franchise is their absolute right and not the priviledge

made it possible for NURTW Coop to pay off the initial loans taken for the buses. If it has been possible for NURTW Coop to operate the BRT bus service at a profit, it should be possible to do so again and again.

The lesson from all of these is that a franchise arrangement for the bus service should include the level of investment that the holder of the franchise would be required to maintain each accounting year from now on. I believe the LASG provided the bank guarantees for the financing of the buses in the first instance and I believe the LASG can do the same again.

We are apparently entering the runin period into another election for Governor and the House of Assembly. I hope the LASG would take all the steps that are necessary to move all parties, LAMATA, the unions and the banks in the right direction. The public expects and deserves a better bus service than that currently provided by NURTW Coop.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 25

DIARY

Select ICT events Digital Services Africa 2013. Holds 2526 June 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

MTN rises in defence of widows' rights

Cloud World Forum 2013. Holds 26th-27th June in London, UK. Critical Communications World. Holds July 1-3 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

BY EMMA ELEBEKE & RUTH ODINIYA

VSAT Latin America. Holds Jul 2-3, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

M

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2013. Holds July 7-11, 2013 in Houston, USA.  International Telecoms Week.

Holds May 13-15 2013 in Chicago, USA.

Preview

New watch monitors your drinking

Watering hole: How internet hackers attack the rich through the poor •New attacking method wreaks havoc •Why data protection law is imminent in Nigeria

THE Kisai Intoxicated watch from Toykoflash will tell you when Happy Hour starts as well as when it’s time to stop drinking.

The watch features a built-in breathalyzer that can be accessed by uncapping a hole on the side of the watch and breathing over it for five seconds.

The watch will then respond with a color-coded screen: green for no alcohol detected, yellow for still within legal limits, and red if legally drunk, and the results are also displayed a bit more precisely by a bar graph.

Although there are other breathalyzers on the market already, most of them work with smartphones and require rather bulky extensions.

I N S I D E

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

A

LL through the world, from Asia to Europe, America to Africa, cyber espionage seems to be a common enemy at the moment. This is largely because the art of warfare is gradually shifting from physical to virtual. Heavy military presence and sophisticated war weapons are shrinking, melting into a small room with few Personal Computers and a few frail-looking youths behind them.

But at the end, these dismissible equipments fall big nations, large corporations and prominent persons far

Humanity and mobility systems: Imperatives for future of public transportation systems (3)

Samsung in All-in One PC

more than the heavy war machineries did.

Meanwhile, the hackers are not only inventing new war methods, but are also adapting and modernizing old war tricks, haul them online and wreck havoc with them.

Watering Hole

,

,

New inventions shaping life and living

MTN ENGAGES EXECUTIVES: From left, Mrs. Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, GM, Enterprise Sales; Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Babatunde Osho, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, all of MTN Nigeria, and Mr. Obinna Abajue; ED, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank at the MTN Business Executive Engagement Session, in Lagos.

From a recently released 160- page internet security report by renowned internet security experts, Symantec, a certain attacking method called the Watering Hole was identified to have caused major breakdown in the systems of even the most

Interestingly, watering hole is an old war art used by hunters who created little holes in the desert and filled them with water, waiting patiently for the animals to come, drink and get shot

secured corporate entities in the world.

To a hacker that adopts the watering hole method, it does not matter any more if a company is fortified as long as it has relations with others that are vulnerable. All it takes is the patience to waif until it leaves the secure zone.

Interestingly, Watering hole is an old war art used by hunters who created little holes in the desert and filled them with water, waiting patiently for the animals to come, drink and get shot.

The beauty of this method for a hacker is that he does not need to bother how to break into

TN Foundation at the weekend joined in calling for recognition of widows’ right in Nigeria. The Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma at a press briefing to mark the 2013 International Widows’ Day organized by MTN Foundation said that MTN joined the call for recognition of widows dignity because of its belief that protecting and respecting the rights of widows, irrespective of the culture, country and region they belong, deserved much awareness.

Citing a recent UN report on widows, she lamented that over 115 million widows are currently living in extreme poverty worldwide, along with their children. She however said that the number was expected to rise due to the incessant cases of armed conflicts that often lead to more male causalities.

She said that the foundation had begun intervention by organizing stakeholders’ workshop on widows’ concerns in 2011.

The event according to her, led to the conception of the MTNF Widows’ Empowerment Scheme, MTNF-WES, which provides business management skills and offered equipment support to Nigerian widows, who have no means of livelihood.

Those class of widows are selected from the six geopolitical zones of the country, even as she noted that about 300 widows have so far been selected as beneficiaries of the scheme.

Continues on page 30

How we plan to execute Nigeria’s broadband plan with CTO — NCC Stakeholders seek holistic approach to internet governance protection

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Humanity and mobility systems: Imperatives for future of public transportation systems (3) *SARTRE These days we think of road and rail transport as completely different things, but this distinction is set to become a little muddy as technology marches towards 2050.

One of the benefits of public transport in general is that it avoids the inherent chaos of personal transport where the decisions are made by individual drivers. “Follow-the-leader” systems are looking to solve this problem by using a lead vehicle that’s wirelessly linked to a series of other cars or “carriages” which follow its path autonomously. The system retains the flexibility of purely private trans-

,

*Solar-Bullet Project High-speed, alternative energy The quest for more efficient transport systems doesn’t necessarily have to come at the cost of speed. The SolarBullet project is a campaign aiming to bring highspeed (we’re talking 220 mph (354 km/h)) trains to Arizona using tracks equipped with solar panel carrying canopies that would provide the 110 megawatts of electricity that the system needs to run. The project is currently in the R&D phase but faces several hurdles (not the least of which is an estimated US$27 billion pricetag) before construction of the planned Tucson to Phoenix line can get underway.

While on the subject, solar isn’t the only alternative energy being considered for powering train networks. The T-Box envisions turbines incorporated into tracks that could be used to harness wind energy from the train as it whooshes overhead. *Contactless System While contactless systems that allow personal electric vehicles to recharge on the go are gathering momentum, these systems also hold potential for making mass transportation greener and more efficient. A realworld example of this technology has already been demonstrated in the form of a trackless “train” developed by researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The pilot project in Seoul’s Grand Park in Gwacheon City involved running an engine and three passenger cars using power supply infrastructure buried under the ground in sections of a 2.2 km (1.36 mile) long track.

So why not just charge the electric train at the socket? The advantage here is that the vehicle can operate with a battery that’s one-fifth of the size of batteries installed in electric vehicles currently on the market. While this means gains in efficiency, this needs to be weighed against the loss in efficiency caused by contactless charging, which in the KAIST experiment peaked at 74 percent. KAIST hopes to commercialize this technology within the next few years.

While space tourism based on more conventional rocket ships is a fast growing infant, there are also plans afoot to use “space trains” to launch passengers into orbit

port (i.e. vehicles can leave the train so that you don’t all have to end up at the same destination), the only additional infrastructure required is the computers that link the vehicles and the benefits for road safety, decreasing congestion and reducing vehicle fuel consumption are obvious.

This best of both worlds’ idea sits in the “very near future” category - a European project dubbed SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) project has been in progress since 2009 and was recently successfully demonstrated on public roads for the first time. *Space Tourism Some future transport concepts have loftier goals than just getting us to the station on time. While space tourism based on more conventional rocket ships is a fast growing infant, there are also plans afoot to use “space trains” to launch passengers into orbit.

Like the EET discussed Continues on Page 30

SAMSUNG Electronics West Africa, has announced the availability of a new All-In-One PCs series 7 into the Nigerian market.

The new All in One (AIO) PC builds on the premium aspects of the Samsung Series 9 Notebook with advanced engineering, craftsmanship and stylish design.

Driven by a 3rd generation Intel CoreT i53470T Processor, 6GB RAM, dedicated AMD Radeon HD graphics and a Full HD display with resolution of 1920 x 1080, the new AIO PC Series 7 embodies innovative sense recognition features such as 10-finger multi-touch screen control and hand gesture commands.

Speaking about the new product, the Head, IT Solutions, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Folashade Oyelayo said “the new All-in-One PC packages the best of Samsung’s precision engineering and premium design with top class performance and functionality. With its unique craftsmanship and boasting of the latest hardware and software, we predict that this new product will

Samsung in All- in One PC be accepted by discerning consumers.

"It offers a maximized home entertainment experience and is a perfect device for a family PC or desktop replacement. We feel that the All-in-One PC market carries enormous growth potential by taking convergence technologies to the next level.”

With the upcoming new Windows 8 platform, demand in All-In-One PC is expected to increase further as AIOs will have stronger as well as more convenient features, which is expected to replace the existing desktop PC in the market.

To provide such true ‘user benefits’, Samsung has perfected not only the hardware but also the software aspects to offer never seen before experiences.

The product is equipped with a 10-finger multi-touch screen -

a technological leap in interactivity, surpassing traditional two-finger multi-touch by providing full touch control using all ten fingers on an AIO PC. To enjoy its full capabilities as a home entertainment system, the new AIO PC has a viewing angle of 178 degrees vertically and horizontally, which makes watching a

movie with friends a true pleasure.

To further expand user benefits, the new AIO PCs have five hand gesture recognition features that conveniently let users control the device with just a flick of the wrist from up to a meter away, perfect for enjoying home entertainment.

Power and performance are ensured with a 3rd generation Intel Core i5 processor and 6GB RAM.

Glo moves up with new world class, managed data centre

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA

S

ECOND National Oper ator, Globacom, has moved into another area of the ICT business spectrum with the establishment of a state of the art internet data centre. The data centre in Lagos has about 20,000 square feet of repository space which the Nigerian business community can make use of.

By the way, a data centre is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, for the storage, management, and dissemination of data and information organized around a particular body of knowledge or pertaining to a particular business. With this development, Glo is poised to compete with world-class providers of similar services.

Conducting newsmen round the facility, Sanjeev Boyana, Globacom's head of IDC Managed Services said that the facility with its 20,000 square feet of space is part of Glo's data centre operations in different parts of the country. A fascinating aspect of the facility, according to Boyana, is the

power system, backed up with generators and a diesel stock of no less than 20,000 litres at any given time. In case of mishaps, the data centre itself is backed up at other locations, while the facility itself is protected with a stateof the art fire containment system that is designed to ensure minimal damage to equpment should the undesired happen.

Further, Glo announced plans to expand its existing data management platform by building another data centre in Abuja, the federal capital. The Abuja facility is planned to be Nigeria's largest and will be iconic, providing Tier 3 and Tier 4 enterprise data services.

The new data centre will provide network-based services, applications, equipment and cloud services in a highly safe and secure environment with backed ups.

According to Globacom’s Corporate Chief Information Officer (Information Systems), Mr. Cesar Camara, most of the websites and servers of various Nigerian organizations are hosted elsewhere across the world in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America due to unreliable power supply, insecurity and other challenges.

“This is why Globacom has stepped in to become one of the top players in the Managed Services Industry across Nigeria &

West Africa. We are leveraging on our existing telecoms infrastructure, Glo1 Submarine cable, reliable power supply network, experienced manpower and experience in building State-ofthe-art technologies for our existing voice and data telephony services,” he told journalists while conducting them round the Glo Data Centre in Lagos.

Data Centres, especially the Tier 3 and Tier 4 categories, which provide the highest level of failure proof, redundant, secure and safe environment, fault tolerance, compartmentalization and continuous cooling, are highly valued by most organizations because all mission-critical/real-time applications today depend on server uptimes.

“This make our high capacity Data Centres highly sought after by all categories of businesses including Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Financial Institutions, Oil and Gas, Educationists, Hospitals and Telecoms Service Providers,” Camara said.

He explained that Glo’s data centre has achieved 99.99% uptime for all our servers and systems because they are housed in a safe, fireproof and secure environment built to international standards with 24- hour power supply, internet connectivity, data backup capacity and redundancy for all equipment.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013—27

BuyRight Africa opens shop in Enugu

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

‘How NCC'll execute broadband plan with CTO’

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

F

ROM all indica tions, the Nigerian Communications Commission is planning to use the hosting of the next edition of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation forum in Nigeria, to facilitate the execution of the newly approved broadband plan in Nigeria.

This plan manifested as Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, last weekend, disclosed that the forum was deliberately pitched around broadband so that intricacies of implementation would be given adequate attention by stakeholders.

Juwah said the theme of the event, ‘Beyond Broadband’ will immensely benefit subscribers who have been having it rough with quality of service in recent times.

The forum, scheduled to hold in Abuja from October 7 to 11 is a synergy between the NCC and the Ministry of Communication Technology.

It is expected to provide an avenue for extensive discussion on the Broadband Plan 2013-2018 and woo investors to help in facilitating its achievement. According to Juwah, the programme will play host to about 20 foreign ministers of communications technology from around Africa, as well as other key industry experts both in and outside the country.

He reminded participants that he made broadband deployment one of his cardinal programmes when he assumed office over two years ago, stressing that effective deployment of broadband in Nigeria would usher a new phase of competition in the telecom sector. For him, “effective broadband deployment will put new economic powers in the hands of the Nigerian people wherever they may live. The Broadband Plan has the objective of promoting pervasive broadband deployment, increase broadband adoption and usage.” ”As the industry regulator, we are prepared to play our role in the broadband plan and ensure that through our

regulatory responsibilities and interventions, the plan is speedily and adequately delivered for use in the country.”

Also, Secretary-General of CTO, Professor Tim Unwin, lauded the Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2013-2018, describing it as an ambitious initiative. He also ac-

knowledged that the event would bring together regulators, governments, operators, vendors and Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and highlight solutions to broadband infrastructure, revenue management and security challenges. He, therefore, tasked government

and private sectors to collaborate with NCC and the ministry to ensure that the benefits of broadband for all are realised.

The broadband policy aims to connect 80 per cent of the population with broadband within five years.

NCC HOSTS NIRA: From left: Messrs Ubale Maska, Director, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, NCC; Sikiru Shehu, Financial Secretary, NIRA; Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, NCC; Dr Eugene Juwah, EVC, NCC; Mrs Mary Uduma, President, NIRA; Mr. Tope Fashedemi, Executive Board member, NIRA; and Dr. Sylvanus Ehikioya, Director, New Media and Information Security, NCC.

Juwah lists gains of approved broadband policy major cities shall have

BY EMEKA AGINAM

N

I G E R I A N Communication Commission, NCC, boss, Engr Juwah also revealed that the national broadband plans has been submitted by the presidential committee on broadband, even as the document has also received the approval of the President for implementation.

According to him, part of the objectives of the Nigerian National broadband plans were to promote pervasive broadband deployment, increase broadband adoption, and usage and ensure availability of broadband services at affordable prices.

He added that these were aimed at maximizing the socio political and economic benefits of broadband to the people.

“It is intended over the period of these plans to see more than a five-fold increase in the internet and broadband penetration figures. It is also intended that all state capitals and urban cities have metro fiber infrastructure installed.

“Certain estates and business districts within

fiber to the home or premises whereas on a national scale, it is the intention of government to facilitate full roll out by operating companies of 3G networks with the potential for immediate transition to 4G/LTE as spectrum becomes available” he explained.

He said that as the industry regulator, NCC was prepared to play major role in the broadband plan and ensure that through regulatory responsibilities and interventions, the plans is speedily and adequately delivered for use in the country.

A peep into policy document revealed that operators in the Nigerian ICT sector have identified challenges common to them as high cost of rights of way, resulting in the high cost of lease and transmission, long delays in obtaining permits, backhaul capacity constraints, multiple regulation and taxation at federal, state and local government levels, damage to fibre infrastructure during road works, lack of reliable, clean public electricity supply, lack of major green energy initiatives and supports.

D

IGITAL living is about to become the rage in the coal city of Enugu as Buyright Africa Dotcom, Nigeria’s top marketer of ICT products and home appliances, opens a branch in Enugu. The arrival of Buyright Africa Dotcom in the Upper Chime area in Enugu opens up new opportunities in education, commerce and good living for the residents of Enugu and its environs revealed Mr. Emomine Mukoro, Managing Director, Buyright Africa.

He said that Buyright Africa has perfected a number of innovative marketing schemes which will enable the exciting coal city to shed its provincial personality and transform to a 21st Century metropolis – the Nigerian Employees Digital Welfare Scheme, NEDWS, the Students’ Ownership Scheme, ZSCOP, and other schemes targeting offices, families and homes.

Mukoro noted that Enugu has a rich history as a regional and state capital and has the population, education and

religious institutions to reap huge benefits from the presence of Buyright Africa. He explained that NEDWS has the tools to digitalize the people and processes of this city often referred to as a ‘civil service town’.

