B'Haram: Nigerian troops found in Cameroon

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62217

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

EBOLA: Controversy over health

status of Adadevoh's sister

8

B'Haram: Nigerian troops

found in Cameroon •They fled from rampaging Boko Haram fighters — Residents •No, they chased insurgents beyond Nigerian borders — DHQTRS •Says issues resolved, soldiers back to base IMPEACHMENT:

Enugu Dep Gov faces removal as panel submits report

By Kingsley Omonobi, Umar Yusuf, Ndahi Marama & Emmanuel Elebeke

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AIDUGURI — HUNDREDS of troops in Gamboru Ngala and Banki towns reportedly fled their duty posts into Cameroon, yesterday, after they ran short of ammunition in their encounter with Boko Haram terrorists who stormed the two communities with sophisticated weapons in search of security operatives.

The Defence Headquarters, however, clarified immediately that the 480 Nigerian soldiers found on Cameroonian soil actually pursued fleeing Boko Haram terrorists past international boundaries of both countries against international law, hence they Continues on page 5

COLUMNIST: Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh: A woman of substance

15

•P.17

How we court-martial, disarm witches

Mr & Mrs

—Edebiri, head of Bini witches

IDE S N I AY D O T

JONATHAN RETURNS—President Goodluck Jonathan (left), arriving Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from a private visit to Germany, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Elumelu returns as UBA Chairman

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2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

FOR AKUNYILI—From left: Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; former Minister of Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Night of Tributes and Requiem Mass for Prof. Dora Akunyili in Abuja,yesterday. Photo: NAN.

B'Haram: Nigerian troops found in Cameroon Continues from page 1 needed to surrender to Cameroonian authorities as required by law to show they were not on a hostile mission.

Both Gamboru Ngala and Banki towns share boundaries with Cameroon Republic which have been witnessing series of deadly attacks in recent times, including the massacre of over 300 traders in Gamboru Main Market

in May. The attacks on the communities came barely 24 hours after leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau released a new video proclaiming an Islamic Caliphate in Gwoza town which was taken over by the insurgents.

Gamboru Ngala is North-East and about 180 kilometres, while Banki town in Bama Local Government Area is South-East and about 120 kilometres from

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Marlene LeFever quipped: ‘Becoming an effective teacher is simple. You just prepare and prepare until drops of blood appear on your forehead. Keep learning, keep preparing, and to be a teacher, be teachable.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open — Joseph Campbell

A

YOUNG man, determined to be an actor, went directly to a movie studio and asked to see the chief executive offer. The gateman took one look at his poor appearance and clothing, drove him off.

The young man left, crestfallen. He was so shaken that he couldn’t bring himself to try another move, but that night he came to a decision. He would be an actor no matter the challenges and disappointments. He would let nothing daunt him. He would work, he would learn, he would study, and he would be an actor.

Next day he found a job in a restaurant. He discovered a school for young actors, complete with theatre. He studied for three years. Then one day through a chance meeting; he was offered a screen test. After the test came a contract, then a small part, then a larger one, then a starring role. Today he is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, secure at the top of his profession because he knows his job so well. The quality of his consciousness attracted this circumstance to him, and his consciousness had been tempered to that quality by the years of training and discipline he had subjected himself to.

Maiduguri, the state capital.

A competent source said many of the terrorists were killed by troops in Gamboru-Ngala before the troops ran out of ammunition and had to cross over the border into Cameroon to join forces with their Cameroonian counterparts to repel the attacks.

According to a BBC Hausa programme monitored in Maiduguri by our correspondent and corroborated by sources, the insurgents invaded Banki town on Sunday, and stormed GamboruNgala, at about 5am, yesterday.

It was gathered that while in Banki, the insurgents overpowered the troops on ground by deploying rocket-propelled launchers, and improvised explosive devices, IEDs on the duty posts of the troops who managed to escape and fled towards Amhide villages before they entered Cameroon for safety.

It was also revealed that some of the troops in Banki fled to Marwa through Gazawa, another community bordering Borno and Cameroon Republic. It was not clear whether there was any casualty on both sides.

However, sources said many casualties were recorded including terrorists, security operatives and civilians who were caught up in the crossfire.

400 soldiers escape to Cameroon Also in Gamboru-

Ngala, it was discovered that more than 400 of the troops managed to escape during the attack on their facilities, and reunited with their Cameroonian counterparts who made frantic efforts to repel the attackers. As residents said, the exchange of gunfire was ongoing between the terrorists and the military around the border communities of Cameroon and Nigeria.

A resident of Gamboru, who fled to Maiduguri yesterday evening, told our correspondent that “the insurgents who occupied the area were not after civilians, and asked residents not to flee, saying they were not in the town to attack civilians but military operatives.

“Some of us who could not withstand the sounds of gunshots and explosions between the insurgents and the military had to flee for safety, while others managed to stay based on the terrorists’ assurance that they were not after residents.

Unfortunately, as I am speaking to you, I have seen corpses of civilians and that of terrorists on the streets of GamboruNgala, suspected to have been caught up in the crossfire or stray bullets”.

A top military source in Maiduguri, who is not authorized to speak to the press confirmed the attacks in the border communities, insisting that the fighting was ongoing, but couldn’t give the number of casualties.

The position of things, by Defence HQ The Defence Headquarters in its reaction to Nigerian troops found in Cameroon explained that military authorities of both countries have discussed the issue and resolved it while the Nigerian soldiers have returned to their base.

A report posted on the Defence Blog regarding the incident said: “The Nigerian troops that were found in Cameroon was as a result of a sustained battle between the troops and the terrorists around the borders with Cameroon which saw Nigerian troops charging through the borders in a tactical manoeuvre.

“Eventually they found themselves on Cameroonian soil. Being allies, the normal protocol of managing such incident demanded that the troops submit their weapons in order to assure the friendly country that they were not on a hostile mission.

“Following necessary discussions between Ni-

gerian and Cameroonian military authorities, the issues have been sorted out. Subsequently, the troops are on their way back to join their unit in Nigeria.

“The reference to the incident as a defection is therefore not appropriate considering the discussion between the two countries’ military leadership and the series of contacts with the soldiers who have confirmed that they are safe.

Adamawa acting gov imposes curfew Meanwhile, following the escalating insurgent attacks on Madagali, Gulak and other adjoining villages in the border between Adamawa and Borno states, Acting Governor of Adamawa State has declared a 24-hour curfew in the areas.

In a statement in Yola yesterday, the government observed that it has no alternative than to take such measures. But, in a swift reaction, the insurgents urged residents to go about their normal businesses, claiming that they were in charge of the entire areas.

The declaration of the curfew followed the recent upsurge of terrorist attacks forcing residents of the entire areas to move either to Mubi or Yola, the state capital, even as others were heading towards Gombe.

Insurgents moving towards Yola, says Gulak Residents of Gulak, Madagali and other communities in the area said the insurgents bombarded as if heaven will fall or as if the world was coming to an end.

Mr. Ahmed Gulak, an indigene of the area and former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on political matters described the situation there as beyond comment.

Gulak, who spoke to newsmen in his country home in Yola, argued that the insurgents will soon head towards the state capital if they were not checked immediately.

Residents of the areas who spoke on phone with journalists confirmed that the insurgents were in full control of the entire communities with no presence of security men.

According to the villagers, the insurgents have been patrolling the streets of Madagali and Gulak as well as the highway leading to Borno State, urging the people to go about their normal businesses and ignore the curfew imposed by the Adamawa State Government.

According to the villagers, the insurgents claimed that they were in full control of the areas and challenged the Nigerian security to come there and enforce the curfew.

Gwoza attack: 10 missing police officers make contact, 7 rescued Also, indications emerged, yesterday, that scores of Boko Haram terrorists who attacked the Mobile Police Training Camp in Gwoza last Wednesday, have fled the facility for fear of being bombed by military aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force.

It was gathered that the location of the camp itself, which was used for hazard, intimidation and endurance training to toughen Mobile Police officers and men, is difficult to access but easy to attack from air.

In a television programme yesterday, Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu while speaking on the development disclosed that the Police, Army and other security agencies were working in partnership to flush out terrorists from the camp and other parts of Gwoza.

This disclosure came Continues on page 14

6—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, AUGUST 26, 2014

Family of 4 perishes in Ondo road crash

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE — A FAMILY of four has reportedly perished while three others were injured in an auto crash along the Ikare-Owo expressway in Ondo State.

Identities of the deceased were unknown at press time.

It was gathered that a father, mother and their two children who were travelling to their village for the weekend perished in the crash.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased family were driving a Toyota Camry vehicle marked AP 208 FDD which rammed into a truck marked LSD 547XE. The crash Vanguard learnt occurred at Ago Eleye in Ikare, close to Oba-Akoko area of the state.

The driver of the car, it was learnt, while negotiating a bend lost control of the car and had an head on collision with a truck.

It was learnt that the four family members died instantly in the crash as their vehicle had to be removed from underneath the truck.

Their mangled bodies were recovered by FRSC officials from Ikare and taken to Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo. Those injured were also rushed to the same hospital where they are on admission.

Speaking with Vanguard, the Unit Commander of the FRSC, David Ogundana, said the accident resulted from dangerous driving and loss of control by the car driver.

Ogundana said those involved in the crash included two male adults, one female adult, and four female children.

The unit commander said officials of the commission

Two Beninoise nabbed with human skull in Lagos

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command has arrested two citizens of Benin Republic, identified as Gerard Djassau and Sassau Djimon, for being in possession of a human skull.

The suspects, who were apprehended by a team of policemen on patrol along Lagos-Badagry expressway, were said to be herbalists.

According to reports, 32year-old Djassau said he got the skull from an herbalist friend in his community in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

While the second suspect, Djimon, also an herbalist, who lives at Owode Egba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said he was expecting Djassau to bring the human parts to his house as agreed before they were arrested.

It was gathered that the Benin nationals were initially arrested by policemen from the Badagry Police Division before their case was transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command.

Suspects' account During

interrogation,

The suspects Djassau, who is married with two children, told Vanguard that he brought the human skull to Lagos to give Djimon, his country man, so that they

could use it to get more spiritual powers.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Djimon claimed he was truly expecting Djassau to pay him a visit, but he was not aware

he was coming with a human skull.

The father of five said: “Although I am from Benin Republic, I grew up in Lagos, and that is why I can speak Yoruba language fluently. I work as a native doctor too in Owode Egba area of Abeokuta. I treat women who are barren, people who have epilepsy, blood pressure and other ailments.

“When Djassau came to my house last year, he consulted fellow herbalists that he needed more powers for his work. When leaving, he told me he would be bringing an idol for me from Benin Republic which would be used for the powers. I did not know he was bringing a human skull until I saw the police who came to arrest me.”

Their arrest, according to Police sources, followed an intelligence report received by the Lagos State Police Command on activities of human parts dealers, which made the Commander SARS, Abba Kyari, to embark on a manhunt that led to the arrest of the suspects.

The suspects, as gathered, would be charged to court soon.

Court remands hotel guard over murder

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS— AN Ebute-Metta magistrate’s court has ordered that a 32-year-old hotel gaurd, Azeez Ibrahim, be remanded in prison custody pending the legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, over the murder of a 22-year-old man, Adebusayo Ogunkoya.

The defendant, who is facing a count charge of murder preferred against him by the

police, was docked before Magistrate E. B. Daudu.

The prosecutor, Inspector Richard Odigie, told the court that the defendant, who is a resident of Imuti-Ita-Oluwo in Ogun State, committed the crime on July 6, 2014 at about 2.30am at his duty post at Mamibila Hotel, OwutuIkorodu, Lagos.

He said the defendant killed the deceased with a pump action gun.

According to Odigie, the offence is punishable under

Scene of an accident involving an articulated vehicle carrying cows at Giri on LokojaKaduna road, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Section 221 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the security man in prison for the first 30 days for the DPP’s advice.

He told the court that the remand application was brought pursuant to Section 246(1)(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos state 2011.

However, counsel to the defendant, Spurgeon Ataene, urged the court to discountenance the prosecutor ’s remand application and admit the defendant to bail in the most liberal term.

Spurgeon said the application for bail was in pursuant to Section 264 (1), (5) and (9) of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2011.

He informed the court that the defendant did not intentionally kill the deceased but that the incident occurred when some suspected hoodlums wanted to attack him.

He urged the court to use Section 264 (5) to examine the casefile to know the correct picture of the incident and admit the defendant to bail pending the time the DPP will issue an advice on the matter or alternatively to strike out the charge brought against the defendant.

He also informed the court that the family of the deceased had written a letter of withdrawal from the case.

He said: “My opposition to the remand application was sequel to Section 264 (1),(5) and (9) of the Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos state, 2011.

"As counsel to the defendant, I have it on a good authority that there is a letter of withdrawal from the nominal complainant and that the defendant as a security man, was attacked by suspected hoodlums before the gun exploded and killed the deceased.

“If my lord examined and find that this is the correct position, your honour can come under sub-section 5 of 264 of Administration of Criminal Justice, of Lagos State and admit the defendant to bail pending an advice from DPP, or alternatively, strike out this charge.”

In his response, the prosecutor, Inspector Odigie said such letter was not before the court.

Consequently, the magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody for the next 30 days for DPP to issue an advice on the matter.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014—7

Man commits suicide after losing money to ex-lover A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA— A middleaged man, Samsideen Akinwunmi, has reportedly committed suicide in Abeokuta after being duped by his concubine.

Akinwunmi, a carpenter,

was said to have been found dead after allegedly hanging himself on a ceiling fan in his room located at Aboaba Street, Itori-Odo, Abeokuta.

A source told Vanguard that the incident occurred on Saturday.

The source further said that he saw Akinwunmi at about 2:45 pm on Saturday when he sent all his children on errand before killing himself.

According to the source, the deceased left a suicide note which explained why he

killed himself.

“He indicated that his estranged lover had duped him of millions of Naira and that he had to kill himself.

Reacting to the incident, a community leader and Alapinni of Egbaland, Chief

Omolaso Ojedele, said it was a tragedy.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached for reaction. It was, however, gathered that the Police had taken the corpse away.

26-yr-old man crushed while watching Falconets' match

By Samuel Oyadongha

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A Mercerdes Benz Salon car with number plate AFM-610SN on fire after an accident in Rumuola, Port Harcourt, weekend. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

ENAGOA — A car crushed to death a 26year-old boy at a popular viewing centre along Sani Abacha Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, while he and several others were watching the Super Falconets of Nigeria and Germany Under-20 Female World Cup final in the early hours of yesterday.

The incident, which occurred at about 1.30 am triggered pandemonium at the bar some distance from NNPC filling station as fun seekers and those watching the match scampered for safety.

Most of the eyewitnesses could not explain how the driver of the Honda Sports Utility Van, SUV, crashed into the crowd of football fans and fun seekers in the

Bariga, Somolu residents indict council bosses, police over activities of cultists L

AGOS — Residents of Bariga and Somolu, areas of Lagos State have made an appeal to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to come to their aid over the activities of some cultists in the area, who have become a source of nightmare.

The residents said they had received several threat letters from cult groups warning them to stay indoors or relocate from the areas as they are coming to spill blood.

They also said they live in constant fear and could hardly sleep with their two eyes closed.

Residents indict LG bosses, Police A resident, Alfa Eyinfunjowo, said many of the cultists were political thugs who are connected to the local government chairmen of Somolu and

Bariga. He also indicted the policemen in Ilaje and Pedro of complicity in the atrocities of the gangs.

“The first culprits, to me are the chairmen of Somolu and Bariga. They both belong to the same party and are jolly friends and I don’t see reason why they can’t collaborate to flush out these boys from their domain. But they can’t do that because they know these boys very well. They do dirty jobs for them during elections.

So how can you deal with them?

“I also blame the police. It is like the boys have completely overwhelmed them and they don’t have a clue on how to deal with the situation. They always respond to our distress calls whenever we call them, but that is after an hour or two after the boys have cause monumental destruction and are gone."

Bariga LCDA chair reacts

Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Akeem Sulaimon, said he had risked his life on several occasions to stop their activities all to no avail, contrary to reports that he makes use of the cult boys.

He also added that majority of the boys had no electoral value because they are not registered voters.

He said he had arrested some of them and locked them up. How they were released from prison, according to him, still remains a mystery.

“These boys in question, I have risked my life severally to try and address the situation. However, when these boys are locked up, they will be calling me from police cells using their numbers that are known and they will say that the police told them that I was the one responsible for their incarceration and they want me to do something about their release.

Benue Police arrest man with AK-47, ammunition

By Peter Duru

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•It’s not true — Council Chairmen

By Onozure Dania

bar.

The driver of the vehicle, it was learnt, had attempted to drive out of the car wash section of the bar where the vehicle was parked when it rammed into the crowd.

A customer, identified as Biggy, who escaped death by the whiskers, confirmed that the deceased used to work in a bakery.

Two other girls reportedly sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

According to an eyewitness, “the driver must have stepped fully on the accelerator and drove straight at us. I and some other dived out of his path but the boy was unlucky. The vehicle crushed him and dragged him into the club." Some other persons dancing inside the club were also injured.”

"How do they have access to their phones? Virtually, all these boys they are talking about have been arrested at one time or the other and the police know their activities.

"So, who is responsible for their release? Was it me?

Maybe those saying the boys are working for me are political adversaries who want to give a dog a bad name to hang it”. .

They are not working for me —Somolu LGA chair

Also speaking, Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Olorogun Gbolahan Bago-Stowe who sent a text from London to our reporter, also denied any knowledge of his using the boys to settle political scores.

He said: “Those boys are not working for me. I am out of the country now. You can go to any police station, CDC, Baale or Oba of Somolu to confirm if I have any linkage with these cultists.”

AKURDI — OFFICERS of the Benue State Police Command on stop and search duty, at the early hours of yesterday, arrested a middle aged man, Salondo Viashima, in Makurdi, the state capital, with an AK-47 rifle and nine rounds of live ammunition.

Briefing journalists on the arrest, Acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Oyeleye, said the suspect was arrested on the everbusy Makurdi-Lafia road.

Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent, SP, Daniel Ezeala, he said: “At the early hours of yesterday, Police officers on stop and search duty along the Makurdi-Lafia road spotted an ash coloured Toyota Camry with registration number LSD 941 AA bearing green leaves on its bonnet.

He said: “The car which was heading towards Makurdi main town with three male occupants was stopped for routine checks, and when the driver was questioned he said they were going for a burial ceremony."

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Elumelu back as UBA chairman T

HE Board of United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA, yesterday named Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, CON, as Chairman to succeed Ambassador Joe Keshi. Mr. Elumelu until this new appointment is Chairman/ CEO of Heirs Holdings, the pan-African proprietary investment company, founded by him in 2010.

Elumelu retired as Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA in 2010, following the introduction by the Central Bank of Nigeria of 10-year tenure limits for bank CEOs. He had served as CEO of the UBA Group for 13 years, where he was responsible for the creation of today ’s UBA, a financial services institution providing services to more than 10 million customers, across the continent and in London, Paris and New York.

The Chairmanship of UBA will complement Mr. Elumelu’s existing positions with other Heirs Holdings’ portfolio businesses, including the Chairmanships of Tenoil

Petroleum & Energy Services Limited and Seadrill Limited.

“Tony Elumelu’s track record at UBA speaks for itself,” said Mr. Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO UBA. “His return to the Board brings a depth of knowledge and experience in the African financial services industry that is second to none. We are privileged to have him lead the Board at this critical stage in our development.”

Analysts and leaders of shareholder groups also welcomed Mr. Elumelu’s return.

“Banking in Africa is a dynamic, exciting and an increasingly competitive and challenging industry,” said economic and financial analyst, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives.

“Tony is visionary, courageous and has shown an ability to both think for the long term, and to create significant shareholder value.

The drive, dynamism and competitiveness that we saw during his period as CEO of UBA, was one of the catalysts of the enormous changes in the Nigerian banking sector,” he said.

Dr. Farouk Umar, President Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS) said, “We are delighted with this appointment. It bodes well for UBA and the banking industry, now and in the future. Elumelu is a transformer and value creator for shareholders. We are excited about his return.”

With operations in 19 African countries and presence in New York, London and Paris, UBA is one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa. The Bank recently unveiled its Project Alpha, a three-year road map of key transformation initiatives, designed to consolidate the group’s

Former Chairman, UBA Plc, Amb. Joe Keshi, and new Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, at the formal hand-over ceremony, at the UBA Head Office, in Lagos, yesterday. strategic positioning and fully exploit the opportunities provided by Africa’s economic renaissance and the UBA Group’s unique platform.

“I am very much looking forward to returning to the Group — UBA represents a tremendous investment

Ebola: Confirmed cases now 13 —FG .One patient for discharge this week .Liberian doctor dies after receiving ZMapp .Nigeria can kick out Ebola by Sept if... —Experts .Market women, men sensitised

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna, Emmanuel Elebeke, Caleb Ayansina & Gabriel Olawale

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HE Federal Government has stated that the official number of confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, including the index (first) case in the country is 13 and not 14 as earlier announced, even as one more Ebola patient under treatment has recovered and is almost ready for discharge.

Giving an explanation for the reduction in cases, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu stated in Abuja, yesterday, that the 14th Ebola case initially announced as positive had eventually turned out to be false.

Chukwu, who reacted while giving an update on EVD in Nigeria, affirmed that “the total number of deaths due to EVD (including the index case) remains five, while the total number of those treated and discharged is also five.

“Total number of EVD patients currently under treatment in the isolation ward is now three.

The Ebola patient under treatment has recovered and almost ready for discharge.

This patient was a primary contact of the index case, it was gathered.

The need for confirmation about the actual total number of confirmed Ebola patients and those under treatment at the isolation ward became necessary following conflicting reports in the media.

Liberian doctor dies after receiving ZMapp A Liberian doctor who received one of the last known doses of ZMapp, an experimental Ebola drug, has died, even as Canada said it has yet to send out doses of a potential vaccine that the government is donating.

Dr. Abraham Borbor, the deputy chief medical doctor at Liberia’s largest hospital, had received ZMapp, after it was given to two Americans. After receiving medical care in the U.S. they later survived the virus that had killed about half of its victims.

Only six people in the world are known to have received the untested ZMapp. The small supply is now said to be exhausted and it is expected to be months before more can be produced by its U.S. maker.

Nigeria can kick out Ebola by Sept if... – Experts Meanwhile, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to check the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country, science and technology experts had declared that Nigeria can still achieve 100 per cent eradication of the disease by September this year if the country could sustain the current momentum.

Director, National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Prof.

Abdulsami Nasidi, who stated this in Abuja, said Nigerians should no longer panic about the spread of Ebola because "it is already under serious check by the authorities.

“Those that are involved are being monitored and those that are first level of contact have started recovering. Our scientists are at work and I know that if the current effort by the Federal government to check the Ebola Virus is sustained, Ebola will be completely be eradicated in Nigeria by September, provided the people maintain clean and good hygiene and avoid any person to person contact."

He insisted that people without prior contact with Ebola disease have no businesses to be subjected to any blood screening before they can travel out of the country.

Also speaking, Prof.

Sunday Omilabu of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, dispelled the fear about Ebola spread in the country, saying that the scientists are already keeping the samples of the victims and ensuring that people do not get in contact with them.

“We know how we keep samples in the laboratory, where we make sure people do not get contact with them. The virus has been studied and now we know how the virus is transmitted and we know that it is true that some animals, especially gorillas, monkeys that come across infested fruits and of course, person to person transmission can transmit the virus to others.

FG sensitises traders in FCT Also, as part of efforts to curb

the spread of EVD in the country, the Federal government commenced sensitisation campaign for market women and men in the nation’s capital.

At a workshop and sensitisation on Ebola virus organised by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, there were in attendance 22 chapters of Association of Market Women cut across the six local area councils in the Federal Capital Territory.

During the campaign, hygienic environment, washing of hands with soap/ ash and water always couple with avoiding eating improperly cooked ‘bush meat’ were rolled out as tips for the residents to observe.

Director General, NOA, in his opening remarks told the gathering to avoid contact with blood, urine, saliva, sweat of infected animal or patient, dead or alive.

These are in addition to reporting of the death of suspected patients to the nearest health facility as well as avoiding traditional burial practices such as embalming or washing of the dead body of infected patient.

Director-General, NOA, Omeri said the Federal Government had already placed the Federal Ministry of Health on red alert to prevent the spread of the disease.

The DG explained that with the current situation in the country, what people need to do was to cooperate with the government to curtail the spread of the ebola virus.

opportunity, and is at an inflection point in its growth path. We have an extremely powerful executive team and I am looking forward to bringing my experience and energy, to guide UBA’s longterm strategy," said Elumelu.

EBOLA: Controversy over health status of Adadevoh's sister

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna, Emmanuel Elebeke, Caleb Ayansina & Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS — THERE was controversy last night over the health status of a sister to the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, following reports that she might have tested positive to Ebola Virus Disease.

While reports in the social media said she tested positive and corroborated by a family source, Vanguard, however, gathered from other sources that although she was tested for the virus due to her serious contact with the late doctor, the result came out negative.

However, when contacted, the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, stated: “I am not aware, please.”

Reports on social media, had alleged that the woman in question had previously been a suspected case, a suspicion later confirmed by blood test.

“She has been moved to isolation at the Ebola treatment centre in Lagos. She joins two other patients there under-going evaluation and treatment,” the reports alleged.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014 —9

STRIKE: Healthcare services yet to resume in earnest

By Sola Ogundipe, Abdulsalam Muhammad, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

NORMAL HEALTHCARE services in Federal and State hospitals got off to a slow start yesterday as doctors under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, returned to work following the suspension of

their 56 days old protracted indefinite strike over the weekend.

Several hours after most health institutions across the Federation opened for the day’s activities, medical doctors were not seen at their duty posts while a few that were present were said to be in a meeting.

A visit to some of the hospitals in Lagos showed

almost total absence of patients at the various hospital departments and few doctors who claimed to have resumed duty were also offering skeletal services in the outpatient clinics and wards.

However, it was reliably gathered that the 16,000 resident doctors sacked a week ago across the country are yet to resume in their various

SUBMISSION: From left, former Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC,Ahmed Moddibo; National Organising Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Mustapha, and PDP Chieftain, Sani Bala, during submission of nomination form for gubernatorial election in Adamawa State by Moddibo, at the PDP Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

hospitals.

Vanguard investigation revealed that in all the hospitals visited, the situation has not changed from what it was since the doctors embarked on the protracted strike.

From the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, NOHL, among others, the situation was the same.

At LASUTH, for instance, normal activities were yet to return when our reported visited around 12.00 noon yesterday. At the Medical Emergency Department of the hospital, it was gathered that new patients were not being admitted.

A few patients were seen lying helplessly at the entrance with no immediate assistance in sight.

A staff of the hospital who spoke to Vanguard under anonymity confirmed that only skeletal services are being rendered for the time being as no tangible arrangements for full resumption of services were on ground.

“Most of these people you see here are waiting for doctors, if they are lucky they may be attended to, but what I know is that the doctors are currently at an emergency meeting,” the staff explained.

Similarly, at the surgical outpatient department of the hospital, a large number of patients were seen on a long queue, waiting to be attended to.

Some of the patients said they had been around since 6:00am but were yet to be attended to by any doctor because of the long queue.

A few health workers seen attending to some of the patients were , however, not wearing protective materials in line with safety measures recommended by the state government to contain outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease.

Also at LUTH, there were no patients in sight.

From the Female Medical, Male Surgical to Paediatric departments, no

tangible services were being rendered. The same scenario played out at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Yaba.

Reacting to the strike, Chairman, LUTH Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Dr. Olubunmi Omojowolo, said the strike had been suspended but there were a lot of intricacies concerning the strike.

“Generally, after calling off a strike it takes some time before things will start falling into place and this particular strike, is complicated by the fact that resident doctors are still sacked. The Federal Government is yet to reverse their decision and the resident doctors constitute the bulk of doctors in Teaching Hospitals.

“Even now, the resident doctors are on ground but we cannot work until the Federal government withdraws the circular,” he noted saying that other cadre of doctors notably the consultants cannot do much without the resident doctors.

Also reacting, the Secretary, NMA Lagos, Dr. Saheed Babajide, confirmed that the strike has been called off, but said the doctors had not resumed duty.

“Let me also tell you that the resident doctors are not working because the Federal government has not reversed its circular on the sack of the 16,000 resident doctors. Again, we have also gone to the industrial court to stop the Chief Medical Directors of the various Teaching Hospitals from giving the resident doctors letters of termination.”

In Kano, the doctors have also not resumed duties 24 hours after the strike was called off.

Vanguard checks in the commercial city revealed that a huge crowd of Out Patients that were seen in all the three tertiary health institutions Monday left home disappointed as there were no doctors on duty to attend to them.

At the Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, beds were still empty as no patient has been admitted, while it was the same scenario in other Government Hospitals including Murtala Mohammed Hospital and

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Court stops FG from sacking resident doctors

By Onozure Dania

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AG O S — N AT I O N A L Industrial Court, NIC, yesterday in Lagos, restrained the Federal Government through the Chief Medical Directors of 37 medical institutions across the country from terminating the appointment of the resident doctors.

President of the court, Justice Babatunde Adejumon, gave the order, while ruling on a Motion on Notice filed by the Registered Trustee of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, against the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Health and 37 Chief Medical Directors of University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres across the country.

Joined as respondents in the suit, are the Chief Medical Directors of Aminu Kanu Teaching Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, University College Hospital, Ibadan, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Calabar Teaching Hospital, University of Ilorin

Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital.

Others respondents, are the

medical Directors of Federal Medical Centres in Asaba, Azare, Bida, Birnin-Kebbi, Birnin Kudu, Gombe, Keffi, Gusau, Ido-Ekiti, Katsina, Lokoja, Makurdi, Owerri, Owo, Umuahia, Yenegoa, Yola, Ebute Metta, Lagos and Yobe state respectively.

In his ruling, Adejumon, further ordered that status quo ante be maintained pending the

hearing and determination of the suit filed by the resident doctors.

On the issue of suspension training programmes for doctors, the court, also directed that the claimant (NMA) to put all the respondents on notice, saying the issue would be better addressed when parties joined issues before the court.

PLAUDITS FOR FASHOLA: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (4th right) receiving a Certificate of Commendation from former Senate President, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Mr. Ahmed Agbabiaka (2nd left), supported by NANS Chairman, Lagos State, Mr. Eleto Arowoshola (left) and the Coordinator, South West Zone, Sunday Asefon (5th right) during their courtesy visit to the governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja yesterday.

With him are: His Deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (3rd right), Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba (2nd right) and others.

LASU: We're being victimised —STUDENTS others not to face any panel. Since the

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—STUDENTS leaders in the South-West of the country, yesterday claimed students who participated in the agitation against increase in Lagos State University, LASU tuition fees were being victimized by the institution management Under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, South West, they alleged this while presenting certificate of commendation to Fashola at the State House, Alausa, Secretariat, Ikeja.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State at the 19th convocation of the institution, announced the reversal of the tuition fees of LASU to the old charges, making student of the school to pay N25, 000.00.

Speaking, NANS chairman, Lagos State, Mr. Yakub Eletu, alleged “Some of the students have been asked to face the senate while some are being denied the opportunity to go for their National Youth Service Corps, NYSC because they protested over the increase in school fees. In order to deny students the opportunity to serve their fatherland, Eletu said that the school management withheld their call up letters sent from NYSC headquarters, Abuja.

Vanguard gathered that some of the alleged victimized students are Mr. Yemi Cole and Mr. Ogungbe Maruf.

According to the NANS Chairman “We want the governor to prevail on the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa to sheath his sword and allow the student who wants to go for NYSC to do so and

fee has been reduced by the governor, there is no need for the school management to victimize anyone.”

The students leaders also appealed to Fashola to prevail on his Ogun state counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to re-open the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye and to revert the tuition of the institution.

Responding, Fashola urged students leaders in the country to brace up for future leadership roles in the country, saying they should “use student unionism as a platform and opportunity to prepare themselves for future leadership that earnestly awaits them.”

The governor argued that actions and inactions as student leaders would define their perception of leadership both now and in the near future.

Lagos trains 1,000 teachers in ICT

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS State Government, yesterday, said no fewer than 1,000 secondary school teachers in the state were currently undergoing training in the effective use of Information Communication Technology, ICT. Commissioner for Education, Mrs, Olayinka Oladunjoye, who disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the workshop in Lagos, noted that it was the beginning of a series of capacity building interventions and activities for teachers in the state public secondary schools which the government was putting together.

According to her, “In Lagos State, our thinking is that while it is right to build infrastructure, it is even of greater importance to build the capacity of staff who will deliver services to the teeming populace of our State. The reasoning behind this is the fact that only competent and committed teachers teach, not bricks and mortar.

Hence, the state government’s decision to continuously invest in the education sector through a variety of interventions like the development of physical infrastructure and development of teaching and administrative staff in state public schools.

“Apart from improving on the physical infrastructure in the state’s public schools, we have invested heavily in capacity building across all strata of the education sector particularly through the Lagos Eko Secondary Education Project by strengthening school administration, enhancing service delivery and improving learning outcomes.''

Manko, ex-Lagos CP, resumes in Zone 2

By Esther Onyegbula

F

ORMER Lagos State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Manko, will tomorrow resume as the new Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.

Manko took over from Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe who just resumed duty at the Nigeria Police headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja as Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Supply.

Manko has held sway in Lagos as

a principal crime fighter and pundits believe that his reign coupled with the robust support of Governor Babatunde Fashola, has reduced the rate of crime in the state.

Manko was born on the 14th of June, 1958 in Bida Lo c a l G o v e r n me n t Area of Niger State, to the royal family of Wachinbe Moh’d Musa, a grandson of Etsu Mamman Suba, the 2nd Etsu Nupe of the Fulani dynasty of Nupe Kingdom and Hajiya Fatima Zakari.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 11

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

We need fearless Gov in Rivers —Monarch

Orubebe, group condole with Aziza's family, UPU

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Paramount Ruler of Omagwa Kingdom, HRH, Eze Jacob Orji, has said that the state need a fearless and courageous governor like the incumbent Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who he said was determined to take the people of the state to the promise land.

Speaking when about 1,350 defected People’s Democratic Party, PDP, members paid him a courtesy visit in his palace, he noted that it was worthwhile that an Ogoni son should be given the opportunity to rule the state, considering that since the creation of the state, they have not produced a governor for the state.

The monarch advised the group not to make a mistake or betray anybody in their search for Amaechi’s successor in Ogoniland but to search for a fearless candidate like Amaechi.

He said: “Don’t betray yourself tomorrow because of naira. If you say Ogoni man should be governor in 2015, you are not far from the truth. But the person must be like Amaechi, who boldly refused the idea to supportRiversoilwellstobeacceded to Bayelsa State. That is the kind ofcandidateIwantyoutobring."

Ibom students, group endorse Udom for 2015

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YO—AKWA Ibom students and Afe Annang, have called on Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to declare his interest in the 2015 governorship race.

Afe Annang, a foremost traditional institution in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district, and the students under the auspices of National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS and Joint Campus Committee, JCC, in the state, called on Mr. Emmanuel to declare his interest as their preferred candidate for the State governorship race in 2015.

Emmanuel from Eket senatorial district is also of Ibibio nationality though has been endorsed by groups and individuals is yet to declared interest in the race.

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By Tommy Anaduaka

ARRI—FORMER Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has condoled the Aziza family and the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU over the death of Gen. Patrick Aziza.

Orubebe, who visited to the Aziza family and UPU in Adagbrasa, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, accompanied by the members of the Delta Peoples Forum, DPF, a political group working for the actualisation of his political aspiration in 2015, said that the late Aziza, was a great leader, who fought for the unity of Nigeria as a soldier and tried to unify his people for their collective aspirations after retiring from the army.