Launched in 2012, NEDWS allows Nigerian Employees in both the public and private sectors to buy ICT equipment like Computers, Smart Phones, Printers, Scanners , projectors , UPS and home appliances like TVs, Refrigerators, Deep Freezers, Microwave, Electricity Generating sets of any brand of their choice from Buyright Africa with the convenience of paying over a period of 6 months. The intention of NEDWS and its partners is to build financial and moral integrity in the Nigerian Employee of the 21st century towards the development of a viable credit based society. NEDWS in Enugu, Mr. Mukoro added, would prepare the town and all the neighboring towns for the cashless society that is gradually going nationwide.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Erico applauds Eagles performance

By SOLOMON NWOKE

F

ORMER Green Eagles goalkeeper, Joe Erico has hailed the Super Eagles performance at the ongoing Brazil 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup describing it as a good step to greater things to come.

The former NEPA coach, Erico said the Confederations Cup has given the team handlers the opportunity to really see how far the Eagles can go when they qualify for the World Cup proper billed for Brazil next year. He lamented that the team lacks sharp finishers hence they crashed out of the tournament with only three points after beating the whipping boys of the group, Tahiti.

“The team’s performance at the tournament was quite good , it’s very good for us because it has given us the opportunity to really see how far we can go when we qualify for the World Cup. Luckily, we have the last World Cup qualifier against Malawi here and the experience from playing against the world’s best at the Confederations Cup will be of immense help to us.

Our strikers are lacking in speed off and on the ball. Today’s football requires quickness, a player must be fast and technically and tactically sound to cope. We saw how swiftly Fernando Torres scored against us. Before our defender could raise his foot, the striker had already nodded the ball into the net.

Our attackers require to be fast and sharp”, he said.

The former Eagles goalkeeper trainer, said he is a strong believer in youth development programme and he therefore, advised for the development of the youth by the nation’s football authorities.

•Keshi

CONFED CUP OUSTER:

You don’t experiment on a global stage, Ezeugo tells Keshi

By SOLOMON NWOKE

F

ORMER Super Eagles player,Emeka Ezeugo has said that although the Eagles were wasteful in front of goals during their Confederations Cup outings he never expected them to pull any surprise against world champions Spain and Uruguay, the South American champions.

Ezeugo said that not in his wildest dream did he expect the Eagles to get any result from Uruguay and Spain.

Rhetorically, he said. “did anyone expect that Nigeria would have beaten Uruguay, Spain or win the Confederations Cup? I mean the result was expected. What happened, happened.

The lesson we have to learn from it is that we need to come back and develop our football. The bitter fact remains that Spain are ahead of us. Europe is better in football than Africa.

“Spain are European and World Champions, they have a programme and a philosophy that internationally speak volumes. If that match is played 10 times we will not win because what we have is obvious. We have to look at the strength of the game and do analysis of the team, assess their strengths and their weaknesses. If we check all these, you’ll see that Spain were miles

ahead of us ”.

He reasoned that a championship of such magnitude was not meant to serve as a testing ground for inexperienced players. He singled out Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi as the only outstanding player in the Nigerian team.

Continuing, he said, “ you don’t experiment when you’re playing with a World Champion, You don’t take inexperienced players to go and play in the global sphere against the World Champions.

They were overwhelmed by the sight of the World stars like Iniesta and Xavi. Rather than play their game they were admiring them”.

F I FA U - 2 0 W / C U P:

Chukwu, Lanipekun, Dosu hail Flying Eagles F

OOTBALL stakeholders have commended the Flying Eagles for the 3-0 spanking of Cuba in the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, to improve their chances of progressing in the tournament.

The Flying Eagles would play against South Korea in a must-win match on Thursday.

The team currently has three points but would stand a good chance of progressing if only they could secure an outright win over the South Koreans.

The Koreans share four points apiece with Portugal that is sitting atop group B. Reacting to the match, Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles Coach, said on telephone that it was a good result, after losing their first

match to Portugal. Chukwu, however, urged them to build on the improvements that they exhibited in their second match, so as to secure a win against South Korea, to qualify for the next stage.

“I saw a lot of improvements in the match against Cuba, as opposed to the match with Portugal. “I am optimistic that as they progress in the competition, they will keep getting better,” Chukwu said.

He added: “They should play all their matches with seriousness. They should not underrate any of their opponents”.

Fabio Lanipekun, a Sport Analyst who said he was a believer in the team, noted that the Flying Eagles would deliver like they had always done in the past. “I know they will win their match against the South Koreans and with that, we have qualified to move to the next round.

... As team fly to Istanbul N

IGERIA will depart Kayseri Tuesday morning for Istanbul, where they will play their final U20 World Cup Group B match against South Korea.

Nigeria U20s got their World Cup campaign back on track after a 3-0 win over Cuba on Monday and they would now need a result on Thursday against second-placed Korea, who forced group leaders Portugal to a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Nigeria have spent a week in the central city of Kayseri, where they lost 3-2 to Uruguay before the win against Cuba on Monday.

“We really appreciate the support we have received in Kayseri and if it were possible, we would have to return,” remarked Nigeria coach John Obuh.

*Flying Eagles

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 29

FEDERATION CUP:

Shooting Stars survive cup scare

Pillars battle El Kanemi N

igeria champions Kano Pillars will battle El Kanemi in a round of 32 game in this year’s Federation Cup. Federation Cup round of 32 will take place on July 17 and it will be played on a knockout basis at a yet to be announced venues.

Another top clash in this round will see Sunshine Stars facing fellow premier league side Nembe City.

Federations Cup defending champions Heartland will commence their title defence against non-league Ingas of Enugu after they were drawn bye.

Six time Nigeria league winners Enyimba, who have won Nigeria’s cup competition twice, will battle Nigeria National League side Remo stars.

S

*Nazifi Ammani

Tension in Hear tland as pla Heartland playyer erss bo tt training boyyco cott T

he players of the Heartland FC of Owerri may have made good their threat to go on strike if the club failed to pay the 20 per cent sign-on fee owed them.

The players apparently boycotted their training since Monday to drive home the point.

The players were officially allowed two weeks of break at the end of first stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) which elapsed on Sunday.

They were expected to return to camp on Sunday and resume training on Monday but they did not turn up for training.

The NAN correspondent who visited the Dan Anyiam Stadium venue of their training on Tuesday reports that only the club’s coach, Ndubuisi Ndubueze, and its second team were at the training ground.

It would be recalled that prior to the break, the players had threatened to go on strike if the Imo government failed to settle their entitlements.

Coach Ndubueze said that the issue on ground did not fall within his jurisdiction to react, insisting that it was an adminis-

hooting Stars la boured to see off determined lower league side Gateway FC 3-2 in a 2013 Federation Cup round of 16 game.

In an explosive game played at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday, 3SC broke the deadlock with a first minute strike by Ighodalor Osagona.

The Abeokuta lads did not relent as Kingsley Ediwo equalised seven minutes later, before Gbolahan Salami restored 3SC lead in the 24th minute from the penalty spot.

Kingsley Ediwo completed his brace with another equaliser in the 34th minute, before Tony Edjomariegwe scored the winner for the premier league outfit in the 67th m i n u t e .

Shooting Stars will now meet Nigeria National League side JUTH FC in the round of 32 in a venue yet to be named.

Also in the cup competition, Akwa United defeated Yarma Light 2-0.

Ubong Ekpai gave Akwa United the lead, before Ezekiel Mba’s shot was deflected into Yarma net by their defender. *3SC

trative issue.

He acknowledged that some players had returned from the break but had yet to report for training.

Cajetan Nkwopara, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the club, said the management was still expecting the players to resume normal training.

Nkwopara said the management did not receive any strike notice from the players, stressing that it believed that the players would resume training.

WIMBLEDON 2013:

Serena eases into second round

S

erena Williams said she always feels the nerves entering the first round of a major.

There seemed to be few on Tuesday as the top seed and defending champion defeated Mandy Minella of Luxembourg 6-1, 6-3 to move into the second round of Wimbledon.

It was the 32nd consecutive victory for Williams and ran her record in 2013 to 442.It was Williams’ first match since she won the French Open in Paris two weeks ago.

Williams will face Caroline Garcia of France in the second round. Garcia knocked off Zheng Jie of China, who took Williams to three sets at Wimbledon a year earlier.The top seed on the men’s side Novak Djokovic was next up on Centre Court.

ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES Juth FC v 3SC Warri Wolves v Spotlight Abia Warriors v Kaduna United Enugu Rangers/Dan Lawan Samba FC v Makwada U. v Akwa United El-Kanemi W. v Kano Pillars FC Taraba v Gombe United Nasarawa U. v COD United Nembe City v Sunshine Stars MFM FC v Lobi Stars Remo Stars v Enyimba Dolphins v Akwa Starlets ABS v Bayelsa U./Prime FC Heartland v Ingas FC Julius Atete FC v Sharks Plateau United v Niger Tornadoes *Federer

Federer still has plenty of magic R

*Serena Williams

oger Federer may be 31 and on an inexorable decline. But he’s still in Wimbledon (cough, Rafael Nadal, cough), he’s defending champion, his path to the semifinals is wide open and, best of all, he still shows flashes of the magic that made him, once upon a time, the most dominating force in tennis.

As evidence, watch this where’d-it-come-from volley from Monday’s first-round win over Victor Hanescu

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

How internet hackers attack... are not typically initiated Continues from Page 25

Stakeholders seek holistic approach to internet governance protection

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

L

AST week, the 2013 Nigeria Internet Governance Forum ended in Abuja, with stakeholders calling for a more secure internet governance in the country.

They are of the view that when the Nigerian internet governance system is made more secure and users’ protection guaranteed, the economy will be better for it.

The also contended that it would not only insure the safety of the local operators but also erase the fears of intending foreign investors in the country. The multi-stakeholders event entitled: “ Internet Governance for Empowerment , National Integration Security through Multi-Stakeholders’ Engagement,” attracted government officials, stakeholders from the private sector, civil society organizations and representatives of the academia. In her address, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said that the event calls for the creation of a Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Teams (CERT) ecosystem with apex, sectoral and institutional, CERTs that will, as needed, serve as standby teams of experts that will respond to national emergencies.

“We have seen the number of internet users rose from 45 million in December 2011, to 48 million in June 2012.

That is three million new users in just six months.

“Figures we have from MTN, GLO, Airtel and Etisalat tell the same story; as at June 2012, total mobile internet subscription stood at about 25 million, by March 2013 an additional nine million new subscribers had been added bringing the total to 34 million,” she added.

According to her, it is expected that 10 percent increase in broadband penetration will result in a 1.38 percent increase in GDP. With approximately nine million additional people becoming Internet users each year in Nigeria, minister said that internet value as a channel for achieving inclusion cannot be overstated.

She urged participants at the event to ensure that 48 million people and an addition-

al nine million each year are empowered, integrated, and secured in their use of the Internet, as opposed to is empowered, disenfranchised and constituting a threat to Nigeria and her citizens.

Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Ernest Nduk-

we, underscored the need for a law that would protect ICT infrastructure and users from attackers. He stated that for the Nigerian internet community to make the right impact on the economy, a well articulated governance system has to be made safe for us-

ers to maximize its potentials. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Engr.

Eugene Juwah also said that for developing nations to play globally, they must have unhindered access to internet.

•From left: Former EVC of NCC, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe; Mrs Mary Uduma, President, NIRA and Communication Technology Minister, Mrs Omobola Johnson at the Nigerian internet governance forum.

the more secure sites of major organisations. He only would easily do so by targeting and infecting less protected companies that have links with the secure ones. The moment the secured organisations launch into the websites of their partners who obviously are vulnerable, the infected sites render them also vulnerable and open to attack.

What this means is that in the growing world of espionages and hackvitists, there may not be much difference between the rich and the poor, the weak and the powerful. All that would make sense is that the strong protects the poor; else the two would go down in one internet hack exercise.

Why new attacking methods sprout Before 2012, attacks were mainly carried out through spear phishing.

Spear phishing is an email spoofing fraud attempt that targets a specific organization, seeking unauthorized access to confidential data.

Spear phishing attempts

Humanity and mobility systems: Imperatives for future of public transportation systems (3) Continues from Page 26 above, the Startram system would use a superconducting, magnetically levitating train capsule in a vacuum tube. The difference here is that the final 12 miles (20 km) of the 1,000 mile (1,609 km) long track would point upwards, launching the “carriage” into low earth orbit. If that’s not futuristic enough, the plan sees the skywards pointing launch tube itself being held in place by magnetic levitation!

Conceived by Dr. George Maise along with one of the inventors of superconducting maglev, Dr. James Powell, the potential of this system to significantly reduce the costs of putting commercial cargo (and space tourists) into orbit is attracting serious discussion.

10. Space Elevator Another long standing and noteworthy concept that aims to democratize the process of getting off the planet is the space elevator. First theorized over 100 years ago, the idea of the space elevator is to use a cable tethered to a base station to send “climbers” into orbit at a fraction of the cost of rocket-based launch systems.

While there are a variety of designs, the key component of a working space elevator would be a thin tether made from lightweight material (carbon nanotubes are the prime candidate) that stretches from an anchor point or base station on or near the Earth’s equator to a point some 60,000 miles (96,560 km) into space. The Earth’s rotation and a counterweight on the upper end of the cable would keep the line taught and climbers (likely powered by solar energy) traveling at fast train pace would be sent up this futuristic beanstalk to deliver cargo and people into orbit and back.

According to the International Space Elevator Consortium (ISEC), the cost of transporting cargo in this way “will be significantly reduced in price to the realm of dollars per kilogram compared with over $20,000 per kilogram today.”

CONCLUSION Mobility is a key factor in man’s activities and plays a major role in his productivity and advancement. In modern living, it has become imperative for one to travel distances from place of residence to work places and business centers, this, coupled with rising popula-

tion density leads to traffic congestion which has adverse effects to the health as well as reduces productivity and creates a time lag.

Solutions to this problem lie in innovative and inspirational models of transportation and mobility systems. Nigeria should imbibe such systems in order to solve critical issues that plague our transport system as this would lead to a more efficient and productive society.

In as much as the models presented seem farfetched and almost impossible to achieve with the infrastructure on ground, the cue that we need to take is that Nigeria should device innovative means built upon indigenous technology to increase the efficiency of mobility; our challenges are specific and we are in the best position to develop solutions to address these challenges.

RECOMMENDATION *Future Space concept should be imbibed: development should be done with consideration of the future; adequate space should be provided so as to facilitate expansion and accommodate the possibility of future development. *Development of City Models: a model city is

one which encapsulates a residential zone, economic/business/trade zone, recreation zone all in different segments in that city. This makes for accessibility of services required for daily activities and reduces, to a large extent, the area to be traversed daily. *Government Policies: Government on its part should make it a point of duty to draw up and enforce policies on transportation; this would help regulate the development of transport systems as well as manage them appropriately. *Research and Development: a culture of research and development should be adopted. The benefits of R&D are immense; R&D would create solutions to teething problems in our transport systems and would also propagate best practices for managing the existing transport facilities/systems. *Innovation: is key towards the advancement of our transport systems. We need to think outside the box and break boundaries in order to come up with solutions that can revolutionize and overhaul the existing transport system. CONCLUDED.

Chris Uwaje is President of ISPON.

by random hackers but are more likely to be conducted by perpetrators out for financial gain, trade secrets or military information. The spear Phisher thrives on familiarity; he knows your name, email and a little information about you.

But in 2012, there was a massive drop because people are becoming more aware of protecting their mails and discarding spam mails. Many corporations invested heavily in data protection and general internet security, just as governments were more alert to activities that would compromise their policies and secret information.

Nigeria improves, but.....

Interestingly, the report shows how Nigeria has improved in security ranking in Africa, taking the sixth position in overall internet security profile in Africa. This position, however, comes behind South Africa, Morocco and a few others. The country also improved globally leaping from 59 to 68th position in global internet security ranking Despite these improvements Nigerian companies particularly the SMEs are still major targets. According to Symantec, in 2012 there were serious threat and attacks on particularly small and medium companies that did not have the financial base or knowledge to protect selves. Worse hit among these SMEs are the manufacturing companies, which the report still regards as major targets in 2013.

Data protection law to the rescue As a measure, Symantec challenged Nigeria to come up with adequate data protection law that would ensure that operators both of mobile services and financial services do not roll out services that would engage millions of Nigerians without taking into consideration that the data entrusted in their care are strongly p r o t e c t e d .

Perhaps if the country could imagine the huge loss, should one hack activity wipes out valuable data in the country ’s growing banking industry, oil, telecommunications and other sectors, it would be imperative to freely declare self a target now, launch nationwide awareness campaign on internet threats and developments, promulgate data protection laws and equip, defend the citizens better.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 31

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Vanguard Vanguard,,

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

— 33

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 ARIES: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment of your finances seek supporters of powerful ones.

TAURUS: Think of the best way to improve on your working pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to your creative self, things will work out fine for you. Be more loving.

GEMINI: Success is boldly printed on your cards today.

Think of both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies offered you but mother nature.

CANCER: You should not have it tough while trying to win the needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your friends who are creatively gifted.

LEO: Your creativity ...... is enhanced today and if you demonstrating this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and consolidate on your recent progress.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

guess the vast majority of the people will chorus the university is the best school in the world. This is not necessarily so.

Experience has shown that the best

The best education education has nothing to do with formal education.