Meanwhile, Delta State chapter of Joint Governance Vanguard, JGV, a group in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term in office has expressed shock and disbelief over the death Aziza.

JGV in a statement by its state coordinator, Ogbueshi Philip Oduah, described the late Aziza as a fine military officer, who played a leadership role as the President-General UPU in the Urhobo nation.

Continuing, Orubebe, said that he visited the late UPU President

General in his hospital bed in London and from their discussion, he was certain that Aziza meant well for Nigeria, Delta State and the Urhobo nation.

Orubebe noted that when the history of Nigeria will be written, the name of General Aziza will surely be remembered, adding that he “lived a fulfilled life, fought a good fight, and

today, he is resting in the bosom of the Lord.”

He advised the immediate family, the UPU and the Urhobo nation to rely solely on God at this moment of trial.

Elder Orubebe appealed to UPU and Aziza family to notify him and the DPF the date for the burial, so that he and his team can participate fully in giving “our father and leader, a be-

fitting funeral.”

Earlier in a condolence message, Director General of DPF, Chief Terry Noah, expressed shock and sadness over the death of Aziza.

Noah said that Elder Orubebe and the entire members the DPF convey their heart felt condolence and sympathy to the Aziza's family the leadership of UPU and the entire Urhobo nation.

VISIT: Director General, National Gallery of Art, NGA, Abdullahi Muku (left) and, DG, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Peter Jack, during a courtesy visit to NITDA by NGA management team in Abuja, yesterday.

LAND DISPUTE: Court rules in favour of Ihonmidumi-Illeh vision, before it was again transthe preponderance of evidence fendants, their agents, servcommunity ferred to Benin Division on Febas required by law. And I so ants or privies from further

B

By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—AN Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, has declared that the people of Ihonmidumu-Illeh community of Ekopma in Esan West Local Government Area of the state are the rightful owners of a parcel of land in dispute between the community and some persons from Akho- Irrua in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

The plaintiffs had in the suit, which was first filed at Ekpoma Division of the state high court, but later transferred to Afuze Di-

ruary 25, 2005, sought a “declaration that they were entitled to a Certificate of Occupancy over the said parcel of land in dispute delineated and verged red in their Survey plan no VSP/BD89/003A *An order of perpetual injunction restraining the de-

trespassing on the said land and N500,000 compensation for damages for trespassing on the said land.

Trial judge, Justice Morrison Ighodalo in his judgment, said “In summary, I am of the view that the plaintiffs have succeeded in proving their claim on

ALLEGED IMPOSITION: Bomadi group calls for removal of Delta PDP chair Local Government Area, Delta

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By Festus Ahon

GHELLI—DISSATISFIED with the outcome of

the just concluded council primaries, the people of Bomadi under the auspices of Grassroot Support Group, GSG, Bomadi

Awankere festival'll continue for another 500yrs —Esisi Warri, commended Chief Ayirimi festival has no ethnic limitation

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ARRI—THE Olare-Aja of Okere community in Warri South Local Government, Delta State, Ogieboro E. Esisi, has said that the popular Awankere festival celebrated annually by the people of Okere will continue for another 500 years, promising that the festival will “grow from strength to strength.”

Esisi at the grand finale of the 517th edition of Awankere festival in Okere Market Square,

hold.

“In the premises, it is hereby declared that the plaintiffs are the persons entitled to the grant of a Certificate of Occupancy over the said piece or parcel of land in dispute, delineated and verged red in plaintiffs’ survey plan No. VPS/BD89/003A filed by the plaintiffs in this suit."

Emami, MTN Nigeria, other individuals and institutions that supported the festival over the years and expressed optimism that the event will continue to promote peaceful coexistence among all ethnic groups living in Okere and Warri.

Public Relations Officer of Okere Community, Mr David Oki, who traced the history of Okere people and its festival to Benin Kingdom, noted that the

but one which takes place annually same period with the Osun Oshogbo festival.

Representative of MTN, Mr. Oscar Nze in a goodwill message observed that festivals such as Awankere needed to be celebrated, so as to pass on the history of generations to younger ones. He promised that Awankere festival will continue to enjoy the support of his company.

State, have called for the removal of the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi over what they described as the poor handling of the chairmanship primaries in the area.

Chairman of the group, Mr Naotu Kingdom in a chat, said that the primaries in Bomadi were not properly handled. He faulted the purported declaration of Mr Oluwole Karetimi in place of Mr Ebimobo-Owei Babar as the party’s flagbearer.

Meanwhile, Mr Godswill Komani has congratulated Mr Ebimobo-Owei Babar on his purported emergence as the PDP chairmanship candidate in the forthcoming council elections slated for October 25.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 —13

Mimiko: PDP, Labour Party may merge in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—INDICATIONS emerged yesterday that Labour Party in Ondo State would soon merge with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, following weekend defection of Governor Segun Mimiko to PDP, even as aspirants in both parties for next year’s general elections are now in dilemma over what the future holds for them.

The aspirants are said to be protesting that with the development, political equations in the two parties would definitely change as some heavyweights from the parties would overshadow others.

Prominent leaders of the PDP in the state met at a popular hotel in Akure to discuss the political development.

The who is who in the party in the state were said to have agreed to receive the governor with open hands, arguing that the defection should be seen as a positive development to boost the fortune of the party.

State chairman of the PDP, Ebenezer Alabi said however, that the national secretariat of the party was yet to brief the state chapter while the governor had not reached out to leaders of the party in the state.

According to him; “We heard that the governor is still

consulting and if the national secretariat informs us and he eventually comes, we have agreed to set up a seven-member committee to meet with him.

It was gathered that leaders of the party were meeting to put their ‘house’ in order before the formal arrival of the governor.

They were said to have agreed to be united with a common position when governor Mimiko eventually became the party leader to avoid being at a disadvantage.

Leaders at the meeting include a member of the Board of Trustee, BOT of the party, Dr Bode Olajumoke; former governorship candidate of the

party, Chief Olusola Oke; former Ambassador to Austria, Prof Olu Agbi; Ebenezer Alabi and the state executive members and executives of the party from the 18 council areas of the state.

Vanguard learnt that leaders of the LP, who were directed by the governor to pass the message of his defection to the grassroots are meeting some resistance believed to have been instigated by those who hold the view that the defection would affect their political ambitions.

They are of the opinion the planned merger may have put paid to their ambition.

Closure of OOU: Policemen deployed to Ago Iwoye, Abeokuta

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — SECURITY Operatives have taken over strategic locations in Abeokuta and Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye including all its campuses across the state to prevent possible breakdown of law and order by the students following Saturday ’s closure of the institution by the state government.

Anti-riot policemen were seen in and around the institution at AgoIwoye in Ijebu-North local government area of the state while they were also sighted in all various campuses across the state.

The Police had issued a warning to the students against any protest over the reduction of fees announced by the state government.

The state government had on Saturday announced the immediate closure of the institution, to forestall breach of peace and order as the students had continued to issue threats while rejecting all entreaties and concessions by the government on their on the recently announced reduction of school fees in the state.

Vanguard gathered that, there was heavy presence of Policemen in strategic areas in and around the institution and Abeokuta.

Efforts to speak with the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi was unsuccessful as he could not be reached.

But, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR in Ogun State yesterday, condemned the closure of the institution, describing it as unholy.

The CDHR in a statement by state Chairman, Folarin Olayinka and the Public Relations Officer, Femi Agunbiade, said “The decision to shut the institution following the students’ rights agitation on further reduction of school fees is a big disappointment, demonstration of weakness, failure on educational promises and lack of how to approach salient matters affecting students.''

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

B'Haram: Nigerian troops found in Cameroon Continues from page 5 just as Vanguard gathered that about 10 of the 35 Police officers earlier reported missing, have made contacts with the authorities, family members or friends, telling them that they were alive.

He said seven course men have been rescued and brought to safety out of the 10 who made contact, adding that search for the remaining 28 was

being intensified.

A senior Police officer who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity also said the Police High Command was positive that none of its personnel died during the attack on the Mobile Police Camp, adding that there was no single casualty recorded during and after the attack.

“What happened was that when the terrorists were advancing, because of the hilly and rugged

nature of the facility, Policemen in the camp got wind of the advance.

Hence, they were ready and there was a shoot-out and tear gas was used on them which forced them to retreat.

“They later went back and reinforced for another attack. Before then, the Policemen in the camp had evacuated and mingled with members of the Gwoza community as a precautionary measure. By the time the ter-

rorists came back, the policemen were not there.

“Right now as I am talking to you, the officers have been making contact with us, their families and friends which shows they are alive.

Apart from the contacts, we have established that there was no casualty of any sort on our part. So we are expecting that in the next few days, all the men will make contact.”

It will be recalled that the Police Force headquarters on Sunday confirmed that 35 of its officers were still missing following the deadly attack on the Mobile Police training school, Gwoza,

by Boko Haram terrorists.

Force headquarters, however, noted that the search and rescue efforts launched by the Police after the attack, has led to the recovery of scores of policemen.

A statement by the Force Headquarters said: “A ferocious attack earlier launched on the Training camp by insurgents on August 7, 2014 was repelled by the Police. On August 20, 2014, the attackers launched a fresh offensive that lasted several hours where the Policemen on duty engaged them in a fierce battle. The search and rescue party launched a counter-attack immediately which located and brought to safety all Police officers in the Training College at the time of attack.

“So far, 35 policemen who are still missing from the facility as a result of the latest attack are being searched for with very promising prospect of locating them.

“While enjoining all citizens to remain calm and join hands with the security forces in the collective fight against insurgency, the IGP restated his determination to work closely with other security agencies to stem the tide of terrorism in the country.”

FG won’t allow an inch of Nigeria for experimental terror state — Maku Meantime, the Federal Government declared yesterday that it will not allow an inch of the country to be used as centre for an experimental terror state in West Africa.

Minister of Informa-

tion, Mr. Labaran Maku gave the assurance in Abuja while addressing officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps at a workshop on Conflict Prevention, Peace Building and Election Monitoring ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Maku said the government had utmost confidence in the ability and capacity of the Armed Forces to defend the honour and uphold the territorial integrity of the nation and warned marauding insurgents in some states in the NorthEast that the Armed Forces would wholeheartedly defend the country to the last mile.

“Local and international adventurers that are contending with the destiny of our nation should know that we will defend our country to the last mile. We know our responsibility to this country; we know the responsibility of this nation to Africans all over the world and we will do everything within our powers to ensure that our country remains united, indivisible and continues to prosper as the leading state in Africa,” he stated.

He reassured the citizens that the government has resolved to deal with the current security challenges and emerge victorious.

“Let me assure our country that no matter what forces of disunity would want to do, by the grace of Allah and the resolve of this administration and the people of Nigeria, no part of the Nigerian territory will become a centre for an experimental terror state in West Africa”, he stated.

He said the current circumstances demanded absolute commitment by the Armed Forces and the citizens of Nigeria to ensure they work together in unity to defeat the evil of insurgency.

The Information Minister stated that conflict prevention was the responsibility of all citizens, security forces, the civil society and all national institutions, adding that it costs much less to prevent conflict than to manage it.

He remarked that a lot of the conflicts the nation was witnessing could have been prevented by being proactive instead of waiting for conflict to erupt and fester, because any human community was liable to conflict, which could be antici-

pated, hence the need to train people on conflict prevention and peace building.

According to him, when conflicts are properly managed, they can advance the development of society by reconciling all the contending factions and channelling their energies towards the pursuit of the common goals of peace, unity and development.

Speaking on the 2015 general elections, Maku called for a change of attitude among the political class as often exhibited in their utterances and conducts, to ensure elections were free of rancor and acrimony and the result was acceptable to all parties.

He said so long as politicians continue to display the tendency for violence before, during or after elections, government would continue to take adequate security measures to protect the life and property of voters.

The Information Minister further pledged the commitment of President Jonathan to free, fair and credible elections and urged politicians to complement the gesture by playing according to the rules.

Earlier in his addres, Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, said the Corps had remained consistent in fashioning out programmes and effective collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing peace and tranquility in the country, which ensured the utilization of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism in finding lasting solution to conflict.

He said over 1,200 officers across the state commands and divisions were trained on principles and practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution, which led to the resolution of 3,450 disputes nationwide from 2010 to date.

Dr. Abolurin announced that the Corps would soon organize a multi-agency Peace Building Programme for all security agencies, the media and other stakeholders to discuss ways of fostering synergy and cooperation that would enhance national security.

In his remarks, Country Director of UNDP, represented by Dr. Lamin Begai, who condemned violent elections commended the recent elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, which he described as peaceful and reinforced assurance in the electoral process.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 15

IMPEACHMENT: Enugu Dep Gov faces removal as panel submits report zAPC condemns ‘desperate' move to impeach Onyebuchi

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By Tony Edike

NUGU—THE impeachment panel probing allegations of wrong-doings against Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, yesterday, submitted its report to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odo. Chairman of the panel, Mr. Frankln Uche Oraekeiyi, who led six other members of the panel to the Speaker ’s office yesterday morning, said the report was prepared in three volumes.

According to him, Volume One is their findings; Volume Two, the proceedings; and Volume Three, their recommendations, which he did not disclose.

The speaker, however, thanked the panel members for accepting the responsibility and discharging their function within a short time.

He also thanked the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, for “assembling top professionals” to carry out the investigation.

Odo promised that the House would within 14 days look into their recommendations and decide whether to adopt or reject it.

Though the panel chairman did not disclose details of their recommendations, a staff of the Assembly revealed yesterday that the deputy governor was found guilty of all allegations leveled against him.

Although this could not be confirmed officially yesterday as the Public Relations Officer of the House, Mr. Jonas Ugwuanyi, said that details of the report were yet to be disclosed, it was gathered that the panel asked the lawmakers to remove the deputy governor from office.

movement I told you about in April of this year, where we will march one by one, men and women, boys and girls from every polling unit, from every ward and we join hands, and together we champion true democracy in Enugu State.

“Mark it, today is like no other day because today, all those that have spoken and said there is no APC in Enugu State, will wake up to the true reality of our own time; that APC has come to stay and that one by one they are going to come in and join you because they have seen the truth from the falsehood. We know that today, while APC governors are planning and providing free education, free healthcare, better roads, industrialization; PDP government in Enugu State is involved in chicken impeachment,” he said.

Vice-Chairman of APC, SouthEast zone, Chief Emma

Eneukwu, in his remarks, described APC as a destiny child that will take over leadership of the country in 2015, noting that PDP was already afraid that, indeed, a credible and better alternative had emerged on the block.

He said that for 15 years, PDP has been talking about second Niger Bridge and Enugu international airport, saying since 2004, the PDP-led Federal Government had allegedly provided funds in every year’s budget which they could not account for, even as he said that the Bridge was being done as a concession which the people will still pay for through a toll-gate.

“Igbos will still pay for the bridge; there is nothing concrete in Igboland courtesy of PDP. All the federal highways are in shambles, and, of course, they have never completed any project; the EnuguOnitsha Expressway awarded

since 2000 is still uncompleted, so also the Enugu Port-Harcourt Expressway.”

He said PDP had failed the nation, adding that was why they are resorting to blackmail by calling APC Boko Haram and Islamic party, but said that on the contrary, it was PDP that must have been behind the insurgency, hence all the states under attack were APC states and that PDP had declared emergency in those states in order to facilitate easy rigging of elections in those states.

“The real people that created Boko Haram know themselves, that is why they created state of emergency in the APC states to use it to rig election,” Eneukwu said.

He charged members to work hard because, according to him, it’s only through hard work and truth that they will be able to defeat the incumbent government.

Enugu Group and text messages

A pressure group in Enugu State, Save Enugu Group had last Friday sent text messages informing the public that the panel had returned a “guilty verdict” against the deputy governor, claiming it had it on good authority that the panel asked the State Assembly to impeach Mr. Onyebuchi.

State chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Ben Nwoye, at the weekend, condemned what it called desperate moves by the state governor, Sullivan Chime, to impeach his deputy.

Nwoye said that if considerable amount of effort and resources being invested in the “dictatorial” gamble were invested in the provision of amenities, the people would have been better for it.

Nwoye, who spoke during the inauguration of Enugu East Local Government secretariat of APC, at Abakpa Nike, Enugu, urged residents of the state to resist any attack on democracy, even as he vowed that his party would take over Enugu State in 2015.

He described the opening of the office as the biggest event of the party in the state this year, adding that it marked a movement that would culminate in the defeat of the ruling party next year.

APC

“This is the beginning of that

SANITISATION: From left: Dr. Amos Azzun, Medical Director, County Hospital, Mr. Jude Nzeata, Senior Sales Manager, Multipro Enterprises Ltd, Hypo Division, and Mrs. Chinwe Ogbonna, Matron, County Hospital, during the Hypo nationwide sanitation exercise in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

....PDP chieftain faults impeachment zSays it was not discussed by party leaders

E

By Tony Edike

NUGU—FORMER Na tional Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Ray Nnaji, yesterday, decried recent developments in Enugu State chapter of the party, saying the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, was not discussed by the party.

He warned that the impeachment plot which he alleged was planned by certain persons in the leadership of the party in the state, could boomerang if it succeeded as it was capable of creating crisis that would work

against the interest of the party in the coming elections.

He accused the Vita Abba-led state PDP executive of allowing itself to be used to destabilize the party by “becoming a rubber stamp in the hands of Governor Sullivan Chime.”

Nnaji vowed to return to court to reopen the pending case over who was the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

Nnaji, a legal practitioner and PDP chieftain, told journalists that rather than submit to the tenets of the party, certain officials who were not part of the formation had carried on as if they were above the party.

Nnaji recalled how he emerged state chairman of the party after its congress in 2008, and how the faction loyal to Chime conducted a parallel congress where Abba emerged and the suit he filed over the development, and vowed to reopen the matter to ease out the incumbent leadership which, he said, was part of the problems of the party.

He said: “I had to concede my position as PDP chairman to Vita Abba on certain conditions which have not been met and I am now going back to reclaim that position so that the correct thing can be done."

Presbyterian Church institutes Fund on Chibok girls

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AGOS—THE Presby terian Church of Nigeria has announced that in keeping with the Church’s spirit of Christian charity and in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s initiative in setting up a special Fund in aid of victims of Boko Haram insurgency and other social upheavals, the Church has set up a Fund toward the rehabilitation of the Chibok girls when they are eventually rescued.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its biennial General Assembly meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State, the Church felt worried by the experiences the girls were passing through and the psychological trauma that could befall them when freed. The Fund would serve as the Church’s contribution toward rehabilitating the girls and making them to fulfill their divine destinies.

The Church, however, lamented the seeming inability of Government to release the abducted Chibok girls and to ultimately contain the Boko Haram insurgency.

It warned that the issue should not be politicized unduly and that every wellmeaning Nigerian should identify with the efforts of the State Security Agencies in fighting the Boko Haram security challenge.

Anambra youths back Obaze for Senate

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—A group, Omambala Youths for Equity and Justice, yesterday, made a case for the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Dubem Obaze, to become the next Senator for Anambra North senatorial zone in 2015.

Obaze is a chieftain of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Addressing reporters in Awka, the group’s spokesman, Mr. Basil Okwunwanne, said Obaze possessed all the qualities for effective representation of the area in the nation’s upper legislative chambers.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Nigeria yet to achieve potential, 53yrs after independence —Gowon

Our links with Adadevoh —Zik's son, Bamidele

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—FORMER head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, yesterday, expressed regret that Nigeria has not achieved its full potential almost 53 years after independence and an century of amalgamation.

Gowon, who spoke at the 54th Annual General Conference of NBA holding in Owerri. with the theme, “Nigeria: 100 years after,” said: “Nigeria at 100 years of age, has not yet achieved its full potential as an independent country. Certainly, it has not achieved its potential in its first 100 years.

“Every Nigerian has an opinion of how far we have traveled as a nation. For me, the issue is not to say who is right or wrong, but what is right or wrong.”

He identified the issue of ideologies as one that readily came to mind, saying “the typical example is the conflict of ideologies between liberal democracy and sharia law."

The former head of state rea-

soned that since about 72,000 lawyers had passed through the Nigerian Law Schools, it would be safe to assume that there would be as many interpretations of why lawyers were in Owerri for the conference.

“I am happy to know that the NBA has over the years, remained faithful to is mission of advancing cause and causes of

justice in our society.”

Gen. Gowon noted that any nation or institution that attained a century could not be considered a light weight, neither could it be treated with disrespect, regardless of whether or not the paucity of achievements outweighed the challenges of nation building or vice versa.

In his keynote address,

Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, commended the leadership of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, for sustaining “the old and noble tradition of holding its annual general conference, rather than submitting cheaply to the prevailing fear of the Ebola pandemic”.

Sen Okonkwo wants Akunyili immortalised

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WKA—A FORMER gov ernorship candidate in Anambra State, Senator Annie Okonkwo has called on the state government to work alongside the Federal Government towards ensuring that late Prof Dora Akuunyi is immortalised in a befitting manner.

Okonkwo, who said this in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Collins Ugwu, said Akunyili served Nigeria with an unrivalled commitment.

His words: ‘’”Dora’s Public

service commitment unrivalled and unsurpassed, must be taken as a wake up call to all Nigerians of vision and sacrifice, to resolve to exploit their opportunities and leave a positive mark for Nigeria and Nigerians. I therefore call on all Nigerians persuaded by the indelible feats of this amazon to rally her state and federal government to immortalise her appropriately and expeditiously too. ‘’This is important and urgent because encomiums and tributes are naturally good for

the dead, and Dora will surely not lack that. But when an exceptional public officer of Prof. Dora’s unusual zeal and sacrifices translate so unfairly, we must do more than wail, lament, and then celebrate.

Let us do something that will demonstrate that our outpour of temporal emotions are not just in another hurry to ease her sublime accomplishments away from our collective memory and national consciousness, the Senator emphasized.’’

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NITSHA—CHIEF Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe, the Owelle II of Onitsha and eldest son of Nigeria’s late first president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, yesterday confirmed that his family was actually related to deceased Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who died of Ebola virus last week The late Dr. Adadevoh was infected with the deadly disease after treating the LiberianAmerican, Patrick Sawyer who brought the disease to Nigeria.

Chief Azikiwe noted that the stories making the round that his family was related to Adadevoh’s family was true.

In a press statement issued yesterday in Onitsha, Azikiwe also confirmed that apart from Zik’s family, Adadevoh was equally related to the Herbert Macaulay family.

He said: “Her mother, Mrs Deborah Adadevoh, nee MacIntosh, is my cousin.

Deborah’s grandmother, Okwuegbunam, nee Azikiwe, is the immediate elder sister, same father same mother, of Obed Azikiwe, Zik’s father.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 17

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DON'T like early-morning phone-calls, but this one was a distress-call from FemiKevin. “Do you know that the doctor at First Consultants that contracted Ebola is Dr. Adadevoh?” he asked. He had to tell me this twice because his call woke me up. I tried not to believe it. In a very selfish and foolish manner, I wished it were not her but someone else. But if it were someone else, that someone else would also be somebody.

We are used to bad things happening to others. Every day, someone is reported killed in the news. Some Chibok girls get kidnapped. A journalist’s head is chopped off. Some hapless Palestinians get bombed. Slowly, we become inured to this. We become abstracted from calamity until one day, it comes home to us.

The news is about us, and not about someone else. The people concerned are our loved ones and not some abstract, distant person on our television and computer screens.

First Consultants First Consultants Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, has been our family hospital for over thirty years. Ebola or no Ebola, it will continue to be our family hospital after all this tragedy is over and its decontamination is complete.

Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh: A woman of substance Femi-Kevin came down with a bout of acute malaria a year or two back, it was also Dr. Adadevoh who was on hand to treat him while he was hospitalized for days at First Consultants.

Cut above the rest I don’t believe the lie that we must always say good things about the dead.

When someone dies, people start making up all kinds of stories about him; saying how good and wonderful he was, even when this was not the case. I believe the truth must be told at all times. However, I also believe that, for some strange reason, it seems it is the best people who die prematurely.

As Samson was a savior to Israel, so is Ameyo Adadevoh our savior in Nigeria

,

It is a first-class hospital in a city where few hospitals are first-class. Femi-Kevin was born there 27 years ago. Some 15 years ago, I had a hernia surgery there, performed by the brother of the late Bola Ige. Moreover, Dr. Adadevoh, Senior Consultant/Physician and Endocrinologist at First Consultants, was our family doctor. She was the first port of call for many patients at the hospital. She oversaw my annual medical check-ups. She helped me manage my bloodpressure over the years. She had a Rolodex of the best specialist doctors in Nigeria that she would easily phone and link you up with in any emergency.

When I developed acute shoulder pain a few years back, she quickly linked me up with a specialist at LUTH. I did not know that our shoulders continue to grow even when we are older. When my wife had a medical crisis of a detached retina; it was also Dr. Adadevoh to the rescue; recommending specialists that would quickly perform the delicate surgery. When

,

The wicked seem to live forever, while the righteous perish needlessly.

Dr. Adadevoh was an excellent doctor. Without a doubt, she was best-loved of all the doctors at First Consultants. You could reach her any day and any time.

Even when she was on leave out of the country, she would take your calls and give you directives and recommendations.

But it was not just that she was an excellent doctor. I dare say there are many excellent doctors, even in Nigeria. Dr. Adadevoh had the distinction of being, at the same time, an excellent human-being. Many good doctors are grumpy. Not Dr. Adadevoh. Many good doctors make you reticent about going to the hospital.

Many good doctors make you afraid of even the smallest ailments. Not Dr. Adadevoh.

She was a doctor, charged with treating the sick.

Nevertheless, she was a breath of fresh air. She was very personable. She loved people and made you feel at ease, no matter your

condition. She remembered every little detail about you, and about your family. She would talk to you about her son, and ask you about yours.

She left you in no doubt that you had a doctor who is not only interested in your health but in you.

We had a dear friend, Mrs. Arinze, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was hospitalized at First Consultants; although there was nothing medically that the doctors could do for her. It meant spending days on end at the hospital, building up her faith; singing praise songs; praying for divine healing. We lost her in the end. But Dr. Adadevoh was there with every possible care. She was there encouraging her husband, Emmanuel. She was there giving the support that goes beyond the medical; that reaches to the depths of the soul.

Hoping against hope

S

o that fateful morning when Femi-Kevin gave me the distressing news, I wanted it not to be true. Even now, I still find it hard to believe. Patients never imagine their doctors being sick. Dr. Adadevoh ministers to the sick; surely, she does not get sick as well.

So I googled her name for confirmation, and out came the news and also that haunting picture. One of her colleagues was appealing to the American government to send the miracle ZMapp drug that seemed to be working on the Ebola virus; claiming Dr. Adadevoh contracted the disease out of her love for humanity. Surely, such a person as this would not be allowed to die.

It was prayer time. It was time to call upon the name of the Lord for this virtuous woman. My wife leaves for work at 6.30 am in order to beat the Lagos traffic. I called her to tell her the news: “You won’t believe it.

The First Consultants doctor with the Ebola virus is Doctor Adadevoh.” “Oh no!” cried Karen. “How can this be?”

That Saturday evening, the

news on the internet told a different story. It said Dr. Adadevoh is the first Nigerian healed of Ebola. It said she had been discharged from the isolation ward; and we started dancing for joy. At our Sunday fellowship the next morning, we were lavish in praises to God. Is this not yet another one of his miracles? Is this not another example of his marvelous providence?

Indeed, God’s ways are unsearchable.

But by nightfall, news came that it had been one big mistake. The person healed was apparently not Dr. Adadevoh, but one Dr. Adah.

By the next morning, the thing we feared had come to pass.

Dr. Adadevoh had gone home to be with the Lord.

Saviour-doctor As more and more news came concerning the passing of this virtuous woman, I came to the conclusion that she had been appointed for this very purpose. Apparently, Dr. Adadevoh had to physically restrain Patrick Sawyer from discharging himself from First Consultants; having been diagnosed he was suffering from the Ebola Virus Disease.

In the process, she contracted the disease herself.

Therefore, rather than wallow in sadness, we need to give thanks to God for Dr. Adadevoh. We need to thank God that Patrick Sawyer, who brought this dreadful disease to Nigeria, went to First Consultants. Only God knows what would have happened if he had gone to one of our General Hospitals. We might have had an epidemic in our hands already.

We need to thank God that it was Dr. Adadevoh who attended to him. Here was a doctor seasoned in public service who truly lived the Hippocratic Oath. We need to thank God that Dr. Adadevoh physically prevented Sawyer from going to T.B. Joshua in Synagogue, or to some ECOWAS conference in Calabar.

There is an Old Testament prophesy by Obadiah that “saviours shall come to Mount

Zion to judge the mountains of Esau.” As Samson was a saviour to Israel, so is Ameyo Adadevoh our saviour in Nigeria. Hers is the glorious death of the righteous that died that many might live. Dr. Adadevoh will forever be remembered for this in Nigeria; and our heartfelt prayers remain for the family and relations she left behind; especially her beloved son who is studying abroad.

Doctors like Adadevoh are a rare breed.

She was compassionate, dedicated and highly professional. She was also very cheerful; a necessary attribute in a doctor. It is my firm belief that her soul rests in perfect peace.

Fear of Ebola

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igerians, and especially Lagosians, need to know that Ebola is a viral infection.

Skin and eyes are the suggested routes of viral entry as well as food and water. Therefore, proper hygiene, including the washing of hands with alcohol-based sanitisers, and disinfecting of surfaces, is advised.

A virus is a living organism.

It lives in a host. Without the host, it will die itself.

Therefore, within a certain number of days of quarantine, whatever Ebola virus Patrick Sawyer brought to First Consultants will be gone. It would be double jeopardy to now ostracise this fine hospital. It would be unfortunate to typecast it as an Ebola Hospital. Therefore, the Minister of Health needs to make a big gesture of reopening the hospital publicly after its decontamination.

It would also not be remiss for the government to give some compensation to First Consultants, in appreciation for the role it has played in this Ebola saga, and the cost this has brought to the hospital.

We must make a point of rewarding genuine service in Nigeria; rather than the penchant we have of giving national merit awards to discredited politicians and coup-plotters. We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh; and many other doctors like her in the length and breadth of Nigeria.

We are not yet out of the woods. Ebola has become an epidemic in our sub-region; and we know Nigerians are everywhere. We cannot ask a Nigerian with Ebola not to return to Nigeria. But we can be extra-vigilant with everyone entering Nigeria. We must also remember that people don’t only return to Nigeria through our airports.

Nigeria has porous borders. In any case, every preparation must be made now for an Ebola epidemic in Nigeria; even as we do our level best to prevent its occurrence.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 WE wish to add our voice to the growing clamour for the honouring of the late medical staff of First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, who paid the supreme prize after treating the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, the man who deliberately brought the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) to Nigeria.

Of the three medical staff who succumbed to death, the case of Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, the Senior Consultant/ Endocrinologist stood out. She not only bravely battled to save the life of Sawyer, but also played extraordinary roles to ensure he never succeeded in spreading the disease to other unsuspecting members of the public.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, revealed that it was Adadevoh’s refusal to discharge Sawyer who insisted on attending an ECOWAS meeting in Calabar, and the alar m she raised with the Lagos State Ministry of Health that not only stopped the spread of the disease to a national disaster proportion, but also triggered the effective response of both the state and federal governments in controlling the medical emergency.

Adadevoh is a national heroine; an ex-

By Areghe Abugo

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E can never underestimate the evil in politics until we are victims; this is where the strain between loyalty and deceit is chaotic. Many equate deceit for loyalty but loyalty entails telling the truth and giving facts to promote societal good; unfortunately for “political bats and mosquitoes” blackmail is the bedrock to political ascendancy. Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri, leader of GNPP in the second republic knew this when he introduced “politics without bitterness” in 1979. My odyssey reveals the bad and the good that pollute our body politics, they sprout like weeds that destroy crops and prosper in mischief. A party leader who once enlisted you for his trivial venture but failed can resort to blackmail to destroy your political career. Their victims are those who refuse to compromise good for evil in the years of struggle but man’s memory is short and a monster in blackmail can terminate good victims at Golgotha. This is evil repeating itself as reason and good deeds of their prey count less in persecution but if political loyalty in trenches against undemocratic forces does not count in sanity, why the vengeance to destroy good values in a man?

These vices negate democratic commitment; politics in Nigerian is entrenched in blackmail, lies and victimization. We have the honest that labours in vain and the dishonest that reaps where he never sow, these shady characters that dance, drink and eat in parties claim

Honour ffor or Dr Dr..

Adadevoh, others emplary professional, whose selfless service to the medical profession and the nation at large should be held up to inspire others, especially the youth. The people and government of Nigeria should stand up and salute her noble spirit, and appreciate the efforts of her colleagues, including Nurse Justina Obi Ejelonu, who were martyred after giving care to the stricken foreigner.

We recommend that Dr. Adadevoh should be given a prestigious posthumous national award, while adequate financial compensation should be paid to the families of all those who fell in their line of service in

this scourge.

We also encourage public spirited individuals, philanthropists and the numerous civil society advocacy groups to mount fund raising activities on behalf of the heroes as it is done in every humane and appreciative society. This will spur others in their respective areas of calling to serve with all their strength without pulling back, knowing that if anything happens to them the society and their country will not forget them.

We must also collectively fight the bogey of stigmatisation, which families of the fallen patriots are beginning to experience.

Part of effectively containing the Ebola threat is to ensure that those paying the social costs are protected through massive public enlightenment and psychological support.

We encourage the Ebola infection survivors, especially the female doctor simply identified as Dr. Ada, to be brave and go public, just as the American survivors have, and help demystify it. It will open new vistas of relevance for them. They have nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, they are our precious jewels in whom we take so much pride.

OPINION Battling with politics of self-destruct unmerited medals for their chameleonic slippery steps and make the words in our national item “ the labour of our heroes past must not be in vain” treacherous. Lack of patriotism could be traced to a chaotic system that rewards indolence and failure in place of competence. Many Nigerians who laboured for President Jonathan in his acting capacity and election in 2011 are not holding political offices but are resolute in their commitment to continue to support his re-election bid in 2015 despite their limitations. These are heroes because their support is not tied to “a loaf of bread” unlike “stomach” political destitudes hovering in corridors of power to claim others sweat. Politics of bitterness, recriminations and pull him down is consuming our values, they were mines that decimated the first and second republics and are evident today. Tribalism, religious bigotry and sectionalism in the land are traceable to political bitterness, greed, sectionalism and the blind greed for political power.

Until politics is devoid of these, leadership will continue to be tainted, policies will continue to be questioned and the political space laced with destitudes.

We must rejuvenate ethical values to guide our sustenance as a people if we are concerned for the future. Politics today is schemed towards destruction of opponents rather than growth and development; we are all victims of this contamination. The

Boko-Haram insurgency that is a national tragedy, like all cancers, started from a minor part of the body before becoming a national catastrophe. The challenges of President Jonathan are similarly hooked on rumours, lies, and blackmail by mischief makers. President Jonathan’s place of birth or religion is not his own making like other Nigerians. We must live together in tolerance because discriminating a Nigerian on the bases of birth, region, religion or tribe is questioning God’s will. The President’s critics dressed in this bitterness in the guise of politics are wolves and Nigerians are asking whether President Jonathan would have received same antagonism from the north if he was a Hausa-Fulani Muslim?

These sentiments are distractions; they hinder good governance, unity of the nation and the war against corruption. Our homes, streets and public institutions are becoming brothels where girls of easy virtue hawk their anatomic curves for pleasures, our traditional rulers reward criminals and fraudsters with garlands and traditional titles to sustain their elegant lifestyle. These characters with no education but stupendous wealth use their new found status to arrange marriages to highly educated women in strata of the society, as ornaments to boost their ego.

Our moral resistance is weak due to lack of anti-dot to resist these strange antibodies virus. Those against Jonathan are

ethnic bigots, economic saboteurs and religious fanatics using blackmail to promote bitterness and like rapists that defile our women and society, heartless.

We cannot blackmail Jonathan’s government and expect growth and development. When confronted by these social misfits we must demand facts before reaching conclusion because those who indulge in destroying others are as contagious and deadly as the Ebola epidemic. We need to encourage nationalists like Chief (Dr.) E.K Clark because the Presidency is the birthright of every Nigerian. We must not reward vultures that mill around the corridors of power to feed on our unity and identity. We must build Nigeria on a value that sustains its people and a political ideology that encourages fertilization of ideas.

Back in Delta State Governor Uduaghan is also a victim, as every tale from misfortune to inaction is tied to him. When a man fails to impregnate his wife or his wife suffers miscarriage, Uduaghan is blamed. The moral decay and failure of parents is blamed on him. We need social and political education as we cannot continue in this blind race of destroying values because of greed. Integration and national unity in a nation so divided by greed, tribalism, sectionalism and bitterness is necessary; we need a nation that sees strength in her diversity.

*Mr. Abugo, a political analyst, wrote from Uzere, Delta State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 19

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RETURNED from a trip outside Lagos to discover this rumour making the rounds that; the Lagos state government has unbanned the operations of motor bike riders (okada), hitherto disallowed from operating along the major streets of Lagos. If the rumour is true, then, it is a jittery sign on the part of the APC, following from, the LASU school fees saga.

Oshiomhole’s recall of sacked school teachers, the stumble at Ekiti and the decampment of Nuhu Ribadu to the PDP in Adamawa state.

It is a behavioural pattern that requires a thorough analysis, when we consider the fact that such policies are to serve the overall good of the populace.

Take for instance; the okada ban law was well thought through before it was passed, with inputs from the general populace, security experts and finally the state House of Assembly. The withdrawal of okada from the major streets has drastically reduced the crime rate in Lagos.

The Police Force attested to this through their official crime statistics releases. The casualty wards of Igbobi and similar hospitals in the state witnessed considerable decline and the doctors, nurses in these hospitals are happier for it. Moreover, with the health hazard constituted by okada as a means of transportation, to both the

rider and the passenger, the ban was generally considered a good state policy. Now that the Lagos residents have adjusted to it, bringing it back will mean taking ‘one step forward and three steps backwards’. We were already shouting ‘Ebola’ and its impact on the okada riders and passengers, this is a sure avenue for its spread (God forbid), if the challenges of Ebola is allowed beyond the present state.

The debate now is between ‘stomach infrastructure’ and ‘capital infrastructure’. One is a guarantee for the present, while the second is an investment for the future. I think, both of them could be joggled in such a way that there is a balance without rubbishing a focused, polished, developmental policy like the APC is trying to achieve in Lagos.

Allowing the okada riders back on the major streets of Lagos is like ‘going back to one's vomit’. It is a shame and the APC in Lagos will now be a party of anything goes, just for the sake of winning election. It will be a big setback for the ‘progressives’, the thinkers and hardworking technocrats, who weathered all the odds to put the policy together.

The okada riders were equally annoyed in Edo and other states that have banned them from the streets and life has returned to normal. What Oshiomhole did recently to win them back, was to organize a programme where affordable cars were made available to erstwhile okada riders. Genuine members were

The ACN party would have been better and stronger on its own without merging with the reactionary and extreme conservative CPC party

,

identified and the vehicles were distributed amongst them. The people are happy; it was well publicised in the print and electronic media. Governor Fashola can adopt this model. We can also pacify the okada riders through other means, without endangering their lives and that of many other innocent citizens.

One way to do this is, get all of them properly registered and identified according to their qualifications and trades; apply the Oshiomhole option and if that cannot take care of every one of them, we adopt other policies of integrating them into government; agriculture, craftsmanship and soft loan to start small scale business.

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ll of these will be after they have been properly identified and briefed through trainings and seminars. I belong to the school of thought that believes the masses have not been properly sensitised to their individual needs and rights. No matter how harsh a policy is, if

Other side of Ribadu’s defection

By Maikano Ubandoma

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PPARENTLY, the conscience of this nation lies with our moral angels, the newspaper columnists, TV anchors and hosts of talk-show orgies that provide viewers with a daily dose of political pornography. Only in this country does one see these impatient anchors jumping out from the restraints of journalism and physically flanking their disagreements with political positions simply because they do not conform with their innermost convictions. They have assumed the roles of political puritans. Only in Nigeria are the views of political puritans and their followers, more powerful than those of political players and the democratically elected, public representatives. Only here can we expect, in the aftermath of a decade-long conflict, displaced peoples, devastating economic disasters, a region isolated and its disappeared children unaccounted for, kidnapped children unrecovered and those at home still contracting and dying of measles. In Nigeria political revolution is neither about people nor freedoms. It’s about settling scores.

I am recounting these as a corollary to the Ribadu argument, of which there seem to be only two important features.

These are the spectacle, Nuhu Ribadu himself and the lessons of a politics that is without an identifiable cause. Since Ribadu moved from the APC to the PDP only the skies have remained where they are but the roofs have all but fallen.

Nobody seems to find the nexus between theory and practice. When a man is full of decent theory, he would also require a platform to implement them and that is where the need for certain structural adjustments become very necessary.

But many have described Nuhu as having committed class suicide. But Nuhu is in the PDP for the love of his people

and not for the love of lucre. This much a lot of people can attest to but many simply just ignore. The performance factor is obvious. Nuhu has the lead role in the plot of the play where ethnicity is calculatedly mixed with politics. His defection may not be legitimate in the eyes of electoral democracy or serious political scientists, but this is the occupational hazard of grandstanding for political purposes – you become a spoiler for both disciplines. Ask the northern politicians, to them, the only thing worth defecting to is APC. Anyone who knows Ribadu knows that he wants the Millennium Development Goals back in Adamawa – shelter for all, education for all, employment for all, with some sprinkling of gender equality and minority rights. Ribadu is also a proponent of peace and religious harmony. But Nuhu’s investment in representative national politics has not paid off. He had no constituency and suffered from ethno-religious identitybased politics. His political relevance depends only on a performance of promissory and not on delivery.

The PDP’s performance, on the other hand, has simply been one of a cringeworthy lack of political intuition. Worse, the PDP leadership is not just prone to being counter-intuitive but, since several of them and their advisers have been identified with garrison politics, they tend to revert to a door-die-style of it. Their thinking, vocabulary, attitude and methodology seem to be taken straight out of some militant manual.

Outside of their exclusive board rooms, they often seem enamoured by their own power and destiny but are having a hard time convincing others of their wisdom and deliverability. It doesn’t help to have Nuhu Ribadu explaining the nutritional importance of his defection to the people.

They should know that his intentions are altruistic and far from selflish. His clinching power will spell the end of power breakfast for the states cruel stakeholders.

the people buy into it, it will succeed. The way the Lagos state handled the tax drivers under the Tinubu and Fashola administrations are perfect examples. Every Lagosian, working or trading or doing business is very aware of his or her tax obligations.

I do not think that a good policy like the okada ban should be jettisoned, because we want to win election. Indeed, if the people fall for that bait, it will be a sad commentary for this country. So, the best appraoch is sensitize the people to the good and ugly side of a policy. The overall aim must be for the common good. Leaders must have the boldness and conscience to stand up for the common good. In civilised societies, leaders are known for stepping aside when they find their policies been criticised by the majority and history had turned out to judge them either right or wrong but, on the whole, they are known to have made sacrifices in the cause they believed in.

The APC should not, out of political exigencies, jettison its well-intentioned policies. In the case of Edo state, Oshiomhole wanted to institute standards amongst the teaching professionals. Apparently, he did not properly sell it to the representatives of the unions. For a man who had been in the fore front of the Labour movement for so many years, it was quite unfortunate that he could not use his skills to persuade his colleagues in this instance.

Several meetings ended in deadlock. At the end, he had to wield the big stick through the sack of over 900 teachers. He

,

By Sunny Ikhioya

,

Is APC jittery?

Adamawa is in an emergency. Preachers, TV anchors and columnists need to climb out of their intellectual fog from which they insist that we need a new Nigeria where Nuhu cannot defect even if to save the situation

,

The economic disobedience of the elite to the people of Adamawa state (it’s not civil) after deep introspection, has just made every tax-evading member of the upper and trading classes a rebel – now with a cause. Such a complex PDP economic plan must be inspiring to all progressive economists who have for years advocated for restructuring the economy by doing exactly the opposite.

M

ost would agree that there are flaws in our electoral system. Our voting citizens hang admirable hope on representative politics. However, fighting for its reform doesn’t make it to the top of the list of their poverty-stricken, diseaseridden, insecure and brutalised lives. The majority’s is a politics of localised deals and negotiations with The System – whether of the state or local community/tribal structures. What will they get from upgrading Big Politics if it doesn’t change the small politics of their daily lives?

Nothing trickles down except floodwater, and we all know it.

Historically, there have been no local revolts to institute the most important feature of an egalitarian political system (i.e local government). So, why would any party imagine that the nation will rise and topple governments for the cause of big, centralised political reforms? It also makes for the most unlikely

also, instituted a policy compelling the teachers to write competency examinations, both the teachers and the governor promised not to shift ground on this issue. but immediately APC lost the Ekiti elections, Oshiomhole recanted. The question is; was the governor’s cause not worthy of a sacrifice?

Must he change a good policy because he wants to win an election? Again, I say; that is taking the people for a ride.

Where he has failed is, his inability to convince the teachers that the cause he is pursuing, is for the overall benefits of the teaching profession and education generally in the state.

The pressure of 2015 is beginning to take its toll on the APC. When the parties (ACN, CPC and ANPP) merged, some of us observed some of the difficulties that would face the merger. Those involved in the merger were ideologically poles apart; the only uniting factor is their determination to prevent the PDP, by extension, Jonathan from contesting the election. I have argued that; the ACN party would have been better and stronger on its own without merging with the reactionary and extreme conservative CPC party. A year after, events within the party have proven us right. Nuhu Ribadu, the supposed ‘conscience’ of the nation, in terms of the anticorruption crusade, has crossed over to the PDP. So, who is fooling who?

*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

revolutionary slogan ever. Compare the promise of stomach infrastructure to ‘electoral reform so a party may just win and deliver a clean government’. The people of Adamawa state are right to be insulted since they successfully elected the PDP through this defective system. Now they must suffer that choice and join the revolution that asks for more sacrifice, not expect delivery.

Mobilising people for causes is not easy.

This is not to suggest ‘people’ are not discontent or, that they are ‘lazy’, ‘uneducated’ or ‘ungrateful’ but that their gripes are not with any vague ‘system’.

Instead, depending on who these ‘people’ are, they have very specific, localised, identifiable issues with equally distinguishable systems, codes and powercentres. The People, unlike The System are not a faceless, identical bloc. So, unless a party can tap into different people’s immediate needs and prove its commitment to delivering these in a targeted manner, it may as well forget success. PDP knows this and has poached Ribadu to redeem it in Adamawa.

Shouldn’t the people be happy?

Nuhu is performing a protest politics that has no direct personal interest or impact.

In the absence of a people’s cause, one cannot take seriously his disobedience. But Adamawa is in an emergency. Preachers, TV anchors and columnists need to climb out of their intellectual fog from which they insist that we need a new Nigeria where Nuhu cannot defect even if to save the situation. The PDP leadership brokers no revolutionary hate for the religious militants in Yobe who have murdered thousands of soldiers and citizens of Nigeria.

They advocate peaceful negotiations with these internal enemies of the state. Their street power that we see in action today has managed to stop food supplies in the past but not once have we seen it directed towards a policing of funding or arms supplies to these militants.

*Mr. Ubandoma, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Aba: Battle to rid Abia’s commercial city of filth ...Residents lament lack of federal presence

BY UDUMA KALU

A

*Some of the refuse disposal vehicles and bins provided to clean up Aba. INSET: Dr. Ikpeazu Okezie, Deputy General Manager of ASEPA Staff, are now singing a different tune. According them, the city is now wearing a new, decent look, thanks to the new helms man at ASEPA. Dr Ikpeazu is a former head of Head of Department of Applied Chemistry, Enugu State University of Technology, a biochemist whose main focus is biochemical toxicology and is also reputed to have carried out researches in environmental sci-

‘

There is no federal presence, only police and prisons; we want Aba well positioned to enable it to provide services the people need

‘

BA, the commercial nervecentre of Abia State, bore for some time the unenviable tag of the dirtiest city in Nigeria. The reason for this was not far to seek.

This city which is renowned for its manufacturing and commercial activities was plagued by the problems of insecurity, environmental disorder, poor electricity supply, etc.

The people of Aba, and indeed the entire Abia State citizenry, must have been seriously embarrassed when the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ndozi Okonjo-Iweala in a lecture organised and attended by the Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, described Aba as very dirty. Many visitors have also been quoted as saying that the city stank horribly, just as they criticised its bad road networks. For instance, an English woman had in a Youtube documentary written thus: “I have been to Aba. It is very dirty, (with lots of)mosquitoes. Too bad ...”.

That was last year when whole roads and streets were blocked by mountains of refuse, with erosion and flood causing a lot of havoc. On Ngwa Road, by Ohanku; Asa Road by Michael’s; Asa Road by Milverton, Dear John Junction by 7UP, Ogbor Hill; Ngwa Road by Asa, Obohia Road, off Ngwa Road, Port-Harcourt Road, Jubilee to Hospital roads, heaps of refuse blocked the drainage system with the gutters oozed offensive odour.

Most disposal points had no buckets. Refuse was dropped along the roads, soiling the city and blocking free flow of traffic and causing accidents. In places like Ngwa Road by Ohanku, traders sat on the refuse with their wares.

For the people of Aba, in spite of the double taxation collected by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, the agency failed woefully in its responsibility.

This was Aba before Governor Theodore Orji appointed Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu Deputy General Manager of ASEPA. His main task, Orji told him, was to keep Aba clean on a sustainable basis. It was a challenge Dr Ikpeazu accepted by assuring the people that he would transform Aba to one of the neatest cities in the country. And some months after, Aba residents who were most critical of the return of filth to the city after the former General Manager of ASEPA, Mr Cosmos Ndukwe, became Chief of

ences. Before his current appointment, Ikpeazu was Special Adviser on Environment and Sanitation to Orji and was also the General Manager of the Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest and Safety Scheme, ASPIMS. Getting set for the job To prepare the ground for suc-

cess, the new ASEPA boss was said to have tried to endear himself to the people by showing active interest in sports, schools, markets and communal engagements. He established ASEPA Clubs in schools and enforced the Governor’s suspension of tax on disposal of wastes.

Ikpeazu inherited two functional trucks in Aba – one roll-off truck and one compactor. He repaired three more roll-off trucks and increased the number of compactors to six. He also commissioned an engineer to provide more buckets to make up for the shortfall for the 62 places being served by only 18 buckets.

Indiscriminate disposal of refuse According to his aide, Mr. Enyinnaya E. Appolos, when Ikpeazu met with the people of Aba, he had lamented the indiscriminate disposal of refuse by residents, noting that such actions frustrated his agency from keeping Aba clean. He also urged neighbouring states to stop smuggling refuse into Aba, warning that offenders would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others. ASEPA also kept surveillance on the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway to stop residents from dumping refuse on the express road.

With the support of the Governor, Ikpeazu was said to have bought buckets, roller trucks and engaged enough staff. He

was also advised by the Governor to carry out most of his evacuations at night.

ASEPA has about 57 buckets or giant-size waste bins. From Abia Polytechnic to Ngwa Road, there are over five buckets for people to dump their refuse. People are allowed to throw their refuse into the buckets from 5 am till night.

Where there is no bucket, staff are stationed to reclaim the waste thrown into heaps, Appollos said.

When the buckets are full, the roll-off trucks, four in number, take them to a place in Ihie on Port Harcourt Road at night where the refuse is dumped.

“We monitor the exercise. His office is at the Ministry of Works, Aba. A member of Adventist Church, he goes to work from the church on Saturdays. The state funds the agency, so ASEPA does not charge individuals to dispose their refuse. Abia stopped collection of refuse charges till further notice. The state is the sole financier,” the aide informed.

In the morning, minders clean up the dump sites and cover the buckets. Each day in Aba, 70 buckets of refuse are evacuated while the staff who clean the streets follow it up by cleaning the streets. If the refuse is not cleaned for a day, there will be environmental crisis in Aba. On account of this, the heaps of refuse in the streets have disappeared. Ehi Road, once a mountain of waste, is now motorable. The Ministry of Environment is draining Ikot Ekpene

Road. It is also cleaning up gutters and trucks dispose the waste.

“Ikpeazu believes that if you get Aba right, it will serve the East and the entire Eastern region. Aba’s success should be part of the people’s passion,” Apollos went on.

Need for Federal presence To many Aba residents, Aba has been neglected by the federal government. Aba residents told VM that the city needs a power plant. “There is no federal presence, only police and prisons. We want Aba well positioned to enable it to provide services the people need. Aba is a market but it produces what it sells. People come from Central Africa, West Africa, etc, to Aba. Aba needs federal attention. The South East government should also think of Aba. So, the Federal Government should help Aba to become the Taiwan of Africa.

Rate of activities in Aba is high.

It is not just about trading, “Ikpeazu’s said.

But the agency needs more buckets and trucks. “The population of Aba is exploding due to activities of Boko Haram in the North which has forced more people to settle in the city, thereby increasing its environmental problem. Ikpeazu is interpreting the vision of Orji on waste disposal. He brought in Dr. Ikpeazu because he knows he can interpret his vision.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 21

From left: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Omar Hafeez; Founder of Growing Businesses Foundation, Dr. (Mrs.) Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele (extreme right) presenting a certificate and cheque of N750,000 to the Executive Director of SelfReliance Economic Advancement Program (SEAP), Deacon Olatunde Oladokun for the award of the Most innovative Microfinance Institution at the 7th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards Ceremony, in Abuja.

Nigerian ad industry recovers, spent N103bn in 2013

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

N

igeria’s advertising industry recovered in 2013 from the slide it recorded in 2012, as the media spend by advertisers across the country amounted to N103.8 billion, representing an increase of N12.95 billion over the N91.9 billion recorded in the previous year.

This was revealed in the 2013 mediafacts, a key media resource for marketing professionals in West and

181.40

2.35

3,205.00 -54.00 15.61

-0.38

102.10

-0.53

93.36

-0.31

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.73 256.7744 205.249 169.4557 1.4898 0.2944 234.9759 25.1503 41.2569 27.5227 235.4372

155.23 257.6042 205.9126 170.0033 1.4946 0.3044 235.7352 25.232 41.3903 27.6117 236.198

CBN Exchange Rate as 25/08//2014

155.73 258.4339 206.5758 170.5509 1.4994 0.3144 235.7352 25.3137 41.5236 27.7006 236.9588

Central Africa published annually by mediareachOMD, a media planning, buying, control and inventory management services company.

The publication also said that the total above-the-line, ATL, advertising expenditure in 2013 increased by 13 percent over the 2012 figure. The growth, it stated, was primarily driven by the Beer sector, Banking and Finance, and Personal Paid Adverts.

With the total advertising spend of N91.9 billion it recorded in 2012, the nation’s advertising industry suffered a 10.52 per cent drop when compared to the N102.7 billion earned from advertisers the previous year.

The 2013 mediafacts also showed that the television sub-sector dominated advertising expenditure for the year. The sub-sector attracted a total spend of N47 billion which represents

45 per cent of the overall advertising spend for the year.

The report said that with N23.2 billion spent on the outdoor advertising during the year, the Outdoor subsector came second after television. Similarly, the report stated that Radio and Print media attracted advertising spend of N15.1 billion and N18.5 billion, respectively in 2013.

“The Television dominated media spends of advertisers - accounting for 45 percent of the total expenditure of N103.8 billion in 2013. While TV and Radio spends dropped by 9 percent and 2 percent points, Out–ofHome, OOH, and Print increased by 3 percent and 8 percent, respectively,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, in its analysis of the quarterly performance, Mediafacts said that of the total advertising figure for 2013, advertisers spent a total of N28 billion, representing 27 per cent of the overall spend during the second quarter of the year. It also said N26.6 billion, N25.8 billion and N23.4 billion were spent during the first, third and fourth quarters, respectively.

The regional analysis of the report showed that with the N44 billion volume of advertisements placed within Lagos alone, the state took 42 percent of the total advertising spend during the year. The North had 27 percent (N27.9 billion), while the West had 16 percent (N16.5 billion), and the East 15 percent (N15.4 billion).

According to the report, the top 20 products that generated more advertisements during the year include: telecommunications, Personal Paid Announcements, Lager, Gaming/ Entertainment, corporate, banking/ finance, and religion.

It stated: “the top 20 categories contribute 60 percent of total spend.

Telecom continues to be the highest spender with overall spends of N14.7 billion (14 percent) of the total ATL advertising in 2013.”

Nigerian banks invested N750bn in power sector since privatisation — Adeleye

By PETER EGWUATU

A

s Nigerian banks invested about N750 billion in the power sector since its privatisation, it’s imperative that the security of this huge exposure rests squarely on every efforts to ensure the success of the privatization process, Mr. Segun Adeleye, President/CEO, World Stage Limited has said. He said “The challenges that surfaced with the new dispensation in addressing power problems are numerous but not un-surmountable.”

He listed the challenges to include; the rising activities of vandals who burst gas pipelines and other power transmission equipment; high level of power theft and by– passing metering; gas supply limitation; revenue collection; transmission wheeling capacity; funding model for transmission; expected declaration of Transition Electricity Market; lack of accurate data on power demand of the entire country; non-alignment of the entire value chain of power generation, transmission and distribution; security of investment; right pricing and efficient usage of available electricity; paucity of funding transmission and aging 132KV lines.

Continuing, he said “ With about 30 million households

in Nigeria still without access to electricity at the dawn of a new era in Nigeria’s liberalized electricity power sector, the 4th WorldStage National Electricity Power Conference 2014 is sets to address the challenges of post-privatization.“ According to the organizers, the conference which will hold at the Lagoon Restaurant, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, between September 25 and 26, 2014 will bring the policy makers and the private sector together to review the new development in electricity power sector, address new challenges, deliberate on critical issues and chart the way forward for the realisation of privatization objectives.

The forum that will attract participants from the Presidency, Ministry Power, Ministry of Finance, NERC, National Assembly, BPE, GENCOs, DISCOs, NIPP, IPPs, State Governments with IPPs, Oil and Gas Firms, Banks, Insurance Firms, Local and Foreign Investors, Media and Other Relevant Stakeholders, will feature presentations from top government officials, industry experts and panel discussions on, Challenges of Electricity Generation Post Privatisation; Transmission and Distribution Challenges; Alternative Energy Sources/ Energy Conservation; and State Governments’ Promoted IPPs.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

First, let there be massive publicity campaign on the various transactions that can be conducted on ATMs. The CBN and the banks are not doing this yet

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INVESTORS

Wema, Mainstreet banks' subsidiaries, others may lose dealing licences

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE stockbroking firms of Mainstreet Bank and Wema Bank Plc may soon lose their operating licences in the Nigerian capital market following a protracted period of inactivity and a new rule approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. The new rule empowers the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, to revoke the dealing member licence of any stockbroking firm that has been inactive for six consecutive months.

An inactive firm is a firm that has been suspended for a period of more than six months by the Exchange or SEC or has not recorded any activity for a period of three or more months without being suspended.

Out of 321 stockbroking firms, 222 are recognised by the NSE as active; 70 are inactive, 18 have inactivated licences, while the licences of 11 have been revoked.

Out of the 70 inactive firms, 20 have been deregistered, according to the Exchange, while the registration of one dealing member firm - First Equity Securities Limited- was cancelled by the SEC on July 15th, 2014.

Some of the stockbroking firms that may lose their licences include Mainstreet Bank Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Mainstreet Bank Limited, Wema Asset Management Limited, a subsidiary of Wema Bank Plc, Kakawa Asset Management Ltd, Lakesworth Investment & Securities Limited, Aims Asset Management Ltd, Falcon Securities Ltd, Alliance Capital Management Company, Colvia Securities Ltd, Dakal Services Ltd, Consolidated Investment Ltd, Gosord Securities Ltd, Lion Stockbrokers Ltd, LMB Stockbrokers Ltd, Northbridge Investment & Trust Ltd, Platinum Capital Ltd, Profound Securities Ltd, Prudential Securities ltd, Professional Stockbrokers Ltd, Riverside Trust Ltd and Support Services Ltd. Others are AAA Stockbrokers Ltd, Allbond Investment Ltd, Arian Capital Management, Bauchi Investment Corp.

Sec. Ltd, BFCL Asset & Securities, BIC Securities Ltd, Bytofel Trust & Securities ltd, CEB Securities Ltd, Davandy Finance & Securities, Deacon Investment ltd, Empire Securities ltd, Epic Investment Trust Ltd, Equator Stockbrokers Ltd, First Alstate Securities Ltd, First Atlantic Securities Ltd, Fittco Securities ltd, Folu Securities Ltd, Genesis Securities & Investment Ltd, Gombe Securities Ltd, and Ideal Securities Ltd. According to the NSE, the decision to revoke the licence of inactive stockbroking firms followed its determination to maintain the market integrity and further protect the investors, adding that the circumstances of the inactivity are further categorised into voluntary and

C M Y K

involuntary inactivity.

Commenting, Ms. Tinuade Awe, Head, Legal and Regulation Division, NSE, explained that voluntary inactivity occurs where the dealing member firm has not engaged in any trading activity for a consecutive period of six months without being suspended by the Exchange or the SEC, while involuntary inactivity occurs where a dealing member firm has been suspended from trading activities by the Exchange or the SEC by reason of any infraction committed by the firm, but has not carried out any trading activ-

ity within the stipulated six months period.

“The rule provides further that the Exchange shall forthwith revoke the licence of any dealing member firm that falls into this category. The powers of the Exchange under this SEC approved rule will be exercised judiciously and will take into account all the circumstances surrounding each individual case as well as the interests of all stakeholders, particularly the investors,” she stated.

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

Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, NSE, stated that the NSE in exercising its regulatory authority over dealing member firms shall continue to use the utmost care and diligence.

He noted that the NSE is keen to entrench the required catalysts to stimulate and build a healthy and well regulated market so as to stimulate increasing levels of investor confidence in the market.

Others that would be affected by the revocation are Indeminity Finance Limited, ITIS Securities ltd, LB Securities Ltd, Mact Securities Ltd, Maninvest Asset Management Plc, Mayfield Investment, Metropolitan Trust Nig. Ltd, Midland Capital Markets Ltd, Midlands Investment & Trust, Midpoint Capital Ltd, ML Securities, Monument Sec & Finance, Omas Inv & Trust, Options Sec., Peninsula Asset Mgt & Inv. Co, Regency Finance Ltd, Riv Trust Securities, Securities Solutions Ltd, Securities Trading & Inv., Sikon Securities & Inv. Trust, Summa Guaranty & Trust Co., Supra Commercial Trust Co, Transglobe Inv. & Finance Co., Tropics securities Ltd, Vision Trust & Inv., Waila Securities and Funds, Wize Trade Capital & Asset Mgt, WT Securities ltd and Zuma Securities ltd.

ATMs: Discouraging or encouraging cashless payment? (3)

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

A

TMs offer more than cash withdrawal ser vices. Most bank customers, however, only patronise them for cash withdrawal. The result is continued dominance of cash withdrawal in e-payment transactions in Nigeria.

Should this persist, the cashless policy would be frustrated. To forestall this, the industry needs to devote more attention to leveraging the growing confidence of bank customers in ATMs as a reliable e-payment channel to drive the cashless policy.

How can we do this? First, let there be massive publicity campaign on the various transactions that can be conducted on ATMs. The CBN and the banks are not doing this yet. Yes, there is publicity on cash-

less, but since our greatest hope for now on reducing cash dependence is ATM, we should do specialised publicity to encourage cardholders to conduct transactions via ATMs. A lot of customers do not know they can pay for flight tickets, PHCN bills, and buy airtime via ATMs. Many do not know they can transfer money to third parties through ATMs. They still go into banking halls to do these transactions because there is no concerted effort to encourage them to use the ATM for such transactions.

Secondly, the industry should introduce measures to compel customers to use ATMs for cashless transactions. For example, the upsurge in cash withdrawal was promoted by the limit introduced by banks on cash withdrawal across the counter. In most banks, you can withdraw anything below

MARKET NEWS

Red Star Express shareholders ratify N206m dividends

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

HAREHOLDERS of Red Star Express Plc have approved the payment of N206 million gross dividends, which translates to 35kobo per 50 kobo share, earlier recommended by the Board of Directors of the company.

They gave the approval at the company’s 21st Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos.

Addressing shareholders at the meeting, the Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Koguna, said the company achieved 21 per cent increase in revenue at the end 2013 financial year ended December 31, 2013, an impressive result compared to its last

financial year.

Specifically, he said the company recorded a turnover of N6.4 billion as against N5.3 billion achieved in the previous year.

He noted that apart from the growth recorded in revenue, the company’s profit after tax also grew by 33 per cent from N331.77 million to N403.6 3million in the year under review.

Koguna attributed the growth in profit and success of the company to the bravery of its workers and management, saying that their efforts and the support of the shareholders helped the company to remain in business in spite of the economic challenges it encountered during the year.

He explained that although the economic challenges in the country impacted the com-

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 23

N200, 000 across the counter.

You have to do so via the ATM. Similarly, the industry can disallow some transactions from being conducted across the counter. The industry can insist that payment of bills would not be allowed across the counter, or the customer should pay a fee if he/ she wants to conduct such across the counter. Another way of doing this is to attach incentives to cashless transactions done across the ATMs. For example, Interstwich is offering incentives for airtime purchase through ATMs. If you buy airtime through its quickteller platform on ATMs, you get 100 percent bonus. So also is the incentive for transactions on PoS terminals offered

by Nigeria Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) in partnership with banks. Such incentive is good, it should, however, be extended to transactions via the ATMs. In addition to the above, the industry should make effort to increase the number of services or merchants that can be paid via ATMs. For example, there are ATMs located inside or just beside some merchant’s location. If you want to pay via PoS, and it is not working, the staff will advise you to go to the ATM (which sometimes is just by the door) and withdraw cash, and pay for the goods. The industry can encourage the merchant to register with quicketeller, so that it can be paid via ATM. Or, the merchant can give his account number to the customer and advise that he or she should do transfer to that account, and bring the receipt. This is already happening indirectly. For example, some institutions like schools provide their account numbers to customers and ask them to pay into the account and bring the teller. So, the industry can extend this to ensure that rather than pay for such services across the counter, it is done via the nearest ATM. It will help a lot to reduce the volume and value of cash withdrawal via ATMs. The above are some of the measures that can be explored to ensure that ATMs do not become a disincentive to the objective of transiting to a cashless economy. They can help stem the tide of cash withdrawal via ATM while we continue to make effort to increase the reliability and public confidence in other e-payment channels.

pany slightly, it was able to achieve growth.

Koguna said, “The economic and business environment continues to be quite challenging for most companies including Red Star Express Plc. The increasing rate of insecurity in various parts of the country, particularly the North-East including Abuja, which happens to be one of the company’s high generating territory, slightly impacted our business.”

He, however, stressed that Nigeria’s economy remained one of the fastest growing economies in the world regardless of the rising inflation rate, cost of funds, and inability of the privatised power sector to increase output as envisaged as well as decaying infrastructure.

In his own remarks, the Managing Director, Mr. Sule Umar Bichi, said the company has consistently paid dividends to its shareholders in the last six years when its shares were listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Also at the meeting, Red Star non-executive directors, Mazi Sonny Alison and Olayemi Peters were re-elected while the appointments of two new non-executive directors, Mr. Sulaiman Lawan Koguna and Sir Chris Ike Ogbechie were approved. Shareholders present at the meeting commended the company for an excellent performance and encouraged the board to scale up its efforts on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to impact positively on Nigerians particularly its host communities.

,

S FORUM

If they are capitalising on this matter just to make more money from the investors, it is not good enough since everything will still bounce back on the shareholders

,

allow dividend to be paid into savings account because they understand that such transaction can only be done on current account which many shareholders cannot open because of the processes involved.

But as much as I know, the problem of unclaimed dividend today is caused by the registrars.

Why I said this, is because most registrars are not helping matters.

Or how do you explain a situation where shareholders after reporting change of address to their companies’ registrars, and for more than eight years after, the registrar will still continue to send the dividend warrant to the old address.

Using this as a case study, in a situation where for instance you

Sanctioning defaulting companies on dividend payment good, but …

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

I

n line with one of its core strategies of enhancing market performance and growth while sustaining a strong investor protection framework, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, recently said it will sanction any company that fails to pay dividend within the timeline specified in the resolution passed by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, AGM. According to the NSE, this sanction is not a new proposal but part of existing General Undertaking in the Exchange’s Listings Requirements, which was executed by every Issuer before its securities were approved for listing on the exchange.

Speaking with some shareholders, they opined that though large chunk of problem relating to dividend payment are caused by registrars, the proposed rule will flog companies into shape.

Excerpt: Mrs. Bisi Bakare of Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria: don’t understand how the Nigerian Stock Exchange intends to achieve this because except in a situation whereby you subscribe for e-dividend, shareholders may not know precisely the day companies pay their dividend, since companies will first pay the dividend into the registrar ’s accounts from where it will be paid to the shareholders.

On this issue, shareholders, especially those who hold shares in more than one company under the same registrar always have problem identifying which of the company ’s dividend they are been alerted for, because the registrars will not indicate.

You may need to calculate the unit of shares you hold in these companies and the amount they declared before you can identify if the company paid as at when due.

What should have been the case is that, when registrars are sending the message, they should provide a column that will indicate which company and the amount is been paid.

As a regulator, the Nigerian

I

Stock Exchange’s job is to regulate the market. This became more important because without their oversight function, companies can do and undo.

If they are saying that they are going to sanction any company that errs on this matter, it is still part of their statutory function and it is welcome by shareholders because when these companies want to renege on their promise to shareholders on this matter, at least for the fear of the sanction that await them, they will work to ensure that they do the appropriate thing and at the right time too.

But even as this is good for the operation of the market and the protection of the investors’ interest, it is also important that they ensure that at the end of the day, it is not the investors that are still going to bear the brunt of such sanction. This is because if the regulator sanctions companies for a case like this, often times, it is not the directors or managers of such companies that bear the brunt, rather, it is the innocent investors that bear it.

From what I heard, it is said that they are going to pay N5, 000 each day counting from a day after the approved day which to me is going to be additional cost for the shareholders. The money we are talking about is not any of the directors’ money; it is the investors’ money.

It is also important that we as stakeholders know where the money is going to. This is because in the first place, the regulators have made their own charges on the companies. It is also good if the regulator will let us know whether the money will go back into the shareholders’ account or if it will still add to the stock exchange’s money.

If money from the sanction will be a profit to the shareholders, good and fine, but if it will add to the money that the NSE has charged, then shareholders may not agree with that. If they are capitalising on this matter just to make more money from the investors, it is not good enough since everything will still bounce back on the shareholders.

Another issue relating to this is that, currently, most banks don’t

have two accounts with First Registrar, they are supposed to know your name, the units you have in each of the accounts, and in a case whereby you have a new address, and you have filled the forms and they make you believe that all this information is in their data base.

If this is so, why is it that some of shareholder ’s dividends will be sent to the new address while the others will be sent to the old address after notifying the registrar of change in address? This is what many of the registrars we have in the stock market today do. I say this because it is something I have experienced.