If you think that the university alone has a mo nopoly of quality education, I want

to ask you, which university did Bill Gates, the computer wizard who established Microsoft computer graduated from? It is a well known fact that he is

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

a school drop-out.

The best form of education is that which you gave yourself because you want it. This can only happen through commitment, dedication and discipline...

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: As mercury goes on backward motion, it is important you don’t take things for granted. Watch carefully what you agree to do. But this is a good day for lovers.

LIBRA: CANCER: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working arena. This is a good day for lovers.

SCORPIO: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to show for your efforts. The more cooperative you are the better for you. Don’t neglect love.

SAGITTARIUS: You will need to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by other people. Be family minded.

CAPRICORN: Provided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative the better for you. Take your love life more seriously.

AQUARIUS: This is your day. Although you will need to be as secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: People who more influential than you will be willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary move. The more self assertive you are the better.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Would I succeed ?

Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born.

And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life because many eyes are on me? When would my success coming?

Anonymous, Lagos.

Dear Anonymous, You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday. You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final dispositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career. You are throughly a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself. Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable. Less than 50 percent of pushful influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person. Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your innerself Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

FUTURE TRENDS Around your 33rd birthday an endless cycle of great success and achievements will start for you. Oil-petrol chemicals will feature in your life when the predicted great cycle gets started for you so also fishing or fish farming.

Congratulation.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

FAAN/AKANDE LAND TUSSLE:

When national interest overrides personal interest A

COUPLE of months ago, during an inspection tour of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, queries were made about a vast parcel of undeveloped land, why it was left undeveloped when there was so much to do with it. An official who served as guide to the inspection team responded that the land in question was under litigation.

“FAAN is in court with Chief Harry Akande over the land. The land was awarded to Chief Harry Akande, a businessman and former BOT chairman of the ANPP. He got the concession under General Sani Abacha’s regime in February 17, 1998. His company, AIC Ltd, won a 50-year concession from FAAN to build a hotel on the land (11.654 hectares of land) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,” the official explained at length.

He informed further: “But, after the change of government in 1999, the approval for the permit was held back by the Obasanjo administration after a study of the process that led to the concessioning which showed that some things were wrong in the process.

In May 2000, FAAN wrote AIC/ Hilton to vacate the land stating irregularities in the concession process and concerns about the

proposed height of the hotel. But Chief Akande’s company maintained that the issue of the hotel’s height and some other related matters had earlier been resolved with FAAN’s previous management in a letter to AIC/Hilton conveying approval for the site plan, the structure and architectural designs”.

Following the stoppage of construction work, AIC’s General Manager, Administration and Business Development, Mr. Niyi Akande, said the company instituted a case against FAAN at the Federal High Court, Lagos which was decided in 2002 and referred to an arbitration.

Arbitration panel He said the arbitration panel headed by the late Justice Kayode Eso awarded $47 million as damages against FAAN, but regretted that the agency had not obeyed the ruling. He explained that the panel awarded the cost in respect of loss of income and left the issue of escalation of the cost to the court to handle. “We went back to court to challenge the arbitration. Prior to the ruling, the two parties agreed to an arbitrator. You present your case and whatever the arbitrator rules is supposed to be final and binding on both parties. But in this case,

the award was given in June 1, 2010 and FAAN has been contesting it in the High Court since then, using delay tactics.

“They filed a case in court which they did not pursue diligently; they came with different excuses for adjournment and while they were doing this, they wanted to illegally take over the land. We still have a 50-year lease and it is still subsisting on this land. There is a court injunction which is still subsisting. We did not go through the back door. They leased the land to us; we signed an agreement and we did not just come here to take the land. FAAN should obey court decisions,” he said before last Friday’s judgement.

He said FAAN had encroached upon the property and started converting a portion of it into a parking lot. Besides, he alleged that there is a conspiracy against the company. “Somebody wants AIC Limited out of this land but the law of the country says that if you are in possession of a land even if by illegal means, you cannot be ejected unless by the court, but in this case we are even here by legal means. FAAN gave AIC Limited the legal possession for 50 years and we have not even reached a quarter of those years.

If they are in a hurry, they should wait; when the lease... is over, the land goes back to them,” said

Akande. But FAAN justified the withdrawal of the concession, saying it did so for security reasons.

The agency’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Mark Jacob, said perceived threat to aviation security had informed the stoppage of work at the proposed site of the hotel.

He maintained that “there is no country in the world where a ho-

,

By JUDITH UFFORD

hotel. It is a huge sum; we are not talking of N47 million. The matter is pending in court,” he said before judgement was delivered. On why proximity to the apron or any other sensitive part of the airport was not taken into consideration before the concession was signed, Jacob maintained that it was an oversight.

So when judgement was given last week by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in favour of FAAN, AIC Ltd screamed blue murder, threatening to appeal the judgement. The presiding Judge who consolidated three suits: Suit No. FHC/906/ 2010 FAAN vs AIC Ltd., Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1058/2010 AIC Ltd vs FAAN, and Suit No. FHC/L/CS/ 1239/2010 AIC Ltd vs FAAN, in his judgement, ruled that the

Although an error was made by granting the concession ab initio; it is not late to correct it for national interest, safety of passengers and other airport users; one man’s interest cannot override that of the nation

tel is built near a sensitive site of any airport.” He further said that although an error was made by granting the concession ab initio, “it is not late too correct it for national interest, safety of passengers and other airport users. One man’s interest cannot override that of the nation”. On payment of damages that the arbitration panel awarded to AIC, Jacob said FAAN considered the cost outrageous and challenged it in court.

“FAAN appealed the ruling. We are talking of $47 million for a company that did not put any structure at the site of the proposed

,

Arbitral Tribunal, which had awarded AIC Ltd the sum of $48, 124,000 mis-conducted itself and went out of its jurisdiction in rendering the final award between the parties on June 1, 2010. He, therefore, declared that the final award was null and void and thereby set it aside.

But observers are quick to note that this is one of the series of breaches of agreements by FAAN. They argue that Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, BASL, is still in court with FAAN over breach of a duly signed concession. But Sheri Kyari, an engineer and aviation Continues on page 35

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 35

Gender equality: Non-inclusion of women in governance, instrument for chaos — Experts

By EBUN SESSOU

M

ORE than 100 African business women converged in Lagos recently to lend their voices on the need for more women participation in politics, entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation as tools for nation building. The women who came from four African countries:Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa advocated for women participation, especially in politics.

Lamenting poor access to training, quality education and selfimprovement as the major reason for women’s lack of empowerment, they noted that if this is addressed, the country will L-R: Senior Programme Manager, Africa, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Celena Green; President/CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Alyse Nelson; Chairperson, Women in Management, be a better place.

The event, with the theme: Business and Public Service, WIMBIZ, Mrs. Adeola Azeez; Management and Strategy Consultant, Mr Adedotun Sulaimon; and Senior Advisor Africa Economic Development Policy, Open Policy “Why Africa is Rising” was or- Foundations, Obiageli Ezekwesili at the Supporting Public Advocacy for Regional Competitiveganised by Vital Voices Global ness (SPARC) Programme and Forum organised by Vital Voices Global Partnership and WIMBIZ Partnership and Women in in Lagos.

Management, Business, and Public Service, WIMBIZ. It has nations that are ready to make progress, as conveners leaders representing busijob to ensure that our voices and prioriadding that women empowerment only ness, government, civil society and the ties are not only heard, but acted upon brings about smart economics. Continumedia. to help and continue to change the ecoing, she observed that: “Most women Guest Speaker, Mrs. Obiageli Oby nomic landscape of our continent,” she across the globe rely on the informal Ezekwesili, who spoke on “Africa’s Womsaid. An entrepreneur and Chairperson, work sector for an income. If women en are the continent’s most visible secret Kenya Association of Women business were empowered to do more, the possiweapon” explained that the African conOwners, Eva Muraya, said the forum is bility for economic growth and develtinent can grow even faster if policies that an avenue to enable women use their opment will be enhanced. allow for equal participation of women businesses not only as sustenance but “Women must have access to training, and men are in place. also as instruments of creation of emhigher education and self-improvement According to her, women constitute half ployment, wealth, and advancement of in order to aspire to higher-paying jobs. of the population in Africa and their unglobal best practice within the continent.

It is never too late to acquire an educader-representation in social, political and tion. It is believed that continuous acaeconomic spheres must be addressed if Managerial demic improvement by women signifiAfrica is to leverage fully of the promise capability cantly determines how they can rise even She said that African countries have Women must have access to train- far much more than their similar commonality in the area of incluing, higher education and selfmale counterparts. Emsion as far as the issue is concerned. She, women protherefore, called on government to see improvement in order to aspire to powering vides more choices for the benefits of including women in parhigher-paying jobs women and creates feticipating in governance and leadership male role models and in different government parastatals. mentors in places where economic opand potential that it holds, adding that She called on the private sector to see portunities have historically been limitabout 30 percent of women participate the potential that resides in women’s ed. By investing in the success of womin economic activities, often in very limmanagerial capability. en, we invest in our own success and in ited ways. She stressed that any develAlso, President and CEO, Vital Voices the success of communities around the opment process that ignores the lifeGlobal Partnership, Alyse Nelson, said world,” she added. chances of half the population cannot women need to set up and be part of Mrs. Adeola Azeez, Chairperson of address the problem of poverty and the shaping and building stronger economy WINBIZ, contributing to the debate, crisis of sustainability. She added that and society in Nigeria and Africa in genstated that African women must no longin a global change, it is a necessity for eral. Her words: “The world is waking er allow themselves to be relegated to the development process to fully incorup to the reality that women are stronthe background. “It is time to step out porate an agenda for women’s empowger economic force. We have been workfrom behind middle-management roles erment by including women’s realities ing with women for the past 15 years. and widen our scope to encompass more in the fullest sense.

And in Africa, we have realised that womthan just daily roles of womanhood. ToSaid she : “According to the United Naen are not just economic force but also day, we must begin to take a lead role in tions Population Fund, women are still tremendous global leadership force. We changing the global view of Africa. much more likely than men to be poor identify, invest in and bring visibility to “However, we must also take measures and illiterate. They usually have less extraordinary women around the world to address the fact that more than any of access than men to medical care, propby unleashing their leadership potential our female counterparts across the globe, erty ownership, credit, training and emto transform lives and accelerate peace the African woman still faces unique barployment. They are far less likely than and prosperity in their communities. riers created by tradition, poverty and men to be politically active and far more “Vital Voices recognises that women illiteracy. We are rising but pace is slow. likely to be victims of domestic violence. are powerful engines of economic growth We are working towards change but acWhen women are empowered, whole and social change. Through SPARC, Viceptance of our views is lacking. families benefit, and these benefits often tal Voices and partner businesswomen’s “So today, as we come together, we must have ripple effects to future generations.” associations are working together to endo so, not just as women, but as key inShe further stated that economic emable women to fully participate in their fluencers, who through our actions have powerment of women is an important iseconomies”. the ability to begin to create channels of sue and should be taken seriously by change for women within Africa. It is our families, communities, organisations and

,

FAAN / Akande land tussle: When national interest over rides personal interest Continues from page 34 stakeholder sees no breach. According to him: “Some of us had for many years condemned the siting of that project at that location for security fears knowing the peculiarity of our nation. However, the powers that be gave in. The reversal is very much in order and should be greeted by all Nigerians with great applause. It’s the right thing the court did. FAAN should take possession without delay and save the nation another tragedy.”

But this was not the view of Mr. Clement Udegbe, a legal practitioner. For him, the announcement by FAAN’s spokesman, Mr. Yakubu Dati to the effect that the place will now be opened up for hotels, resorts, etc, is questionable. “What difference is there in what AIC was meant to do in the concession?” he queried. “If FAAN will use that portion for the same general kind of use, why not with AIC?” he reasoned.

On the issue of fairness to AIC Ltd, Kyari stated thus: “While Akande might not have been treated fairly, I guess he knew the country he is in and the many objections that followed the allocation”.

Procurring the concession But Udegbe differed slightly, arguing that AIC should be entitled to some compensation to cover the costs of procuring the concession, bringing in all kinds of specialists as required with such huge projects and cost of litigation. “The Federal Government should set up a committee to look into their grievances and sort AIC out. Or expand the concession to reflect the current and new intention of government regarding that parcel of land,” he said.

The issue of public interest was also canvassed by Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Pat Anyadubalu. According to him: “Though I’ve not read the judgement on the said case, but suffice to say that a governor or president acting through the relevant minister can revoke land based on overiding public interest. Security obviously is a matter of public interest.

“There is, however, a caveat which is that government cannot revoke land based on public interest and later resell it to a private person for private use. The case of Nwocha vs Nwobodo is a good example,” Mr. Anyadubalu explained. But Kyari cautioned on the subject. He observed thus: “FAAN may not use the place for hotel for security reasons which borders on public interest.”

But in a press statement released last week Friday by FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Dati, after the judgement, the parcel of land in question, he said has become free for massive infrastructural development at the MMI under the aerotropolis project. This, he disclosed, include an ultramodern hotel complex, a multi-storey car park and other related projects, designed to expand facilities at the airport.

,

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 —37

I ‘II continue to serve my people conscientiously — AMAECHI

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has assured that he will continue to serve Rivers State conscientiously.

The governor gave the assurance while declaring open a three-day retreat for senior government officials in the state, just as he charged them to be active in driving the vision of his administration.

Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, on his part, noted that the retreat was among initiatives, lined up to take stock of projects being handled by the government.

In a statement, participants at the retreat lauded the administration of Governor Amaechi and called on the government to hold a summit on education with a view to developing the sector.

The participants also noted

Uduaghan, Alison-Madueke get PTI fellowship

BY EMMAAMAIZE & AK-

POKONA OMAFUAIRE

W

ARRI—THE Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State, is to confer Honorary Fellowship of the Institute on the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke for their contributions to the growth of the oil and gas sector in the country.

Other recipients are Director, Directorate of Petroleum Resources, DPR; Mr. Mac Ofurhie and Vice Chairman, ENI Group, Mr. Pagano. They would receive the award during the 2013 graduation ceremony of the institute, which commences, today in Effurun.

Acting Principal of the institute, Mrs. Nnena Dennar, during a pre-convocation briefing, said 4,820 technicians and technologists would be awarded National Diploma and Higher National Diploma, adding, “Out of this number, 109 passed with distinctions.

It may please you to know that about 75 per cent of them have been employed.

“This year ’s graduation is very unique as it coincides with PTI’s 40 years in the training of competent technical manpower for the country’s oil and gas industry. ”

that the activities of some individuals and companies in the state, had degraded the

environment and urged relevant ministries to accelerate work on all outstanding

projects, including the carbon credit project, and to complete the waste-to-wealth and scrapto-wealth projects before the end of the year.

DONATION: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right), presenting a cheque to Mr. Zik Okafor, National President, Association of Movie Producers, at Governor's Office, Uyo.

Homes submerged as flood hits Yenagoa

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA ENAGOA—SEVERAL homes in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have been submerged by flood following heavy downpour.

Though the rainy season is yet to reach its peak, many homes and roads especially those in the flood prone areas of Yenagoa are already under water.

The development is now causing anxiety among residents, especially with the recent warning by Nigeria Metrological Agency that states in the coastal part of the country

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would experience more rainfall with its attendant flooding.

Some of the affected families and business outfits were forced to resort to the use of pumping machines to drain water off their premises.

Our correspondent who went round the town noticed that many buildings in the Tombia, Edepie, Yenizue-Gene, Biogbolo, Yenizue-Epie, Ekeki, Onopa and Ovom areas had been overtaken by the flood.

A resident of Ekeki, who gave his name as Gabriel told Vanguard that he has been making

frantic efforts to salvaged his belongings from his submerged home following the heavy rainfall in Yenagoa.

He said: “It has not been easy for us, we are yet to reach the peak of the rainy season, but look at what we are suffering.”

He was not alone in this dilemma as other residents on Osiri Road were also overwhelmed by the downpour.

Another resident, Ebi Thomas, blamed the perennial problem on the absence of functional drainage in the neighbourhood as well as the low topography of the area.

Urhobo group petitions INEC over state constituencies cies 1 and 2, while Sapele coun-

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BY FESTUS AHON

G H E L L I — A group, Urhobo People Integrity Organisation, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, calling for the restoration of all the state constituencies originally created for Ughelli South, Sapele, Ethiope East and Ethiope West Local Government Areas, Delta State.

The constituencies were created by the defunct National Electoral Commission, NEC. Lawyer to Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu, Chief Ejaife Odebala and Chief Westham Adehor for themselves and on behalf of Urhobo People Integrity Organ-

isation, Mr. Ikimi Oghenejabor, in the petition, said: “During the civilian dispensation in 1991, your predecessor, NEC, created two state constituencies each for the Ughelli South, Sapele, Ethiope East and Ethiope West councils in Delta State.

“The above constituencies were created due to the geographical sizes of the aforesaid councils and on the strength of the various population census results of the 1991 population census with Ughelli South-105,785; Sapele-145,652; Ethiope West-105,861 and Ethiope East-113,929.

“Based on the above facts, Ughelli South council was divided into Ughelli South constituen-

cil was divided into Sapele Urban and Rural constituencies.

Ethiope West council was also divided into Ethiope West constituencies 1 and 2, while Ethiope East was divided into Ethiope East constituencies1 and 2.

“Under the current civilian dispensation, which commenced in 1999 and same midwifed by your commission, the aforesaid councils were stripped off of one state constituency each without a corresponding creation of new councils there-from and despite their geographical sizes and the population census results of the year 2006 with Ughelli South-212,638; Sapele-174,273; Ethiope West202,712 and Ethiope East200,942.”

Onolememen warns against cutting roads

BY GABRIEL ENOGHO-

LASE ENIN—MINISTER of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, yesterday in Benin, Edo State, warned communications companies that were in the habit of cutting highways to lay their optical fibres to desist from doing so, as the government would no longer accept such actions.

He said: “We will no longer allow that because we have a uniform template for the construction of federal roads today. We are providing lots for the special use of communications companies, which are passing optical fibre cables.

“In fact, the Minister of Science and Technology collaborated with me and my ministry to ensure that we adopt a policy that will put an end to the indiscriminate cutting of our carriage ways. We will no longer accept that on all our roads across the country.”

The minister who gave the warning while inspecting sections 1 and 2 of the Benin-Akure-Shagamu dual carriageway, also directed the contractor handing the road project to raise a rein enforcement pavement on the Ovia River bridge to forestall incidences of vehicles running into the river, which he noted had claimed many lives.

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Jonathan, Maku lauded over performance

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BUJA—THE Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria, ACNPN, has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister for Information, Mr Labara Maku for their developmental strides since they assumed office.

Acting National President of ACNPN, Dr. Prince Orhomonokpaye and the acting Secretary, Delta State chapter, Mr. Gabriel Choba, yesterday, commended Maku for performing beyond expectation.

In a congratulatory message, they said: “We register our unalloyed support for President Jonathan’s leadership in our dear country and the wonderful performance of Maku, Minister of Information.”

38—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Ebonyi LG polls hold Sept 28

Anambra town unions regulation bill passes second reading

As opposition parties kick against adoption of Option A4

A

BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI—THE Eb onyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSEIC, has announced that local government election will be conducted on September 28, 2013, just as some opposition parties kicked against the adoption of option A4 for the poll.

Chairman of EBSEIC, Mr. John Nkwuda, who announced the date of the election, called on party chairmen to ensure that they adhered strictly to the rules and guidelines of the election.

Nkwuda said the commission would go ahead with the electoral system and urged the opposition parties to seek redress in court if they felt aggrieved.

He said: “We are not empowered to make laws. If we are empowered to make laws, we are not empowered to execute such laws; otherwise separation of power will be murdered.

Sources of law making is that the lawmakers are elected by the people and the procedure is that you go to your representatives, sponsor a motion for the amendment of a particular section of the law".

Ubah urges Obi to constitute civil service commission

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INSPECTION—Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (right) and the Medical Director, Dr. Augustus Mbanaso of Abia State dialysis centre, Umuahia after an inspection of the centre.

Groups threaten to sue Bode George over PDP BoT membership T

WO groups in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have threatened to sue former Chairman, Board of Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Chief Olabode George, over his membership of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT. The groups issued the threat through a statement signed by National National Publicity Secretary for Movement for Change and Empowerment, MCE, Dele Awopoju, and his Forum for Equity and Justice, FEJ, counterpart, Enitan Ayelabowo.

The statement read “Given Bode George’s conviction for financial impropriety and corrupt

NITSHA—THE cam paign organisation of Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, yesterday, called on Governor Peter Obi to constitute the state civil service commission to enable it deploy disengaged 148 staff of Anambra State Broadcasting Service to various ministries as contained in their letters of disengagement.

The staff of the state-owned radio and television were disengaged four months ago without salaries and had not been deployed to ministries.

Speaking to newsmen, the Ifeanyi Ubah campaign organization’s Director on Media and Publicity, Mr Afam Ilounoh, said the development had not only denied civil servants promotion but had also robbed the teeming unemployed Anambra youths of gainful employment.

practices, it is repugnant for such a character to be parading himself as the leader of the PDP in Lagos State and South West.

“We will institute a suit in a competent law court againt him (Bode George) to cleanse the Augean stable and starve off public odium and opprobrium that his so-called leadership can bring upon our great party”.

They noted that PDP was now better positioned to win Lagos State, stressing that they didn’t want Bode George’s alleged political deficit to rub the party of its bright chances of winning the state.

The groups appealed to the

national leadership of the PDP to stick to its stance when it refused George the privilege of moving the motion for the vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan at the recently held National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting in Abuja “because of his political albatross.”

The groups added: “We, the Yoruba, are decent people who will not give any position of responsibility to questionable characters, more so when the reason for their personality cum moral deficit has to do with financial impropriety and corrupt practices.”

CAP to introduce innovations in paint industry

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—A bill for the regulation of activities of the 177 town unions in Anambra State has passed second reading in the State House of Assembly.

It was sponsored by the minority leader and member representing Idemili North constituency, Mr. Tony ‘Oneweek’ Muonago.

Muonago, a renowned film actor who was elected on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, told newsmen that he decided to sponsor the bill because of the power tussle between the presidentsgeneral of the various town unions and traditional rulers, which, he observed, had undermined development at the grass root.

Muonago said: “The crux of the problem was the tussle between the monarchs and leaders of the town unions. This is because there is no law in the state guiding the operations of the town unions".

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

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HEMICAL and Allied Prod ucts Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria, said it plans to reinforce its presence in the paints industry with key innovations in 2013 financial year.

Addressing shareholders at the yearly general meeting, the Chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah, said: “We will leverage innovation with the support of our technical partners to grow and reinforce the equity of our brands.

“Our distribution channels will be geared towards reaching the under-served retail end by opening more DuluxColour shops to make the brand more accessible to the aspiring consumers across the country. We will focus on and invest in plant efficiency to improve customer service delivery and reduce operational cost.”

Ettah observed that despite the

challenging operating environment in 2012, the company still ended the year with a commendable performance, saying turnover grew to N5.23 billion from N4.31 billion, representing 21 percent increase.

The profit before tax at N1.66 billon was 22 percent growth over N1.36 billion posted in the previous year, while profit after tax rose to N1.12 billion, as against N1.05 billion.

The shareholders approved a final dividend of N329 million, representing 70kobo for every 50kobo ordinary shares, along side bonus issue of one new share for every four previously held.

The dividend, in addition to the interim dividend of N1.25 paid in November, 2012, brought the total dividend to N1.95 per share.

He further stated that CAP enhanced the reach of its distri-

bution channel by opening four additional Dulux centers in the country and eight more DuluxColour shops.

He said: “We launched an environment-friendly variant of our flagship brand, Dulux Trade Ecosure and also introduced the Dulux brand website, which offers the consumer greater interaction with the brand.

“We ensured that our products meet global quality standards to retain the NIS ISO 9001:2008 certification of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON”.

Shareholders at the meeting commended the company for consistently improving on its financial performance over the year.

A shareholder, Mr S.S. Adebayo said; “I want to commend you for sustaining your dividend payment and bonus issue. You corporate social responsibility has been good; keep it up”.

CLO slams firm over treatment meted out to deceased staff

BY BABATOLA AYOMIDE

C

IVIL Liberties Organ isation, CLO, yesterday, condemned the treatment meted out to late Eugene Enwerem by RHAS Construction Company Limited, Owerri, Imo State, which conducted an autopsy on him after his death at work and blamed same on epilepsy.

CLO in a statement by its Executive Director, Mr Ibuchukwu Ezike said: “We are shocked by this barbaric, inhuman and lawless treatment on late Eugene Enwerem by RHAS Construction and, therefore, condemns the act.

“We are also worried by the fact that Nigerians are recruited by both indigenous and foreign employers of labour as casual staff, an act that gravely undermines human rights and International Labour Law".

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013—39

AGM: From left, MD/CEO, CMC Connect Ltd, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; Director, Mrs. Elizabeth Lawson; Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Akin Opeodu, and Director, Mrs. Adegoke Akinola, at the 16th Annual General Meeting,AGM, of CMC Connect Ltd, (Perception Managers), in Lagos.

MEETING:From left, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agric; Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, Ogun State Agric Commissioner and Dr. Umar Hussaini, Director, PRS, at the opening of the 40th regular meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development, at DLK Centre, on MKO Abiola Way, Abeokuta. Photo: Wumi Akinola

AGM: From left: Chairman, Chemical and Allied Products, CAP, Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah; MD/CEO, Mrs. Omolara Elemide; Non-Executive Director, Mr. Solomon Aigbavboa, and another Non-Executive Director, Amb. Kayode Garrick, during CAP's 48th Annual General Meeting, at Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

WEDDING: Former Oyo State governor, Otunba Adebayo Akala (right); his wife, Chief Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, with the newly wedded couple, former Miss Nurat Yusuf and Mr. Nurudeen Odunobaku, during the ceremony, at Genesis Hall, Challenge, Ibadan.

GRADUATION: From left: Prof. Oluwayemi Obashoro, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos; Mrs. Charity, Council member, International Bible Academy, IBA; Rev. Edith Okabanjo, guest of honour/awardee; Mrs. Emelda Osuji, guest of honour/awardee and Murphy Akrasi, President, IBA, during IBA's graduation ceremony at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos.

COMMEMORATION: From left, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Habibat Lawal; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, and Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, at the commemoration of 2013 International Wdows' Day, in Abuja

INTERACTIVE SESSION: From left, Director, Trade Information Department, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr. Aliyu Mohammed Lawal, who represented Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer; Director, Product Development and Coordinator of NEPC Solo Exhibition in Lome; Mr. Olajide Ibrahim, member of MANEG Group; Somesh Dave and Ag. Controller, Lagos Office, NEPC, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike, at the opening of a one-day interactive session with the private sector on the upcoming NEPC solo exhibition in Lome in Lagos.

LAUNCH: From left, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, General Manager, GOtv, presenting GOtv decoder to Mr. Abduljalal Haruna, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano State, and Mr. Segun Fayose, Head, Public Relations, MultiChoice Nigeria, during the GOtv launch in Kano

PRESS BRIEFING: From right, Dr. Paul Orhii, DG of NAFDAC; Mrs. Mojisola Amore, Ag, Director, Veterinary Medicines and Allied Products and Mrs. Ogochukwu Mainasara, Ag, Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, all of NAFDAC, during the DG's press briefing and parade of some counterfeiters of fake Gold Custard Powder products, in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Kaduna gov parleys Zamfara counterpart

Meningitis kills 562 Nigerians in four years —NEMA

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

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BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI - HEAD of op erations of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in Gombe State, Mr Apollo Jediel, yesterday said in Bauchi State that 562 died of cerebro spinal meningitis throughout the country in the last five years.

Jediel spoke at a one day public awareness and sensitization campaign on meningitis in Bauchi State.

On measles, cholera and Lassa fever, Jidiel said that the northern states including Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Yobe and Katsina were currently among the worst hit by the disease which normally breaks out at the beginning of each rainy season.

He said: “As at 2010, the North East zone recorded the highest rate of casualties of 22 deaths in Bauchi. Jigawa which had 139 reported cases recorded 19 deaths. Borno State, 48 reported cases and four deaths; Gombe State, 61 cases reported and four deaths; Adamawa, 51 cases and nine deaths while Taraba State had 18 cases with three reported deaths”.

IBB condoles Tinubu over mother's death

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BUJA— FORMER Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, has condoled with former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Tinubu, over the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

In a statement issued by Mr Emmanuel Yaweh, his media assistant, Babangida said Mogaji left behind a legacy of excellence in service to humanity.

He said: “I join you and all the family members in expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah for the life and times of the great lady. During her long eventful lifetime, she had recorded so many achievements that had touched on the lives of many Nigerians.

“She was a devout Muslim, a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother, who showed affection to her family and all other people without discrimination. She dedicated her life to hard work and pursuit of excellence in the service of our people.”

L-r: Human Resources Director, Royal Salt Limited, Alhaji Jibrin Kolo-Doko; Executive Director, Alhaji Lawal Idirisu; Emir of Zazau, Dr. Shehu Idris; Marketing Director, Mr. Nitesh Srivastav, and General Manager, Marketing North, Mr. Munir Khan, during their courtesy visit to the emir's palace in Zaria, yesterday.

Ombatse killings: Nasarawa empanels commission of inquiry L

AFIA—THE Nasarawa State Government has set up an eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to establish the circumstances, which led to the killing of security personnel in Alakyo village in May. The committee is to be chaired by retired Justice Fola Gbadeyan.

A statement by the Secretary to

Nasarawa State Government, Hajiya Zainab Abdulmumin, said the commission would also look into the ethnic skirmishes that preceded the killing of the security personnel.

Abdulmumin said Governor Umaru Al-Makura, approved the constitution of the commission as required by

Civilian JTF invades Boko Haram supporter's home

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AIDUGURI——VOL UNTEER Youths, otherwise known as Civilian JTF, have invaded the residence of a prominent politician in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, alleging that he was one of the strong supporters of the Boko Haram insurgents in the state.

The top politician who belongs to the ruling All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, (names withheld), was also accused by the youths of allegedly being involved in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists in the state.

The Volunteer Youths had taken over the ‘Operation Stop and Search’ of vehicles from the JTF at strategic areas of Maiduguri metropolis, leading to apprehension and handing over of many suspected terrorists to security agencies in the last couple of weeks.

The youths whose efforts have been commended by Governor Kashim Shettima and other concerned individuals, led the JTF to arrest several Boko Haram sect members in Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

However, penultimate week, some of the Volunteer Youths went to the residence of one of the ANPP top shots at the New

GRA in the metropolis demanding to be allowed entry to arrest the occupier of the house or set the house ablaze.

It took the security operatives who were guarding the residence of the politician about 20 minutes, begging for the aggrieved youths to leave the building after confirming that the owner was not hiding inside, as he was said to have travelled to Abuja.

Section 5(1) and 176(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

She said the inquiry was aimed to ensure continuous peace, harmony and confidence among the ethnic nationalities in the state.

The statement named members of the commission as Muntasir Mohammed, retired Brig.-Gen. Woriboye Dick Iruenabere, Prof.

Femi Odekunle and retired AIG Hamisu Ali-Jos, Mr Ibrahim Bakut and Hajiya Zaynab GogoBayero.

Malam Abubakar Ishaq is to serve as Secretary of the commission, which will be inaugurated by the governor at the Government House, Lafia, on Wednesday.

It will be recalled that some security personnel, including the police and Department of State Service, DSS, officials, were ambushed and killed by suspected cultists at Alakyo village, Lafia Local Government Area on May 7.

ADUNA – Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State and his Zamfara State counterpart, Alhaji Abdulazi Yeri, yesterday, met behind closed doors in Kaduna over cross-border crimes affecting the two states.

Bandits had been carrying out attacks in both states since last year leading to the killings of no fewer than 75 people.

Zamfara State shares boundary with the north western part of Kaduna where both have vast savannah forests that are partly used as a games reserve with isolated villages due to difficult terrains and absence of social services and infrastructure.

Vanguard gathered that the meeting was scheduled to include the Governors of Niger and Katsina States but they failed not turn up.

The agenda of the meeting was not made known to newsmen but Vanguard sources said that it bothered on the formation of a joint vigilante security outfit involving the military.

The two governors declined comments before and after the meeting even as Yero had last week approved a law to establish the Kaduna State Vigilance Service to complement activities of security agencies in providing additional security in communities across the state.

Last week some bandits numbering more than 100, invaded Kizara village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing about 44 villagers. Last November, 20 people were shot dead in a similar attack in Kabaro town just as 27 were killed in Dangulbi a month earlier.

PDP launches ideological movement

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ATIONAL Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Project Reloaded, Chief Richard Lamai, has said the party launched the project because it wants to reach out and cultivate a crop of young men and women who will be committed to the ideology of the party.

Lamai who spoke in Abuja said the project was also directed at bridging the seeming disconnection between the elected government on the platform of the party and the electorate.

He said: “Over a decade, the PDP has been the most dominant political party in Nigeria and biggest in Africa; it holds such an enviable position be-

cause of the tireless work of great men and women of conviction.

Today, our great party is buffeted by huge waves of negativity by the opposition and the opposition seems to be beating the drums that the public dance to, thus as the saying goes, ‘perception is reality’ though in this case it is erroneous.”

On objectives of Project Reloaded, Lamai who commended the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said Nigerians were not surprised with the current turn around and repositioning witnessed in the party. He said: “It is in order to reinforce his three Rs of rebuilding, reconciliation and reformation which seek to establish a new

orientation and strategy for the removal of constraints in the drive to expand the membership by attracting new ones that we have established project reloaded. In Nigeria, it is common to see political parties mobilise their machinery for campaign three months to election whereas in other politically advanced climes, campaign for the next tenure actually starts immediately after swearing in.