The registrars do this because they are always in possession of the money once the company pays it into their accounts. And since the money will remain in their accounts for twelve years, they keep using the money to do business, taking advantage of the helpless investors. This is not because they do not have the right information, but because of their own personal interest.

Mr. Ariyo Olugbosun: ll we understand about div idend payment is that once the shareholders adopt the resolution on the amount that is to be paid, it is left to the company through their registrar to choose the day they are going to make the payment into the shareholders accounts.

If the regulators are coming up with a policy relating to this matter, it is good because it will make companies to be sincere with what they tell the shareholders, most especially in the area of dividend declaration and payment.

There are situations when some registrars will not give any date for the closure of registration of meeting and dividend and when shareholders attend such a meeting without registration, the registrar will say that their names are not in their data base, whereas, they are the one that failed to give a date.

There are also times when, even if you have bought shares from a company over a long period of time, at the AGM, they tell you that they cannot find your name on the register, making you look like a fool.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Poor petroleum contributions may threaten general elections — Report A

By Michael Eboh

NALYSTS at FBN Capital Lim ited have bemoaned the negative correlation between Nigeria’s oil output and economic development, saying the oil sector has contributed negatively to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

They also dismissed hopes for any improvement, saying, “Given the seeming indifference of the executive and legislature to these constraints, we do not assume a recovery in the sector ahead of the elections.”

The analysts in their Economic Report for June 2014, stated that the oil sector share of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, contracted by an average of 0.8 per cent year-on-year, in the past eight quarters.

This, they said, is in contrast to the telecommunications and post, building and construction, hotels and restaurants, solid minerals, and real estate, which achieved double-digit growth in third quarter 2013.

The analysts, Gregory Kronsten and Chinwendu Egwim, also blamed the declining fortune of the oil and gas sector on faltering production, arising from reduced investment and leakages.

According to them, underinvestment by the joint ventures, the vacuum created by the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, and the steep increase in production leakages/theft since 2013, have all contributed to the disappointing oil performance.

The analysts linked the oil sector with

a number of weaknesses in Nigeria’s fiscal policy. They said, “Oil continues to generate a dangerously high proportion of Federal government revenue and of foreign-exchange inflows. Oil accounted for 76 per cent of federally collected revenues in 2012 and a provisional 70 per cent in 2013.

“The collection of dues from the non-oil economy is constrained by overly generous tax exemptions, inadequate pay for the officials and a poor culture of paying tax in the population at large.

“Another weakness of fiscal policy is the

inclusion of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC in the federal budget. The corporation cannot always meet its obligations to its joint venture partners (cash calls) because of delays in disbursements from the federation account.

The arrangement also does not enhance accountability.

“We have already noted that the version of the PIB currently before the National Assembly does not change the financing arrangements for the corporation other than at the margins.”

From left: Former Vice Chancellor, Catholic University of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu; District Governor-elect, Rotary International, District 9125, Mr. Mike Omotosho and Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, at the installation of the 6th president of Rotary Club of Abuja-Gwarinpa in Abuja.

In the long term, the analysts further stated that Nigeria can reduce its appetite for imports without sacrificing its dash for growth, adding that the country could make some inroads into its import bill by finally scrapping petrol subsidies and encouraging investments in refining.

In addition, Mr. Bismark Rewane, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, projected that oil export will remain the major source of revenue for Nigeria in the months ahead.

Rewane, in his monthly economic news and views, lamented the continued pilfering of Nigeria’s crude, noting, however, dwindling Nigerian shipments to the U.S. imply that disruptions to Nigeria’s oil supplies are unlikely to trigger oil price rallies.

Despite claims of improved refining capacity in the country, he disclosed that Nigeria still imports about 50 per cent of its refined products from the United States.

On the outlook for August, Rewane stated that stock market sentiment will remain tepid pushing stock prices down, while slow external reserves replenishment will continue to $41 billion.

NAPTIN, NERC differ on embedded power

By Sebastine Obasi & Ediri Ejoh

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EDERAL Government’s quest to tackle the perennial power shortages in the country may not be achieved soon, as two key organs of the government differ on embedded generation.

While the Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, NAPTIN, Mr. Reuben Okeke, believes that renewable energy will not offer succor to effectively grow Nigeria’s economy, the Chairman/CEO, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, argued that embedding is the future of the electricity industry.

Embedded electricity generation is a situation whereby the generator provides power directly through the distribution networks. This consists of smaller or modular generators that use a variety of technologies, such as solar, wind, biomass, diesel, fuel oils, low pour fuel oil, LPFO, high pour, high pour fuel oil, HPFO, crude oil, small hydro.

Okeke, who spoke at the annual conference of the Energy writers, said the western countries are looking for markets for their products, which necessitated their aggressive campaign for renewable energy.

“Globally, everybody seems to play down on gas because of emission. Everybody seems to play down on the use of coal, because the Western nations are campaigning against it. But it is not in our favour.

“Recently, Germany wooed us with huge amount of money to embark on renewable energy in the country – solar, wind, turbines, etc. for us to reduce emission. But our economy is still at low ebb. There is no way our economy will grow with renewable energy, no matter what it is, because we need the megawatts, MW, in quantum.

“We have a target of getting 40,000MW by 2020. Out of that, 1,000MW according to the road map, will come from renewable energy. It is all strange to get 100 percent from renewable compared with conventional energy. Our economy cannot grow until we have these megawatts in quantum. Renewable energy cannot give it to us.

“The developed countries are just looking for where to dump their products.

They do not want us to grow. They want us to take carbon credit. That is if we are spending $10 million to produce 1MW from conventional energy, we are ready to give you $50 million to let you use your gas or coal,” he said.

He also explained that Nigeria must

not abandon its God-given resources due to pressure from the west. Why must we abandon our God-given natural resources? Israel till now is almost 100 percent on coal. They still import coal.

South Africa is also on coal.

“Not harnessing our natural endowment properly has impeded our growth as a nation. If there is anything we can do for this gas master plan to be implemented appropriately, it will be welcome so that our megawatts can grow.

“The present administration is doing well in that direction. There are new generating plants coming into the national grid. If you check out transmission, you can see the number of transformers that have been commissioned.

About 224 distribution injection sub-stations are ready that once these things are there, we can spring from our 4,000MW to 20,000 MW, but there is no gas,” he added.

However, Amadi, while presenting license for embedded power generation recently to the Bauchi State Governor, Mr. Isa Yuguda, maintained that embedded generation is a project that should be emulated and executed by others. ‘’We present this project as a model to other state governors. We have certified all environmental issues on the

project. We feel happy about it. It is the vision of the industry to generate sufficient power for all,” he said.

Amadi said that the embedded generation would also be a useful means of dedicating power to a particular state and local government, eligible customers and others.

According to him, NERC was not exempting anybody, as all are qualified to be beneficiaries, saying embedded generation is a project that should be emulated and executed by others.

The energy conference was sponsored by industry operators including the Chrome/Kaztec Group; Chevron Nigeria Limited; the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Shell Nigeria; the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, NDPHC, as well as, Federal Ministry of Power.

Other contributors include, Energia Limited; Forte oil Plc, Chrome Group; Addax Petroleum; Seplat Petroleum Development Company plc; the Nigeria LNG Limited; West African Gas Pipeline Company; Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC; Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and Eko Electricity Distribution PLC, EKEDC.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 25

Chevron identifies successes of community interventions ...Benefits of material development

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XPATIATING further, he revealed that partnerships in HIV/AIDS interventions in Nigeria, are executed through a number of ways such as a Global Fund; Pact-Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, PROMOT; and Business Leadership Council, BLC. In the area of the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, Brikinn listed some of the guiding principles to include: Ø Trust building through Transparency and accountability Ø Participatory partnership through stakeholder engagement Ø Community ownership and sustainability assurance through capacity building Ø Peace Building through grievance management and respect for the rule of law, and, Ø Continuous monitoring and evaluation for improvement opportunities He listed the outcome of some of the GMoU interventions to include; the Dodo River 45 beds Cottage Hospital; Jisike

Ibadan DISCO to boost electricity supply

By Michael Eboh

By Clara Nwachukwu HE local unit of US oil major, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, has said that its relationship and intervention with communities in its areas of operations are based on a tripod.

These are social investment, social impact & risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement & issues management.

Elaborating further on the successes of these levels of engagement, CNL’s Manager, Social Performance and Planning, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, argued that development programmes initiated herewith have recorded significant impact among the people and the benefiting communities.

Brikinn, who made a presentation on Chevron’s Social Performance at the recent conference and exhibition of the Society for Petroleum Engineers, SPE, also identified various projects being executed under the sub-themes.

For instance, the thematic focus for intervention in the area of social investment, include: · Health - HIV/AIDS, river boat clinic, malaria, and mass de-worming · Education – scholarships, education infrastructure, discovery alliance · Eco development – GmoU, enterprise development, local community content, and, · Other programmes in the areas of arts & sports, road safety, and environment.

BRIEF

From left: Environmental activist, Desmond Majekodunmi; Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Resources, Mr. Bandele Badejo and Chief Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Officer, Oando Plc, Mr. Chijioke Akwukwuma during Oando 2014 Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality (EHSSQ/SCA) Week, in Lagos.

Tricycle Revolving Loan Transportation Scheme; Ezetu 1 Landing Jetty; Idama Car Transportation Scheme.

In another development, the trio of Hammed Shittu, Kemelayefa Ejeru, and Emeka Ejika, in their presentation showed how material balance was used in a green field development plan.

The presentation was also meant to demonstrate the use of probabilistic material balance workflow and to benchmark results with other methods.

The trio, who made a presentation on: Probabilistic Material Balance: Application in Green Field Development Planning, therefore

concluded that the probabilistic material balance method, is a reliable method for estimating a range of recovery factors.

They also argued that the addition of probabilistic step to the use of material balance analysis eliminates bias and prevents anchoring.

FG to phase out heavy energy consuming devices

By CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA: The National Council on Power, NCoP, has mandated the Ministry of Power to collaborate with relevant agencies to develop a national policy on energy efficiency and conservation.

This is aimed at phasing out heavy energy consuming devices from homes, offices and industries in the country.

The proposed policy will be geared towards ensuring that all electrical equipment and households electrical items are in compliance with international low energy consumption guidelines.

The Council also recommended that a minimum of N160 billion be made available to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, to take care of its annual expenditure on operations.

NCOP however stated that about 75 per cent of such funds, depending on its source should be expended on meeting the capital expenditure, Capex, of TCN in ramping up its electricity wheeling capacity in Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Indus-

try, NESI. “Until such a time that a cost reflective tariff is established and 90 per cent or greater of annual earned market is received, it should be ensured that the sum total of annual funding provided to TCN from the market, loan, and appropriations sources is not less than N160 billion annually, with 75 per cent earmarked for CAPEX,” it said.

The Council expressed the hope that its recommendations will be adopted by the federal government in advancing the power sector reforms.

A copy of the recommendations obtained by Vanguard, the Council urged the TCN to also liaise with state governments to sort out the extant issues of Right of Way, RoW, in the construction of transmission projects across the country.

It said: “Council further recommends that TCN liaises with states ministries of power and departments of power to effectively establish Rights of way corridors. Council also recommends that TCN signs MoU with states that recognise provision of land by states

as their contribution towards the success of the transmission projects.”

The Council also advocated for the independence of the Market and System Operations Departments of the TCN. It equally requested that employees’ salaries, benefits and critical business infrastructure needs of the TCN be funded from appropriations on a prorata basis and based on percentage shortage earnings from previous year’s market revenue earnings.

On the generation aspect of NESI, NCOP advocated for stakeholders to set up short term targets to wheel about 9,000 megawatts, MW, and evacuate 6,500MW in 2014.

It also wants to set up of a medium term target for 12,000MW and 10,000MW respectively by 2016.

On efficiency, the NCOP wants TCN to monitor at least 90 per cent of the installed grid system; perform transmission network fault location determination within 30 minutes of occurrence and comply with regulations on financial reporting.

BADAN Electricity Distri bution Company Plc has stated that it planned to improve on service delivery to its customers by effectively repositioning its workforce through knowledge sharing programmes that will translate to increased productivity and commitment.

The Deputy Managing Director, IBEDC, Mr. John Darlington, in a statement, said the programme is part of efforts aimed at ensuring attitudinal re-orientation of its workforce to ensure effective service delivery in the new private sector-led electricity market.

IBEDC’s franchise area covers Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Kwara States. Darlington, while addressing workers and other stakeholders at a programme organised in Ibadan, Oyo State, affirmed that only the right and skilled people, and a committed and motivated workforce will make the company successful in all its activities.

He said, ”Truly, people are our greatest asset on the journey to our defined promise land.

Therefore, we have no choice other than creating teams.”

He stated that the company is striving towards building a culture of high performance, adding that it is a waste of time to articulate ideas about values and culture if the company does not model and reward behaviours that align with those goals.

Darlington charged the workers to ponder on their scorecards since the takeover of the company on November 1, 2013, promising to reward good performance and also sanctioning poor performance.

“What will be your scorecard as management and staff to our numerous stakeholders, including the owners, the board of directors and esteem customers for whom we exist. There are also the regulators that have the right and power to let us exist and continue our business or take us over; and the large public watching and waiting to see what we would do with this asset” he said.

Also speaking, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, who was one of the resource persons at the programme, charged the workers to create a new organisational culture.

Aduloju, who spoke on: “Imperatives for Strategic Transformation from Public to Private Enterprise,” said the company’s transformation to a private enterprise involves new rules of engagement, and charged the workers to map out the vision, scope and nature of transformation.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Cement coy decries shortage of power supply

By Chris Ochayi

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HE Chairman of the Ce ment Company of Northern Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, has decried the high cost of electricity to power production equipment in his factory.

Rabiu, who spoke with newsmen on the sideline of the company’s 35th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Abuja, regretted that despite the high cost, the company is finding it difficult to access the Low Pour Fuel Oil, LPFO, to power the plant.

He said, “Energy is a very important variable and as you all know, the cost of energy to us is very high and it is our biggest expense even though we are located in a unique area where we enjoy some advantages.

“Our expenses on energy are becoming a bit of an issue to us and not just the price but the availability because we don’t get LPFO from the refinery every day and for us to import LPFO to our plant is prohibited. That is why we depend on Kaduna refinery to have LPFO and that is becoming a very critical issue due to the cost on a monthly basis which is about N600 million.

“What we are looking to do now is to convert to coal, and if we are able to import pet-coke which is inexpensive for now and blend it with our local coal, which has high sulphur concentrate because we may not be able to just use the local coal unless we blend.

“With that, the only challenge

that I see here is transportation of the pet-coke from any port in Nigeria to Sokoto; that can be quite expensive but I think it is cheaper for us to convert to coal and hopefully by next year.

“We will be able to divert parts of our energy to coal otherwise it will be very challenging for us, as Ashaka which is our biggest competitor in that part of the country has already converted to coal and they are doing very well with it. We just have to otherwise we will not be competitive and we are not far from each other.”

On expanding the plant’s capacity to 1.5 million tonnes, he noted that, “there are a lot of talks

on expanding the plant because what we have even though it is doing very well is not enough.

We have an installed capacity of 600,000 tonnes, which we are doing now in the plant that is about 30 years old and still producing at that capacity.

“What we are doing is that we will look at all the options on the table to continue with the expansion plan. At a time it was very prohibitive for us to actually go to the bank and borrow money because of the high rate of interest. In any case, the kind of money we are asking for will be very challenging to get from the banks, which is about $300 million.

“We looked at the options and decided that it was a no go area because we cannot borrow $300 million at an interest rate that will eventually result to $50-60 million per annum and the project will take about three years to complete.

“The second option was to go to the market but the market at that time was very dull and right issues would have been impossible. But then again, some of our shareholders were not happy and rightfully so because the share prices were not doing well, and secondly it is in a state where nobody knew what was going to happen.”

From left: New Managing Director, Julius Berger (Nig) Ltd, Mr. Detlev Lubasch and immediate past MD, Engr. Wolfgang Goetsch at the party organised by the company for the two, in Abuja.

Mining: Use of explosives under control — FG

By Gabriel Ewepu

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BUJA- THE Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Musa Sada, has reassured that explosives used by operators in the mining sector are under control and close watch.

Sada reiterated this while reacting to the communiqué read by the Mines Officer, SouthEast, Mr. Ebong Bassey, after the end of the maiden stakeholders’ interactive meeting for Zonal Mine Officers, ZMOs, and Federal Mines Officers, FMOs. The meeting was organised by the Mining Cadastral Office in conjunction with Mines Inspectorate Department of the Ministry.

The theme of the meeting was, “Strengthening the Existing and Synergy between Mining Cadastral Office and the Technical Department for enhanced Mineral Title Administration and Effective regula-

tion of the Mining Industry Operations.”

Sada said the ministry is very strict on the approval for the use of explosives, and has mandated the ZMOs and FMOs to ensure that persons and companies applying for the use of explosives in their activities were closely monitored. Their storage facilities are also to be properly inspected with physical pictures and addresses.

Sada said: “The stakeholders’ interactive meeting today is a beginning of positive things to come. We will make it an annual event. Let the Zonal Mines Officers organise such interactive meetings at the state level, where states are made to present what is going there.

“The interactive meetings should also include discussions on developments in the mining sector of other countries we can learn from, even states in Nigeria that are doing well, so we can have a body of knowledge.

“What we expect from the ZMOs and FMOs is a progressive report in their states, and it will assist us to present the real picture of what is happening in the sector, and that will portray positive activities that are not known about the sector.

“For the use of explosives, we are dealing with it. Anybody who is interested working with explosives should apply early enough. The ZMOs and FMOs are expected to be observant about the use of the explosives in their states.

“Inspect their storage facilities, whether it breaches the security of the people, have the picture of the person. If the use of the explosive will threaten the security of the people we will know how to deal with it.

“We want to also receive recommendations from the ZMOs and FMOs on whether to renew the licence of an operator because in this sector, you are the most important people as

you are on the field and are the eyes and hands of the sector.”

The Minister also charged the officers to ensure that operators who violate Mining Laws were arrested and prosecuted through the police, as their operations were illegal and criminal, and they should not allow them to intimidate them.

Earlier in his remark, the Director-General, Mining Cadastral Office, Mr. Mohammed Amate, urged participants to express themselves freely as they contribute, observe and criticise positively on issues that will help the sector.

However, some of the demands contained in the communiqué include creation of data base for registration of mineral titles in the state offices, provision of computers and laptops with internet facilities for ZMOs and FMOs for the effective discharge of their duties.

BRIEF Stakeholders identify challenges of lubricant business in Nigeria

By Sebastine Obasi

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TAKEHOLDERS have identified various infractions and challenges militating against the rapid growth of lubricants business in Nigeria.

At the just ended Nigerian Lubricants Summit held in Lagos, they stated that lubricating oil blending plants in Nigeria are currently operating at an average of 45 percent of their total installed capacity. The results being unnecessary job losses, lack of liquidity and appropriate monetisation of investments to meet shareholders’ expectations.

The Principal Partner, Lubeservices Associates, Mr. Kayode Sote, said that despite obvious contributions and potentials to the nation’s economy, the Nigerian lube market is awash with about 720,000 metric tonnes of base oil (or 240,000 tonnes in excess of local requirement). These consist of different grades and types of the products blended locally by the majors, independents, fake and illegal manufacturers.

He maintained that the market has become a dumping ground for sub-standard and offspecifications imported lubes.

“All these infractions are indeed a threat to the survival of the lube manufacturers in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, some of the challenges facing the industry include, indiscriminate importation of base oil far in excess of the installed capacity of the operating and functional lube oil blending plants; and adulteration of lubes by illegal lube blending plants. There are also the open marketing of base oil erroneously displayed as finished lubes, and easy access to customised moulds by third party marketers of lubes.

“All illegal operators, racketeers, middlemen and brokers directly and remotely connected with the business should be stopped in order to stem the high level of corruption and ineptitude, and break up the powerful syndicates that pervade the entire industry. “The situation should be arrested in time to avoid the collapse of the petroleum industry, as the prevailing circumstances put a stress on the fortunes of the genuine investors whose resources, time, foresight and commitment sustain our mono-cultured economy,” he said. The Chairman/ Technical Adviser, Lubcon Group, Mr. Jani Ibrahim, said that to achieve sustainable growth in the lubricant business, the government must strive to eliminate artificial and avoidable distortions.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 27

Eko Gas: Chimons injects 25,000 cylinders into domestic market

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HIMONS Gas said it is contributing about 2,700 gas cylinders to the current phase of the Eko Gas project, bringing the total cylinder it has injected into the domestic market so far to over 25,000.

Executive Director Chimons Gas, Engineer Baylon Duru, stated this at the flag off of cylinder distribution in Oshodi/Isolo Local government by the Lagos State Government According to him, for the current phase of the project, the Lagos State government intends to initially distribute close to 20000 cylinders in all the Local Government Areas LGAs and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state for residents to start enjoying the benefits of this clean energy source.

He said, “The initial distribution is about 20,000 cylinders. I would want to believe that one cylinder is for one home. So 20,000 cylinders for a pilot project is really commendable.

After this there is another set of distribution that will go on.

“The Lagos state government is giving this out free to these beneficiaries. This is very laudable. I feel that if other states can do this, Nigeria in the next five years should be looking at attaining the onemillion tonnes that is being targeted. The essence is to increase our per capita consumption and be like other African countries.”

Ghanaian oil industry staff among lowest paid in the world — Report

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HE annual report on av erage annual salaries in the global oil and gas industry for the year 2013 indicates that Ghanaian workers in that industry are among the least paid in the world today.

The report was jointly compiled by oil and gas recruitment experts, Hays Oil and Gas, and industry researchers, Oil and Gas Job Search. It is published on the website of Hays Oil and Gas. The 2013 report, which also contains an outlook on 2014, looked at 24 industry disciplines, sampled more than 7,200 employers and 24,000 other respondents in the industry across 53 countries.

It showed that average salaries for locals in Sudan, Vietnam and Ghana were the lowest in the world, compared with what expats in those countries take. Sudan was the lowest with US$24,100 average annual salary for locals, compared with US$77,000 for expats, which indicate a 219.5% disparity between locals and expats in that country.

From left: Representative of the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr Frank Amego; Managing Director, Niger Delta Petroleum Company, Dr Layi Fatona; Commander, Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield), Major-General Emmanuel Atewe and representative of Minister of Power, Dr Frank Edozien at the 2014 Annual Conference and Lecture of the National Association of Energy Correspondents, NAEC, in Lagos.

Why we are priotising renewable energy — FG

By Chris Ochayi

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HE Federal Government has explained that it is prioritising deployment of renewable energy for electricity generation because of its environmental safety advantage.

The Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil, said this while receiving a delegation of the Renewable Energy Centre of the Economic Community of West Africa, led

by its Executive Director, Mr. Mahamah Kappiah, in Abuja.

He added that renewable energy would bridge the gap in the nation’s energy needs.

Wakil explained that renewable energy was adopted by world leaders at various fora, as a way of addressing sustainable energy development questions. He said, “Our peculiar needs to add other sources of electricity to the conventional routes informed this position.”

According to him, “Nigeria after successfully privatizing the power sector is set for another landmark achievement by fast tracking development of renewable energy sources.

The wind farm in Katsina is under technical audit before commissioning.

“The Zungeru hydro dam is under construction. Mambilla hydro dam is already approved and the Kashambilla evacuation project has also

been approved. Several renewable energy projects are all in the pipeline.

“We are also working on the creation of a Presidential Initiative on Renewable Energy, which is designed to create a focal coordinating point as well as provide the needed political backing for the implementation of renewable energy projects.

“President Goodluck Jonathan is personally committed to drawing all these to a logical conclusion as he has also signed the resolution of ECOWAS Heads of Government on renewable energy policy among others,” he noted.

To fast track Nigeria’s adoption of the renewable energy policy, the minister said Nigeria will soon hold a validation workshop for the ratification of the National Policy on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

In his response, Kappiah commended the Nigerian government for her emphasis on renewable energy, describing it as being in conformity with global trends.

While thanking Nigeria for joining the renewable energy revolution, the ECOWAS energy chief said the path taken by Nigerian Power Sector Reform is the best option which most countries are afraid of embarking on – such a large scale of privatization at a swoop.

He noted that while it takes time for the benefits to fully manifest to the citizenry, Nigerians he assured would soon start to reap the fruits of the reforms.

Kappiah further said that private sector is best placed to run a virile and efficient power sector, affirming that Nigeria has taken the right decision.

Nigeria not ready for bilateral trade in electricity — MAN

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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HE Nigerian Bulk Elec tricity Trader, NBET, has not demonstrated the readiness to midwife bilateral trading in electricity, said the Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN Apapa branch, Mr Babatunde Odunayo.

This is even as some private sector companies are already developing the interest and capacity to sell power to the distribution companies, DISCOs. Odunayo also argued that the 2016 20.3GW power generation target set by President Goodluck Jonathan would not be achieved with the present unsupportive state of the transmission system in the country.

He spoke at the Association’s 2014 Business Luncheon tagged, “Improving Power Distribution and Generation: Experience and Expectation,” in Lagos.

According to him, heavy in-

vestments in independent power projects, IPPs, are still required to push towards the realisation of the power supply goal.

He said, “The Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr sam Amadi, may wish to inform us that the country may be coming to the end of the liberalisation and privatisation phase of the Power Sector Reform. However, we are not sure that we are ready for bilateral trading in electricity through the NBET, so that private sector investment in IPP projects can be hastened.”

He decried the fixed charges on electricity billed by the DISCOs, and called for its abolition until the generation and transmission systems are able to overcome the challenges in power delivery value chain.

He therefore called on the NERC to mandate the DISCOs to source for funding to close the existing metering gap in the

country, as this would help to plug the revenue leakages in their areas of operations. .

“A few questions arise for NERC. How do we determine 15 days of non-supply of power to the consumers at which point the fixed charge does not become payable by the consumer? Is it cumulative, if so who takes a record of outage?

Is it for 15 consecutive days?

The general feeling is that the fixed charge should be abolished.

“How shall housing Estates be regulated through the distribution companies? They promise 24 hours power supply services, take no cognisance of the energy from public power supply and charge their captive and helpless residents exorbitant rates per kilowatt hour,” Odunayo stated.

Other speakers at the event were Dr Mike Uzoigwe, Managing Director, MD Egbin Power Plant Plc; Mr. Oladele

Amoda, MD, Eko Electricity Distribution Company; and Mr. Abiodun Ajifowobaje, MD, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company.

They blamed the existing power supply shortages on inadequate gas supply to feed the existing generation plants, as well as increase in the Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection, ATC&C, losses.

They noted that inadequate power from the grid, energy theft and high rate of vandalism of electrical installations are also compounding the power supply problem.

They listed other problems to include high energy losses, lack of adequate and efficient metering, aged network, unsafe and untidy network system and manually operated distribution system among others.

They said there is the need to increase the present tariff system, saying that no investor would be willing to come in without having adequate return on investment.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 29

30 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Fuel tankers and other articulated trucks on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway

THE SAD STORY OF A NATION:

Gridlocks: Rail-to-tank farms near completion—NRC •Oil marketers now lift AGO by rail •We can move 900, 000 litres of petroleum by rail at once; tanker carries only 33,000 litres at once; which amounts to more than 27 tankers off the road at once

By Jonah Nwokpoku & Franklin Alli

A

S rail-to-tank farms project of the Nigeria Railway Corporation nears completion, Niyi Alli, the Director of Operations of the rail line has expressed confidence that vehicular traffic that characterised the Apapa area and Tin-Can Island which host the two largest sea-ports in Nigeria will soon be over. According to him, railway links to the tank farms for lifting of petroleum products by oil marketers will be completed by September this year and already, some of the oil marketing companies have started moving Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, by rail, but not yet petroleum because of safety issues.

He said: “Recently, the Nigerian railway moved its first commercial quantity of diesel out of Apapa. We moved 12 wagons of AGO from Lagos to Kano. We

moved 528 thousand litres of AGO by rail. Moving AGO is a bit easier because you don’t need that amount of safety considerations. So, we can transload from road tankers to rail tankers and that is what we will continue to do. As time goes on, we will see an increment in not just the amount of AGOs but also other products.

Product marketer “In the AGO movement, we used a third party called Connect Rail who brokered the deal between the Nigeria Railways and the product marketer, Eterna Oil Plc. To help address the challenge of the persisting gridlock at Apapa, we are also moving more containers out of Apapa by rail.” The corporation, Vanguard learnt, has 40 brand new pressurized tank wagons meant for lifting petroleum

products from the ports.

“Pressurised means that they don’t leak and that they can be guaranteed of their quantity. But there is a bit more to petroleum products movement than just having tank wagons. The important thing to remember is that unlike other traffics, the point of loading and offloading is where there are always safety concerns.

The first thing we do in our discussions with some of the oil marketers is how to create access to the tank farms and as we speak, we have contracts to rehabilitate all the lines to the tank farms of the major oil marketers.

The lines are currently being built and rehabilitated to their terminals. We also have ongoing discussions with most of them about the facilities that are required to trans-load the products from their tank farms into the tank wagons. We also consider the fact that these materials are highly combustible, so safety is always the key concern for us.

As you can also imagine, we

have been out of the loop of petroleum movement for a long time, so there is a lot of safety considerations that need to be put in place because that market is a very safety-conscious market.

So we are doing all the

,

In the first edition of this special report last Friday, it was noted that the lack of infrastructural development in the country has assumed a central importance in Nigeria’s fight to attain social and economic stability. In this instalment, attempts to utilise the rail system of transportation is reviewed.

back is not as easy as that.

Currently, we are moving about 60 40 ft containers every week for ICNL. We are also in serious discussions with APMT and from next month our target is to be running three trains a week between Lagos and Kano. That is in addition to what we are already carrying. We are also in discussion with all other operators like EN and GDNL, to see how we can best utilise their facilities but all these have to do with re-establishing confidence in the rail system.

Over the last few years, we have managed to achieve some feat in that regard especially in terms of providing a safe and reliable service and that is one of the reasons why we can now start to grow. I don’t think people should be expecting a massive migration from the road to the railway.

This is because, people are creatures of habit, they won’t just say rail is back and move automatically, it will take some time. So, in all, what we are doing is gradually increasing our market share. So we are targeting that at the end of this year, we should have 10 percent and by the middle of next year, we should have 20 percent and gradually grow like that.

We are doing a lot of work on the railway whereby we are increasing our capacity and eventually we expect a big bang in explosion in rail patronage.

Railway has always been capital intensive and it takes a lot of time and resources to put down the infrastructure that is required. At the moment, we are also rehabilitating all our lines in Apapa which should be completed by the end of August.

Currently, we are moving about 60 40 ft containers every week for ICNL. We are also in serious discussions with APMT and from next month our target is to be running three trains a week between Lagos and Kano

modifications that we need to make sure that these tank wagons and the facilities around there are safe, especially for PMS movement. That is where we are really concerned. Once that is done, we are working on it aggressively; you will see a rapid increment in the quantity of petroleum products that is being moved by rail.

We commenced that activity last year. We must remember that the rail was completely dead, so obviously people have got allegiances to other modes of transport and bringing people

,

Once that is completed, we will substantially increase our capacity also.

Once these lines are rehabilitated, we expected most of the oil marketers to increase the amount of products that they move by rail. Our whole intention is to get a better share of the market than we actually have at the moment. I think that is going to happen because the rail has a great strength over other modes of transport in terms of petroleum haulage. For instance, you can

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 31

Rail to tank farms near completion Continues from page 30 move about 900, 000 litres of petroleum by rail at once. You can imagine how many tankers, that is, considering that a tanker carries only 33000 litres at once, which amounts to more than 27 tankers of the road at once. And the product will be delivered between two to three days if it’s from Lagos to Kano.

We can’t say for sure that because we have this capacity, we will begin to have significant reduction in the number of trucks on the road but we can say that we have this capacity available for these marketers and it is up to them to decide which mode to take. They can as well decide that 900, 000 litres will move by rail and another 900,000 move by road and if that is the case; there will still be no congestion. For instance, you can move about 900, 000 litres of petroleum by rail at once.

Enough capacity You can imagine how many tankers, that is considering that a tanker carries only 33000 litres at once, which amounts to more than 27 tankers off the road at once. And the product will be delivered between two and three days, if it’s from Lagos to Kano.

But ideally, for us to achieve that, there should be a kind of policy to encourage the marketers to move their products by rail. In terms of that kind of policy, that is

offering services to the major oil marketers. We will carry as much as they can give us and as much as the capacity will allow us. It is envisaged that then, they will have a reduction on the number of trailers on the road.

That is the plan. However, you also have to consider one thing which is, if the market is growing and they still want to move by road, there is nothing we can do about it. The idea is that we can take as much traffic off the road as we can.

And as I mentioned earlier, one of the beauties of moving by rail is that our freight trains that move from Lagos to Kano carry twenty 40ft container and that is 20 trailers off the road. So imagine if we are able to run five trains a day. That will be 100 trailers off the road but what if they double the amount of imports coming into the country. If that is the case, there will never be an impact on the road.

We are putting in place the entire supporting infrastructure to enable us put pressure off the road by 50% . We are already in discussions with quite a number of the oil marketers and they are very interested because they too realise the beauty of using the rail.

First is the guaranteed reduction in the number of travelling time, the reliability of the service and the safety of their products. We will eventually see a substantive migration from road to rail transportation which in effect will help in reducing the number of

,

,

A lot of people are now parking their cars at Ijoko and jumping on the train and getting to their work at Apapa

where the Ministry of Transport should come in and look into it.

But we also take into cognizance that the Ministry cannot do that unless there is enough capacity to move as much quantity of products that are available. And obviously, we don’t have the capacity at the moment to move all the required products by rail.

We are not there yet but we will get there because we will continue to increase our capacity and capability.”

Rail access at Tincan Port: The Federal Government through the Ministry of Transport is currently looking at feasibility studies of where to connect rails. There are various lines that they are looking at and eventually, we know that all the ports in Nigeria must be connected by rail.

We don’t know when this will happen yet but we want to maximise the one we have first.

The one in Apapa is not yet fully being utilised. Hopefully, we will get that fully utilised and then move on to the next one.

Road decongestion: What we are saying as a Nigeria Railway Corporation is that we are now

tankers on the road and the knock-on effect of that will be reduction in vehicular congestion along the Apapa axis.

This is going to happen as a growth process. Just like everything in the market, it's going to be a continuous growth.

It is not going to be a big bang; it will start small and then grow. We are growing at the moment because we have continued to invest in the capacity to grow. For instance, last year, we started with three trains of containers every week.

Now we are doubling that.

Moreover people also forget our passenger trains into Apapa which is also helping to decongest the road. One of our busiest routes is the Lagos MTT that actually goes to Apapa in the morning.

And we have put on our brand new DMU train and it is well patronised in that area.

So, a lot of people are now parking their cars at Ijoko and jumping on the train and getting to their work at Apapa. That has also helped to reduce congestion in terms of public people using their private cars to work. So, we

Rail patronage are doing everything we can to increase the availability of our train service, both passenger and freight to the Apapa axis in a bid to reduce congestion.

Speaking also on the issue, Taofeek Lawal, staff of NIPCO Plc said; “it will be nice if lifting petroleum products from the port through the railway comes to reality. I am not aware of our use

of the facility as at today.”

In his own contribution, John Isemede, Director General, Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, is of the view that the Federal Government should muster courage and do a railway line linking the Tincan Port to Oshodi.

“It will solve the problems of

traffic gridlocks. The project may not be up to one year. If you put billions of naira on that road in another few years, it will have that problem. And there is a railway line connecting Apapa port from Ebute Meta. If that one is rehabilitated, the congestion on Apapa expressway will not be there again.”

Lagos: We are building a new Nigeria through the rail projects—LAMATA boss

A

By CHIOMA GABRIEL

S Nigeria’s business headquarters, the Southwest is expected to lead other regions in the quest to develop Nigeria through massive investment in infrastructure. There must be a connection within the zone and other parts of the country. There must be alternative roads to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Imagine a light rail that connects the South-West. This will prevent social dislocation and bring about economic prosperity.

In Lagos state, the economic capital of Nigeria, appreciable constructions are ongoing but some have been abandoned. The time line for completion of certain levels of works has since elapsed. The state government since 2009 has commenced the Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) network, a major component of the Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) which has been developed to guide as a compass for the development of public transport infrastructures in the State.

Public transport infrastructure This 30 year plan was put together under series of intensive researches, studies and analyses of future transportation demands and needs of Lagos State as Nigeria’s commercial and economic hub and one of the world’s fastest growing mega cities.

According to records made available to Vanguard, the Lagos Urban Rail Network commenced construction of urban rail-based systems covering seven major corridors of high commuter traffic demand within and beyond the metropolitan Lagos extending to border areas with States like Ogun and Oyo. The seven lines link the major population and activity centres in the state, as well as taking advantage, where possible, of existing transport corridors. The network is geared

towards integrating with planned and existing water transport and BRT routes.

There is the Blue Line from Okokomaiko to Marina; the Red Line from Agbado to Marina via Iddo and Muritala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA); the Green Line from Marina to Lekki (Airport) ; the Yellow Line from Otta to Iddo and the Purple Line from Redeem to Ojo. There are also the Orange Line from Redeem to Marina and the Brown Line from Mile 12 to Marina.

In this layout, there are the North-South corridor between Agbado and Iddo along the Nigerian Railway corridor; the Eastern corridor to serve the Lekki to Epe axis; and the western corridor to serve the Mile2 - Okokomaiko axis.

Others are: Marina to Lekki axis, Redeem to Ojo, Otta to Iddo, Redeem to Marina and Mile 12 to Marina route. The seven corridors will be connected by a central ring road between Victoria Island and Lagos Island.

The Blue Line, a 27 km rail road with thirteen stations from Okokomaiko to Marina is currently undergoing construction right in the middle of Lagos-Badagry Expressway which government is currently expanding and redeveloping into a ten-lane international gateway. Apart from rail, the infrastructure design also includes provision for BRT and multimode integration with NonMotorized Transport such as pedestrian walkways and overhead bridges for safe access by passengers to rail and bus stations.

Work commenced in August 2009 for construction of the Blue Line rail infrastructure, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) as a design and build contract. CCECC prepared the detailed plan, design and construction works for the rail infrastructure. These works includes stations, roadbed, bridges, permanent way (Pway) tracks works, pedestrian ways and other associated fixed infrastructure.

To be continued

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

By Theodore Opara

Mercedes Benz Viano hits Weststar showrooms W

E S T S TA R Associates Ltd, authorised general distributor of MercedesBenz products in Nigeria has added the Viano range of mini van to its family in Nigeria. The multipurpose vehicle which offers class – leading comfort is already available at Weststar and dealers showrooms across the country.

The Viano is fully loaded with array of features needed in family vehicles and movement of VIPs who prefer to travel in ultra comfort and luxury.

Powered by a V6 engine with Mercedes Benz innovative Blue Efficiency technology which guarantees fuel efficiency and emission reduction, the Viano comes with an automatic transmission.

Other unique features of the Viano include shift point display, Eco powersteering pump, battery management and tyre with optimised rolling resistance.

Luxury is a standard feature in the Viano as the seats offer very lateral support for driver and passengers. Plenty of space in the Viano gives passengers the freedom of movement and keep them fresh while the journey lasts.

Available in Nigeria in ambiente featuring high class materials, the seats, plus the four-spoke-multifunction stearing wheel, the gear shift lever and parts of the inside door panelling are trimmed in leather. Also standard lugano leather upholstery with fluting on the seat centre section makes a particularly elegant impression in the van.

The electrically adjustable and heated exterior door mirrors with integrated clear-lens indicators afford a larger field of vision. Elegant decor strips in Brown Walnut wood-effect design add an extra touch of class to the cockpit’s highquality surfaces. The centre console offers plenty of storage space as well as the added convenience of a cup holder.

The Viano is renowned for its dynamic, comfortable and, above all, safe handling. The pleasant allround driving sensation can be attributed to the rear

air suspension with standard electronic selflevelling as well as the Electronic Stability Programme ESP. Ride comfort has been given a further boost by the comfort suspension, featuring a comfortable spring and damper set-up as well as new wishbone steering and comfort mountings.

The results are: reduced noise levels and more dynamic characteristics.

Standard equipment for the Viano Ambiente consist of black tinted rear windows- to reduce heating of the interior due to sunlight, provide VIP passengers with the privacy their status requires, as well as enhance the look of the vehicle. Others include: thorax airbags for driver and front passenger, Adaptive brake Lights, Bixenon headlamps with cornering function, LED daytime driving lamps, convenience Opening/ closing with infrared remote windshield laminated glass, Audio 20 with CD changer, Parktronic System, Antitheft alarm system, Reversing warning device, Cooling box, Folding

table, to mention just a few.

The Viano is quite suitable for the Nigerian roads due to its high ground clearance and better suspension. It also possesses low emission Euro 5 Gr. IMCP, hightorque 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine with 190KW (258hp) 5900rpm,

delivering excellent performance, superb refinement and low noise.

The engine has a 4-valve technology, electronically controlled injection, exhaust gas recirculation and two closed-loop catalytic converters. Four light-alloy wheels in 7J x 17 make quite an

impression with a striking 5-spoke “dovetail” styling, giving added impact to the powerful, dynamic, sporty yet elegant look of the Viano Ambiente.

The Viano’s paint provides a brilliant finish for the sophisticated corrosion prevention system from Mercedes-

Benz. The bodywork is fully galvanised and treated with a cavity-fill preserving agent exfactory, which ensures durable protection against corrosion. Weststar and its dealerships offer the Viano in Obsidian black, Dolmite and Cubanite silver.

National Auto Policy: CVL to produce ATF, brake fluid, others locally

I

N support of the Fed eral Government’s new automotive policy, an indigenous company, Cambistry Ventures Ltd (CVL) has set up a multimillion naira ultra modern Automotive Transmission Fluid (ATF), brake fluid and power steering plant in Ikotun, Lagos to meet with the demands of automotive manufacturers in the country as well as existing automobiles plying our roads.

CVL which specialises in the production of automatic transmission fluid,brake fluid, power steering fluid, injector cleaners, among others, with the brand name Truvalue is located at Ikotun, Lagos.

Speaking to Motoring Journalists recently at the plant, the Managing Director, CVL, Engineer Ikechukwu Okafor, who retired as an Assistant Direc-

tor from NNPC said that the Federal Government's effort to revive the nation’s auto industry is quite commendable and should be supported by all stakeholders in the sector.

According to him, the decision to set up a plant for Truvalue products in partnership with its foreign partners from the United States gave birth to the multi-million naira project which is due for commissioning next month.

“Before now, we used to import these products from the United States but with the Federal Government’s resolve to grow our auto industry, we have decided to throw our support on the local content by producing these products locally without compromising quality,” he said.

According to him, CVL has the capacity to meet all the automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, steering

fluid needs of cars in the country. He also noted that the quality of his products stand them out as most brake fluids currently in the market contain water which is not good for the brake system. The CVL boss further explained that the plant would commence production by next month as the engineers from Serac, a reputable company that produced the equipment from France will be arriving Nigeria to set up the filling lines.

CVL is in partnership with reputable companies from USA like Omni Specialty Product, Louisiana, Technical Chemical Company, Texas and Freeze Stone Products Incorporated, Florida.

“We picked what is best in class in every segment and don’t compromise quality for any reason.

When you pick our products, we want you to hold

us responsible for them at all time, that is why we are partnering with the world’s best manufacturers,” he stated.

On what led to his interest in this area of business, Engineer Okafor explained, “My passion to see automobiles run without embarrassing the owners on the road is the number one reason and the plans to create job for the youth too. I started by importing injector cleaners, power Steering, automatic transmission fluid, things you can use to keep your car running. I deal in top of the range. I discovered that the products in the market were not of high quality, In the last 15 years, I have gained some market and people attested to our quality. Unfortunately, our petrol chemical industries is not working, which I

think will affect the level of our local content for n ow. “We want to produce locally given the large number of automatic transmission vehicles in the country. We need quality ATF, but unfortunately, most of the ATF available are of low quality, hence, we are introducing ours to make the difference.

He however explained that the ATF they are importing are for car from early 2000. We do Dextron VI Marcon V and that is what we are going to produce in our plant here.

What I want to start with for now is to package brake fluids dot 3 and 4 and ATF. It will be of the same quality with the ones from Europe and America, as all batches of our products are tested by InterTech Automotive Research in Texas. They are the testing agent for SONCAP.

TUESD AY, AAUGUS UGUS 14 TUESDA UGUSTT 26, 20 201

VOL. 1: NO. 12

BENIN KINGDOM:

How we courtmartial, disarm witches — Edebiri, head of Bini witches •Occultists fund church operations, pastors are members •Witches dictate government affairs; dread the name of Jesus Christ •The most dangerous witches

By EMMA AMAIZE & SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY- THE Esogban of Benin Kingdom in Edo State, Chief David Edebiri, who oversees the operations of witches and wizards, among other traditional functions, has shockingly revealed the method witches, who kill people and stall development in the ancient empire are disabled.

Edebiri, one of the leading chiefs in the palace of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, Oba of Benin and Chairman of Benin Forum, the umbrella body of all Binis in the country and Diaspora, said witches were either killed or sent to the evil forest in the past, but nowadays, the erring ones were courtmartialed and deactivated to live a new life.

He confessed to Niger Delta Voice that he is the “departmental head” of witches and wizards in the monarchy, but denied being a witch himself.

Power of witches

•Benin city

EDO MONARCHS' ROW:

Chief Edebiri disclosed that unknown to many, witches run government and once they make decision, it is binding all over without the people knowing how.

The Bini chief, who recalled that witches were very vicious before now in the kingdom, said a traditional parliamentary Continues on Page 6

ORU TO EAST-WEST ROAD CONTRACTORS:

Make haste, Mr. President is worried PAGE 3

Obagie, Ogheghe communities acted illegally —Chief Obasogie

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY- THERE were strong suggestions, yesterday, that the protracted land dispute between two

Benin monarchs, the Enogie of Ogheghe, HRH Henry Idusimwin and the Enogie of Obagie, Prince Uwaifiokun Eweka, may be laid to rest soon.

Niger Delta Voice gathered the Peace

IN THIS EDITION IKOT EKPENE-ABA-UMUAHIA BAD ROADS:

Miracles of Ethiope River

PAGE 5

and Conflict Resolution Committee, headed by the Obasogie of Benin kingdom, Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie, established by the Edo State Government, has brokered a cease-fire.

Lives and properties were destroyed in the consuming crisis between the two communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state. HRH Idusimwin claimed that the Oba of Benin gave judgment in favour of his community, Ogheghe, but that Continues on Page 7

Residents blast FG over patch-up directive to FERMA PAGE 8

2 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Evil youths kill, bury 22 year old crane operator RIVERS…THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

By DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

O

VOGO- SOME sinful youths of Ovogo community, Odoegu clan in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, have outrageously murdered and buried a 22-year-old crane operator with a Port-Harcourt construction company, Chimnumezi Wokoma, in a pit toilet.

Police recover corpse: His remains were recovered from the pit toilet by men of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, from the Divisional Headquarters, Rumuji in Rivers state, amidst cries by family members and sympathizers, who were shuddered by the despicable act.

Niger Delta Voice gathered that the deceased, who hailed from Omuogbo, Ibaa, also in Emohua local government area, accompanied a friend to Ovogo community to intercede in a dispute between his friend’s sister and some boys in the town.

Violence: Our source said Chimnumeze, who proceeded with his friend to Ovogo barely after he returned from PortHarcourt on the ill-fated day, entered the compound, where his friend’s sister was residing with the boys, and was sitting on the pavement when one of them pounced on him with a cutlass.

His words, “It was obvious that they did not come to fight, he came with his friend to intervene in the matter between his sister and some boys. He

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Austin Ogwuda Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Unah Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Emmanuel Okolie Brisibe Perez Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

had just entered the compound when one of the boys made for a cutlass and attacked him where he was sitting.”

It was learned that other members of the group joined in attacking him and his friend and in the ensuing fracas, Chimnumezi was killed.

I’m dazed – Father

The deceased’s father, Mr. John Wokoma, who is a member of Ibaa vigilante, said the news of the brutal murder of his son came to him as a shock, explaining that his son was in the house when his friend came to call him to follow him to visit his sister at Ovogo.

“My son does not have any problem with the people that killed him. I pity the people that killed my son because I will ensure that justice and punishment is meted out accordingly. Can you imagine, just that my son followed somebody for a visit, the next thing we heard after he did not return that night, on Monday morning, was that my son is dead.

“The boy in question who took my son to Ovogo for the visit attested that the boys whom he took my son to see over a disagreement that ensued between them and his sister attacked them.”

Search party: “I thought it was not a serious issue, so as a law abiding citizen of the land, I involved the police and men of the Joint Task Force, JTF. When we got to Ovogo, through investigation, we found out that the boys killed by son and buried him without anybody’s notice,” he asserted.

Mr. Wokoma said after it was confirmed that boys assassinated his son, “The problem now became, if he has been killed and buried as alleged by some informants, then where was he buried?

“So the police officers in their intelligence were able to trace the drops of blood to a direction, right at a dustbin, they discovered the legs of a buried corpse.

"They alerted us that they have seen the corpse, so we looked for some young men who tied rope on the remains of my son and dragged it out of the hole, where he has been buried by his killers. Truly the boys killed my son and buried him,” he bemoaned.

They murdered my only child— Bereaved mother Chimnumezi’s mother, Mrs Nkiruka, who was stunned by the incident, said the deceased

•Chimnumezi’s mother, Mrs Nkiruka was her only son.

She swore that the boys, who conspired and killed her only child, would not go unpunished and pleaded with government to bring the culprits to book without much ado.

We’re waiting to know why our son was killed Community Development Committee, CDC, chair in Ibaa, Mr. Sunday Amadi, said Ibaa people were waiting for the people to come and explain to

them why the decided to kill and bury an Ibaa son.

He commended the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Rumuji Police Station and Commander, JTF, Ibaa for their efforts in recovering the remains of their son, which stand as evidence that he was murdered.

Meanwhile, the police said that investigations were ongoing on the matter. End.

Mobil surprises Ikwerre communities, FAAN with projects and 35 lines at the cost of N28 MAGWAMOBIL Government Area. million.

Why we did it O Producing Nigeria has RIVERS “Let me emphasize that the Manager, Occupational commenced a nine- day free TREASURE BASE OF THE NATION

Health, Mobil, Dr Ayodele Fagbemi, said the oil giant had no operational activities in the local government, but funded

By JIMITOTA ONOYUME the free medical program because of its desire to promote public good as a n internationally responsible corporate organization.

He disclosed that the company also renovated the medical clinic of the Federal A i r p o r t s Authority of Nigeria, FAAN at the Port Harcourt International A i r p o r t , Omagwa and donated x-ray, ultra-scan, ECG machines, f o r c e p s equipment, office furniture Mobil, FAAN officials, community leaders, pose after the event health care program for Omagwa, Ipo and Igwuruta communities around the Port Harcourt International airport in Ikwerre Local

integrated support we are providing for the FAAN medical centre at the airport is to enable her render medical assistance to members of neighboring communities and emergency medical services to members of the public, who patronize the airport,” he said.

FAAN asks for more Regional General Manager, South South/South East Federal Airports, Mrs Ebele Okoye said she had to run to Mobil for assistance when she resumed to help fix the dilapidated clinic that was built alongside the airport in 1979.

We‘re amazed-Paramount ruler, chief Earlier, the paramount ruler, His Royal Highness, Prof S.N. Wike and chairman, Omagwa Council of Chiefs, High Chief Bright Kpalukwu, thanked Mobil for the gesture, stressing that they were amazed that the company could organize a free medical program for communities it does not operate in.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 3

ORU TO EAST-WEST ROAD CONTRACTORS:

Hurry, Jonathan is angry •Why 2014 is no longer feasible

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD •The East-West road...no hope of completion in sight

By EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

A

S the new Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, toured the lingering East-West Road project, traversing the six states of the South-South region, penultimate week, it was palpable that there was fire on the mountain.

At Point Zero, Delta Steel Company, DSC, Roundabout, Effurun (Section 1) in Delta State, where Oru commenced his tour of the road project, he underlined the longing of President Jonathan to have the EastWest Road commissioned at the end of the year (2014).

He told the contractors, “As the man charged with the responsibility of carrying out this desire of the President, I implore you to tell us what is needed to take the extra mile in realizing this strong desire of the President. We believe you must begin to consider working at night and increasing your resources as steps towards fast tracking the job.”

At the 900meters Patani Bridge, Project Manager for one of the construction companies, Setraco , Raed Salibe, said six out of nine segments of the second bridge had been laid, adding that “the remaining three and full completion of the Section 1 would be met by December. ” The Minister was visibly pleased with the 95 per cent completion report on Km 1599 from Onne Port Junction being handled by RCC.

Minister explodes But he was not impressed at the pace of work on the Kaiama Bridge, where he was first confronted with an extended December, 2015 completion date, projected by Setraco.

D r. Oru thundered, “That date is not acceptable. The President is receiving frequent complaints from his

A

•Dr. Oru being briefed on progress report at Effurun Roundabout

people accusing him of abandoning this section of the road. You have to redouble your efforts to give us an acceptable date. If you say this bridge was started in 2012, then you have not shown enough commitment on this section”, he told Setraco management.”

The reality that the December 2014 total completion date is an obvious impossibility started dawning on the minister as he observed very critical delay points, including km 0-15 on Section III, from Eleme Junction to Onne Port, where work is yet to commence, 398 mtr Eket Bridge above the Kwa-Iboe River as well as some defects requiring more road space acquisition and compensation between Oron to Calabar for the 13km bridge and 10km road, which Presidential approval had only just been given.

SURE-P ’s marked contribution From emerging facts, what has kept the project going is the multibillion naira intervention by SURE-P, which has released over N66 billion to the Ministry. A SURE-P

•Laying of a section on Eket Bridge above Qua-Iboe River, AkwaIbom

source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Niger Delta Voice, “In 2012, N15b was released out of set N21.7 b, in 2013, N42.27 b was earmarked, but N36.75 b was actually released while this year, N15 b of budgeted N30 b has been paid by SURE-P on account of the East- West Road.”

done here is a disaster. I am very disappointed. And I think we have to think of a new way of awarding our projects such that competence is determined by financial readiness added to technical capacity,” he declared.

Shoddy job

Speaking to reporters at the end of the tour, he said, “I appeal to contractors to open up more work gangs. The ministry is pleased with the amount of work from the Port Harcourt end of Section II. The chaos on that section is now a thing of the past. It is cheering that Section I could be fully realized by November, including the bridge.”

He said he had listened to the contractors and have also seen the few critical areas where the 2014 target date certainly does not seem realistic, expressing strong conviction that with a mindset from the client and contractor to redouble efforts, any overlap should not eat too deep into 2015.

His words, “The East West Road, without doubt, is the

Despite the challenges, Oru remained hopeful, but his demeanor changed when he saw the shoddy level of job done on the N5 billion Niger Delta Ministry ’s Skills Acquisition Center at IwuoaChan, Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. He indicated the possibility of displacing the project consultant and contractors for poor performance following the consultant’s excuse of inadequate funding by the ministry.

“I put it to you that you are not hampered by poor funding, if you are telling me that you already had 60 per cent of funds. What you have

Post tour verdict

flagship of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry. The failure of the project is, therefore, being considered by many as failure of the ministry. Its completion is seen as the surest measure to judge the success of the ministry. ” His catch phrase to virtually all contractors was “Make haste, Mr. President is worried.” The major point of the Presidential worry, according to Oru, is not just because the road project is situated in his home region, but as the most outstanding project under the ministry, the delayed completion of the East- West is nourishing a public perception of failure.

On the lingering multibillion naira skills center, Dr. Oru noted, “Chasing completion of all nine skills center projects would make it impossible for any to be used in the next five years.

"The essence of these projects is to put them to use.

We will ensure that Otuoke and possibly Ibeno projects are completed, staffed, equipped and youths admitted to put them to use at the end of 2014.”

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

POLITICAL TENSION IN DELTA COMMUNITY:

Youth leader banished, community executives forced to resign •As PDP, APC members clash over signpost in Ikpide-Irri •They want to destabilize Ikpide-Irri-—rtd. Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri

DELTA...

It’s all lies — Kpokpogri

FINGER OF GOD

On his part, Kpokpogri accused Othuke and the executives of destabilizing the community. He told Niger Delta Voice, “Yes, it is true that we ostracized Othuke, it is so because people want to use

By AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

I

KPIDE-IRRI- THE quiet Ikpide-Irri community in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, has been torn apart by acrimonious politics being played by members of the People Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC in the town.

Already, all members of the executive committee of community had resigned their positions because of the raging hostility.

Beginning of trouble Niger Delta Voice gathered that trouble started in January when APC members in the community, led by a youth leader, Comrade Gabriel Othuke, Unit 17, Ward II, Irri, mounted their party’s signpost in the community in January.

Few days after the signpost was fixed, there was impassioned disagreement between PDP and APC faithful in the community. Comrade Othuke, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice, said the problem started when one of the community leaders said there was an order from a top government official that it should be removed.

Banishment The crisis, however, took a fresh twist when the youth leader, Othuke, was banished from the village and his father deposed from the Edion Council.

the community to intimidate people, who are in the opposition party. We were supposed to be in a meeting, which was to be held in the Apena Secondary School, but they refused to let us use the place.

“After our resignation, I heard that the banishment of Othuke was revisited and upheld by them and that if Othuke come home to IkpideIrri and anyone speaks with him, that person will pay N50, 000,” he added.

“The executive that just resigned were being used to destabilize the community but we said no to that. They want to turn Ikpide-Irri to what happened in Irri and Uzere, we do not want such situation.

Bishop Aggrey Apena is our leader and spiritual head, he is the oga, he is the one leading us, we hold meetings in his house, and I am only one of his loyal members,” he said.

Itebu denies earning double salaries

By EMMAAMAIZE

W

Comrade Gabriel Othuke O t h u ke asserted: “After that, I did a publication in the May 2 edition of two local newspapers, where I lamented the state of abandonment of my town by our representatives at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor, using my pressure group, Youths for Good G o v e r n a n c e . ” His words, “Two weeks after, Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (retd.), security adviser to the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Pius Otobo,

Mike Onojefe (PDP chairman, ward 11) and PDP members held a meeting at Bishop Sunday Aggrey Apena’s house on 8th June with all attendees being PDP members under the guise of Ikpide Progressives Union, IPU, I was not in attendance, APC members were driven out, so at the end of the meeting, they resolved that I be banished from the community and my father ’s position as Odion (oldest man) was also revoked unless I retract the stories.”

ARRI- SECRETARY , Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Warri, Delta State, Chief Issacs Itebu, accused of receiving twofold salaries by a nongovernmental organization, NGO, has controverted the charge, saying he duly resigned his position as legal adviser to the former Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly in 2009.

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice in Warri, he said, “The allegation is false and politically motivated to smear my good name. The petitioners parading under the name of Okpe Awareness and Integrity Network are the political minions of a former member of the House of Assembly, who I had serious irreconcilable political differences with in the just concluded PDP councillorship and chairmanship primaries in Okpe local government.”

Othuke committed no crime —Odiuzo

Delta State

the boy to destabilize the community and we do not want such situation so we have to act quickly. It is not true that anyone, who speaks with him will pay N50, 000 but the person will be fined. He has right to move in the community but he cannot speak to anyone nor do business with anyone.”

Corroborating Othuke’s story, president general of the community, Comrade Tom Odiuzo, said, “It is true that Othuke was banished, a group of persons who call themselves elite of the community took the decision after their meeting.

As the president-general, I overturned the decision because I was not in attendance and Othuke did not commit any crime to merit such treatment.”

Mass resignation: “The situation degenerated to a point and I resigned my position on 28th June because on June 27, they sponsored all sorts of people and soldiers to

Chief Isaacs Itebu

His words, “I resigned my appointment as a legal adviser to the then majority leader of the House in 2009, I was immediately replaced by another legal adviser in the person of Barr Hero Omwirhen.”

Chief Itebu said he served as legal adviser from 2007-2009 and could not have been drawing salaries at the same time in respect of the same job with Omwirhiren, adding, “My salary account was domiciled with the Unity Bank Plc and after I resigned and took up my present appointment, I continued to use the same bank account as my salary account till date.”

He asserted that the said former majority leader was no longer a member of the House of Assembly and wondered why “my traducers have to wait till 2014 and in the heat of the PDP primaries in Okpe local government before engaging in their whistle blowing.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 5 students and visitors, who are not good swimmers, dive into such areas and get drowned, thereby giving the notion that they were killed by spiritual forces,” he added.

Taboo: Asked if the river will continue to flow if the tree is cut down, Chief Aganbi said, “That is a taboo we hope would not happen.”

Global flocks: At the shrine, the chief priest, Chief Esinobi David, garbed in red, seats at the entrance in company of one of his aides, Godwin Ezeomo, who is on a daily shift roster with others. He told Niger Delta Voice, “We receive worshippers from all over the world, who visit the shrine to pay homage to Onoku. They come with gifts and sacrifices depending on the nature of their demands as the size of their offerings determine their size of their blessings from Onoku.”

Tourist attraction

•Part of the tourism spot built by the Delta State government by the source of the river

RIVER ETHIOPE:

Wonders of river that sprang from cotton tree •Why Delta hasn’t explored its tourism potential — Mofe Damijo, Tourism Commissioner

BY BRISIBE PEREZ

WEIRD beginning MUAJA- BELIEVED to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa, the River Ethiope, unlike sources of other rivers, originated from the foot of a giant silk-cotton tree at Umuaja in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State and by the time it courses to Sapele through Abraka, it has become cavernous enough to harbor ocean-going vessels.

Its center of attraction is the

U

Ethiope river

uniqueness and its unnatural purity. At most of the points where the river runs across, one could see the bottom of the water from the bank. This had given some people a false sense of shallowness of the river to their peril.

Fishes are seen swimming enthusiastically in the water, but rapidly spin out of reach on noticing human presence.

Revered location: The main lure of River Ethiope is the uniqueness of its source and

the secrecy the river is said to possess. Considered as a sacred location, the river sprouts out from four different locations with two of these locations directly underneath the tree, while the other two from around the tree.

Owing to the spiritual affiliation attached, some areas of the groove surrounding the river source are restricted to visitors with a footpath leading to the grove, which is covered by thick bushes and finally

•Two channels of the river

opens into the Onoku shrine.

Less than two meters away stands the giant silk-cotton tree wrapped with yards of white and red clothes while different sacrificial objects brought by suppliants are seen around the tree.

Death scare: Flowing through the Delta State University, Abraka, students and visitors of the academic community were said to have drowned mysteriously while swimming in the sprawling banks of the river. It was said that the river goddess strangely drowned non-indigenes of the community, especially males in acceptance of its annual sacrifice.

Oria-Abraka leader, Chief Ighomena Aganbi, however, debunked the claim, saying, “Even though there are spiritual attachments to the river, it does not kill people as sacrifices.”

“Amazed and deceived by the shallow look of the river,

The River currently acts as host to numerous tourist sites and is expected to help with irrigation of the 60,000 hectares of land sited at Abraka for the Federal Government cassava bread and high quality Cassava Flour Development Initiative for a mechanized cassava farm.Tourist to the river source are made to part with either N1, 500 or N2, 000, according to the discretion of the chief priest, to have a view of the river source. Though, a structure aimed at exploiting the tourism potential of the river source was built by the state government, the facility, under lock and key when Niger Delta Voice visited is yet to commence operation.

Challenge:Contacted, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Richard MofeDamijo, said, “Our major challenge as a government in tapping into the tourism potential of the source of the River Ethiope is that owing to the spiritual and religion connotations attached, we have to work within the limits of the community, in doing that, we have built a tourism spot very close to the source and given concession of the facility to an indigene of the area to manage.

“Our duty is just to provide the structure while he improves on it but right now, he is the one delaying the take-off of the spot but soon, the facility would soon commence operation,” he stated.

•Entrance to the grove leading to its source

6 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

PODIUM…

C-River school turns deathtrap as politician abandons contract •It’s devastating— Professor Offiong Offiong,Education Commissioner CROSS RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

By EMMANUEL UNA

C

ALABAR - A politician, awarded contract by the Cross River State Government in 2011 to construct a two-storey building of 12- classrooms at Pinn Margaret Secondary School, Calabar, has disappeared into thin air after purportedly collecting N80 million.

Niger Delta Voice gathered that the politician did the block work for the building, put some wood on the roof quite alright, but he simply vamoosed since three years without completing the project, forcing the students to heartbreakingly study in makeshift structures attached to the school’s crumbling fence.

Health hazard Meanwhile, the school has turned a deathtrap as the walls are collapsing. “Some days back, one of the students even after several warnings by the principal for the students not to lean on the fence, relaxed on the fence and it gave way, the boy plunged head on to the other side, it was only the grace of God that he was not crushed by the blocks,” a teacher said. His words, “The student sustained serve injuries and was rushed to the Mount Zion Medical Centre, half a kilometre away from the school for treatment.”

The 12-classroom block contract, a source at the Ministry of Education confided in Niger Delta Voice, “ was awarded to one the politicians at the beginning of the second term administration of the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke in 2011, but the much the contractor could do with the N80 million naira handed him by the Ministry was to erect the block work and place some wood on the roof and then go away. ” Wood rot away Wood meant to hold the roofing sheets have all rotten with some falling into the building

•Classroom by the fence

following the persistent battering of the structure by rain.

Students roam about The failure to complete the building has left over 2,000 students of the school without classrooms and laboratories and each time there is threat of rainfall, the teachers quickly send them home to avoid any ugly incident from occurring while they are taking shelter under the uncompleted building. Principal of the school refused to respond to our questions for fear of possible sanctions from the Ministry of Education when contacted. Staff, who prefer anonymity, said several emissaries had been set to the Commissioner for Education about the state of the school, but nothing concrete has been done.

It’s unfortunate – Commissioner Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong Offiong, was boisterous about the “high” standard of education in the state, saying that the abandonment of a 12 – classroom block at the Pinn Margaret Secondary School “is one of those unfortunate situations where a contract is awarded to someone with the believe that he will be committed to the job only for him to stop work half way”.He stated that since the inception of Senator Imoke’s administration in 2007, “The educational sector which was tottering at the precipice of near total collapse following prolonged periods of utter neglect and abandonment has been revived through consistent innovation and remodeling”.

The Pinn Margareth saga reflects the state of schools in Cross River state where many of them, particularly those in the urban centres, have over bloated population with as many as 70 students occupying a classroom meant for 30. Seven students share a desk meant for three while in the rural areas, some schools are without desks with majority of the population sitting on the bare floor to receive lecture. End.

•Esogban divining

How we courtmartial, disarm witches —Edebiri Continues from page 1 action was endorsed by “our great, great grandfathers” to put together a group, which he (Edebiri) is presently the leader, to tame their excesses.

Deactivation of witches He said: “What I am doing as the Esogban is a social service to the community. It was enacted by our great, great grandfathers. When you hear of witch-hunt in England, France, if anybody is suspected to be a witch, the person will be burnt alive and destroyed, similar things were happening here, but the elders now said no, instead of killing these people or sending them to the evil forest, why not look for a way to reform them and bring them back to the society. ”

Higher power “I think that was why this structure was put up. It was a legislative action for social development of the people.

When these people come here, because of predominant superior power, they confess that they are witches or wizards and confess all the destructions that they have been involved in,” Edebiri asserted.

His words, “Then we look for a way to discipline them. You cannot remove them from being a witch or wizard, but after coming here they can be disabled from committing havoc or using the power for any dangerous thing.”

“So when these people were brought like that and they were disabled, they will be taken back to the society and no one will call them wizards again. First, their coven will not admit them anymore, secondly that power has been completely taken away from them,” he added.

How I acquired my power Asked where he acquired the authority he uses to tame suspected witches and wizards, Chief Edebiri, “Ah, it is the power of God Almighty

and that of the Oba of Benin (laughter). We have averted much havoc that these people would have caused in Benin Kingdom.”

Typical witches’ attack “I remember in the year 2,000 my encounter with a woman, who was a wife to my school mate. They call came here (his palace, where witches stand trial as the case may be), this woman was a leader of a church in Benin, she was married to one Ighodaro, she took a helper to the coven and told the girl to go and get money from Ighodaro. She took that money to the coven.

“Ighodaro started falling, he sold all the vehicles he had, the man did not know what was happening and this same girl was still in the house with them. The children will bring money from abroad to assist; he will not know how the money vanished. Until the situation was exposed and this girl started confessing that she was responsible for all the misfortune of her master. They were brought here,” he said.

Orthodox trial “When they came here, the girl confessed that mama is the head of the witches in that area, she said mama is an expert in drawing people’s money to her own.

“When the woman wanted to deny, the girl said daddy please ask mama where does she trade in Benin, which market, that she has six buildings in Benin City here where she collects rents, what sort of business does she do to get those property. The man kept quiet,” Edebiri disclosed.

He continued: “Then I asked the woman that this girl said you are a witch, is she denying. Again, I asked the girl if she reported the matter to their church leader, she said even their pastor in the church is a member. And mama finances the operation of the Continues on page 7

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 7

How we courtmartial, disarm witches —Edebiri Continues from page 6 church and the pastor was a member, but he was later transferred.”

Death of obstinate Mrs. Ighodaro “I asked the woman to tell me the truth and that she should not take it for a joke, they went through the process before the second month, the woman was doing something in her house, she fell down and took ill but because she had money, they took her abroad for treatment.

“She spent some time there but the doctors said they did not see anything wrong with her. They brought her back, the husband, Mr Ighodaro was always coming to tell me the latest, and after some time, the woman died. Ighodaro now came for thanks giving.

"He brought kolanut; I told him he does not have to thank me. The woman denied she was not a witch, but I know she was and she paid the price.

That is a typical example, since then Ighodaro started making money again,” he added.

Police ASP vs occult parents “Another example again was that of an Assistant

now, he said he came to inform me that his mother is dead.

Then his father in the village wanted to cross from one road to the other, a vehicle killed him, the two of them were lying in the mortuary.

“I asked him why he brought the items to me when he just lost his parents; he said that the breeze that is now coming to his body is the genuine breeze.

You can see the irony of life, so things like these happen, that is part of getting the society in proper shape.

‘Departmental Head’

•Chief David Edebiri, the 'Departmental Head' of Bini witches /wizards Superintendent of Police, ASP, who worked in the office of the former governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion at Government House, Benin City then. He brought his father and mother here from Orogho in Orhiomwon Local Government Area. The man just lost his graduate son under mischievous circumstance.

“So the confession started and it now became clear that his mother and father killed his son. The policeman cried that despite all his efforts in life, he

could not account for any achievement in life. He asked his father if he was sure he is not a wizard, mama what of you, she denied also. They went through the process, exactly one month and some days, I was sitting here and saw somebody carrying bottles of and other items.