“It is in the light of the above that we at Project Reloaded are encouraged to volunteer our contribution to create a template, PDP Reloaded, to energise, and reinvigorate the PDP brand through the party’s insistence on brand programmes.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013—41

Benin Catholics fault calls for Bishop's removal

UK Visa Bond: It's discriminatory —FG Continues from page 13 can’t introduce such a policy against citizens of South Africa because that country has world class cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town where its citizens can live a modern life. But unfortunately for us, Nigerian leaders don’t want to put things right. If they had done the right things, why would Nigerians be trooping to the British High Commission in large numbers in search of visas?

“In addition to that, Britain as a country has the right to introduce any policy for the good of their own society. If you consider what they are saying, you cannot dismiss it.

They are saying that their facilities are over stretched. We don’t have any reason to argue with them over a policy they have introduced for the good of their people and their economy. We can only shout.

If any Nigerian doesn’t like the policy, then he can sit down at home. “

Visa bond proposal not considered by UK ——India India, which is another country to be affected by the proposed UK visa policy said it had been assured by the UK that the proposal has not been considered by the British government.

This was conveyed to Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma by Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills during a meeting in London.

According to an official release in New Delhi, “Cable informed the Indian minister that he had discussed the issue with the British Home Secretary who had assured that there was proposal mooted for a pilot which has not been considered by the British government.”

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE Catholic Laity Council of Benin ArchDiocese and Benin Catholic priests have disassociated themselves from calls for the removal of the Bishop of Benin Catholic Arch-Diocese, Bishop Augustine Akubueze, and urged aggrieved members to embrace peace in the Diocese.

Meanwhile, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has set up an interventionist committee with a view to ameliorate the plight of Christians affected by activities of Boko Haram sect in the Northern parts of the country.

Rev. Omobude, General Superintendent of New Covenant Gospel Church, told journalists that Christians can no longer afford to wait endlessly for the Federal Government to come to their aid when its members are suffering.

He said: “My heart is broken. As we speak, many widows, children and orphans are now destitute.”

Meanwhile, it will be recalled that a group, Edo Liturgical Group, had called for the removal of Bishop Akubueze, alleging plot to replace catholic priest and laity of Benin origin with an Igbo priest.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Chairman of In-

digenous Catholic Benin Priests, Rev Felix Igbineweka, described the call as unfortunate and urged those aggrieved to work in harmony with the authorities of the

church to avoid unnecessary crisis.

While disassociating indigenous Benin priests from the call for the removal of the Bishop, Rev. Igbineweka

500 Ughelli North students get bursary from SURE-P

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—CHAIRMAN of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Friday Akpoyibo, has said that the 500 undergraduates from the council in tertiary institutions would be paid N20,000 each as bursary from

its share of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P. Akpoyibo said: “Under the programme, the council will train the teeming youths of Ughelli North council origin in crop production, fish farming, poultry and snail production, among others.

S part of its corporate social responsibilities, Pan Oil Corporation in Benin, Edo State, has revalidated the specific needs of the various host communities in Edo and Delta states with 20 communities confirming their respective needs at a forum held in Benin.

The forum, organised by Pan

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, Grassroots Vanguard has said that the best candidate among those aspiring to govern the state in 2015 was the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Na-

tional Assembly, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Hope Agadaigho, spoke to reporters, yesterday, in Warri, Delta State.

He said: “It is clear that Senator Okowa has the right attributes, talents, mental capacity, experience, disposition, expertise and experience to take Delta to the next

Ocean and National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Development Corporation, NNPDC, had 10 communities each from the two states in attendance.

The communities from Edo State include Ologbo, Obayantor, Iguemukhua, Utesi, Ogheghe,

Iguelaba, Uroho, ObagieNokenkporo, Iyanomon, N’iyekeorhionmwon (Abe) and Ona-Ageka.

Obi-Anyima, Ekuku-Agbor, Ute-Eremu, Ejeme-Aniogor, Ovade, Otefe, Mosogar, Owe and Amukpe communities, from Delta State.

level and we will do our best to support him in this noble endeavour.

“He had been Commissioner of Water Resources, 19992003; Commissioner of Health, 2003-2006 during the tenure of Chief James Ibori as governor of Delta State.

“He equally served as Secretary to the State Government from 2007 till 2010, under the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration before he resigned to pursue his Senatorial aspiration and was elected to represent Delta North Senatorial District in April 2011.

“He has carved a niche for himself as a team player and a performer. For us in PDP Grassroot Vanguard, Okowa is the most credible candidate for the governorship seat of Delta State in 2015.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

“The council, in line with Delta State Government’s desire to alleviate the harsh conditions of Deltans, particularly the people at the grassroots, resolved to adopt and implement Delta State’s model of SURE-P programme to enable meaningful and sustainable grassroots development.”

2015: PDP group endorses Okowa for Delta guber

Oil firm re-lists needs of host communities

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pledged their loyalty to Bishop Akubueze and urged aggrieved persons to channel their complaints to the relevant authorities rather than attempting to drag the name of the church through the mud.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

Confederations Cup: On Super Eagles peformance(2)

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VERALL, the Super Eagles had a good game but lacked that cutting edge upfront to take their chances and punish their opponents (Uruguay and Spain). I really felt for them because they tried.— Miss Anesthesia Ezeka, Secretary.

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IGERIA vs Spain: Spain (eight Barca players, two R. Madrid players); Nigeria (one Chelsea player, Enyeama and nine moving objects). So bad.

How can you use homebased players against Spain?— Miss Chi-mezie Nnenna, Student.

I

find it difficult to explain why Nigerians should expect victory against Spain with the kind of players Coach Keshi paraded. Who else would have played if not Ideye, Musa and co, who are experts at losing goal chances?— Mr. Daniel Okoji, Student.

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ERSONALLY, I think Nigeria was not disgraced at the Confederations competition. Even in the matches we lost, the statistics showed that we didn’t do badly. I think we lost mainly due to inexperience.— Miss Mgbemena Nnenna, Student.

K

ESHI is a good coach. I think he is just more comfortable with his own kind. But my fear is that if Keshi does not change his parochial attitude, Nigeria will not achieve as much as it should under him.— Mr. Soji Fayire, Footballer.

P

LEASE, tell them to return home.

What a waste of resources! Federal Government should use the remaining money assigned for the Confederations Cup to sort out the pending ASUP strike.— Miss Ukoma Ezeokoye, Student.

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

We've lost our moral values----Jonathan

Govt should return mission schools, says Akhigbe-Agge PROPHET Emmanuel Ojo Akhigbe-Agge is the founder of City Gate Ministry. In this interview with GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE in Benin, he spoke on the state of insecurity in the country and appealed to Christians to intensify their prayers because one day, God will touch the hearts of the Boko Haram sect and make them lay down their arms. Excerpts....

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HAT is your reaction to the spate of insecurity in the country?

It is not peculiar to Nigeria.

There is insecurity all over the world and I believe that the Nigerian government is doing its best to curb the spate of insecurity in the country. I don’t believe any reasonable leader would align himself with insecurity. So, I believe that President Goodluck Jonathan is doing his best to curtail the spate of insecurity in the country.

Recently, the Federal Government inaugurated a committee to look into the possibility of granting amnesty to the Boko Haram Islamic sect. What is your take on this?

I think it is not a bad thing because sometimes you negotiate security. It worked in the Niger Delta when we had insecurity in the region. Whatever is used to tackle insecurity is always welcome and would be supported. So, setting up a Committee on Boko-Haram by the government is in the right direction provided those saddled with the assignment do not abuse it.

Some believe that the Boko Haram sect has been attacking churches with the hope of luring Christians to fight a religious war. What do you say on this?

If the devil is fighting you, you wouldn’t want to behave like a devil. A lot of Christians have sacrificed their lives for this cause and if the Christians react, there will be a breakdown of law and order in the country.

African continent The African continent will not be able to cope with the refuge problem that may arise. So, I want to advise Christians to restrain themselves. What's happening is not a war between Muslims and Christians. It's more of certain aggrieved people fighting for a cause. We should call on God the way we have always done and one day, He will touch the heart of these people and they will lay down their arms.

What is the plan of your NGO for widows and the less privileged in the society?

My NGO has programmes for widows. I run a progra-mme, pro–bono, free legal ser-vices for widows, children, and women publicly and pri-son inmates. We are doing our best to support the widows, impact their lives. At

*Prophet Emmanuel Ojo Akhigbe-Agge

Do you know that there are two sets of people a child would not want to live with? present we have 61 aged persons we support with N4,000 monthly.

We also support them in the area of their health, drugs and up keeps. We also support education and those who are involved in agriculture.

What is your take on the falling standard of education in the country?

Majority of the leaders today attended missionary schools and they did very well. However, if you look critically at the situation today, children no longer read.

With the advent of electronic gadgets such as computers, GSM Phones, I-Pad, etc, etc, everything is now done electronically. Our children don’t read any more. I will advise the government to allow missionaries take over their schools. Do you know that there are two sets of people a child would not want to live with? They are the teacher and a clergyman because of the discipline such persons always impose on the child. The clergyman would ensure that the child is taught according to biblical instructions or Qu'ranic

teachings which are incorporated into the school curriculum.

I therefore advocate for the return religious instructions into our school curriculum and the culture of reading into our daily lives. No religious institution will aid a child to cheat in an examination because it is ungodly.

Parents and old students should assist schools in the execution of projects as recently done by the old girls of a Catholic Girls School, off Sapele Road, Benin City. They completed a project which has been on ground for a long time because they realised that the government couldn't have done everything alone. It is quite unfortunate that some teachers don't teach during the official school hours; instead they are engaged in extra curricular duties. The missionary schools will not allow this; you must earn your pay by working for it.

Church holds 4-day revival FIRE Pentecostal Ministry holds a 4day programme with a theme; “The hand of God” beginning today with a vigil by 10.00 p.m. daily at 27/29, Okeho Street, Pako Bus Stop, Off Abeokuta Expressway, Dopemu, Lagos. President/ senior pastor, Rev. Chukwuemeka Peters said the grand finale comes up on Sunday at 8.00 a.m.

•Nigeria is a confused nation ----Oritsejafor

By CALEB AYANSINA & FUNMI OLASUPO

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said Nigeria is passing through a hard time, because the entire coun try had lost its moral values and principles, just as the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor did not mince words to describe Nigeria as a confused nation, trying to find its identity.

Speaking in Abuja at the official flag-off of the national Christian campaign on social transformation tagged: ‘Be the change you want to see’, organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), President Jonathan said much had gone wrong in the family life, schools, churches and the society in general, and that, there is need to bring about transformation.

The President, represented by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple expressed optimism that, the campaign would replace misplaced priorities in the society, noting: “Our priorities are misplaced. The values of hard work, respect for elders, truthfulness, contentment, humility, patience, compassion, fairness, love, justice, obedience, etc are all lost.

“The whole society has failed. That is one reason we have incidents of cultism, armed robbery, murder, ritual killing, drugs, child trafficking, kidnapping, sexual immorality etc. Proverbs 22:6 says train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Have we as parents done that?

No! Proverbs 1:8 says listen to your father’s instructions and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Do our children always listen to their parents? No! “We therefore need both moral and spiritual transformation.

We need to return to God, study and obey the word of God, which is able to cleanse us (I John 15:3)," the president said.

In his sermon, CAN President, Pastor Oritsejafor, said that Nigeria is in trouble, struggling to find its true identity, adding; “if God can change me, God can change Nigeria. If you look at Nigeria in the eyes of the spirit, you will see a great Nigeria.

But if you look at Nigeria with natural eyes, you see a confused nation. Forgive my language, but that is the truth. We are yet to know who we are. Nigeria is in trouble, but God will bring us out of it.

“There is a wrestling going on in Nigeria and a new dawn is coming. The wrestling will end very soon. In Nigeria today, we are deceiving ourselves. Pastors are deceiving their members, while members are deceiving their pastors. Husbands are deceiving their wives and wives deceiving their husbands. Parents are deceiving their children, children deceiving their parents. We are all deceiving one another,” he stated.

Pomp, as Ademowo dedicates St. Paul Anglican Church

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HIRTEEN years after a foundation-laying ceremony, a multi-million Naira St. Paul Anglican Church, adjudged as the biggest Anglican Church in Lagos, was dedicated on Sunday in Lagos, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. Located around Kirikiri Industrial Estate in Apapa, Lagos, the new church has the capacity for 10,000 worshippers.

The dedication ceremony drew eminent persons from far and near just as over 40 members of the church were honoured for their unrelenting contribution towards the completion of the church building.

Parish priest of the church, Venerable Levi Opara, expressed gratitude to God for crowning the efforts of the congregation with success thus far, noting that there was every cause for the congregation to role out their drums and cymbals to celebrate their successes because the journey has been anything but smooth.

In his words: “Today is one of the happiest days in my life because I never thought it would be possible but God has made it come to reality. Members of the church made it happen. There is nothing I can do without them. They are wonderful people”.

The former building committee chairman, Sir Lawson Onyebueke who was among those honoured expressed delight that he was alive to witness the completion and dedication of the church; describing it as dream come true.

The current chairman, Prince Amaobi Nwosu, who said he felt like a new born baby, revealed that the church at a point lost N25 million before his committee eventually took over in 2006.

The church was dedicated by the Dean Emeritus of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo who saluted members for doing marvelously well by this great transformation.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 43

L-r: Charle Nnochiri, category manager, Grand Oak Ltd; Brajesu Kumar , GM Marketing, Grand Oak Ltd; Akshay Kumar, MD, Grand Oak Ltd; Mrs Zarkat Lawal; Fatai Odesile, commercial director, Grand Oak Ltd; Mrs. Folashade Adebayo, financial controller, Gand Oak Ltd; and Wale Dosumu, human resouces director, Grand Oak Ltd during the unveiling of Cool Twista by Grand Oak Ltd in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

Okugo canvasses support for orphanages ABUJA—GENERAL Manager of Big Events, Ms. Esther Okugo, yesterday, urged Nigerians to support orphanages in the country with a view to giving their inmates a sense of belonging and care.

Okugo who spoke at the Divine Wounds of Jesus Christ Orphanage in Kuwba, Abuja, where children from three orphanages were assembled for the Children’s Day celebrations, said: “Children in orphanages need the love, care and support of the society. I urge all well-meaning members of the society to assist them by providing their needs and giving

shoulders on which to lean.”

The other two children’s homes that participated were Ark of Refuge Orphanage and the Kubwa Divine Orphanage.

Okugo said her company, an outfit with business concerns in events management and party handling especially for the children, organized the celebrations for the children as part of its social responsibility. She said: “Our works of mercy and concern for the poor and weak demonstrate our organization’s social responsibility for the larger society to ensure a better world. Other corpo-

rate orgnisations should equally demonstrate love and care for the less privileged children, especially those in motherless homes to enable them receive the necessary assistance to become useful members of society.”

Coordinator of First Choice Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation, Chief Austin Arah, said his organization was at the function as a demonstration one of the ways it reaches out to the children, especially orphans and the helpless on such occasions.

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

Envoy decries rate of human trafficking

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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RECENT report estimated that over 200 hundred Nigerians are trafficked to Russia monthly which is an indication that the Russian embassy in Abuja, may have failed in its consular services to thoroughly scrutinise applicants who seek entry into their country.

One of the basic duties of consulates is to ensure that those who apply to visit their countries go through proper scrutiny to ascertain their qualification and ensure that they are migrating for genuine reasons.

Unfortunately, Russia and a host of other foreign missions have failed in the case herein, resulting in an increase in the number of Nigerians taken illegally to foreign countries.

In view of the ugly development, the Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Ambassador Assam Assam has raised alarm over the increased rate at which these youths especially females

the Russia government to collaborate with the Nigerian government towards finding a lasting solution to the ugly trend by placing strict laws that will severely punish defaulters.

He also applauded National Agency for the Prohibitation of Traffic in Persons, (NAPTIP) for capturing the Russian, who over a decade was neck deep in the racketeering in Nigeria.

fabrics of the society, and situation that speaks also tarnishing the image of eloquently of the fact the country.” that Russia embassy’s Assam also implored all consular officers may visa issuing authorities in be negligent of their Nigeria to further investigate primary duties of every applicant’s ensuring that documentation, and enjoined applicants are genuinely qualified to receive visa(s) to their country.

The Ambassador, however, suggested that since “legislation and implementation of strict laws on illegal immigration led to decrease in crime in •Assam Assam (SAN) Western Europe, it Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia becomes imperative that all bodies join are lured into Russia to hands to fight this menace engage in diverse that is eating deep into the dehumanising health hazard Nigerians girls deported from Russia recently jobs, to earn a living.

Assam also berated parents are treated as trash.

EANTIME, about 250 trafficked who in the quest to enrich Commenting on the deportation, Assam persons to Russia have been themselves get into the said: “This East European nation has brought back to Nigeria.

Although the culture of encouraging their become a new destination for these few, and children to engage in such deportees were brought back despite strong it is imperative for all to note that involving resistance, the exercise has indeed helped demeaning businesses in such acts are demeaning and should be in restoring the image of the country and outside the country. discouraged. I am most happy that majority other nations’ stereotypes of Nigerians.

Investigations revealed that of Nigerians who reside in Russia are It means, therefore, that Nigerian the trafficked persons scholars and professionals in various fields authorities, the media as well as embassies, migrated under the disguise of their endeavours.” should join in the task of sensitizing the of students, tourists and or public on the dangers that surround human government officials, a consularadvisory@vanguardngr.com trafficking, worst still to countries where they

Deportation

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 —45

Mandela’s condition ‘unchanged’ — SA govt T

HE South African government says former President Nelson Mandela’s medical condition remains unchanged.

Mandela, 94, has been in a Pretoria hospital since 8 June being treated for a recurring lung infection, and his condition became critical on Sunday. ”Doctors continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort,” the latest update said.

The statement came as Mandela’s family members were meeting at his home in the village of Qunu.

His eldest daughter, Makaziwe, and some grandchildren are said to be at the meeting in Eastern Cape province.

Little has emerged from

understanding”.

His spokesman said on Monday that South Africans should not hold out “false hopes”.

Mandela family members, including

HOUSANDS of families are suffering from violence in the Central African Republic though attention to the conflict has faded, the ICRC said.

The rebel Seleka movement toppled the government in CAR in March, forcing President Francois Bozize to flee to neighboring Cameroon.

The rebel coalition is accused of committing crimes against humanity despite agreeing to a peace accord in January.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warned in early June the onset of the rainy season may exacerbate a humanitarian situation already complicated by security challenges.

ICRC delegates in CAR said midwives have run

daughter calls for urgent family meeting

M •Nelson Mandela the family meeting, which South African media say was called to discuss “sensitive family business”.

In the latest statement President Zuma thanked the South African public for “ongoing support and

AKAZIWE Mandela, eldest daughter of former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela, yesterday called for an urgent and important family meeting in Qunu (Mandela’s village), Eastern Cape province, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

Makaziwe, was accompanied to the family

out of medical supplies, forcing mothers to give birth without their services. Field hospitals, meanwhile, are short on equipment, forcing the ICRC to evacuate wounded civilians to the capital, Bangui.

Looting is widespread,

the aid group said Tuesday.

The U.N. Security Council issued a statement last month expressing concern that security in CAR was out of control. “People are desperate as armed

violence continues and there is frequent looting,” the ICRC said.

“But despite the severity of the problems in CAR, this crisis has largely been neglected by both the international community and the media.”

Russia won’t hand over Snowden — Putin

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RESIDENT Vladimir Putin confirmed on Tuesday a former U.S. spy agency contractor sought by the United States was in the transit area of a Moscow airport but ruled out handing him over to Washington, dismissing U.S. criticisms as “ravings and rubbish”.

In his first public comments since the fugitive flew in on Sunday, he appeared to make light of the affair around Edward

an increasing embarrassment for President Barack Obama. Asked by a journalist about the affair, he smiled fleetingly.

“I myself would prefer not to deal with these issues. It’s like shearing a piglet: there’s a lot of squealing, but there’s little wool,” he told a news conference in Finland.

•Vladimir Putin His refusal to hand back Snowden risked deepenSnowden, whose flight from U.S. authorities is becoming ing a rift with the United States that has also sucked in China and threatens relations between countries that may be essential in president has called for settling global conflicts inpeace and pledged to cluding the Syrian war. respond to the demands of the demonstrators.

“Brazil is ripe to advance,” she said in a S President Barack statement released by her Obama heads for office on Monday. “We his first major tour of Afmust also put a priority on rica today. And as he tougher measures to journeys through Senecombat corruption in all gal, South Africa and spheres.”

Tanzania from today,

Dilma Rousseff proposes referendum on political reform

B

RAZILIAN president Dilma Rousseff has proposed a referendum on political reform and a new £17bn public transport programme in her latest attempt to mollify the protest movement that brought more than a million people to the streets last week.

The scene at the hospital, where well-wishers have decorated a wall with flowers and supportive messages, is described as quiet, save for waiting journalists.

•••As

Central African Republic ignored, ICRC says

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grandchildren, have continued to visit him in hospital, where dozens of white doves were released by a local businessman in tribute.

After a meeting with mayors and governors of cities that have experienced the often violent unrest, the president also promised new measures on health and job creation.

With four deaths confirmed so far from the continuing protests, the

meeting by her sister Zenani and Mandela’s grandson Ndaba as well as Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, the daughter of Walter Sisulu, Mandela’s long standing family friend.

Also at the meeting was Chief Bhovulengwe, of the Abathembu royal council.

Napilisi Mandela, an elder in the Mandela family, said the meeting was being called to discuss delicate matters pertaining to the anti-

apartheid icon, sources close to the meeting told reporters.

Napilisi Mandela usually presides over the family ’s meetings and rituals.

According to the sources, such meeting takes place in the Xhosa culture when a family member is critically ill and is at point of death.

It will be recalled that on Sunday, the South African Presidency in a statement said Madiba’s health had deteriorated seriously and that his condition was critical.

Qatar emir steps aside, hands power to son

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ATAR’s ruler said Tuesday he has transferred power to the 33-year-old crown prince in an anticipated move that puts a new generation in charge of the Gulf nation’s vast energy wealth and rising political influence.

The 61-year-old emir, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, said in a televised address that the decision has been made to step down following weeks of speculation.

Now, the British-educated crown prince, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will begin the process of putting together a new government that may be in direct contrast to the old guard leaders across the Western-backed Gulf Arab states. Qatar has given no official

•Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani explanation on the transition, but it is widely believed that Sheik Hamad is suffering from health problems.

Sheik Tamim is not expected to make any immediate policy shifts for Qatar, which has used its riches to propel itself into one of the world’s most politically ambitious countries.

Obama begins African tour today

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touting trade, investment and the developmental benefits of democracy, he must fix the perception that he has given the region short shrift, a Washington report says.

“Africans were very excited when President Obama was elected,” said Mwangi Kimenyi, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution said.

46 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

By UJU MBANUSI

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OLLOWING the arrest, last week, of the owner of a Lagos-based hospital, Doctor Babawale Joshua for allegedly mutilating the corpse of a 13-month-old baby boy in his hospital, a 37-year- old woman identified as Cordelia Ifechukwude, has alleged that she suffered similar fate at the medical centre.

The Aniocha North, Delta-born mother of five narrated her experience at the No 1 Ajike Close, branch of the medical centre, a few metres away from Amje Bus-stop, Alakuko, a suburb of Lagos. According to her, “It happened in year 2000 when I took in with my first baby. I registered at Ayinke House, Ikeja General Hospital, but because I was advised to also register at a clinic very close to our house, I registered at Ajike Hospital at Amje Bus stop, Alakuko. We lived at Ajegunle Bus stop, not too far from the clinic. The reason we chose Ajike Medical Centre was because my husband got acquainted with Dr Babawale Joshua, the Chief Medical Director and owner of the Medical Centre, and in the course of their discussion, he told my husband that he had his first degree in General Medicine and second degree in Public Health at the University of Ibadan. That might have prompted my husband to make up his mind about us registering at his clinic.

My pains and agony •Ajike Medical Centre Amje Bus-stop

Killer-doctor on the — Clinic allegedly involved in mutilation of corpse killed my unborn baby — House wife reveals

,

“We trusted him based on the fact that the University of Ibadan has a good record when it comes to medicine. I went for AnteNatal at the Ayinke House, Ikeja. Around the months of February/ March, I went into labour at about 5pm. My husband was still at work then, so I went to the nearest clinic where I registered, being Ajike Medical Centre. When he returned around 10pm that evening, my husband rushed to the clinic and met me lying in the theatre. that was around 10 pm. I had been asked to trek about 5 km. But in the theatre, the nurses were pressing my stomach as if to force the child out. He asked them why they were pressing my stomach that hard?

They told him there was no cause for alarm, that was how they aid women deliver babies at the clinic. We were not comfortable with that but because it was our first experience at childbirth, we had no option than to pray for the better. My husband was upset when he found out the doctor in charge was yet to attend to me since I arrived the hospital.

“Later that night, the doctor came in to attend to me and told my husband that everything was under control. I felt the kicks of my baby all through that evening. When my husband returned the next morning, he was surprised that I was yet to put to bed. Because I was yet to be attended to at that time, I complained to him that I experienced severe pain on my left leg, and that after so much pressing and squeezing from the nurses, the baby’s kicks were getting weaker. He called the doctor down from the top floor of the building. The building also served as his residence. Dr. Babawale was not always at the clinic. He practises at the Medical Centre of Lagos State Polytechnic. What he does was to keep nurses that are not medically qualified to attend to his patients at the Ajike Clinic.

“Also, on my second day at the clinic, my husband confided in me that as he was taking a walk around the premises that morning while he was waiting for the doctor

I was later placed on a theatre table, naked. The doctor removed my earrings and the rosary I had on my fingers. He sprinkled what he called anointing oil all over me saying I was a witch and that I did not want to deliver the baby

,

*Ajike Medical Centre, Adeyemi Street to come down from his residence and attend to me. He said he saw a dead white cat, tied to an iron protector of one of the windows of the doctor’s main office, with something that looks like a blue ink sprinkled on the cat. He said he was shocked at the sight but since he did not know what it meant, he waved it off and concentrated on my safe delivery.

“By the evening of the second day, my baby’s kicks had stopped and I could hardly walk. But the nurse kept pressing my stomach and claimed they could still hear my baby’s movements. The doctor also

claimed he could still hear the baby’s movement. I was later placed on a theatre table, naked. The doctor removed my earrings and the rosary I had on my fingers.

He sprinkled what he called anointing oil all over me, saying I was a witch and that I did not want to deliver the baby. At the end of the day, the second day passed and I was not delivered of the baby. By the third day, I was no longer able to urinate and my left leg was literally dead. The doctor asked my husband to bring the sum of fifty thousand Naira for a cesarean operation, that the baby was stuck in my womb. That

was when it dawned on my husband that if we continued like that, he would not only lose the baby, but his wife as well. He went and chartered a commercial bus that conveyed us to Ayinke House in Ikeja.

“The doctors at Ayinke were not particularly pleased with us for taking that long to come to them. They initially refused attending to me but when we showed them our card which was a proof that we were registered with them, they took me in and carried out a scan which showed the baby had been dead for some time. The report given after examining my condition was that Dr. Babawale did a ‘bad job’.

They also said there was no need for a cesarean operation since the baby was dead but that they would have to evacuate the baby using forceps. When the baby was pulled out, the pain was so unbearable that my screams engulfed the entire two-storey building that housed the ante natal

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

— 47

Gruesome murder at Obigbo •We suspect armed robbery attack – Police •We disagree with police – Community elders

BY AKOMA CHINWOKE

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mother: Aggrieved chukwude e Cordelia If

loose? building. The whole place was covered with a foul stench because the baby was already decaying in my womb. Thereafter, I was wheeled to the theatre for cleaning. I spent three days at the hospital before being discharged. My file should still be at Ayinke as proof of this incident.”

Petition to Dental & Medical Council She further told Crime Alert that the doctor was petitioned but after several hearings and investigations by the Dental and Medical Council of Nigeria and her lawyer, the case was rested. “My husband petitioned Dr. Babawale Joshua at the Dental and Medical Council.

Thereafter, the Association of International Female Lawyers’ assigned a lawyer by name, Carol Ajie to us, and Dr. Babawale also got a lawyer. Armed with the ‘bad job’ report that Ayinke, Ikeja wrote on how my case was handled, we headed to the panel.

Unfortunately, after three hearings at Ijebu Ode, Gateway Hotel, Ota, all in Ogun State, and Obalende Secretariat, Ikoyi Lagos, nothing much came out of it.

Although what we appealed for was that the case be properly investigated to avoid future occurrence. From the look of things, it seemed the Dental and Medical Council protected their own. Nothing concrete came out of that petition and investigations.

Otherwise, these similar incidents at the Medical Centre would have been averted,” she stated.

HE last may not have been heard on the gruesome murder of Johnson Idima Ukariwe, 44, at Obigbo, a crime currently being investigated by the Rivers State Criminal Investigations Department, CID, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The deceased lived with his adopted half brother, Innocent Ebi Ukariwe, 58, his wife, Nnenna, and their children at No. 4, Umusawyer Street, Obigbo.

About a month ago, Innocent was reported to have taken the lifeless body of his half brother to deposit at a mortuary in Obigbo. While there, he was accosted by mortuary attendants as to what happened to the deceased.

Initially, he reportedly denied knowledge of the cause of death, but when prodded, as the attendants refused to accept a butchered, bloodied corpse, he allegedly confessed that his half brother died after a fight with his (Innocent’s) wife and children. ‘Why did he not report to the police?’, mortuary attendants wanted to know. And to this, he had no immediate answer. It was at that stage, the mortuary attendants invited the police.

Initially, the police arrested

Innocent and his grown up children as suspects. They sought to arrest the wife but she escaped. Following the nature of the body, as the corpse was allegedly drained of blood, the investigators intensified efforts to arrest Innocent’s wife. They made to his mother-in-law’s home, some reasonable distance away, where the police allegedly found a basin of blood suspected to be from the deceased. The basin of blood was said to be placed on a table.

Another version of the story alleged that it was neighbours, including townsmen of the family that eventually got wind of what happened and called in the police, as Innocent made to deposit the lifeless body in the mortuary at Obigbo.

Subsequently, the suspects, Innocent, his sons and the mother-in-law were taken into custody and later transferred from the Obigbo Police Station to the CID Headquarters, Port Harcourt, while the attempt to arrest Nnenna (his wife) continued. Barely a week after the dastardly act, Nnenna was arrested and also taken into

C.P. Rivers State custody.

However, there was a new twist to the story as the police ended up granting bail to Innocent, a murder suspect, while still holding the wife, the children and the mother-in-law.

This, immediately raised eyebrows of a police cover-up. Concerned neighbours said they saw the bail granted to Innocent as the beginning of a cover-up for this heinous crime.

But the police story is different.

Shockingly, a week later, the remaining suspects (Nnenna and children) were all released on police bail, an action, neighbours and towns people said, has confirmed their fears of a cover-up.

Law firm petitions IGP over N4.5m fraud *Wants case transferred to force H/Q

BY CHARLES KUMOLU A LAGOS based Legal firm, Abayomi Iyasele & Associates has petitioned the Inspector- General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, over alleged fraud by an estate agent (names withheld) who allegedly swindled a United States based firm the sum of N4, 499,00.00.

It also called on the police boss to transfer the matter from the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Road, Ikoyi to the Force Headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution.

The petition was signed by Mr Anthony Iyasele, and copied to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Comptroller General of Customs, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, Nigerian Shippers Council, Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Federal Maritime Commission, United States of America among others.

The petition reads: ‘’We act as solicitors to Base Global & Logistics Services Limited on whose instruction and direction we write you as hereunder contained. Our client is a company incorporated in .Nigeria and engaged in the business of importation with its registered office at 12, Ajayi Road, Ogba, Lagos. ‘’Sometime last year, our client in the

course of carrying out its legitimate business did procure the services of one estate agent to clear four (4) containers at the Tin Can Island wharf wherein over N4,499,000.00 (four million four hundred and ninety nine thousand Naira) was paid to him. Unknown to our client, the estate agent turned out to be a fraud. Only one container has so far been cleared as at today by the agent who resorted to forging several payment receipts, assessment notices and other customs documents in defrauding our client. Our client strongly believes that the agent is not alone and that he is part of a larger network at the Tin Can Island Port .’’

It further said, ‘’A petition dated February 7, 2013 was accordingly forwarded by us to the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Road, Ikoyi complaining about the same agent.

After our petition was approved for investigation on March 1,2013, the agent was arrested on March 13, 2013. Both the agent and the Managing Director of our client, Oluwaseyi Olawore who is also the President/Chief Executive Officer, Base Ventures International Inc., a company registered in the United States of America and a licensed Non-Vessel Common Operating Carrier (NVOCC), International

Freight Forwarder, Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) and New Used Auto Dealer were interviewed on March 22, 2013 where the agent admitted to forging documents which he amongst other things, used to clear one container thereby denying the Federal Government of the revenue that would have accrued to it. the Federal Government of the revenue that would have accrued to it.’’

According to the spetition, ‘’Our client believes that this goes beyond fraud and forgery as it also amounts to economic crimes. We were later informed at the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi that investigation had been completed and that the aagent will be charged to court immediately. We thereafter, made a formal application for a police report on March 26, 2013. After several weeks of waiting for the agent to be charged to court as well as the issuance of a police report to our client, we were informed on April 30, 2013 that the police report was not ready and that they will want to see Oluwaseyi Olawore to clear some allegations against him.

“What is the reason for this sudden turn around? Our client is the complainant in this matter, no formal complaint from any quarter has been shown to him. There has also not been any formal invitation from the police on any such allegation. It must be pointed out at this stage that for the past one month, there has no doubt been a lack of action on this matter by the police.