“He knelt down and started thanking me but I did not recognize him. So he explained he was the ASP that came with his parents last time, so I said what is the matter

“They died because they denied, if they did not deny we know what to do and they will remain alive. Some will come here and agree that they belong but that they will change; we know how to take them through the process. It is a social work that we are doing. But I am just a departmental head. You should know that the head of the Federal Ministry of Health is not necessarily a doctor. I do not need to be a member, if I was a member, I will not be able to do what I am doing now.

Secondly, their grade is too junior, if I were to be a member I cannot be in their grade. This thing has grade.

Most dangerous witches “The dangerous ones are the

lowest, they never think of anything good. All they do is evil. But there is the upper class; those are the people running the government. They run the government all of us are. And once they make decision in that area, it is binding all over. They think of how the society will grow,” he said.

Witches fear Jesus Christ Chief Edebiri added: “I tell you that most of them do not succeed anywhere Jesus is mentioned. And I asked them, do you mean that you people fear the awesome power of Jesus Christ, they said yes.”

“And these people (witches) are either church singers or something in the church, I asked them further, if you say that you fear the power of Jesus, how do you feel when the pastor is condemning you people in the name of Jesus, they said they will be condemning the pastor too.

“But I can tell that so many of them have been converted to Christianity after passing through this place. The elders, who made this possible were very wise people, otherwise, what we should have been seeing today is burning and killing people, who are witches and that would have brought the society to another catastrophe,” he asserted.

Obagie, Ogheghe communities acted illegally —Chief Obasogie Continues from page 1 his Obagie counterpart rebuffed the ruling and continued to fight him and his community. The Enogie of Obagie, Prince Eweka, differed with him, saying the Benin monarch never gave judgment in favour of Ogheghe, charging that HRH Idusimwin was tyrannizing him because he does not belong to the Ogboni confraternity like his grandfather.

Niger Delta Voice spoke with Chief Obasogie on the controversy. He said that his committee had met with the two parties and that they have informed the communities of the Oba’s ruling on the matter, which according to him, cannot be faulted.

Oshiomhole referred the matter to our c’ttee Continuing he said, “We got a petition through the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who referred it to this committee, as regards the crisis in Ogheghe and Obagie, we followed it up and we discovered some certain differences in what the two communities are doing.” “ Number one, when we talk about conflict, there are criminal conflicts and you cannot call that conflicts that can be resolved by committee like this, if you go there to kill somebody or burn houses, you

are a guest of the government because it is criminal offence.

The issue of Ogheghe and Obagie is a peculiar case, we understand that some people died in the process, we distanced ourselves from those ones.

Oba had ruled on the matter before “ But the communal dispute which Omo N’Oba earlier settled, some few years ago, was very clear and as a custodian of our culture and tradition, who is the spiritual father of all communities, we cannot go beyond it because we believe that his wisdom is renewed every day,” he asserted.

Chief Obasogie said: “If he comes out today and say this is how he wants it, we will equally follow suit. So we wrote to the palace to get the ruling of the palace and we got it and we have to enforce it, and we are doing that by all possible means.”

Communities show remorse “My happiness is that the two communities knew where they went wrong after we educated them on the implications of what they were doing. And I think if I should be very straight forward, I should commend the two communities, they had feelings of repentance, they were very sorry for their unlawful behaviour and they have assured this committee that whatever we decide, they

a r e prepared to abide by the resolution.

‘Matter is over’ “ T h a t alone was v e r y satisfactory, we are on the verge of sealing up the matter finally, in fact, I can tell you that from all the cooperation we enjoyed •Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie from them, the matter is over,” he behaviour, their manner of enthused. challenging the Oba in court of law is completely a total Oba owns condemnation of all and sundry, including this the land committee we do not support Asked why people still take it.”

Disciplinary measures communal matters to court even He stated, “The palace of the after Oba’s intervention, Chief Obasogie said: “Those people Oba definitely still have the who go to court, I will say it is powers to sanction whoever their lack of knowledge, they refused to obey his ruling. If need some certain the palace gives judgment and enlightenment and this is why somebody feels he should flout this committee was set up. It is it, he or she has himself/herself completely wrong for the Oba to blame. The efficacy of that to advocate on an issue, which has never been in doubt for he has power over and those who did it. I can openly somebody comes to say he is say it that it is not always well dissatisfied, he forgot he is on with those who disobey the the Oba’s land, you cannot tell Oba”. …Commends Oshiomhole, us that there is two captains in Oba a ship. So I think their Chief Obasogie commended

Governor Oshiomhole for his wisdom in inaugurating the committee and the Oba of Benin for fatherly role in resolving differences among the communities.

Curbing immoderations “When we came in sometime in December 2013, we swung into action without wasting time and we were able to curb some excesses. My committee was able to discover wanton destruction of properties and even lives of some people taken from communities.

“Among even themselves, they were stories where chairmen of communities were shot dead. But let me thank God and thank the effort of my members and by the grace of God, today, the issue of burning down houses, incessant community wars have almost come to a total stop. I am happy the government is coming in to assist the community properly.

“The infrastructural development of the comrade governor, the roads, schools, hospitals and other things he has brought to the communities, it is sufficient for the communities to think twice that yes a government is in power, they should be able to add value to what government is doing by protecting and developing their areas,” he asserted.

8 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

IKOT-EKPENE - ABA - UMUAHIA BAD ROADS:

Residents blast FG over patch-up directive to FERMA •Demand total reconstruction, dualization; applaud Vanguard •FERMA can only maintain, not reconstruct—Idongesit Nkanga, FERMA Board member, S-South AKWA IBOM...

LAND OF PROMISE

By CHIOMA ONUEGBU

I

KOT EKPENE—CITIZENS of Akwa-Ibom and Abia States, who first raised the alarm, July, about the scandalous state of Ikot Ekpene – Umuahia and Ikot EkpeneAba federal expressways are enraged by the Federal Government’s decision to merely patch the highways, instead of reconstructing and dualizing them.

Soon after they cried out through the Niger Delta Voice in the first week of July, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, was directed to rehabilitate the Ikot EkpeneAba and Ikot Ekpene – Umuahia roads, but the citizens said what the motorways required was a total reconstruction, not “patchpatch work”.

They had lamented in the report the untold sufferings they were passing through as a result of high cost of transportation, goods and services because of the impassable state of the roads abandoned for many years, as well as deaths from accidents and robbery attacks.

Contract for reconstruction The citizens asserted if the federal government was sincere in giving the roads facelift, it should re-award contract for the reconstruction and not for mere maintenance by FERMA, which will end up patching the roads as usual.

Chairman, Ikot Ekpene People’s Assembly, Engr. Tom Udo Essien, though commended the federal government for at least responding to the masses’ appeal in Niger Delta Voice to fix the roads, advised that the road be awarded for reconstruction and if possible dualization, pointing out that

Ekpene-Umuahia road, I can tell you the road is a bad case and when it rains the boys that use kernel shells to fill up bad spots will not be there to help direct your tyres to enable you move.

But I don’t see why we should be repairing roads yearly. We should have roads that have lifespan, roads that can last a long time and the only way to make roads durable is by doing quality job,” he added.

Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Mr. Samuel Udobong, said, “While admiring and appreciating the achieved feat by Vanguard Newspaper for drawing government attention to the dilapidated road, I agree with others that the roads have gone beyond mere repair. ” “What we are saying is that these roads have been bad for too long and over the years, they have subjected our people to suffering and hardship, so I am appealing to the federal government to re-award the road to a competent contractor that will do a standard work.

Akwa Ibom people deserve good roads. We are tired of FERMA patching these roads again and again. It is not helping at all because it does not last,” he said.

Independent contractor

•Collapsed Ikot-Ekpene-Aba road

the current state of the roads had gone beyond just mending them.

Essien said that it would be better to allow the roads remain abandoned than patching them again because several patched works on them in the past did not work.

He wondered why the federal government would award such dilapidated roads to be patched while it was doing standard roads in other places.

“The maintenance crew is to look after a road when it is beginning to get bad and not when it has gone to that level.

Repair is just mending something that got cracked.

Ikot Ekpene-Aba road is not cracked. I, therefore, advise that the road be awarded for reconstruction. If state governments can be dualizing their roads, why should a whole federal government not dualize its roads? After all, what are we using our money for?” he queried.

A youth leader in Uruk Uso, Ikot Ekpene, Manasseh

•Abak-Ikot-Ekpene road

Umoette, said, “As far as road construction is concerned, those roads go beyond FERMA and to the best of our knowledge, FERMA does not have the record of repairing roads that lasts. FERMA deals with local contractors that lack expertise in road repairs.

Because of the regular and heavy vehicular movement on

the roads, if the roads are not reconstructed, whatever repair they do, in a matter of weeks, the roads will collapse.”

Managing Director of MECON-ACE International Limited, Uyo, Mr. Alex Mapayi, however, described federal government resolution to repair the roads as a big relief, saying, “I am a regular user of Ikot

Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Akwa-Ibom, Mr. Udeme Okon told Niger Delta Voice, “It is a good thing that the roads have been finally remembered but what we do not understand is why the state that produces so much money for the economy of this country to have such unfortunate roads.”

His words, “It is really sad and that is why I am not too excited that the road has been awarded to FERMA because it will only mend the roads. So, I advise the federal government to look into the matter again and re-award the roads to a competent and independent contractor that will bring out the best.”

FERMA only maintain roads Former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom state and Board member of FERMA representing South- South, Idongesit Nkanga, told Niger Delta Voice that the maintenances were temporary intervention from FERMA to make the roads motorable pending when they would be awarded for reconstruction, adding that FERMA only maintains roads.

“When you look at Ikot Ekpene-Aba road, it is the Abia state side that is very bad, the Azumili side is also very bad, and that is why FERMA is being asked to intervene to make the road motorable for a while.

When the permanent thing is to be done, that has to be done by the Federal Ministry of Works”, he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 33

By Theodore Opara

Toyota sales grew 11.6% in July ...Beats 10.6% estimate

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S world’s big auto makers announce their July sales statistics in the United States, Toyota, the world auto giant has reported sales growth of 11.6 per cent in July beating its estimate of 10.6 per cent. Toyota was the only one among the big players that surpassed its estimate for the month.

And while the numbers mostly reflect growth, they’re falling short of analysts’ expectations.

Chrysler sales increased by 20% yearover-year in July. But, it was a bit lighter than the

22.5% jump expected.

Also disappointing was GM. Sales climbed 9.4%, but fell short of expectations for an 11.0% gain.

Ford, however, said its U.S. auto sales grew by 9.5% in July, beating expectations for 9.2% growth.

Analysts estimate the annualized pace of sales slipped to 16.7 million units in July from 16.9 million in June.

“Mid-month industry surveys indicate that overall sales only pulled back slightly in July after rising to an eight-year

Here’s the tally from some of the major auto manufacturers: • • • • •

Chrysler: +20% (Est. 22.5%) Ford: +9.5% (Est. 9.2%) GM: +9.4% (Est. 11.0%) Toyota: +11.6% (Est. 10.6%) Nissan: +11.4% (Est. 14.0%)

high of 16.9 million in June, and our AlphaWise team is seeing similar trends,” Morgan Stanley’s Ted Wieseman said.

“Retail sales appear to have moved higher, but fleet demand pulled back after strong upside last month.”

Some analysts warn that we could be doomed for a reversal in the auto

market.

“We have little doubt that we’re in bubble territory,” said Morgan Stanley auto analyst Adam Jonas to Reuters. “We’ve blown through prior (sales) peaks in terms of value, the amount of money people are spending on automobiles.

We’re in uncharted territory right now.”

NAMA Executive Director, Madueke, for burial

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S the auto sector con tinues to mourn the Executive Director of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Mr. Arthur Olisa Madueke, who died recently in Lagos, the Motor Vehicle & Miscellaneous Assembly Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), in conjunction with the Madueke family, has unveiled a programme of funeral activities leading to the burial of the departed.

Late Maueke died on Monday, July 7, 2014, in Lagos, after a very brief illness.

A statement issued by

•Arthur Madueke the Chairman of the Auto Sectoal Group), Dr David V.C. Obi, indicates that Madueke’s remains will be interred on Friday, September 19, 2014, in his country home, in Ngodo, Isuochi, Abia state, which, according to him, is about an hour’s drive from the

Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Emene, Enugu.

The burial will be preceded by a funeral service.

Chief D. V. C. Obi confirmed that as part of the funeral arrangement announced by Mr. Bosah Madueke (Arthur Madueke’s son) on behalf of the family, there would be a service of songs at his residence in Lagos, on August 30, while another service of songs would be held in his home town in Ngodo, on September 18.

The statement said: “As the Executive Director of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association, Arthur Madueke de-

voted his life to working for the Motor Vehicle & Miscellaneous Sectoral Group of MAN, NAMA and the auto industry generally.

There is no doubt that he made very valuable contributions to the growth and development of our sector”.

The Auto Group Chairman, therefore, urged all stakeholders to show appreciation for the late Madueke’s achievements by being part of the burial ceremony in Isuochi.

Until his death last month, late Madueke headed the secretariat of the Nigerian Automotive Manufacturers Association.

Audi continues profitable growth BRIEFS

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ESPITE challenging conditions and a record investment program, Audi delivered a convincing performance in the first half of 2014 with solid key figures. In the period of January through June, the Ingolstadt-based carmaker set a new record with deliveries of 869,355 Audi vehicles. The Audi Group posted first-half revenue of • 26.7 billion and operating profit of • 2.7 billion. In the first six months of this year, the company achieved an operating return on sales of 10.0 percent and was thus at the upper end of its strategic target corridor of eight to ten percent. At the half-year press conference in Munich, CFO Axel Strotbek stated: “Despite major challenges, Audi is systematically continuing along its path of high-quality growth.”

Audi appeals to customers with its attractive model portfolio. The company therefore expects to deliver significantly more than 1.6 million cars of the brand with the Four Rings this year, once again breaking the prior-year record. From January through June, the Audi Group delivered to customers 869,355 automobiles with the Four Rings: an increase of 11.4 percent (H1 2013: 780,467). The company sold 50 percent more units of the new A3 family* than in the first half of last year. At the same time, the large models A6*, A7*, Q7* and A8* together recorded an increase in unit sales of 10.1 percent.

VW delivers 3.56m cars

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HE Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand deliv ered 3.56 (January-July 2013: 3.43; +3.8 percent) million vehicles in the first seven months of the year. Deliveries grew by 4.0 percent in July, with the brand handing over 491,600 (July 2013: 472,800) vehicles to customers in that month. “We are pleased with the way the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand has started the second half of the year. The Asia-Pacific region tops the delivery table, followed by Western Europe. But we are still facing challenging market developments in some sales regions”, Christian Klingler, Board Member for Sales and Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, said in Wolfsburg on Tuesday.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 1.00 (0.98; +2.9 percent) million vehicles on the overall European market from January to July, of which 517,200 (492,400; +5.0 percent) were handed over in Western Europe (excluding Germany).

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

A housing estate in Abuja

FG begins national housing survey, audit of landed property

By JUDE NJOKU

D

OES Nigeria actually

have a housing short fall of 17 million housing units?

This and many other issues are what a National Housing Survey being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, is expected to unravel.

Mrs Akon Eyakenyi who oversees the affairs of the Ministry, disclosed this last week at her maiden interactive session with Property Editors in Abuja. She explained that the overriding goal of the survey is to establish whether Nigerians are adequately housed or not.

The Minister stated that the survey will also help the government to “establish the actual number of housing deficit in the country instead of relying on forecasts and the quantum of the investment needed to meaningfully address the housing gap as well as the capacity requirements for transforming the housing and urban development sector on a sustainable basis”.

The Minister further explained that the work is being undertaken by a ministerial committee which she heads in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, such as the National Population Commission, NPC, National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, National Planning Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. “The next step is to develop a project document for under-

taking the survey which will be carried out nationwide in collaboration with all relevant internal and external stakeholders. In the short term, a pilot study will be carried out in the Federal Capital Territory, (representing the best housing case scenario) and one other state (that will symbolise the worst housing case scenario) to determine the magnitude of the housing deficit in Nigeria,” Mrs Eyakenyi said.

The Minister also unveiled plans to undertake a national inventory and auditing of Federal lands and landed property across the country. She explained that the objective of the inventory is “to update our date base on the status of all federal lands and landed property in the country in order to free under-utilised lands for housing development and optimise the use of all Federal landed property”.

Other initiatives of the Ministry, according to Mrs Eyakenyi include the development of a roadmap for the housing and urban development sector, the launch of Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC to increase mortgage penetration in the country and the revision of the National Building Code.

She disclosed that the draft roadmap for the housing and urban development sector which was developed by the Ministry in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, will be considered for adoption at a Validation Stakeholders Workshop slated for Abuja between the 8th and 9th of September.

The draft roadmap, she said, was reviewed by an enlarged meeting of the Ministerial Expert Group, MEG, which is charged with the responsibility of developing the document.

On the NMRC, Mrs Eyakenyi said the Ministry is collaborating with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/ Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to ensure effective take-off of the project.

“While the Federal Ministry

•Mrs Eyakenyi of Finance through the NMRC is handling the demand side of the provision of 10,000 mortgages for new home owners, the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development is facilitating action on the delivery of 10,000 housing units that the mortgage facility of the NMRC will support,”

she said, adding that already 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT have made land available for the take-off of the project in their states.

“We are positive that in the next few weeks, we shall secure more unencumbered land for the take-off of the projects in the remaining states of the federation,” she noted.

She enjoined competent developers and builders to participate in the process, adding that all selected developers and builders would be evaluated “under transparent and wellarticulated system of eligibility criteria in order to create a level playing ground for all stakeholders”. The Minister said plans are in top gear to restore Festac Town in Lagos to its past glory. According to her, the government will not rest on its oars until this mission is accomplished.

She also disclosed that a revised National Building Code has been finalised as one of the enabling instruments for ensuring quality and enhancing standards in the housing and urban development sectors.

Builders call for formation of consortium of experts

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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RISING from the just concluded 44th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) with the theme “Construction Industry Development: Collaboration, Innovations and Capacity Building" which held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, professional builders have called for the formation of a consortium of experts in the building industry in order to encourage and improve construction project delivery.

The call was part of a 10-point communique issued at the en d of the five-day event which had over 1,000 delegates comprising professional builders, graduate builders, and representatives of students from schools offering building technology across the country.

The Conference also resolved that construction professionals within the country should endeavour to collaborate with professionals outside the country in order to internationalise construction process and output. Also envisaged is a collaboration in research and development activities among academia in the building profession in Nigeria and abroad.

The document equally noted that avenues

should be created by the professional and regulatory bodies for experienced professional women builders in the industry to groom the younger ones, stressing that the employment of more female builders in the ministries, higher institutions and agencies should be encouraged.

The Conference which called for patronage of professional women builders through contract awards as contractors and consultants by the government, said professional bodies and academic institutions should encourage and organize more seminars and workshops to educate members on the necessity and benefits of innovations and innovative practices as well as to foster unity among the professionals in the building industry. The communique further called on the government to promulgate a law to enforce the National Building Code, while green construction and energy efficiency practices as well as training should be introduced in order to sustain the environment. The participants further resolved that professionals in the building industry should put social, environmental and economic sustainability of every project ahead of financial gains while handling building projects.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 35

Promoters of N82bn Rainbow World woo buyers with incentives

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

T

HE consortium of sales

agents to the sprawling Port Harcourt Housing Estate known as Rainbow World has revealed that prospective subscribers to housing types in the luxury residential complex who place orders for bulk purchases would be given incentives.

The group said the bulk purchases would determine the prices of the housing units in the estate housing experts have described as Nigeria’s flagship urban renewal project and the largest construction site in sub-Saharan Africa.

Though the consortium did not specify any per cent for bulk purchases, they however pointed out that the buyers of 50 housing units in the estate would be given special concession unlike the buyer of 20 units, for instance.

The consortium of four firms made up of Bode Adediji Partnership, Knight Frank and Rutley, Pat Onukwuli & Co. and Homes and Homes Real Estate Solutions led by Bode Adediji Partnership, a front line firm of estate surveyors, valuers and property consultants made this revelation at a public presentation of the estate located on 23.24 hectares of land at the weekend.

The N82 billion worth estate located at strategic proximity to the TransAmadi commercial and industrial area in PortHarcourt, Rivers state, consists of 1, 181 tastefully designed residential units ranging from terraces, detached houses and 25 high rise condominium towers.

The project which is coming on the heels of a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2007, between the Rivers State Government, First Bank Nigeria Plc and Rainbow Town Development Limited, RTDL, as a publicprivate- partnership. It has a special purpose vehicle, SPV, which was registered in 2008, with a mandate to manage a redevelopment that drives an urban renaissance and economic growth that complements the Greater Port Harcourt vision and its rich cultural endowment.

Speaking on behalf of

the consortium, Mr. Bode Adediji, Chairman, Bode Adediji Partnership said: “Today’s event is not about conventional road show. Instead, it is meant to create a forum where front line property consultants, professional firms, estate agents, some departments of the banks, oil industry, and others can converge and be presented with the facts, figures, benefits and investment potentials offered by Rainbow World.

Mr. Adediji who described Rainbow World as perhaps the biggest integrated luxury real estate development in Africa today, added that it features residential, commercial, recreational and educational property development of various types, design and sizes.

According to him: “The overall objective of this exceptional development is to create an environment where the upperclass can live, work and play. This is largely a private entity enterprise project with some participation of Rivers State

Government by way of land contribution, while the project is being funded by the biggest bank in Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria Plc. The Board and the Management Team are composed of most outstanding and successful Nigerians. The Rainbow Town Development Limited Management offers impeccable leadership to drive the project.

“Through the dialogue and exchange of opinions that must successfully flow at this event, the participants shall form a common partnership platform to reach-out to prospective buyers, investors and end-users so that the marketing and sales programme can be achieved from the perspective of uncommon professionalism.

“We expect that within a few days after today’s event, committed and interested participants would have keyed into this project and reach-out to their core-clients and strategic investors for the purposes of marketing and sale of the various

units in the project..

“Rainbow World is a big apple and we expect that with the synergy to be generated during and after this forum the participant stand to gain financially and professionally from participating in the marketing and sale of the biggest and one of the best Real Estate Developments in Africa,” the lead coordinator whose firm organised the Lagos presentation noted.

It will be recalled that in the year 2000, the Rivers state government acting under the Land Use Act, had reclaimed Rainbow Town which was originally constructed in 1964 by the former Eastern Nigeria Housing Corporation. The town went through several use transformations including, for a sustained period of time, serving as a military barracks.

This was also followed by a protracted development lull, progressive degeneration of completed community assets and advent of associated social vices. At a point,

Rainbow Town became a drain a regional citation for urban decay and poverty, thus, the decision of

the Rivers state government to reclaim it and transform it into a breathtaking estate.

Nigerians scramble for Accra’s Ambassador Heights

By Jude Njoku

A

MBASSADOR Heights, a highbrow residential development being built adjacent to the Moevenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra is rapidly rising and on target for completion in late 2015. An extension of the five-star luxury hotel, the project completes the 3rdPhase of the overall complex and will deliver the ultimate in luxury living.

Owners within Ambassador Heights, according to a press statement by the Project’s Sales Manager, Robert Davis, will enjoy a fully serviced lifestyle experience which includes pool, spa, fitness, restaurants, retail, and meeting and event facilities. In addition, the luxury services of the hotel will be extended to the residences, allowing homeowners to enjoy housekeeping, in-room dining, laundry, valet

services, and much more.

With only 18 exclusive homes, Ambassador Heights offers an attractive investment opportunity for those seeking the potential to make solid appreciation and yields. Homeowners will have the flexibility of renting long-term or through the hotel on a short-term basis.

Davies explained that “50 percent of our residences have been sold to Nigerian buyers who are purchasing for our location and design, association with the Moevenpick Hotel, and the high level of quality they are confident we will deliver. These discerning individuals are further excited about the prospect of allowing the hotel professionals to fully maintain and manage their residence.”

Ambassador Heights realised sell-out of its initial phase of inventory and has a limited number of homes remaining through a Phase II release

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

FCT accounts for 10% of 17m housing deficit in Nigeria — Bala Mohammed Commissions N3b AICL Apo Housing Estate

By HENRY UMORU & FUNMI OLASUPO

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INISTER of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed at the weekend that the FCT accounts for 10 per cent of the 17 million housing deficit Nigeria is presently experiencing, just as he commissioned a 49-unit luxury apartments christened “AICL Apo- Dutse Housing Estate”.

According to the Minister, “From statistics, the housing deficit in Nigeria is about 17 million and 10 per cent of it is in the FCT. This of course, is due to the peculiar demographic nature of the Territory resulting from the mass influx into the capital city,” the Minister said.

Commissioning the Housing Estate, Senator Mohammed disclosed that the housing deficit in the FCT is due to its peculiar demographic status resulting from the mass influx into the capital city, adding that the Estate was constructed at the cost of N3 billion within a period of two years.

The Minister disclosed that from 2010 to date, his Administration has allocated a total of 136 Mass Housing plots to developers comprising property development companies, cooperatives societies and associa-

tions.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, an engineer, the FCTA Minister who explained that the FCT Administration through the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) embarked on these houses to tackle housing deficit in the Territory in consonance with the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, said, “I am glad to recall that two years ago, I had personally encouraged Abuja Investment to embark on the AICL ApoDutse Housing Estate and to deliver on record time. So, this is heart warming that the dream project has become a reality.

“The delivery of these houses clearly demonstrates the commitment of the FCT Administration to meeting the challenge of housing confronting the residents of the Territory, which is part of our comprehensive efforts to deliver the dividends of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan”.

The Minister who noted that he personally encouraged the Managing Director of AICL two years ago to embark on the project, said, “I therefore commend the management of Abuja Investment Company Limited, AICL, for living up to my

expectation and justifying the confidence the FCTA posed on them.”

According to him, the company is presently collaborating with the private sector in the area of city mass transportation services, Abuja millennium tower project and other projects, adding, “I have no doubt in me that this housing project demonstrates the commitment of the FCTA in meeting the challenges of housing confronting the FCT residents.

“To bridge this gap, the administration has embarked on a number of policies such as the Land Swap initiatives, affordable housing and mass housing schemes. This year it has awarded contracts for the provision of infrastructure in 10 new districts, Jahi, Kagini, maitama extension, wuye, Mbora, Guzape 1 and 2, Wasa and Katampe . From 2010 till date a total of 136 developers, cooperative societies have benefited from mass housing lands.

“We will also perform the ground breaking of the Guzape shopping mall. We urge the contractor to make sure the project is delivered on time”, he said.

The minister also carried out a ground breaking ceremony of AICL Guzape Mall and AICL Executive Office Suites in Garki II District.

NITP holds conference, targets city mgt

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HE Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has concluded plans to hold her 45th annual conference and general meeting which will target management of cities with challenges and issues.

The theme of the conference, which will hold between October 28 and 31, 2014 at Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos, is “Management of Cities in Developing Economy: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”

The institute in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary,

Garba Jibrin, said the theme was informed by the fact that while rapid urbanisation continues to facilitate unabated concentration of population and economic growth in cities, creating better opportunities for livelihood, the cities simultaneously face daunting challenges such as overcrowding, poverty, environmental decay, inefficient administration, scarce financing and inefficient system of municipal service delivery.

The conference is expected to generate

professional discourse and brain storming sessions on global best practices and emerging concepts and strategies in managing the growing cities.

Experts, leading academicians, urban administrators, professionals in practice among others from within and outside the country are expected to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and the solutions for city management in the developing countries.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 37

Scientist invents ‘robot’ that kills Ebola virus ECENTLY, in effort to eliminate Ebola at the source, through use of innovative disinfection technology, two “germ-killing robots” were deployed from the US to the JFK Hospital and ELWA Hospital both in Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, both hotspots of the Ebola disease outbreak.

The robots, technically known as TRU-D SmartUVC, were used to disinfect health care environments where Ebola patients are being treated.

Good Health Weekly gathered that TRU-D is the only portable UV disinfection device on the market with Sensor360 technology, which calculates the time needed to react to room variables such as size, geometry, surface reflectivity and the amount and location of equipment in the room and effectively deliver a lethal dose of UV-C light during a single cycle from a single, central location in the room.

With TRU-D, health care leaders in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Saudi Arabia are eliminating pathogens like Ebola, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS, influenza, norovirus, Clostridium difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, etc., in all types of health care settings, including isolation wards, patient rooms, operating rooms, surgical suites, intensive care units, emergency rooms, public areas and ambulances.

“We know through extensive CDC-funded research specific to TRU-D conducted by thought leaders in epidemiology and infection prevention that TRUD is effective at eliminating anypathogen by delivering a precisely measured UVC dose.

“As soon as we knew we could aid struggling hospitals in Liberia, our team came together and formulated a plan to get TRU-D on the ground.

More than 200 TRU-Ds have been deployed to disinfect hospitals across the U.S. and internationally.

Ultraviolet light

Significance

By Sola Ogundipe

R

“It works by generating ultraviolet light energy that modifies the DNA structure of viral pathogens, like Ebola, so that they cannot reproduce.

Viruses that cannot reproduce cannot colonise and harm patients,” the inventor, a tropical disease expert and medical anthropologist Dr. Jeffery L. Deal noted in an interview.

Deal and his colleague, Chuck Dunn, President and CEO of TRU-D LLC, respectively, spoke about the importance of TRU-D to environmental disinfection in “TRU-D has been validated by more than 10 studies to be 99.99 percent effective in eliminating the most common pathogens that can use health care-associated infections.

After deploying germ-killing robots to Liberia to aid in battle against the Ebola Virus Disease, TRU-D SmartUVC inventor traveled to the Ebola hotspots with UV disinfection devices TRU-D guarantees a pathogen-free environment for patients and health care staff.

Deal, a Fellow in the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, has been training hospital staff to operate the devices in a number of hospital environments and monitor progress for successful disinfection.

• TRU-D SmartUVC ultraviolet disinfection device on display "We developed TRU-D SmartUVC technology to combat the devastating effects ofhospital acquired infections,” Deal said.

“Unlike many diseases, Ebola strikes hospital workers more than any other group, making it the ultimate hospital acquired infection.”

Between 10 and 15 percent of Ebola cases have been among health care workers. While most of this stems from contact with the patient, concerns exist that the physical environment can retain active microbes and be a risk. This device is used in the US to eliminate the organisms that may still reside on the walls, knobs, rails or any other exposed surface in health

care settings. The robotic technology is capable of making the Liberian hospitals safer for the staff and for new patients.

Development

It was developed by a team of engineers, physicians and industrial hygienists with the purpose of decontaminating entire rooms automatically and eliminating concerns that a contaminated surface was missed during routine cleaning.

We use an ultra-efficient narrow wavelength called UVC to flood the room with germicidal energy. UVC dosage is accurately measured and automatically adapts to kill organisms, even in shadowed areas.

UV disinfection technology and EVD control

This technology is designed to prevent the spread of the disease transmitted via contaminated surfaces in health care environments and is not a treatment or a cure. We believe that prevention is the best medicine.

The U.S. Army tested this particular wavelength against Ebola and found that the measured dose TRU-D delivers results in incredibly rapid destruction of the virus with its pathogen-specific dosing options.. We know it is perfect for use in this critical setting.

Merits/demerits

Multiple studies have already been published from U.S. and UK academic facilities of TRUD's ability to decontaminate rooms, almost always testing it against organisms that are much more difficult to kill in the environment than Ebola is.

NHIS set to take community health insurance to 36 states — Thomas

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XECUTIVE Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr. ‘Femi Thomas says the Scheme is set to launch Community Based Health Insurance Programme, CBHIP, in at least three LGAs of each state of the Federation by the end of the year.

He spoke at the flag off of the Ukana West Ward II CBHIP Scehme, which took place at the Primary Health Center in Ikot – Ideh in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom State, recently.

Thomas said: “The Scheme is aware that the country has a very large informal sector and therefore there is no way we can achieve the presidential mandate of 30 percent coverage without tapping into the informal sector”. ‘’The CBHIP is therefore a veritable tool to ensuring wider

• Dr. Femi Thomas coverage, increased ownership and entrenching the culture of health insurance in the Nigerian public”; he said.

He further stated that the scheme is ready to invest

money and other material resources to develop the Community Based Health Insurance Programme all over the country. ‘’To this end, the scheme has mandated all its offices in the states to develop the programme in at least three LGAs before the end of the year”, Thomas stated.

Thomas used the forum to appeal to the state governors to invest more resources towards developing and sustaining the culture of health insurance in their states, rather than the various intervention programmes in the health sector which may not be sustainable on the long run. ‘’The scheme”, he said, ‘’has donated an ambulance to the Ikot-Ideh PHC, so as to demonstrate the standard that

the scheme expects state governments to maintain in all the PHC Centres where CBHI will be domiciled in all the states of the federation.

Speaking Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Emem Abasi Bassey, said the commitment of the government to the social contract which existed between it and the people of the state made the flag off a reality.

The Governor stated that the launch of the CBSHIP is driven by the strong desire to ensure that effective and affordable healthcare is accessible to every person in the state, as it will relief the people of the financial burden associated with health seeking activities, particularly at the point of care.

38 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Stakeholders advocate better care for the elderly

By Gabriel Olawale

I

N the effort towards better care and health for the elderly, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, FIIRO, Oshodi, in collaboration with Dave Omokaro Foundation, DOF, teamed-up with stakeholders to assess the welfare of the elderly and commenced review of policies that would advance their health and well-being into old age.

At a symposium in Lagos, Professor of Nutrition, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Tola Atinmo said a lot of people see the elderly people as a problem and find it difficult to understand them which in turn makes them feel out of place in the environment.

“There are some processes in life which one has to pass through when advancing into old age which includes loss of strength that makes movement slower, loss of appetite, loss of memory and what used to be normal when they are young becomes strenuous. As if this is not enough, financial burden with fixed or limited income which denied them opportunity to some demand and lack of transportation which forces them to rely on people to move from one place to another.”

Hardships

Atinmo regretted that while suffering from all these hardships in an increasingly hostile, competitive and intolerant society, majority of older people’s income are spent on health rather than any other need or activities.

On his part, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge who was represented by Dr. Olufemi Olowookere asserted that the inability to cope with government’s irregular payment of pension to retired work force, inadequate social services, and health facilities to cater for the need of an aging population

• L-R: Dr. Emem Omokaro, ED, Dave Omokaro Foundation; Professor of Nutrition, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Tola Atinmo; Director General of FIIRO, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo and Dr. Olufemi Olowookere at FIIRO-DOF symposium on nutrition and health of the elderly recently in Lagos. as well as the predominantly rural agrarian population has constituted new threat to food security, social security and national security of Nigeria.

“Older people constitute the poorest group in Nigeria society. The implementation of millennium development goal by Nigeria government has little or no

consideration for them. Having this rate of poverty and hunger by 2015 without seriously considering the older people will affect the success rate of the otherwise well complete plan.”

He, however, recommended adequate nutritional state as a pre-requisite for special therapy to have optimal effect no matter what measure is going to put

Rotary Club committed to healthcare in Lagos, Ogun

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OTARY Club of Lagos PalmGrove Estate, District 9110 last week rekindled its determination and commitment to offer free but qualitative healthcare services to residents of Lagos and Ogun States even as members met to evaluate activitiies of the immediate past and present.

With a primary focus to attain a robust nation through a healthy people and a r mission to challenge other members of the society to join the train of uplifting the well-being of the downtrodden, the Club’s immediate past President, Venu Gopal Jajoo, opined that every service rendered by the Club was selfless and

Taraba Govt, Roche tackle Hepatitis B menace

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HE Taraba state government is wor ried about the increasing number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C in the state and is making efforts to address the situation.

Personally leading this response is the Acting Governor of the state, Garba Umar who himself lost a son to Hepatitis B in 2005.