48 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

•All of the amazing health benefits of Moringa leaves and seeds make them a regular in the diets of people who live where they grow in Asia, Africa and South America.

The many unknown benefits of moringa leaf

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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ORINGA is called the Miracle Tree for good reason. Moringa oleifera tree has been called the tree of life in many cultures around the world, including Nigeria. It has many names based on its many uses: clarifier tree, horseradish tree and drumstick tree (referring to the large drumstick shaped pods) and in East Africa moringa is known as

“mother’s best friend”.

Here in the Nigeria, its names include Ewe Igbale in Yoruba, Zogelle in Hasusa and Idagbo monoye in Igbo.

It is estimated that at least 300 diseases can be cured by taking this supplement along with hundreds of other health benefits, thanks to its more than 90 nutrients, 46 different antioxidants, and all eight essential amino acids. Here is

a more in-depth look at the health benefits of Moringa leaves and seeds.

Scientific studies have shown that it contains specific antioxidants and health promoting ingredients that offer palliatives to malnutrition, hunger and diseases.

Moringa is rich in many vitamins, including Vitamin A, several forms of Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and

Vitamin E. In fact, it has more of these vitamins than a variety of foods that all claim to be excellent sources of them, such as carrots, oranges and milk.

These vitamins provide a number of recognized health benefits. Moringa leaves have a few specific benefits that must be touched on as well. Protein is a vital nutrient found in the leaves of this tree.

There is twice as much calcium in Moringa leaves than in milk. Iron is found in large quantities in Moringa leaves as well. In fact, there is three times as much iron in this plant than in spinach.

Along with these specific nutrients, the leaves can be consumed to stimulate your metabolism, thus aiding in weight loss. This is possible because Moringa provides energy without sugar. The leaves can also be used to beautify your skin, thus they are commonly taken as supplement by women looking for healthier skin.Moringa seeds have a number of benefits specific to them as well.

They contain iron, just like the leaves, and they also contain amino acids along with antiinflammatory and antiseptic properties. That means if you have minor injuries like bruises, cuts or burns, you will heal faster when you take Moringa supplements.

Along with these specific health benefits, you can even put its seeds in dirty water and they will attract the impurities and make the water drinkable.

As far as science is concerned, Moringa is an all time find.

Man, 50 needs N8m for kidney transplant

U

NLESS there is urgent medical intervention, Mr. Iwuala Cyracus, a technician living in Lawanson area of Lagos, may not live to see his five children through school.

This is because 50 year-old Cyracus who hails from Isiala Mbano, Imo State is presently down with End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) and requires urgent medical procedure in far away India.

According to a report by doctors handling his case at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Cyracus needs N8 million to get the life –saving surgery done.

Unfortunately, his wife, a petty trader cannot afford the cost of the surgery. Today, his family has exhausted all they have, no thanks to the country’s poor health system.

Iwuala was said to have been admitted at the General Hospital on Randle Avenue, Surulere last year where he

spent six months before comprehensive tests were run on him. Unfortunately, it was then, they discovered that he has high protein in his urine.

With the unfortunate discovery, Cyracus was referred to LUTH, for further treatment. Upon examination at LUTH early this year,

•Iwuala Cyracus

Cyracus was found to have End Stage Renal Failure.

According to experts, if he had been diagnosed earlier, he might not have been in his present condition.

Appealing to public-spirited Nigerians and the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, for assistance, he said: “They could not detect it on time last year, when I went to General hospital Randle Avenue, Lagos. I had spent almost six months at the hospital before they did comprehensive tests on me and discovered that the protein in my urine was high. I was referred to LUTH in October 2012, by then it was already late.

“This year, I went to L U T H , w h e r e I was diagnosed to have renal failure. I am currently being

managed by a Consultant, Professor Mabayoje.”

In an emotion-laden voice, he said, his family has exhausted all they have, including financial assistance from friends and well-wishers in the course of running several tests and dialysis which has ran into thousands of Naira. Writhing in pains, Cyracus presently lacks the energy to move about and usually feels very weak each day.

“I have done more than 10 sections of dialysis in the last two months, still there is no improvement instead the problem is getting worse.

They said the only remedy is kidney transplant which cost N8 million and no relative of mine, even all of them put together can raise such amount” If you are touched by Cyracus’ story please call him on 07086456839,08033302815 or 08023198591

Lagos canvasses voluntary blood donors

L

AGOS State Blood Transfusion Committee, LSBTC, has appealed to more Lagosians to embrace regular voluntary blood donation as studies have shown that voluntary blood donors are the safest sources of blood.

Speaking at the 10th Anniversary of the World Blood Donor Day with the theme: “Blood Donation as a Gift that saves Life”, Chairman, LSBTC, Dr. Adetoun AgbeDavies maintained that blood from voluntary blood donors is usually free from Transmission Transmissible Infections (TTIs) – blood borne infections.

Agbe-Davies who appreciated the few voluntary donors that donate for no other reason than to save lives of people who are not known to them assured would–be donors that voluntary donors are handled with respect, confidentiality and care.

“In recognition of the fact that the safety of blood to be transfused starts with the donor, our voluntary donors are handled with respect and those that need further care are referred. The Ministry of Health approved prepacked tonic tablets to be given to voluntary donors who are found not to be eligible to donate on account of mild anaemia. This is to appreciate them and encourage them to come back to donate later.”

“All units of blood collected are screened using World Health Organisation, WHO, recommended standards for HIV 1 & 2, hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Syphilis at our screening centres. Regular monitoring visits are paid top public and private blood banks to ensure high standards of practice,” she explained.

Further explaining that voluntary donation starts from 18 years, she encouraged more youths to join the Lagos State Club 25, a pool of voluntary blood donors who continuously take up the challenge to mobilize their peers. Narrating his experience after donating blood 18 times, President of Lagos State Club 25, Mr. Oloshunde Matthew, said a recent study has shown that a pint of blood could save three lives.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 49

50—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

APGA: Long road to peace A FRESH move to heal the multiple crises in the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has gained pace with the inauguration of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Committee headed by Chief Reagan Ufomba, the party’s erstwhile gubernatorial candidate in Abia State. But given the vested interests, finding truth and applying justice would be an arduous task.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

I

T was one political party that came out boldly to promote the place of Ndigbo in the polity. At the height of its glory just two years ago, the party was in firm control of two States in the southeast with enthusiasts bubbling to expand the frontiers even beyond the zone.

However, today, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, is enmeshed in intractable crisis that enthusiasts are afraid that the two states under the control of the party would sooner than later slip from the control of the party. Already, Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who came to power through the party has all but left the party for the emerging All Progressive Congress, APC. Governor Peter Obi who was the first governor to emerge on the platform of the party, according to political speculators is on the way to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at the end of his tenure.

At the centre of the crisis now ravaging the party is the dispute over the national chairmanship of the party with Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Maxi Okwu as contenders.

General impression Okwu who was one of the founders of the party exited the party during the first major crisis that faced the party when Umeh and some others with the assistance of Governor Obi, shoved the major founder of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie out of office as national chairman.

The Umeh led rebellion was remarkable in that he succeeded in pushing Okorie out despite the fact that Okorie’s name was engrained in the constitution of the party as the eternal national chairman!

The coup against Umeh was, however, not less significant, given the general impression of his assertiveness.

The dispute nonetheless, the warring parties who are still in court continue to canvass peace with one another. Few weeks ago, the Umeh faction inaugurated a peace committee

• Umeh and Obi.....Once together against Chekwas with the task of reconciling the warring factions.

Okwu has also established his own peace committee. Last Friday, Okwu's peace emmisaries arrived Lagos after what was said as successful outings in Anambra where they met Umeh and Governor Obi. The committee styled as Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Committee is led by the impressionable former governorship candidate of the party in Abia State, Chief Reagan

Ufomba as chairman with 13 other members including national vice-chairmen from the various sections of the country and major party stakeholders.

The committee secretary, Barrister Obi Okafor, national vice-chairman (NW), Alhaji Tijani Idris, national vicechairman, (NE), Alhaji Abubakar Adamu, Deputy National Auditor, Chief Peter Orji, party chieftain Hajia Zainab Nnenna Abdullahi among other members of the committee were present at

WHAT THEY SAY OF UMEH ANTI-UMEH

PRO-UMEH

•He has spent more than eight years in office •He is dictatorial •He is determined to hand Anambra guber ticket to a money bag •He is walking alone

•He is the legally recognised chairman •He built APGA to the present level •A cabal is determined to root him out •He is being persecuted for insisting on LG elections in Anambra

•Ufomba: Craves peace the Lagos peace parley.

Following a meeting with stakeholders from the Southwest, the committee led by Ufomba drew questions from newsmen on their mission.

In responding to questions from the newsmen, Ufomba and his committee members tried to walk the delicate path of peace makers by restraining themselves on some issues concerning Umeh, but they could not be totally restrained.

On their quest We have been going round the country and we started with Southeast where we met with

Chief Victor Umeh, the very first day after our inauguration. We also met with the deputy national leader of our great party, Sir Peter Obi, we met with another leader and statesman, Chief Nwogbu Alor.

Our train moved to Imo State where we met with one of our Igbo leaders, Chief Ralph Uwazerike, the MASSOB leader.

We have also been talking on phone to many stakeholders including the wife of our late leader, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

As it is always said, a problem known is half solved. We have in our data base, a collection of issues, that are treatable, that are solvable, that we are solving and that we are going to solve so that we will have a one family APGA in the nearest future. That is why we are in Lagos today to talk with our stakeholders who include Barrister Obinna Obiegwe, Martins Agbaso one of our leaders from Imo. On meeting with Umeh We met Sir Victor Umeh, the following day after our Continues on page 51

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 —51

Why PDP is unbeatable in Delta MR George Ushere is a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State. In this interview, he spoke on the achievements of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the forthcoming local government election in the State and other burning issues. Excerpts:

BY FESTUS AHON

H

OW do you rate the implementation of the three point agenda of the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration?

I want to say that in terms of peace, for those who know Delta State, it is one of the most complex states in the country and that is because of the terrain and there are a lot of tribes too. The governor has done so well to build peace in the state. Before now there was the problem of militancy, waterways were difficult to ply, but now you can use the waterways without any problem.

But there is still kidnapping in the area?

The issue of kidnapping is a national problem and it is not peculiar to Delta State. As regards to kidnapping, I will say Delta State has the lowest rate.

A law has been passed in the State House of Assembly to that effect to ensure that the issue of kidnapping is discouraged in totality. The governor has also encouraged the Nigeria police so well to fight kidnapping in this state and for some time now the issue of kidnapping has dropped so low that we hardly hear of kidnapping in Delta State unlike

•Ushere a year or two ago and this because the government has put a lot of things in place to ensure that kidnapping gets out of Delta

State. Also, one of the measures he took was to ensure that the youths are engaged in meaningful and gainful

ventures, so the governor has also done very well in this area.

The governor ’s critics, however, flay the delay in the execution of the Independent Power Plant. Do you think the government is doing enough to make the IPP a reality?

Yes, the issue of IPP is more of a technical issue. Establishing a power plant is not something you can achieve overnight and it has to do with a lot of technical partnership. The government is sincere with the IPP. Very soon, the IPP in Oghara will be commissioned, the equipment are there. The initial problem was the issue of the access road to the place, but the governor has fixed that. It is unfortunate that people make criticism without looking at what is on ground to score cheap popularity politically.

Given the strength of the Democratic People’s Party, DPP particularly in the central senatorial district, do you think the PDP will be able to make a headway in this area in the forthcoming local government election?

Definitely, I am convinced that the PDP will make headway. The mistakes of the PDP in the central senatorial district are being corrected and a lot of those who

moved from PDP to DPP are coming back, because they now know that there is no light in that tunnel.

Delta State is a PDP state. It is just that those who were carried away with sentiments left but they now know that politics has nothing to do with sentiments and they are back to PDP and we have welcomed them and some of them are also part of the transition committees some of them are even chairmen, so you see how generous Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is.

What is your view on claims that the present administration is marginalizing the Urhobos?

Well in this present administration, I want to agree with my Urhobo people that we are seriously marginalized at the federal level, and Urhobo is the fifth largest ethnic nationality in this country and in terms of resources, the Urhobo nation also produces a large percentage of oil. So, it is so funny that our amiable President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has not looked inward to also carry the Urhobo nation along in his administration. I want to appeal to the President to look inward and also make the Urhobos to be part of his administration.

congress, no local government congress, no state congress that elected the national delegates and he admitted that it was mere affirmation.

But I put it to you that some of your members are already holding talks with other parties?

But so are other parties holding talks with us. As we talk to you, we have recorded 70% success in this assignment. I am talking to you factually.

APGA has no problem with its members except the national chairman.

On the allegiance of state chapters?

Let me tell you, in most of the meetings I have attended, I saw them with Maxis Okwu and for your information, if you check out the members of the NWC that were with Umeh, Umeh has only three of them. Let me tell you that besides this committee, there is another reconciliation committee (constituted by Umeh) and the chairman of that committee is allegedly a member of APGA. He is from the same state with him

(Imo Chairman) and he knows that he is not a member of APGA. So, when you set up a structure outside the party because you have lost so much ground where you cannot agree with the BoT, you do not agree with the wife of our leader, you do not agree with the governor produced by the party, you do not agree with your deputy north, your deputy south, your national youth leader, your national women leader, and all these zonal vice chairmen and what you do is that you are alone and you are bringing people to answer APGA… I was the candidate in Abia State, I know where I stand even as the chairman of this reconciliation committee and most of the stakeholders are here.

So you can see where one man is almost becoming the forest and we are saying no to that. While we must tell the world the truth, we are still amenable to reconciliation, to peace anchored on this truth as revealed to you.

APGA: Long road to peace Continues from page 50

inauguration and that alone is a remarkable success. I want to also inform that we are very hopeful that everybody is willing to make concessions in the interest of our party, in the interest of democracy in Nigeria and in the interest of Igboland where APGA is very, very dominant. People see APGA as their religion in that part of the country and we are drumming this to their very consciousness and it is making sense to all the people we have spoken to.

How Umeh received the team We were well received. We were inaugurated on Monday (penultimate week) and on Tuesday we were in his house at about 12 noon. He waited for us, he met with us and everybody saw the need for unity in the party and everybody saw the need to make concessions because as far as this committee is concerned, there is no way we can bring about peace and unity unless people are willing to concede one thing or another

and that is what we have been telling them and I think they are going to abide by that.

But Umeh is standing his ground We were not expecting an automatic answer or concession from him. This committee will also bring other stakeholders who have interest in Igbo land, in democracy and democracy in Nigeria to prevail on them and already we have picked some people that will help us broker peace. But to the best of our knowledge, I think peace is near.

Is Okorocha out of the peace train?

We will see the governor as soon as we successfully book appointment with him. You know he is a very busy governor and the moment we track him down, we will talk with him. For now, we have not been able to track him down.

This committee is about truth and injustice. So, what truth has emerged and what injustice has been complained about?

The truth as so far catalogued

are being put together. We will not reveal everything all at the same time. But the truth is that there is need for us to recognise that there is a leader in the party and that there is party leadership.

Political office holders So, if we are able to note and reckon with the fact that parties do not exist in a vacuum, that parties exist for purposes of electing political office holders whom we must respect, that peace is near.

So, who is that leader?

Our leader as agreed in the party is Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu.

He remains our leader, it is agreed it is written and Governor Peter Obi remains our deputy national leader. We owe him allegiance whether as party chairmen or as political leaders in the party.

We found also from Umeh that he assumed his position as the chairman by virtue of affirmation and that there was no ward

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013 — 53

The memory of his dead wife is all over the place

I want more than just lovemaking Dear Bunmi, I met this interesting man at a friend’s house a couple of years ago and since then we’ve been meeting for lovemaking. We never go anywhere interesting and I feel there’s a connection between us— he thinks so too.

The last time we had an outing, he sent me an SMS asking if I’d enjoyed myself. He doesn’t usually do this and I wonder if his feelings are getting deeper or am I reading too much into it?

I’m worried if I ask for more, it might scare him off.

Ibi, by e-mail.

bedroom window.

Do things you can talk about together and therefore, learn more about each other’s way of thinking. And if he doesn’t want to see you outside the bedroom, stop being

available.

Stop right now! Let him know how much he misses you. If he doesn’t miss you as much as you hope he would, start putting a good distance between the two of you.

‘

Dear Ibi, Instead of you waiting for him to make the next move, why don’t you help things along. Invite him to events that have nothing to do with the bedroom— movies, meals out or even the occasional concert.

Sit side-by-side and share pleasant experiences that give you good memories than the ones you have through a

Be sure to give him positive reinforcement by letting out little moans or giving encouraging words: “My goodness, that kiss was hot!”

’

One-night stand not enough for me Dear Bunmi, I am over 25 and haven’t been able to find a suitable boyfriend for close to two years now and I feel sexually frustrated. A few months ago, I met a man at work and I was immediately attracted to him.

One Saturday morning, he turned up in my flat and we had mind-blowing intimacy.

Soon after, he got a better job and relocated outside Lagos.

He confessed when he called that he now lives with his girlfriend but made it clear that he still fancies me.

I don’t want to break up the relationship with his girlfriend but if he’s hell-bent on being unfaithful, why shouldn’t it be with me when I want him so badly?

Tara, by e-mail.

Dear Tara, Don’t even think about it!

This man is living with someone else, popping round one morning for a quickie is no basis whatsoever for any kind of satisfactory relationship.

Nothing is purely physical.

You’re both human beings

with hearts, souls and all sorts of emotions. Don’t imagine you can indulge sexually without your feelings becoming involved. This is a recipe for a heartache and heartbreak— for you and for him.

Why not spend some time looking inwards? Try working out the reason why you haven’t had a boyfriend in two years.

Pin down the problem and apply your energy to finding a man of your own instead of tinkering with someone else’s.

My ex is now with my best friend!

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend of two years and I broke up a few months ago. I was just getting over the break-up when I learnt both of them were now an item.

When I confronted my socalled best friend, she admitted they have feelings for each other.

I’ve since tried to move on but I can’t as I see this as a betrayal. I mean, how do I

keep her as my best friend while she’s going out with the only man who ever meant anything to me?

Clara, by e-mail.

Dear Clara, Friendship such as you had with your so-called best friend is supposed to be an intimate one. As things stand, however, you can no longer exchange the privacy and trust

best friends share— not if everything you say or do can be repeated to your ex.

Don’t cut her off completely, however, as she— and probably your ex and mutual friends— will think you’re jealous. Be cordial with her if you see her, but no more than that.

In the meantime, start looking for a better friend— and boyfriends.

Dear Bunmi, My husband was a widower when I met him and we got married six years ago. Normally, I expected that with time the house would reflect the two of us. I was wrong.

My husband was reluctant to change anything. His dead wife’s photographs still adorn the sitting room alongside mine. It is really spooky.

I work from home, so I’m surrounded by her presence most of the time. My husband buys things for the house without asking how I feel. It is really depressing living with him. I used to have my own flat which I rented out to be with him.

I’ve never felt his house is my home. It’s as if I’m living in his house with his dead wife. He’s been living in the house for over 25 years. If things don’t improve, I’m thinking of moving back to my flat. We have two children and he had six from his dead wife.

Chinyere, by e-mail.

Dear Chinyere, You moved into a ready-made

environment created by your husband and his dead wife and I’m not surprised you feel as if you don’t belong there. You admitted he’s lived in the same house for years so you have to introduce to him the rewards of change without making him believe you want to blot out the memory of his first wife!

Instead of criticising and showing disapproval, I will advise you sit him down and talk to him. You should be prepared to make compromises too. His wife might be dead, but they were together for years and had six children between them.

Decide on how many of her photographs should be displayed in the living room, the type of furniture you’ll like in the house, especially your bedroom and show the family you’re not intent on getting rid of the first wife’s memory.

The children too would have to be taken into consideration when you are doing these changes. Drastic changes take time but with a lot of patience, you’ll make them.

Why aren’t I getting the best men?

Dear Bunmi, I have a best friend and she has no problems whatsoever finding a new boyfriend whenever she needs one. She says she loves being part of a couple, while I’ve not had a decent man in ages.

What does she have that I don’t?

Better put, what am I doing wrong?

Benedictta, by e-mail.

Dear Benedictta, There could be a lot of reasons why your friend is never without a man— some good, some bad.

Poor self-image, for example, might lead her to seek constant

reassurance from casual men.

Or maybe she puts up a ‘comeon’ surface to attract men, which also hides her deeper needs for love, understanding and values that might scare men away. Except men worth waiting for.

Pulling a parade of men can be like taking one painkiller after another, without trying to find the source of the pain. The question you should be asking yourself is not what she has that you don’t; it’s what do you have that she lacks?

It’s honesty and patience if you ask me. So stick with those and the right bloke will turn up.

He’s not a good kisser!

Dear Bunmi, I’m in a relationship with a guy I love so much. He’s very considerate and we are both professionals. The thing is that his kisses leave me cold.

Much as I wouldn’t like to hurt his feelings, his kisses have started to turn me off completely.

How do I train him to be a better kisser?

Idowu, by e-mail.

Dear Idowu, The worst thing you can do in this situation is to tell your man that his kissing skills leave something to be desired. That will just

make him self-conscious and nervous. Imagine how you will feel if he said something similar to you. You would feel embarrassed and insulted.

That is why you’ll need to take a more subtle approach.

When he does something right, be sure to give him positive reinforcement by letting out little moans or giving encouraging words: “My goodness, that kiss was hot!”

He’ll eventually get the point and think of his new kissing style as another way to please you.

Much like the skills he’s mastered — (I hope) below the belt.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

WEST BROM: No plans to sell Odemwingie W

EST Brom chairman Jeremy Pearce has insisted that the club will not be forced into a cheap sale of Peter Odemwingie.

The striker is widely expected to leave the club following a season of unrest, but Pearce is adamant the Premier League club will not part company with him unless their criteria are met.

Odemwingie started just 13 Premier League games last season compared to 25 the year before and also halved his goal tally in the English top flight from 2011/12 to five.

The wantaway forward caused a great deal of controversy in the January transfer window when he effectively tried to initiate his own move to QPR, only for it to fall through.

“We have a player who is under contract until the end of the season,” Pearce told the Birmingham Mail.

“Unless something comes in to change our way of thinking he will be back in pre-season and we will deal with that.

“We took a view at the end of January - not only for the reasons of Peter Odemwingie or Queens Park Rangers, also whichever agents were involved who acted disgracefully, but for the long term of this football club that we have to behave a certain way.

“If we don’t do that they will all be knocking on the door. That said, unless we get an offer we’re happy with we won’t sell him.”

I

Milo Basketball: St Augustine, St Jude begin title defence July 2

BY UCHE UDEH

F

IVE thousand seven hundred schools across the country have taken part in this year’s Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball champion-ships. This was disclosed in Lagos yesterday by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Nestle Nigeria Mr Dharnesh Gordhon while addressing the media ahead of the national finals billed for Lagos between 2nd - 6th July 2013 at the indoor sports hall of the national stadium, Surulere Lagos.

St Augustine Seminary

Osaze

Nigerian Sports Award: A challenge to our athletes — NOC scribe

BY JACOB AJOM

T

HE Nigeria O l y m p i c Committee has thrown its weight behind the annual Nigerian Sports Award with the Secretary General, Tunde Popoola saying, “the award is a challenge to our athletes.”

Speaking yesterday in Lagos at the media briefing ushering in the 2013 edition, the NOC scribe said the award provided a fresh breath in the country’s sports culture because, “ we have been waiting for something like this for a long time. It is a challenge to our

sportsmen and women. It should also challenge the corporate community. On our part, we(NOC) will give it all our support because it is credible.

Organisers of the award have announced that the 2013 edition would hold November 26 at the Muson Centre, Lagos.

Awards would be given in fifteen categories and winners will first be nominated to qualify for shortlisting among the top three before the actual voting will commence.

Some of the categories include footballer of the year award (separate awards in male and female categories), Track and Field which includes all races (male and female), Ball Sports, combat sports, boxing, team of the year, Sportsman and

R-L: Mr Ikeddy Isiguzo Chairman Award Panel with Mr Mitchel Obi,Member and Mr Kayode Idowu General Manager Unmissable Incentives Limited, at the Press Conference on the second edition of the Nigerian Sports Award held in Lagos on Tuesday.Photo Akeem Salau.

Sportswoman of the year, coach of the year and discovery of the year.

Other award categories include Special Sports person of the year, discovery of the year,

Sports Governor of the year, Life time achievement award and sports journalist of the year.

According to the timeline reeled out by the

Oluk oya donat es building tto o MFM FC Oluko donates

N appreciation of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Football club sterling performance in the ongoing Nigeria National Division One League, the General Overseer, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya has provided a befitting accommodation for the

Ezzamgbo from Ebonyi State and St Jude Girls Secondary School Amarata of Bayelsa State are the defending champions in the Boys and Girls categories respectively.

Gordhon said that the company was committed to grassroots sports development through the Nestle Milo basketball champion-ships among other sporting events sponsored by the company.

He said, “Nestle focuses on sports to develop the champions spirit in children across the country.

team. It’s a three story building located in the Somolu area of Lagos state.

This gesture is coming on the heels of MFM FC’s 2-1 defeat of The Redeem Christian Church of God’s team, The City of David at the Onikan stadium last weekend.

MFM FC had earlier in the season won the first leg 2-0 at the Agege stadium.

According to a reliable source within MFM FC, the G.O. was fulfilling a promise he made to the team.

“The G.O. is a sports loving person and keeps

his promises always.

You will recall that since taking over the slot of the defunct Bolowotan Football Club about four months ago, MFM FC have held it’s own in the National League, beating traditional power houses like Abia Warriors, Bendel Insurance of Benin City,

Prime FC of Osogbo, Gabros FC of Nnewi, COD FC etc”.

“The boys are very happy and have promised not to let the G.O. down as they chase promotion to the Nigeria Premier League”, the source said.

organisers, nomination of sportsmen and women for the various categories will commence from July 1.

The nomination exercise closes on September 7 while entries verification by auditors will hold between September 9 and 11. The award panel, headed by veteran journalist and chairman of the Editorial Board, Vanguard Newspapers, Ikeddy Isiguzo will meet on September 12 to compile the top three nominees in each category and on September 17 finalists’ shortlist will be announced after which voting will commence.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 , 2013 — 55

Cavani: I´m not worth •63m

N

Messi

Cruyf f: Barcelona should sell Messi F

ORMER Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff has said that the club should consider selling Lionel Messi, now that they have signed Brazilian star Neymar.

In an interview with Marca, Cruyff said: “Now that Barca has signed Neymar, they should really consider selling Messi,” in order to “avoid a conflict of egos” between the two.

“I am all in favour of avoiding conflicts,” said Cruyff. “That’s why I wouldn’t have signed Neymar in the first place.

But now that has been signed, the club should consider selling Messi.”

Cruyff justified his statement by adding:

Continued from BP Even as the African champions were rueing several missed chances in the 3-0 defeat to World and European champions Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, Keshi pencilled down goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, midfielders Emeka Eze and Sunday Mba and forward Muhammad Gambo from the squad that were with him in Brazil, and added 14 more from Nigeria’s top flight and two from the lower

“Neymar and Messi are both free-kick specialists.

Who is going to take them from now on?

“I would not have taken the risk of bringing in Neymar.” Was Cruyff ’s response to questions over Messi’s problems playing alongside Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“It seems that Messi is a bit of a dictator. When you have the possibility of being the best player in every game, you have to be a bit of a dictator because your prestige is on the line.

“The pressure on Messi is enormous because the fans want to see him doing marvellous things, and in order for this to happen things have to function perfectly,” he added.

APOLI striker Edinson Cavani has questioned whether he is worth the club’s • 63 million asking price.

The Uruguay international scored 29 league goals in 34 appearances as the Naples outfit finished second in Serie A last term, confirming his status as one of European football’s hottest talents.

The likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City have subsequently been linked with a move, but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been keen to emphasise that such clubs must meet the forward’s buy-out clause.

However, Cavani has now hinted that he would like to leave the Italian side should the right club come calling, and hopes potential suitors will not be put off by his lofty price tag.

He told Marca: “I don’t think I’m worth



Cavani

G l o b a c o m ’ s C o o r d i n a t o r Marketing, Niyi Olukoya (2ND Left) Chairman,League Management Company, Hon. Nduka Irabor after the unveiling of the new Glo Premier League Logo at the Headquarters of the league sponsor, Globacom in Lagos on Tuesday.

Wimbledon: 5th seed Errani beaten by teenage Puig, who reached the debutant Italian to win 6-3 6-2 on

F

Errani

Agbim division.

Returning are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defender Kunle Odunlami and striker Obinna Nwachukwu and Gomo Onduku who were part of the team’s training camp in Germany ahead of the international friendly with Mexico in Texas, USA. Defender Chibuzor Okonkwo, no stranger to the senior team camp, is joined by familiar faces Umar Zango and Ezekiel Bassey, Ayo Saka and Anthony Okputu.

Nigeria Professional Football League top

•63m. I will talk to De Laurentiis about it. I owe a lot to Napoli and I want to leave through the front door if I move on.

“I am feeling very good at Napoli, but it all depends on the club. We will have to wait and see what options I have.

What I want to do is sit down face to face with the club president and decide my future together.

scorer Dele Olorundare of Sunshine Stars is joined by former junior international midfielder Olufemi Oladapo.

New faces are Mohammed Ajia of Bayelsa United, Enyimba FC’s Ifeanyi Edeh, Pius Samson of Ranch Bees, Festus Ajah of Union Bank FC and Warri Wolves’ Etebo Oghene.

The players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 30th June, 2013.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the

IFTH seed Sara Errani was out-stroked in the Wimbledon first round on Monday by a teenager playing her first senior match on grass - Puerto Rican Monica Puig.

The hard-hitting, Miamibased Puig, ranked 65th in the world, battered the

Court 18.Errani, a finalist at the French Open last year and a semi-finalist there earlier this month, said she had let her fear of grass get to her. Though she saved six match points, she ran out of puff and answers to the relentless attacks of the 19-year-old

match will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday, 6th July.

“We are happy for the favourable response from the Kaduna State Government, and we have also approached the National Sports Commission for permission to use the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna for the encounter.

“The grass is excellent and the entire facility is so well-maintained. The Super Eagles will find the place comfortable,” Barrister Musa Amadu, NFF General Secretary who was in Kaduna on Monday, said.

Continued from BP his reaction to what he termed the team’s underachievement in the tournament. “Please, send my congratulations to Keshi,” Osaile started, trying to mask the rage in him.

“Keshi has achieved his long term dream. At least two or three of the boys are now in the market and the agents can now sell them for millions of dollars.”

The former boxing promoter said that Keshi’s managerial ability was poor as there was no reason for him to have left some of Nigeria’s most experienced players out of the squad that prosecuted the Confederations Cup in

third round of the junior event here in 2010 but had never played a senior grand slam before this year’s French Open.

“My biggest problem is moving, in that I’m afraid of hurting myself so I can’t move as I would like,” Errani told a news conference

Osaile Brazil.

“No country can ignore the likes of Osaze whom Keshi has blacklisted because of personal differences. There are some players in the present squad that have no business wearing the national colours but because he feels he can make something out of them, he keeps inviting them,” Osaile alleged.

He said the NFF made a grave mistake when they kicked out Shaibu Amodu after he qualified the country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “We will continue to totter until the NFF corrects that mistake.

Keshi has reached his limits. He can't offer more.''

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2013

TODAYS MATCHES Confederations Cup Brazil

vs

Uruguay

8 p.m

U-20 World Cup Chile New Zealand Irag Croatia

vs vs vs vs

England 4pm Uruguay 4pm Egypt 7pm Uzbekistan 7pm

Keshi can't offer more — Osaile

BY JACOB AJOM

S

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has continued to receive attacks from critics over the team’s early ouster from the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup after successive defeats to Uruguay and Spain.

Sports analyst and promoter, Martins Osaile was sarcastic in Continues on Page 55

ALL IN VAIN - Brown Ideye breaks through Spain defence during the FIFA Confederations Cup but fluffed the golden opportunity of scoring a goal. He was consistent in missing opportunities during the Confederations Cup. Spain spanked Eagles 3-0.

Photo - AFP

... calls up Agbim, 23 others for CIV

S

UPER Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has swiftly turned his attention to the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire, by calling up 24 home boys for the game billed for the end of next week.

Continues on Page 55

Cavani: I´m not worth •63m — P. 55 QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Fire (5) 5 Nun (6) 8 Call on (5) 10 Oration (6) 11 Expectation (4) 14 Despoil (6) 15 Bag (7) 18 Vigour (3) 19 Hew (3) 21 Remaining (4) 23 Hunting knife (5) 24 Repose (4) 27 Damp (3) 29 Gain (3) 31 Cultured (7) 32 Wine (6) 34 Tub (4) 35 Harmony (6) 38 Overturn (5) 39 Exit (6) 40 Tired (5)

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YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Imbibe 5, Stow 8, Vetch 9, Sue 10, Hair 11, Aura 12, Among 13, Entrap 16, Down 18;, Alms 20, Fed 22, See 23, Lap 24, Care 25, Tent 28, Tongue 30, Start 32, Leer 33, Iris 34, Ill 35, Lofty 36, Wily 37, Anthem.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Instep 2, Breather 3, Behead 4, Permanent 5, Scandal 6, Thug 7, Woad 8, Via 14, Posterity 15, Imp 17, Wee 19, Languish 20, Fad 21, Destroy 26, Tocsin 27, Vellum 29, Flaw 30, Sell 31, Try.

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P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

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