“I lost my first son, Major Umar to Hepatitis B in 2005. Umar was serving with the ECOWAS Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, in Sierra Leone, but the disease was not diagnosed until he took ill and was admitted at Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH. By the time he was diagnosed and they found out it was Hepatitis, it was too late. So I know how it feels to be affected or even infected with Hepatitis B.” “If Roche had been around to render this assistance we are getting now, maybe my son would have been alive”, the Governor said in an emotion laden voice, lamenting the lack of access to information, especially prevention, treatment and specialist care as major impediments to managing and re-

in place in area of care for the elderly.

“Once this area is deficient there is a problem and since the prevalent of disease increases rapidly with advancing, then nutrition is of special importance to these people. Also there is need to enact policy and programme that will enhance the health independent, productivity and security.

Lending voice to the issue, the Director General of FIIRO, Dr. Gloria Elemo posited that his institution will not relent in its mandate of ensure that Nigeria has food and nutrition secured which targets various group.

“The Institute has taken up the challenges of conducting research into some indigenous food crops some of which have been developed into products that can be used to reduce the incidence of the disease and enhance the wellbeing into old age. We have also come up with a data of the blood sugar of elderly and how it can be control with the use of some product coming out from our research endeavor,” she added.

Contributing, Dr. Emem Omokaro, Eexecutive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation hinted that the care for an elderly people can be transformed into job creation.

“The policy trust of government being to create employment for the youth, we see a situation where we can exploit the opportunity in ageing where we can create entrepreneur model in ageing. For instance, we can pool graduates who have studied social work, micro biology, community medicine and build their capacity to provide this services but carve it in an entrepreneur model,” she observed.

sponding to the disease.

Speaking during a formal ceremony to mark a treatment, prevention and capacity building partnership with Roche, Umar said the Taraba state government would do everything possible to protect the people of the state from the disease.

“I am happy Roche is partnering with us to address this disease and if the terms of the partnership is anything to go by, then we are on our way to making significant progress as far as Hepatitis B response is concerned”, he said.

Hepatitis B virus is one of the most infectious viruses in the world and could singularly lead to liver failure, liver cancer and untimely death in infected persons”, noted Dr. Aisha Adamu during a media training and capacity building workshop for journalists held in Jalingo.

Adamu, a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist said: “Unlike HIV, hepatitis virus can stay on a surface for about seven days and it is 100 times more infectious than HIV and when an infected person can spread it in a household hence we say we are saying it is closer than you think.”

• Governor Garba Umar Findings from a facility based survey of blood donors indicated that about 4 out of every 10 blood donors in that particular blood bank had hepatitis B or C - a situation that warranted the need for urgent steps to address the burden in the state while leveraging on support from Roche.

Part of Roche’s support to the state would include provision of free Hepatitis testing, provision of viral load testContinues on page 39

humanitarian oriented. The goal, he explained, was to create a society where goodwill and peace become the order of the day.

In one year, (2013/2014) the Club touched thousands of lives health wise, from paediatrics, polio eradication, maternity and child care, to cancer, diabetes, hypertension, eye care, surgery and transplant. Others are donation of life-saving materials and other equipment to hospitals in Lagos.

"The Club organised a Specialist Diabetic and Hypertension Camp on 16th November 2013, to help prevent and diagnose these life threatening ailments. The objective of this camp was to create awareness about early detection and management to avoid organ damage. Around 225 patients benefited from the exercise.

"Our Club has donated free artificial limbs to the underprivileged. Such limbs have gone to more than 46, 000 beneficiaries since inception, while more than 16, 000 benefited from free eye care and cataract surgery camps conducted in Lagos and Ogun State.

Jajoo said the exercises are regularly organised to enable the underprivileged access to general health checks.On the average, more than 12, 000 benefit.

In the view of the current President of the Club, Ramesh Biswal, the Club won eight awards in the 2013/2014 year for touching lives.

Biswal said the award was additional motivation to continue with selfless service to the community.

"I intend to explore world of education, youth empowerment and creating an equal platform for Nigerians with hearing impairment,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014—39

NAFDAC endorses Tyvivac against typhoid fever

By Chioma Obinna

E

XPERTS have raised concern over the growing incidence of typhoid fever within the Nigerian populace even as Tyvivac, a new generation vaccine for the prevention of typhoid fever in adults and children over two years of age debuts in the Nigerian market.

Officially presenting the vaccine to the media last week in Lagos, DirectorGeneral of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii pointed out that in recent times, almost every laboratory test reads positive to typhoid fever alongside malaria.

According to him, Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water. The agent is passed out in the stool of an infected person, it may also be present in his urine, spite or vomit.

He explained that water can be contaminated by stool of an infected person if the source of drinking water is exposed where open defecation is practiced in the absence of toilets.“ Endorsing the Tyvivac vaccine for the prevention of the disease in Nigeria, he recounted how the Agency alongside Creative Ideas Pharmaceuticals Limited have have collaborated over the last four years.

"We have been evaluating the vaccine and all clinical and paper works are true. The vaccine will be essential and of interest to Nigeria. I feel elated that we have a vaccine for Nigerians now," he said.“ The Manging Director, Creative Ideas, Mr. Tonye Briggs, explained that the

tropical nature of the Nigerian climate coupled with unhygienic lifestyle practices and unsafe drinking water have all combined to perpetuate the scourge in the country.

"This needs not be so as other countries like Vietnam, China and Malaysia have successfully tamed this malaise."“Noting that Tyvivac vaccine, has successfully been used in Vietnam and other countries to manage the incidence of typhoid in those countries, Briggs said it prevents typhoid fever for three years when it is used once.

"This vaccine is now available in

Nigeria and our company, Creative Ideas Limited, has the sole franchise for its distribution in West Africa."

Briggs said in the quest to bring succour to the many who have been affected by this scourge, the vaccine was discovered in Vietnam.

“Over the last four years, we have made several trips to Vietnam to meet with our partners and the manufacturer, Dalat vaccine Company, DAVAC. The process of ensuring the safety and efficacy of this vaccine include factory visits to Vietnam with NAFDAC inspectors who were convinced that the

production processes met global best practices and standards. Clinical trials and other tests were administered and the verdict, eventually, was that the vaccine is safe and effective in the management of typhoid," he added.

He urged that the vaccine be well distributed to every nook and cranny of the country.

The Trade Attache from the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, recalled that Vietnam was in the situation of Nigeria before it discovered the vaccine and that with its introduction the burden of typhoid has been drastically reduced.

In a recommendation, Chief Executive Officer, Fidson Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Felix Ayebae in a testimony about the efficacy of the vaccine, said it had capacity to protect for three years.

“It is a product that will add value to the lives of Nigerians."It is a product that I will attest to. For six years I have been using it. I recommend it to all Nigerians.

I also call on the company to search for vaccines for other diseases plaguing the country,” he said.

Taraba Govt Continues from page 38

• Third left: Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii officially presenting the new Typhoid vaccine to the media last week in Lagos.

ing machine, increased access to affordable treatment for those who would require treatment as well as capacity building for doctors on hepatitis management, care and support.

Chukwudi Ehibudu Roche’s Market Access Manager who represented Roche Nigeria Country Manager, Herman Addae at the event, said considering the size of Taraba state and the of number of patients to care for, there would be need for increased capacity hence Roche would be conducting series of specialised training for doctors as part of the partnership.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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It is also waterproof and can be used in the shower.

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That is it for today. We will discuss more new products next week. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

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here is confusion among Lagos resi dents over the status of the Lagos State Traffic Law signed by Governor Babatunde Fashola two years ago.

The general belief is that the state government is relaxing the law particularly as it affects the restriction of Okadas on major highways.

It is even said that the government has instructed law enforcement agencies to look the other way when they see Okada riders on restricted roads.

No plan to relax Okada restriction – Govt

But the state government, at the weekend, said it has no plan to review the 2012 Law, especially the aspect banning commercial motorcyclists from plying major highways and bridges.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, said the clarification became necessary following rumours that the state government had concluded plans to review the law. Political motives are insinuated for the rumoured action.

According to Raji; “Our attention has been drawn to sponsored insinuations, most especially in the social media, stating that the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola has concluded plans to review the Road Traffic Law 2012, especially the aspect concerning the restriction of commercial motorcyclists from plying major highways and bridges in the Centre of Excellence. ”This is far from the truth.

This administration does not have the intention to reverse itself on this important issue now or in the immediate future. The reason is simple. By enacting the Law of 2012, we have made considerable gains in discharging the primary responsibility of government to our people in the area of protection of life and property.

“We would like to further state for the records that the decision to regulate the use of commercial motorcycles on our highways was not a unilateral decision but a response to popular demands by members of the public, who have been at the receiving end in their daily interactions with the commercial motorcyclists, okada operators.

“Altogether, there are 9,100 roads in Lagos State. Motorcycles below 200cc are restricted on only 475 of these roads, which represent 5.6 percent of

•Okada

Confusion over Road Traffic Law •Govt says no plan to relax Okada restriction •As group accuses govt of partiality in implementation •Fashola urges citizens to report misapplication of the law

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI, DOTUN IBIWOYE & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO roads in Lagos. The result and impact of this decision have been tremendous.”

The Special Adviser added that prior to the enactment of the law, the state was recording an average of 16 motorcycle-related deaths across the state every month and an average of 646 injured patients from motorcycle related serious accidents at state’s secondary and tertiary hospitals.

Raji continued; “As at March this year,

our statistics show only 1 to 2 motorcycle-related deaths and less than 100 motorcycle-accidents related injuries in a month. No doubt, we have all the reasons to thump our chest that we have been responsive and responsible in the discharge of our duty to the people of Lagos.

“We know where this misinformation is coming from, and the objective it is meant to achieve. We will say it for the umpteenth time, contrary to what they say, ours is the only government that has given recognition to the use of motorcycle as a means of commercial transportation through the instrument of the

law and regulations meant to protect the riders and the generality of the citizenry.

“We are very much aware that in some jurisdictions controlled by the sponsors of this malicious propaganda, they have, through the instrumentality of raw power, banned outright the use of motorcycles.

“The reason and motive of the sponsors of this unpopular agenda is obviously to set the stage for roguish conduct in the 2015 election. Their action is not altruistic but sinister. Their subtle and malicious campaign is to aid their sinister plots of fomenting trouble and snatching ballot

boxes with the use of Okadas during the forthcoming general elections. Such evil plans will have no place in Lagos.”

Raji, therefore, enjoined Okada riders to go about their lawful duty by obeying all the provisions of the traffic law, especially those that restrict them from certain roads, those that compel them to always wear crash elements, not ride with more than one passenger, not carry a child below the age of 12, not carry a pregnant woman or a passenger who is also bearing a load on his head while riding, among others.

While explaining that all the measures are obviously for

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

the safety of all, the commissioner added: “They should also not ride against the traffic (one way) or run red light for the overall safety of all road users. All incidents of wrongful arrest or oppression by law enforcement agencies should be promptly reported, individually or through Union Executives, to the Attorney General’s Office or Office of

see it as a revenue channel.

“There is no government presence in all the public parks. There is not one single social amenity in any park in the state for the single reason that the government has abdicated its responsibilities by transferring the creation, maintenance and collection of dues to the touts against the dictates of the Constitution of

All forms of unfair and arbitrary exploitation of drivers/commuters, increase in transport fares along with the brutal extortion in the name of various collections should stop

,

the Public Defender for prompt action. The duty of a responsible government is to protect life and property, and this we shall continue to do through the Road Traffic Law 2012.”

Group accuses govt of partiality

The United Nigeria Sovereign Conference and Alternative Movement (UNSCAM), whose members include all drivers of commercial buses, Keke NAPEP, Motor bikes (okada) said the Lagos State government has succeeded in removing the okadas from the highways but deliberately left the touts at the bus stops and

,

the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Section 227 and Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the country.

“All forms of unfair and arbitrary exploitation of drivers/ commuters, increase in transport fares along with the brutal extortion in the name of various collections should stop. The state government is over-executing the law on ‘okada’ riders and they should treat the touts the same way they treat the motorists.

The group also claims that the state government has failed in monitoring the excesses of the law enforcement agents especially the, Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA.

•Dopemu

Motorists groan as gridlock returns to Dopemu area

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

A

s Lagos continues to experience large influx of vehicular movement in most parts of the state, residents and motorists in old Alimosho Local Government Area, Agege and environs are daily battling with hectic traffic gridlock around Dopemu area due to the bad portion of road at the opened median barrier along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Causes of gridlock

•Kekea public parks.

According to UNSCAM’s Chairman, Comrade Mordecai Adekambi, the touts in Lagos state make in excess of N 30 billion annually and their activities go unchecked by the government, a trend he said has a negative effect on the drivers, passengers and other factors associated with transportation.

He said the Lagos State Government should “amend the law and ensure resumption of registration of motor cycle and tricycles in the state, especially as the aim and essence of the law is almost defeated as the police and law enforcement agencies now

— 41

According to Mr. Thomas Ebele, a banker in Ikeja, who resides in Alimosho area, the heavy traffic being experienced daily on the Abeokuta-Oshodi Expressway can be minimised if the median barrier is well structured and maintained.

“There is always gridlock in the morning when workers are rushing to work

and in the evenings when they are returning. There is need for government to actually put that opened median barrier in order. The spot has degenerated causing traffic for those motorists moving into Alimosho or coming from Iyana-Ipaja end towards Ikeja. There is always gridlock at the point of the opened median.

“To worsen the situation there are inadequate law enforcement agents to manage traffic. There are only few members of Lagos State Traffic Authority, LASTMA, on ground, often times they are overwhelmed by the stubborn commercial drivers who refuse to obey them. The authorities concerned should do something fast so that residents and other road users can have free flow of traffic again,” he said.

One of the LASTMA men, who spoke with Vanguard on condition of anonymity, explained: “During repairs on the bridge, this median barri-

er (pointing to the spot), was removed and in the process, a drainage that was supposed to take storm water into the underground water channel was blocked.

“You know it has been consistently raining these days, the storm water had been stagnant at the spot because the drainage has been blocked and consequently, damaged the road, thereby causing a bottleneck. Until a permanent solution is found, traffic will continue to build up in the area.”

It was however, learnt that the state government, through the Ministry of Transportation, is planning to redesign the spot into intersection to be controlled by Traffic Signal Lights, TSL, like others along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway. (Abule Egba, and Ile-Zik TSL points).

According to the source, the state ministry of transportation had applied for the approval to execute the project from the Federal Government.

Report misapplication of traffic law, Fashola urges residents

G

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has directed members of the Community Development Association, CDA, to alert him or the Commissioner of police of any Divisional Police Officer, DPO, who refuses to reprimand his officers over the misapplication of the 2012 road traffic law. Fashola made the appeal while addressing members of the CDA at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja said that the reason for signing the road traffic bill into law on August 2, 2012, was to return sanity to Lagos roads.

The governor added that the law

was introduced for security reasons, saying; “We discovered that some residents of the state were using commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada to engage in robbery and other illicit acts.”

He added that since the law was enacted, the state has witnessed significant reduction in accidents and crime activities.

His words: “Information has reached me that some persons are using the law to extort the residents and Okada riders. We have started engaging the police over the application of the law.”

“CDAs also have responsibilities

to play on this issue. You all have DPOs in your communities, Local council chairman, Police Relation Committee, PRC. Anywhere there are problems, engage one another to solve them.

We know that the problem is not everywhere. But whatever you discover, send it to the commissioner of police because he cannot be at 109 police divisions in the state simultaneously. You (CDA) are more on ground. Any DPO you engage and he refuses to act on your complaints, let us know; so that he or she can be called to order,” he added.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY 26, 2014

Adamawa 2014: Ribadu and the many conspiracies

•Ribadu: Encircled by conspiracies

Given that former Governor Murtala Nyako was removed from office by the convergence of many conspiracies, it is no surprise that the election to replace him is equally laced with many intrigues, the latest of which is the script to shove Nuhu Ribadu as the favoured candidate of the ruling party ahead of those who conspired against Nyako and his erstwhile deputy, Bala Ngilari

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, Political Editor

T

HE acting governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Umaru Fintiri was central to the conspiracies that led to the removal of Murtala Nyako from office last month. As speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, he was the one presiding when the “resignation letter” of the erstwhile deputy governor, Mr. Bala Ngialri was read and “accepted”. It was that resignation that paved way for Mr. Fintiri to step in and take the office of acting governor of the state. However, many of those who conspired with him never imagined that Fintiri would go beyond the script of acting governor to contest the office of governor.

Speaking to newsmen at the weekend, former political adviser to the president, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak chastised the acting governor in very strong words saying that it was

against precedence and the constitution for him, Fintiri as acting governor to engage himself in the gubernatorial contest.

"The Constitution is clear. He is not supposed to contest this bye-election because apart from the letters of the constitution by implication, he is supposed not to participate as he has no moral right" Fintiri’s desperation for the office according to some, is the reason behind some outlandish measures he has recently taken such as the appointment of 50 special assistants and the spate of populist measures being adopted by the new acting ‘administration’.

Last weekend, the acting governor flagged off the sale of fertilisers at N2,800 per bag, well below the N5,500 the product is presently selling in the open market. Those close to Fintiri say the acting governor is determined to achieve his aim of becoming the substantive governor, not least, after having

•Fintri: Appointed 50 SAs

served as acting governor three times. But his ambition according to sources is facing strong opposition from other stakeholders who are bent on stopping him. One channel of opposition it was learnt, is to intimidate the acting governor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. It is also not inconvenient that the chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Lamorde is from Adamawa State.

Another weapon to get rid of what some allege as the Fintiri trouble is to use the court to restore Ngilari as governor. Ngilari had gone to court on the basis of the claim that the letter of resignation was coerced from him and wrongly submitted to the state House of Assembly instead of to Nyako who was governor at that time.

Fintiri last weekend inaugurated a 20 man campaign committee headed by the veteran politician, Senator Jonathan Zwingina to push his aspiration.

Fintiri’s effort nonetheless, the enthusiasm behind the Ribadu campaign despite mounting opposition was at the weekend still building up. Ribadu who was egged into the race allegedly by a close friend of his in the presidency, Hassan Tukur, is said to be backed by one of Africa’s richest men and reportedly, by the national

•Modibo: Middle course

chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu`azu.

That enthusiasm for Ribadu is, however, not getting the universal approval of the party hierarchy in Abuja and in Adamawa.

Influential members of the National Working Committee, NWC such as Olisa Metuh and Uche Secondus some sources allege, have taken different positions with Mu`azu and are said to be rooting for other strong aspirants in the race.

As part of the intrigues play-

,

•Atiku: Watching keenly

The conspiracy shadowing the contest deepened when the PDP NWC met last Wednesday and against much expectation did not discuss the issue of waiver for the trio of Ribadu, Gundiri and Marwa.

Sources at the meeting disclosed that the failure of the NWC to consider the waiver for the three was because the letter from the Adamawa State chairman grew wings and disappeared just before the commencement of the NWC meeting last Wednesday.

Ribadu who was egged into the race allegedly by a close friend of his in the presidency, Hassan Tukur, is said to be backed by one of Africa’s richest men and reportedly, by the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu`azu

ing out in the contest, a top party chieftain at the national secretariat had directed the state chairman to write a formal request for a waiver for Ribadu to enable him contest the gubernatorial primary.

However, the Adamawa chairman, however, played a fast one on the PDP national chieftain by writing a letter in which he placed Buba Marwa and Markus Gindiri, - two major contenders who recently returned to the PDP – ahead of Ribadu.

,

Given that the NWC was not expected to meet again till tomorrow, well past the deadline for the submission of the nomination forms which was yesterday, Monday, it was much feared that the failure to grant a waiver last Wednesday could mean the end of Ribadu’s aspiration.

However, sources told Vanguard that the waiver demand could be considered at any time before the primary due Continues on page 43

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014—43

2015: Lagos PDP has learnt from past mistakes --- Dosunmu Barely six months to the 2015 gubernatorial election in Lagos State, Dr. Ade Shamsideen Dosunmu (MON), the 2011 candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who has declared his interest to re-contest, says in this interview that the party has overcome the disunity that led to the acrimonious primaries, which prevented it from getting hold of Lagos in past elections, since 1999. He boasts that PDP now has all that it takes to get hold of Lagos to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Lagosians. Excerpt:

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

W

HAT informed your decision to re-contest the Lagos governorship after failing in 2011?

I declared again to contest for the office of the governor of Lagos State because it is my personal conviction that those things that motivated me the first time are still there. The changes I expect to happen in Lagos have not happened. The way I expect government to impact on the people of Lagos State has not happened, more especially the majority, who are at the receiving end of the programmes formulated. The totality of it is the reason I have decided to run again for the office of the governor, more especially since that the incumbent is leaving after eight years.

He has done his best but there nothing he could do that he has

not done in eight years.

So, someone else needs to come on board and take it from there.

And I believe that Lagos is a very special state for the fact that it is cosmopolitan. It is the melting pot of ethnic nationalities. It is the largest in terms of population and complexities. I feel that Lagos requires an experienced person, a professional, not only a politician, but also a professional that has done something in his own calling; an experienced person who has worked in government before, who will be able to understand the dynamics of administering a state like Lagos because a lot of interests will come to play.

You have to ensure that you balance the interests if you want to stay in Lagos as a governor.

And you can only understand and appreciate that you are coming from a background. So, these are

•Dosunmu what I consider as my own strength and the reasons I feel I will be doing a disservice to my people if I don’t re-contest. Summarily, given the fact that God in his infinite mercies has given me what it takes to deliver Lagos and give out the dividends of democracy to the good people of Lagos State, I I am out to give it a shot again.

Looking at the internal wrangling within your party in the

South-West, where it has often been said in some quarters that you are not united, don’t you think it may pose a problem for your ambition?

I don’t know those quarters you are referring to but one thing I know is that there are a lot of fifth columnists, who always try to portray PDP in the South-West, particularly Lagos State as a divided party. With all sense of responsibility, I can tell you that PDP in Lagos is united. We are one family now. And even in the South-West, PDP is united. Just like in any political setting, people will have interests and there will be groups because every group will be fighting to getting access to power through their candidates. That is not division. What matters is that at the end of the contest, somebody emerges and the rest will go back to deliver. So, there is nothing like division in Lagos PDP or the South-West in general. We are working as a one big family now. We have mended the fences that need to be mended.

We have addressed all issues that were dividing us. We are now emphasising issues that are uniting us. For that reason we are forging ahead as a one big and united family. And I can tell you that, that will play out in the next election.

The leaders of PDP and the generality of the members are

committed to winning Lagos. For 15 years of our democratic experience, we have been unfortunate not to have won the governorship election in Lagos State, due to one reason or the other.

And we have sat down among ourselves to look at where we are coming from. We have analysed our problems and we have examined where we are and we have also fashioned out strategies that will take us to where we want to get to.

I can assure you that everybody has bought into this. The leaders, the followers, the women group, the youths, definitely everybody, has bought into the need for us to provide a credible alternative to the good people of Lagos State as seen from their aspirations and yearnings. You can see that Lagosians are yearning for change that can only come through credible and strong opposition.

Looking at all the political parties, it is obvious that it is only the PDP that has the clout to provide that strong opposition. We are quite aware of this fact and we are ready to play that role. I can assure you that all the aspirants within the PDP, about five that have shown interest tocontestthepartyticket,areallunited. We are talking to ourselves. It is no longer acrimonious as it used to be. We have the understanding that whoever emerges among the aspirants, every other person will unite and work with the party flag-bearer.

That is the first step towards victory. So, we don’t need anybody to tell us that. We have realised that ourselves, that that is one of the major reasons why we have been failing at past elections in the state.

Adamawa 2014: Ribadu and the unending conspiracies Continued from page 42 on September 6.

Meanwhile, the letter from the Adamawa State chairman has mysteriously surfaced, dependable sources revealed to Vanguard bringing hope to the Ribadu camp.

Ribadu’s supporters are, however, not totally ignorant of the strong objection by Adamawa PDP stakeholders against his aspiration. That strong objection is the basis of hope for some other aspirants including Ahmed Modibo, the former executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC. Modibo it was learnt, is believed to have the strong support of the Lamido Adamawa, as he is a title holder of the emirate.

Modibo’s selling point is that he is a neutral man who may not have the political baggage that may be associated with many of the other aspirants.

Also going for Modibo just like Ribadu is the zoning factor. The two men are from Adamawa Central, the only senatorial zone that is yet to pro-

duce a governor for the state in the Fourth Republic.

Nyako, the immediate past governor of the state is from Adamawa South while the governor before him, Boni Haruna is from Adamawa North.

Another major aspirant, Umar Ardo, a former aide of Atiku Abubakar, was the face of the Adamawa stakeholders while the conspiracy against Nyako was in brew. However, following Nyako’s exit, many of those stakeholders have gone their separate ways and the prospects and punch with which Ardo expressed himself have noticeably ebbed.

Even if Atiku is not a member of the PDP, it is considered foolhardy to believe that he would not like to influence the outcome of the PDP primary and Ardo would certainly not be top in his consideration.

Dr. Idi Hong, another aspirant from Adamawa Central was brought to political prominence

by Senator Jibril Aminu who he served as a personal assistant before his appointment as a minister. Hong who is a medical doctor just like Senator Aminu would

obviously have gone far, but Senator Aminu’s political muscles have considerable weakened over the last seven years that Dr. Hong is believed to be also recruiting other major stakeholders to give support to his ambition.

However, those stakeholders who were grieved by the way and manner Senator Aminu carried while he led the party in the past may see this time as an opportunity to pay him back by hitting at his godson.

Presidential dreams One of the most conspicuous names among the contenders is General Buba Marwa, the former governor of Lagos and Borno States. Marwa, just like Ribadu, has been flayed for his seeming desperation. Many are at pains to understand why his onetime laudable presidential dreams turned into provincial aspirations.

The main challenge for Marwa is the fact that he comes from one of the smallest ethnic

groups in the state and it is a serious factor that weighed against his past aspirations and how he hopes to overcome the issue remains an issue.

One candidate that is drawing much critical appraisal is Marcus Gindiri, the 2011 gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Gindiri is believed to have the most formidable structure and support of all the candidates in the PDP, but many people believe that he would be denied the opportunity of slugging it out in the PDP. Gindiri fled from the camp of the APC few weeks after Nyako entered the party. Now there is much talk around Adamawa that with the entry of Ribadu into the PDP that he could go back to the APC which some say would be too pleased to give him an opportunity to vie for the ticket.

If Gindiri returns to the APC his path would cross those of some other candidates who are said to be already lobbying for the APC ticket. Among them are Senators Gindo Jubrilla (Ad-

amawa North) and Ahmed Bareta (Adamawa South). Mr. Boss Mustapha, one of the closest political associates of Atiku is also alleged to be warming up for the contest.

There is little doubt that with Nyako out of the way that Atiku remains the biggest player in the state chapter of the APC. Nyako’s exit from the party has even made it better for him.

One of the reasons said to be behind Ribadu’s exit was that he felt at odds with Atiku in the same party given their past differences and hard words against one another while they were in government.

So, Atiku is expected to move with great caution given the major issues on hand. He would be careful to allow the emergence of a very strong candidate to checkmate Ribadu if the indications show that Ribadu would win the PDP primaries. Secondly, he would be fighting to secure his base ahead of the APC presidential primaries and banish insinuations that he is a prophet without honour at home.

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Re: Agenda for Ibrahim Babangida 2

By MAHMUD ABDULLAHI

O

NE would have just kept quiet to the misinformation of Abu Najakku in another of his “Agenda for Ibrahim Babangida 2” published in Daily Trust August, 19, 2014. It will amount to encouraging him on the negative path if one keeps quiet as he exposes his follies.

It is very illogical that Abu Najakku wrote that General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida spoke about 2003 election as if he was speaking about 2015, albeit if that fact is acknowledged by Najakku, this means that by inference he knows that IBB is visionary.

Contradictorily, however, he painted his intention in lucid colour on where his sentiment lies especially when he brought into play issues surrounding General Muhammadu Buhari’s relationship with IBB on what was strictly their military engagements.

With his skewed mind he has conceded that IBB is not an ordinary Nigeria living in “Tawdry Times” after all, but again he wrote about IBB’s many failings.

A logical mind will not refer to IBB personal ventures as

•Babangida failing ventures. Listing projects like the proposed University, Magazines, and IBB’s proposed book as failings show the depth of the mind of the writer.

Everyone following events in the country will know that the ambition of General Babangida in 2011 was a product of calls from the people given that handing issues of power to every good Muslim should always be seen as the act of God. No matter the scheming and aspiration of an individual, if Allah SWT has not granted one

power it will not be possible.

Based on this belief one could just expect Najakku to know that Allah SWT has his appointed time for everybody.

What evidence has Abu Najakku therefore to show that IBB is rapacious; IBB would not have stepped aside in 1993 if he is so selfish as painted by Najakku against national interest.

IBB was not the only Nigerian leader who took over power through coup. Even General Buhari came through coup against an elected government.

The more people like Najakku accept certain variables and happenings as the act of God, the more objective they can be, rather than always hiding under one sentiment or the other to support any body in their own estimation as the best to rule Nigeria.

IBB was able to ensure that sound economic policies were put in place, his administration opened the economy of Nigeria and the potentials of the people of Nigeria to come to terms with the fact that government could not be a good businessman hence he came up with commercialization and privatization of some government agencies; a policy that has been adopted by succeeding administrations.

Succeeding administrations The question is that, do policy aimed at making the economy more productive and people-oriented a way of liberalizing corruption, deregulating hunger and privatizing poverty? Today government is pursuing Privatization, and the ones before it did same because it is the best for the nation in the new economic order that could easily link the nation’s

economy to the international communities.

Najakku can be forgiven for his elementary and disjointed psyche about how a country should be run. IBB is not and will not be the first Nigeria leader whose policy has come under condemnation, but today all his policies condemned are being revived to make the nation relevant economically, yet people like Najakku cannot read in between the line.

Babangida as a gallant officer took responsibility of the annulment of the election in 1993, and the annulment from what IBB has said times without number has given the hint that the election was not annulled based on personal interest but national interest.

Extolling the virtues of Buhari and being insolent to IBB will not in any way change anything for the former, it pays no body to try to set the two distinguished Nigerians against each other in a bid to do the other a favour, Najakku should look for another Hatchet job , this one is a bad job done.

Mahmud Abdullahi was a one time Chief Press Secretary to Niger State Government

My plans for Oron —Christopher Esin, Mr. Exto MR. Exto, a former chairman of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN is seeking the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to represent the Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In this interview, Mr. Exto expounds on his political ambitions.

Excerpts:

BY TOM MOSES

Y

OUR name is synony mous with music but here you are delving into politics, what informed the decision?

I have always been close to God and God is the source of power but politically, well, everyone has his own story to tell and like I said some time ago, it is a campaign song that brought me into conventional politics and eventually, I have come to realise that it was God that designed it to be that way.

I came into the state in a very loud manner because the campaign song was a huge success and those in power wanted to know who did the song. The then Governor, Obong Victor Attah really appreciated what I did carried me along like a son and you know, when the

governor speaks, everybody follows.

How do you intend to combine politics with your music career?

Music is a calling that is why you find a lot of failed musicians around because those people went into music because they saw another guy carrying girls around and they thought it was about that. Many of them fell by the wayside because of what they had to go through to become professional artists.

Also, just like music, leadership is a calling. Politics is a platform for professionals to express their content. That is why you see people leaving their core professions to politics to take up leadership responsibilities. So combining your primary profession and the new profession which is the public office should not be an issue because if you had wanted to concentrate on your profession, then, you

•Exto should have remained in your comfort zone.

Contesting an election is not a joke. So, I am not bothered about how I am going to blend the two, I am more interested in the preparation to be able to keep to the promises that I am making in the course of my con-

sultations.

So, can it be expected that someday, during your tenure; the House of Reps member would be entertaining a crowd somewhere?

Yes of course; may be paid or free. Even Governor Akpabio who is not a musician sings everywhere he goes. He loves to sing, let alone a professional singer.

You see, whatever I’m going to be in life, I am going to ride on the brand Mr. Exto and that brand is synonymous with singing. So, I cannot separate that role from whatever I become later because that is who I am.

Even God loves songs and people like to see their leaders sing for them especially if you can sing. Even the leaders sing to ease tension or stress and that is one way I will always escape from the pressure of leadership.

You are just venturing into conventional politics, why do want to start from the House of Reps?

I have a purpose, I have a vision and I think that the national level will give me the right platform to make the desired impact as far as representing my people is con-

cerned.

I am looking at where I think that my wealth of experience can come to play and where I can have direct influence on things that are brought to my people.

The Oron people that you are seeking a mandate to represent are complaining of being marginalized by the present administration hence, the agitations to produce a governor of Oron extraction in 2015, what is your view on this?

My personal opinion about the marginalisation of my people is the fact that there is a disconnect between the leaders and the system and that may be caused by not having the right people in positions to negotiate for the people. That is to say that the centre does not seem to hold the people in high esteem, respect the people enough to want to listen to them. What I offer as Exto is my ability to blend properly, I socialize a lot. I have lobbied all my life, I have been a unionist for the past 12 years and I have lobbied for my industry.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 45

STRIKE: Apologise to Nigerians, Reps tell NMA '...doctors' new salary structure'll reflect in 2015 budget'

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

yesterday, on the suspension of the NMA strike, Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Health, Ndudi Elumelu, said it was not enough for NMA to call off the strike, but should apologise to Nigerians over the “avoidable” deaths, regretting that the NMA shunned all entreaties and acted to the contrary.

He said: “The leadership of NMA has been described as unpatriotic even by other Nigerian doctors, as well as members of the public in view of health challenges confronting the nation and the scourge of Ebola Virus Disease, which erupted during the strike period.

“Patriotic Nigerians both home and abroad have passionately

condemned the action of the current leadership of the NMA. BUJA — HEALTH “The committee has a final word Committee of the House of for NMA. The NMA has Representatives, yesterday, asked suspended the strike, but it has the Nigerian Medical Association, failed to do one thing: the NMA NMA, to apologise to Nigerians failed to apologise to Nigerians. over the “unpatriotic” industrial The NMA should apologise to strike embarked upon by medical Nigerians for all the doctors in the country. inconveniences and lives that It will be recalled that the NMA were lost during the strike. on July 1, 2014, proceeded on an industrial action and deserted public hospitals and other health institutions nation-wide on the account of unmet demands, including appointing a SurgeonGeneral as Minister of Health by the Federal Government.

But after 55 days, the association on Sunday, August 25, 2014, called off the strike and ordered doctors back to work.

However, during the period of the industrial action, the country witnessed the out-break of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, via late Mr. Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian-American who was in the country for an ECOWAS event.

So far, amid other reported deaths arising from the absence of medical doctors in the public health institutions, the EVD had claimed the lives of four SWEARING-IN: Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna (left), congratulating a member of the board of Citizens and Leadership Training Centre, CLTC in Abuja, Richard Lamai, Nigerians outside Sawyer’s.

Addressing journalists in Abuja shortly after being sworn-in, and other board members.

A

EBOLA: Confer GCON on Adadevoh, pro-Jonathan group urges FG

By Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA — A group, Nigeria Interest Group, NIG, has called on the Federal Government to post-humously confer the title of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON, on late

Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh for her humanitarian and patriotic display of courage in handling the Ebola disease in the country.

The title being sought for the late medical practitioner is the second highest in the country and so far, only two business moguls, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief

Mike Adenuga, have been conferred with it alongside present and past vice presidents.

The group, which noted that the late physician paid the supreme price in her attempt to stop the spread of Ebola virus in the country, also commended other health practitioners for their

Militarisation of electoral process endangers credibility, TMG ...challenges INEC on general elections

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA — CENTRE for Civil Education, popularly known as Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, yesterday, criticised the deployment of the military to police electoral process.

It also challenged the electoral umpire on free and fair election come 2015 general elections.

While calling for civilianpoliced election, TMG said electoral umpire should be allowed to give sense of direction on security during election.

Chairman of TMG, Alhaji Ibrahim Zikirulahi, who stated this at the 2014 Biennial General Meeting of the group in Abuja, said elections were not wars that should require such massive

deployments.

Describing phenomenon as a strange development to Nigeria’s democracy, Zikirulahi alleged that desperate politicians were responsible for the deployment to satisfy their personal interests.

According to him: “It is the sinister machinations of many desperate politicians, whose resolve to subvert the electoral process that has provided the alibi for the massive militarisation of the electoral environment.”

He explained that the President was a partisan figure, noting that it was the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to request for security for elections and not on the prerogative of the President, who

was a card carrier of a political party taking part in an election.

He said: “For effective coordination of all security agencies during the polls, we are convinced that INEC should be the institution making requests for security agents to be deployed during election.

“INEC is akin to the proverbial man wearing the shoes, and who consequently knows where it pinches. As the electoral umpire, it should be within its purview to give a sense of direction on how many security agents should be deployed at what place and time.

“The current trend wherein an obviously partisan president makes the call on deployments imperils the credibility of the electoral process.”

humanitarian and patriotic display of courage which had led to several victims of Ebola being successfully treated and discharged.

The group, at a press briefing by its Director General, Mr. Jim Elueni, in Abuja, yesterday, applauded President Goodluck Jonathan, the Federal Executive Council and the Federal Ministry of Health for the quick and proactive response to the Ebola outbreak in the country.

It noted that it was because of the commendable measures adopted that the casualty figure of infected persons became low.

It also thanked the Federal Government for its recent donation of N200 million to the Lagos State government to assist the state in the fight against the Ebola virus.

The group, which said it was out to enlighten Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the gains of the present federal administration, canvassed support for re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s general elections, saying in spite of some problems confronting his administration, the President was determined to take Nigeria to the promised land.

ADAMAWA: APC primaries to hold on Sept 7

By Okey Ndiribe

T

HE ALL Progressives Congress, APC, will conduct its primaries for the forthcoming governorship by-election in Adamawa State on September 7.

During the exercise, the gubernatorial candidate of the party will emerge for the election scheduled to hold on October 11.

This was disclosed last weekend by Danladi Lawal, APC National ViceChairman for the NorthEast in a telephone chat with Vanguard.

The APC chieftain further stated that already, about 10 governorship aspirants had indicated interest to clinch the party’s ticket.

“Some of them are Barrister Gus Mustapha, Senators Bindo and Barata."

“Before Nyako’s entry, the combined strength of those two parties made them the leading party in the state. That was why we resisted the entry of Nyako into the party," he said.

Over 31,000 jobless engineers worry NSE

By Favour Nnabugwu

A

BUJA — THE Nigeria Society of Engineers, NSE, yesterday, criticised the lukewarm attitudes of corporate and private companies towards employing over 31,000 new graduate engineers, which the body said, represented 60 per cent of jobless engineers.

This came as the Subsidy Reinvestment and E m p o w e r m e n t Programme, SURE-P placed 500 graduate engineers on N30,000 monthly allowance to enable them garner practical experience.

NSE Chairman, Abuja chapter of the NSE, Engr.

Yakubu Garba, who disclosed this at the NSE’s 2014 Engineering Week and Annual General Meeting press briefing in Abuja, expressed regrets that the number of unemployed graduates.

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Jang expresses concern over bail for hardened criminals

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS – GOVERNOR Jonah Jang of Plateau State, has expressed concern over the rising crime wave in the country and the ease courts grant bail to hardened criminals, warning that such actions endanger the entire society.

He appealed to Judges to ensure criminals face justice, urging them to brace up as the 2015 elections approach to resolve election disputes so that nobody takes the law into his or her hands.

The governor spoke yesterday at the Government House, when he swore-in Justice Pius Damulak as the substantive Chief Judge of the State.

Jang called on the Chief Judge, Justice Damulak to discharge his responsibilities without fear or favour, remain patriotic and continue to put in his best for the State.

According to him, “It is with joy that I am exercising the power conferred on me by Section 271 sub-section 1 of the 1999 constitution as amended to swear in Hon. Justice Pius Damulak as the Chief Judge of Plateau State. However, I am concerned with the rise of crimes in the country. While the security agencies are doing their best to curtail this ugly development, I urge your leadership to ensure

that the criminals face justice.

We are concerned with the ease with which our courts grant bail to these hardened criminals, some of them serial offenders. These actions are

source of danger to the entire society.”

He noted the achievements recorded by the judiciary and charged the third arm of government to “live

above board” especially “as we approach the 2015 elections, the judiciary will again be called upon to play its traditional role to resolve election disputes.”

From left: Cluster Retail Head for FCT 3, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Mr. Inyang Aniedi, Branch Manager, Wuse 2, Mr. Ogazi Oseiza, a member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Babatunde Onadipe, and Coordinator, NYSC, Abuja, Mr. Enweonwu Azubike, at the NYSC Inter-platoon cultural event, in Abuja.

CIPM tasks FG on spate of crude oil theft B

ENIN CITY—THE Char tered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM, has raised alarm that the daily theft in the oil sector is affecting indigenous operators negatively.

It, therefore, urged the Federal Government to find solution to the problem to encourage Nigerians who invested in the oil sector.

Speaking during the Oil and Gas Sector Human Resource Forum with the theme: “Reshaping the Future of Oil and Gas Sector in Nigeria: The Entry of Indigenous Companies”, in Benin City, Mr. Alexus Akwukwaegbu, lamented that about one quarter of the nation’s daily oil production got missing, saying that while expatriates might endure the situation the indigenous investors could not.

He appealed to the Federal Government to assist indigenous companies in the sector by “giving indigenous operators incentives to refine crude oil and distribute or export the finished

Sen Adeyemi inaugurates annual bursary for students

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

OKOJA—SENATOR Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly yesterday inaugurated the committee for the annual Smart Adeyemi N10 million bursary awards for tertiary students.

Inaugurating the interim committee, Senator Adeyemi said the N10 million annual bursary would be awarded to 200 students from the senatorial axis.

Adeyemi who was represented by Chief Fehinti Dada said the 200 students would be picked from each wards of the seven local government areas that make up the senatorial axis.

He also said the first N10 million bursary would be distributed in mid-October this year to the 200 students in the tertiary institutions and charged the committee to ensure that the criterion use for the beneficiary students was devoid of political manipulation and reached those intended for.

2015: Hong promises to foster unity

By Umar Yusuf

products. That is to use the indigenous operators to fill the existing void for petroleum products. We must consume most of our products, that is the only way to develop, gen-

erate power and create jobs.

“Only Nigerians will develop Nigeria. We must prepare and empower our people by challenging their abilities in a tightly regulated

manner. Indigenous operators just like politicians will fail several times but they will also rise several times and become stable.

Sokoto youth leaders call for caution over govt borrowing

S

By Charles Kumolu

O K O T O — COALIATION of Sokoto State Youth and Students Leaders, CSYSL, has called on youths in the state to stop further protest against state government's plans to borrow money for developmental purposes, noting that the state is empowered by the law to borrow for such purpose.

It also described an earlier protest in the state as the handiwork of enemies of the government, advising that youths should avoid being used to achieve political ends.

This was disclosed in a statement by Messrs.

Kassim Nakura, Deputy Coordinator Zone A, National Association of Nigerian Students,NANS; Abdulrahaman Aliyu, General Coordinator, Coalition of Sokoto Youth Associations; Abubakar Salame, Vice President, North-West, National Youth Council; Abdulrahaman Bawa, Deputy Speaker Northern Youth Assembly and Suleiman Mamud, Youth Initiative for Development and Accountability.

The statement reads: ‘’It is surprising that some youths

are engaging in activities that are capable of tarnishing the image of Sokoto State over an issue that has constitutional backing. It is a known fact that constituted authorities are empowered by the law to borrow funds to finance developmental projects. And the Federal Government is the highest beneficiary of this constitutional backing.

We the authentic youths and students are calling on those that are not in the know of the position of the law, to desist from sponsored and stage-managed activities in the name of protest capable of breaching the peaceful atmosphere in the state.’’

Y

OLA—FORMER Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, has said his intention to join the gubernatorial race in Adamawa state on the platform of the PDP is to unite the various ethnic groups as a basis for social and economic development of the state.

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

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

According to him, Adamawa has never been so polarized as in the last regime.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 —47

Disgruntled politicians trying to blackmail Oshiomhole-led administration —Coalition

Estate owners in Lagos, Ogun reiterate belief in rule of law

M

B

ENIN CITY — COALITION for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, CGGEJA, has said it has uncovered plans by some disgruntled politicians to blackmail and ridicule the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in Edo State through paid demonstrations, protests and orchestrated media sympathies.

“This unfolding strategy is aimed at blackmailing the government to surrender and submit to their failures, self pity, underserved and inordinate requests”, the group’s Director of Planing and Strategy, Mr. Olushola Iyogun has said.

In a statement entitled: “Of Paid Demonstrations, Protests et al, Stop blackmailing Oshiomhole,” Iyogun said: “It is only in an open and civil government like in Edo State that you experience consistent and orchestrated protests to government and on the streets of Benin City and media houses by some disgruntled individuals who want to reap where and when they have not sowed.

"A case in point is the natural disaster in 2012 that affected part of Ogba Zoo, along Airport Road where a construction company engaged by the state government was blamed for it and subsequently demanded for over N80 million as compensation.

“We have also witnessed the foul cry of some who hide under the guise of NonGovernmental Organisations, NGOs, to blackmail government. It is only in Edo State you see people deliberately violating the law while absolving or abdicating themselves of their social responsibilities and thereby blame the dire consequences on government."

"Take for instance, the number of commuters driving against traffic lights and those who built their houses on natural water ways and moats.

People with big mansions without drainage facilities and persons who deliberately silt up drains must be ready to battle flood water whenever heaven opens up.

“I have traversed the entire length and breadth of Benin City and discovered to my chagrin that a most celebrated Benin chief with palatial residence to the full length of a street has no drainage facility in and around his house."

From left: Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, South Africa, Mr Mzwandile Masina; Chairman, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Foluso Phillips; and Head, Corporate Banking Coverage, Stanbic IBTC, Anton Marais, at the breakfast meeting of the NigeriaSouth Africa Chamber of Commerce, in Lagos.

NEMA raises alarm over increasing number of displaced persons

By Ndahai Marama

M

AIDUGURI — NATIONAL Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, yesterday raised alarm over increasing number of internally displaced persons, IDPs, at established camps in the North-East region of the country as insurgents continue to invade communities.

The agency said weekend’s insurgents attack on Madagali, Adamawa State, a town hosting many fleeing victims of insurgency from Gwoza town in Borno had led to another challenge for it.

The information officer of the agency in the North-East, Mallam AbdulKadir Ibrahim, who few days ago disclosed that it had

Nigeria needs N60bn for digital switchover — NBC

By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA — Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has said Nigeria needed between N60 billion and N80 billion to achieve full coverage of the country from analogue to digital broadcasting by June 17, 2015.

Director General of the commission, Dr. Emeka Mba, who disclosed this at an event to mark the 22nd anniversary of the commission in Abuja, said the amount was an estimated cost of procuring set up boxes and subsidy by Federal Government, and cost of buyback subsidy by broadcast stations, cost television stations would incur on publicity of the process among other cost required to achieve the ITU dateline.

The International Telecommunications Union, ITU, gave June 17, 2015 as dateline for all countries across the globe to switch over all their broadcasting communications from analogue to digital platform.

According to him, the estimated cost is nothing to worry about if Nigeria is committed to meeting the

transition target, especially when compared to countries like United Kingdom and United States that spent £1 billion and $40 million respectively as well as France that also spent about two billion Euros.

He said Nigeria needed a minimum of 40 million Set Up Boxes to key fully into the transition programme, which he said could create jobs for millions of youths if Nigeria could assemble the equipment locally.

registered about 12,000 IDPs in neighbouring towns to Gwoza as a result of the attack on the town, lamented that NEMA was faced with another challenge of establishing other IDPs camps as a result of the attack on Madagali.

Ibrahim, who said the NorthEast zonal office of NEMA had continued to assist victims of insurgents attacks from Gwoza local government presently taking refuge in different IDPs camps in Adamawa State, said all that was needed to cater for the growing challenge would be deployed for the use of the victims.

According to him, presently a team led by the North-East zonal coordinator of the agency, Alhaji Muhammed Kanar, had taken charge of the humanitarian situation in the affected areas.

Ibrahim said the team had established a mobile unit having relocated from the Maiduguri zonal office over five days ago, had been on hands, delivering relief materials to the fleeing residents of Gwoza town at various IDPs camps both in Borno and Adamawa states.

EMBERS of Association of Land and Estate Owners, ALEO, in Lagos and Ogun States, have reiterated their belief in present democratic dispensation and support for the rule of law.

President of ALEO, Chief Mutairu Owoeye, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, urged his members not to do anything outside the law.

Owoeye, who is also the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Mutairu Owoeye & Company Ltd, an estate agency, said the clarification became necessary following a recent publication linking him and some members of the association to certain acts in 14 communities within Lagos-Ogun boundary in the outskirts of Ikorodu.

Owoeye said: “Ordinarily, I don’t join issues with people on the pages of newspapers, but I am now forced to put the records straight. A group of hoodlums invaded Oke-Agbo community early this year and sacked the entire community.

"As law-abiding citizens, we wrote to the Inspect-General of Police to intervene, consequent upon which the police boss sent a crack team of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, from Abuja, which stormed the area and arrested six of the hoodlums with guns and other offensive weapons.

Owoeye said since then, peace returned to Oke-Agbo and the adjourning villages, following which the residents wrote a letter of appreciation to the police boss in April and the content of the letter was widely reported by the media.

The Baale of Oke-Agbo community, Chief Jimoh Ashafa, speaking on behalf of Adeboyejo Olutusen descendants, denied any form of break-down of law and order in Oke-Agbo and its environ.

Newly constructed Protea Hotel Ikeja opens for business

T

HE new 117-room Protea Hotel Select Ikeja, Lagos has been opened for operations in the up-market Lagos suburb of Ikeja.

The internationally hotel is just a stone’s throw from Ikeja City Mall and Lagos State Secretariat, and 5.2km from Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Speaking, President and Managing Director of the Middle East and Africa of Marriott International Inc., Alex Kyriakidis said: “Marriott International’s fast growing footprint across the

Middle East and Africa is a response to the potential we continue to observe in the region.

"At present we are seeing strong GDP growth across SubSaharan Africa which translates into opportunity for our industry.

Nigeria is one of our key markets and presents tremendous opportunity for us with the existing hotels we have in Lagos, as well as the strong pipeline of hotels that are coming up by 2018.”

According to the hotel’s

Director of Sales, Marketing and Revenue, Danny Bryer, Nigeria’s rapidly growing economy prompted the need for more hotels, noting: “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy with numerous industries supporting ongoing economic expansion.

"We consider Nigeria to be one of our most important development markets and we’d like to at least double the number of Protea Hotels here in the next five years. We have absolutely no doubt that the hotel will be running at close to capacity within a couple of months.”

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

RECEPTION: From left; GMD/CEO, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex LITERARY EVENING: From left; Chief Odein Ajumogobia, former Foreign Affairs Otti; PDP governorship aspirant, Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill Minister; Chimamanda Adichie; Mr Nicolaus Verlverde, MD, Nigerian Breweries Plc, NB and former Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Plc; Mr Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State and Mr Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Timi Alaibe, during the wedding reception of Ifie Sekibo's daughter, Dorcas Affairs Adviser, NB Plc during the Nigerian Breweries/Farafina Literary Evening in Lagos. held at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

AWANKERE FESTIVAL: From left: Chief Joseph Popo; Chief S. Irone; Chief Kofi Kartey, the Olare-Aja of Okere; Ogieboro E. F. Esisi; Chief Ayirimi Emami and Oscar Nze of MTN Nigeria during the Grand Finale of the 517th Edition of the Annual Awankere Festival of Okere Community held at the Okere Market Square, Warri, Delta State, weekend.

VISIT: President, Chartered Institute of Administration, Dr Gaddy Idaminabo (left) being decorated by President, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, NIMN, Mr Ganiyu Koledoye during a courtesy visit by the Chartered Institute of Administration to NIMN corporate office, in Lagos.

INSPECTION: From left; Rotn Ijeoma Nwosu, Vice President; Rotn Chinedu Uche-Ukah, President, Rotary Club of Ojodu; and Rotn Dele Balogun, District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110 inspecting renovation of Ojodu-Abiodu Health Centre and its facilities by Rotary Club of Ojodu, Lagos.

CONDOLENCE: Godsday Orubebe, Delta State governorship hopeful signing the condolence register INTERACTIVE SESSION: Chris Willcocks, Director, Cloud of late Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd), President General, and Line of Business Africa of SAP (left) and Julie Tregurtha, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU at Adagbrasa in Okpe Head of D&T and Mobility Sales, Southern Africa of SAP at an interactive session with newsmen in Johannesburg, South L.G.A, Delta State at the weekend.

Africa, where SAP announced $500 million to accelerate innovation and growth in Africa. Photo by Emeka Aginam. ( R I G H T ) OBSEQUIES: From left; (back row) Mr M.B.S Arole; Hon. O. M. Jokomba; Dr. H.A. Abdul Razzaq; Engr. L. A. Somide; Pa J.K. Osinnowo and Mr. Dipo Arigbeola during their visit to condole with Olori Muyibat Oyefusi, the widow of Late Ayangburen of RECEPTION: Group MD/CEO of BGL Group and President, Chartered Ikorodu, Oba Institute of Stockbrokers, Mr Albert Okumagba, exchanging pleasantries s a l a u d e e n in with member, Board of Trustees of O Trafford Squash Club (OTSC), Oyefusi Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr Tunji Olaniyi, as Group MD/CEO of UAC of Nigeria Ikorodu. Photo Plc, who is also President of National Employers Consultative Association, by Shola Oyelese Mr Larry Ettah, watches at a reception held in honour of OTSC members.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 49

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No apology to APC decampees — Oshiomhole

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that he has no apology to tender to those who decamped from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, adding that he will never share the state resources, meant for development to satisfy few leaders.

Speaking at the presentation of staff of office to Alhaji Jackson Etokhana, as the Oghieavhianwu of Avhianwu, the governor urged the new royal father to educate his people to distinguish and support only politicians, who stand for the interest of the larger family, rather than personal interest or the interest of their immediate family.

He said: “We must use every opportunity to educate our people. I am not asking you to carry party cards, I only ask you and your chiefs to educate our people to distinguish politicians, who will stand only when it is good for their family, not when it is good for the larger community.

“I want it to be said that when I left office, our people started distinguishing thieves from real politicians. Our people must learn to begin to interrogate all manners

of political miscreants, who come wanting to cash in on the poverty of our people. I always say that to be poor is not to be crazy, so we must be clear.

“So those who decamped because I did not put money in their pockets, let them continue to decamp; I have no apology for them and everybody will be remembered when they write the

history of politics in Afemai land.

"Those who called for Afemai Agenda, believing that when an Afemai man becomes the governor, he will carry state money and share to them; and once they do not get it, they abandon Afemai Agenda and now they have turned only to the agenda of their stomach infrastructure.”

In a welcome address, HRH Etokhana thanked the governor for finding time to personally honour the people of Avhianwu with his presence.

He said: “I see my installation as a call to complement the laudable efforts of our governor at bringing peace and development to the people of Avhianwu and Edo State in general.”

PRESENTATION: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State presents staff of office to Alhaji Jackson Etokhana, the Oghieavhianwu of Avhianwu, at his installation ceremony, weekend.

2015: Urhobo elders pick Gbagi

By Emma Amaize

M

OSOGAR — PEOPLE Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta State, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has urged the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the umbrella body of the Urhobo ethnic nationality in the state, not make the blunder of choosing a wrong governorship flag bearer for the 2015 poll.

Meanwhile, the Urhobo Elders and Leaders Council, UELC, in Delta State, has chosen Gbagi, as the most competent governorship candidate to rule the state in 2015.

President-General of the group, Chief Cyprian Onephrejiere, said “In all ramification, Olorogun Gbagi towers above all the persons parading the scene today as governorship aspirants in the three senatorial districts based on pedigree and proven performance.”

Speaking during a consultative visit of Gbagi to the council in Effurun, Onephrejiere said “We will not the mistake of the past by supporting a wrong candidate. I also challenge anybody or group(s) that believe there is a better candidate than Gbagi to present him/her to Deltans.”

Gbagi, who spoke separately at Mosogar, Ethiope-West Local Government Area, when he paid a condolence visit to the acting

President-General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, on the passage of the President General, Major General Patrick Aziza, (rtd), described Aziza as a selfless and devoted Urhobo leader, who wanted the ethnic group to produce the next governor of the

state.

“Urhobo nation is at a crossroad, we will not be talking about governor in 2015 if we make a mistake in choosing a flag bearer. So I am calling on UPU not to make a mistake because if you the make mistake, we are

gone.

“It is the duty of UPU to ask questions and find out who the aspirants really are despite the facade they are presenting; you have the right to ask the security agencies questions on the aspirants.

Over 300 ex-militants to stage counter measures against NEF

B

OMADI — OVER 300 phase three ex-militants from Delta, Edo and Ondo states, have vowed to match words with actions against Northern Elders Forum, NEF, following its issuance of October 2014 ultimatum to President Goodluck Jonathan to secure the release of the abducted Chibok girls or forget his 2015 ambition.

The ex-warlords, who spoke at Bomadi Delta State, described the purported publication by NEF as provocative, unbecoming, and a smear campaign, adding that neither the NEF nor a segment of the country can decide the fate of Mr. President come 2015.

The chairman, Delta phase three amnesty programme, Mr. Preye Ekpebide, who led the exmilitants alleged that NEF was behind the abduction of the Chibok girls and was using the insurgents, who are committing havoc in the North East as their foot soldiers.

Ekpebide warned NEF to desist from using the Chibok girls as bait to negotiate Jonathan out of the 2015 polls.

Keep peace in Ndokwa nation, lawmaker urges youths

By Festus Ahon

U

GHELLI — THE Deputy Chief Whip of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has emphasised the need for youths of Ndokwa nation to continue to maintain the peace and shun any form of violence that could portray the area in bad light.

He assured them of continued empowerment, calling on the youths to put the collective interest of the area above their personal and selfish gains in order to enhance the unity and development of the people.

Osanebi gave the assurance while presenting 10 ladies' motorcycles, four Mitsubishi L 300 buses and a Toyota Camry as well as an Infinity Jeep to some youth leaders drawn from Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East and Ukwuani Local Government Areas at Ushie.

The lawmaker, representing

Ndokwa East constituency, said the unity of Ndokwa nation should be paramount to all, noting that “Ndokwa youths are peace loving people and you know no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence.”

He commended the youths for their support to him and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, adding that they should not mortgage their conscience and the collective interest of Ndokwa nation for any

reason.

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Community alleges gradual extinction by oil coy's activities

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI — COASTAL Polobubou (Tsekelewu) people of Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State have appealed to the Federal and state governments to save their community from extinction, arising from devastating oil and gas activities of multi-naionals.

In a Save Our Soul, SOS, by the Polobubou National Council, PNC, Chairman, Chief Ebilate Mac-Yororki to the

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the communities accused Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, of allegedly killing the aquatic lives and vegetations, which, they said they depend on for survival.

He said: “The communities original fresh water swamp with different types of economic trees for lumbering, canoe carving, boat building and other purposes are now left with only Atlantic Ocean grasses due to oil activities and opening up of the communities to the Atlantic

Ocean, and saline water , turning it to a mangrove swamp.

“Currently, there are no trees, rivers and creeks due to the continual siltation of the environment. The peak of the dry season (January to March), no engine-powered craft can ply the water-ways. The opening of the communities to the Atlantic Ocean by Chevron in the 70's was vehemently opposed by the indigenes, which led to the arrest and detention of our people, until the canalisation was completed."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 55

56—Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Delta communities shut Erhoike flow station

By Austin Ogwuda

By Egufe Yafugborhi & Akpokona Omafuaire

A

W

ARRI—INDIGENES of Orogun Oil and Gas Communities in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, shut productions at Erhoike Flow Station, operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC. The shutdown of the flow station due to a protest by the host communities, led to an estimated 44, 880 barrels per day crude oil production valued at over N1.8 billion per day in the international oil market shut in.

Mr. Morris Idiowa, leader of the Federated Communities, told Vanguard that over 2,000 women, youths and men from the 12 Orogun communities came out as early as 6a.m., moved into the Erhoike Flow Station and ensured that all the workers were evicted and oil operations grounded before laying siege to the facility.

Defending their actions, Idiowa, said “For over 50 years, Shell Petroleum Development Company has been marginalising host Orogun communities on this facility. When Shell divested to NPDC, the communities were not involved.

They wrote letters calling for communities’ representation. The

MEDIA CHAT: From left; Ufuoma Ogeleke, Marketing Coordinator, Domino's Pizza; Obianuju Abah of Cold Stone Creamery and Chidi Akuduiro, Account Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company at a media chat to unveil the new Domino Pizza/Cold Stone Creamery outlet in Lekki Phase 2, Lagos.

next minute we saw publications that Shell had divested to NPDC. “Since then, none of the women, youths and men you see here have had a single management slot or unskilled worker engaged by NPDC and Shoreline, yet this Flow Station is tied to over 42 oil wells. In January, NPDC made a publication rating this Flow Station second highest producing in the whole of Delta Central under OML 30.

Despite that, the communities are extremely poor.

“In the whole of Orogun, there is no health care facility. Our market is terrible. Women, youths, community leaders are extremely marginalised. We have said to Shoreline, NPDC, if they cannot meet our demands, they should leave our land. They must renew all rents and leases; give us a percentage of production. We are ready to defend our rights, and resources with the last drop of our

blood till the issues are resolved.”

Mrs. Mary Obuko, Women Leader of the communities, said “When NPDC was taking over the mess SPDC left the community in 2013, they said they were aware of the issues and promised to remedy them. After six months, they came up with quick win projects. They made our people borrow money.

They have not paid for the project as promised. They turned it kill quick project.”

AKHA not in supremacy battle with Akpabio — SPEAKER

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—SPEAKER, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Samuel Ikon, yesterday, said the fifth Assembly was not in any supremacy battle with Governor Godswill Akpabio and therefore, will not succumb to pressures by critics aimed at putting the House on collision course with the governor.

Ikon, who briefed newsmen as part of activities to mark the beginning of the 2014/2015 legislative year, flayed critics who have always described the fifth Assembly as ‘rubber stamp.’

He explained that people should not expect the House to always oppose policies and decisions of the executive as a way of proving that it was truly independent of the governor, noting that fights that exits between the legislature and the executive were usually unhealthy for democracy and the general good of Nigerians and Akwa Ibom people in particular.

“Such fights are meant to achieve personal political interest but for the interest and general interest of the people. The fifth Assembly will continue to bury

‘Uduaghan has not anointed anyone'

parochial political interest and work for the good of the people.”

Ikon, who is also the Chairman Speakers Conference of Nigeria, noted that in the last legislative

session, that seven bills were passed into law in addition to resolutions by the House under his administration.

The Speaker added that the

Assembly had interfaced with relevant government organs to ensure that their was security in the 31 local government areas of the state.

2015: Anioma Agenda gives conditions to guber aspirants

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—THE Anioma Agenda, a political pressure group in the North senatorial district of Delta State has announced an 11-point benchmark for those seeking to govern the state in 2015.

Chairman of the group, Mr. Alex Owuuadiamu, presented the conditions at interactive meeting with a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant, Chief Johnson Ossai-Opone.

According to Anioma Agenda, the prospective governor shall

Delta guber: Group roots for Okubor

T

HE Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, Dr. Festus Okubor, has been called upon to run for the governorship election in the state.

The Delta Oshobe 2015 Group, at the inaugural meeting of delegates from the 25 local government areas of the state at the country home of Chief Olori Magege, said “The delegates from 25 councils of Delta State

after a painstaking and exhaustive deliberation hereby unequivocally resolve upon reading the impeccable profile of Dr. Okubor and in recognition of his sterling record as a public servant in various capacities in the state since 1999 to date, hereby resolved that a team of Delta Oshobe 2015 representing all the councils be sent to Dr. Okubor to demand of him to declare for the next year governorship race for

possess cognate experience of at least 10 years in the public, private or professional service endeavour, a proven record as well as an untainted credibility and integrity record.

The aspirant is also expected to possess an appreciable network of support from critical stakeholders nationally, locally and essentially at the state level, as well as demonstrable leadership traits.

He noted that with the declaration of interest by Chief Ossai-Opone, the race for the 2015 governorship in the state had just begun, adding that Delta North was in search of a credible leader like the former premier of the defunct Midwest region, Chief Dennis Osadebey, who built the Asaba Textile Mill, Ughelli Glass Factory and Okpella Cement factory in Edo State.

SABA—AMIDST speculation that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State might have ‘anointed’ one of his aides from Anioma axis to become the next governor, the state Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, yesterday, said “it is untrue that the governor has adopted anyone.”

Nwaoboshi who spoke in Asaba to Vanguard, said “It is quite unfortunate that the rumour is moving like wild fire. But let me tell you, people should stop using the governor’s name.

“I speak to you authoritatively as the Chairman of this party that the governor has not adopted anybody. Let nobody be deceived. I have been receiving calls from people seeking to know whether it was true or not. I speak with the governor regularly and he had not told me he has endorsed anybody for the governorship. He insisted he has not adopted anyone.

He gave me that assurance."

Navy intercepts vessel laden with N28.8m illegally refined AGO

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE Nigerian Navy Central Naval Command, CNC, yesterday intercepted a locally-made vessel, MV MERCY with suspected illegally refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO, worth N28.8 million.

It was learnt that the vessel, which was arrested by a naval patrol boat on the Furopa waterways in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State had seven suspected oil thieves on board.

The product, said to be 180,000 litres, was valued at N28.8m.

The suspects, vessel and substance were handed over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for further investigation and prosecution.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 57

How weak institutions and undue smartness confuse the public

By Sopuru Uwadiegwu

By Ebomhiana Musa

F

OR most locals in his na tive Iyamoh village, a Saturday offers an opportunity to take a break from their agrarian occupation and enjoy the thrills weekend brings. But for the visiting Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, all days are the same, insofar there is still work to be done to “take Edo to the next level.”

So, penultimate Saturday (August 16), the visiting homeboy was in his usual elements.

Though he was supposed to be “home for the weekend,” the Edo governor chose instead to go out and inspect a number of ongoing projects in the Edo North axis. After sweating it out all day on the field, the “People’s Governor” later returned home for a shower and deserved rest. But if he ever thought sunset would, as usual, be spent quietly in the midst of close family members and associates in the garden amid folksy jokes, how mistaken he was.

For no sooner had the otherwise sharp-witted Edo governor stepped into the patio in the garden in a striped T-Shirt and trousers than he came to appreciate the length of the web of “conspiracy” cleverly woven around him in the past few days, masterminded by no other than his visiting first daughter (Winnie), aided and abetted by his CSO (Chief Security Officer), Yussuf Haruna and Chief Tony

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole the execution of the “coup” was her younger sister, Jane. To stop the secret from leaking, Winnie and other conspirators had opted to send the invite to the occasion discreetly. Those invited were tipped off barely 24 hours to the event and told to keep it secret for obvious reasons. The short notice notwithstanding, the roll-call at Iyamoh was very impressive. From serving commissioners in Edo State to the Chairman of the State Revenue Service, Chief Oseni Elamah, to Nosa Meggison (who represented the “Lagos gang”).

From Mr. Mujahideen Dako, the governor’s childhood friend, to Elder Nureen Etameso (a pharmacist), who spoke on behalf on the extended Oshiomhole clan.

Indeed, it turned out a remark-

,

,

Winnie has always made me proud right from her childhood. I am proud of her accomplishment in her chosen career

Ezekiel. Waiting out there to receive the man popularly called “Oshio Baba” tonight was not the regular members of the “inner circle”, but a motley crowd of members of the extended family, childhood friends, political associates and a few others the “conspiratorial gang” thought mean a lot to the governor. Obviously taken aback by the sheer size of the gathering, the Comrade Governor exclaimed, “Oh my God!,” his mouth wide open in bewilderment. Without addressing anyone in particular, he continued: “You guys have really made a big fool of me. Can someone tell me what’s going on and who is behind all this?”

Instinctively, the crowd burst into a good-natured laughter at the Comrade Governor’s expense. Lo and behold, forward stepped petite-framed Winnie: “Daddy, I’m glad we got you flatfooted for once. It is meant to be a surprise party in your honour for being a great dad. My siblings and I agreed on this. I’m sure if I had consulted you before hand you would not have approved of it or at best, you would have found an excuse to escape from Edo State today.”

On hand to assist Winnie in

able evening of sweet speeches and outpouring of emotions spiced with choice wine and the best of African cuisine. The select guests took turn to eulogize the comrade for his exemplary sacrifice, giving the children the best in terms of education and instilling in them good values.

Today, they are the pride of the family and the society.

In her welcome address, 33year-old Winnie (Mrs. Owumi) said it all: “Daddy, this is just a token to appreciate all you have done for us your children. Right from our childhood, you taught us to always remember the daughter and son of who we are.

Your total commitment to labour activism over the years meant you were never at home all the time.

But the moments you spent with us were always fantastic. You taught us to believe in ourselves, to believe what will last is that which we labour for, not what we inherited.”

And then Winnie’s shocker: “Dad, I recall that despite being your favourite child when I was growing up, you still beat me with cane whenever I d i d a n y t h i n g naughty. Whatever I am today or whatever modest academic

achievement I claim today, I owe it to the solid home training you and our late mom gave us.”

Indeed, the riveting story of “Governor Oshiomhole, the good father” could in a way also be taken as a report on “Winnie, the usual prodigy”. Though she came tops in the entrance examination to the Air Force Girls Secondary School, Jos in 1992, she was denied admission because of “quota system”.

Recalling her graduation day at Lewis University, the proud dad said: “When Winnie’s name was announced as overall best graduating student, I really felt like a giant even though I have a small frame.” Her exceptional academic performance earned a place at the prestigious Stanford University, United States where she later bagged a Doctor of Medicine degree in June 2006.

Thereafter, she undertook general surgery residency, after which she decided to specialize in Urology with a fellowship/subspecialization in Paediatric Urology.

Tonight, amid the chirping of birds on the trees surrounding the garden and gurgling of a nearby stream, speaker after speaker poured encomiums on Winnie for making the family and indeed Nigeria proud in faraway USA. The climax was when the Comrade Governor himself took the floor to give a testimony. With thick-drawn breath of emotion, he said his only regret was that his wife and mother of Winnie was not alive to witness an occasion like this. A minute silence was earlier observed in her honour.

He continued: “Winnie has always made me proud right from her childhood. I am proud of her accomplishment in her chosen career. For me, what Winnie has also demonstrated is that you don’t favour or disfavour a child based on sex. As parents, we should all endeavor to give the girl child the same treatment we give the male child.”

He described her as exceptionally forthright and humble: “Even today, she doesn’t go about throwing her weight around as a governor’s daughter unlike what the average lady

ULES and principles are meant to help man maintain sanity and ensure civil behaviour. This is made very important because behavioural scientists posit that without order, human beings, the animal called man becomes bestial, in fact, nothing short of a real beast. Look at the simple example of dressing. Human beings dress for the public not for individual selves or even the family. The Bible account of the origin of man has it that Adam was without clothing and had no shame, even in the company of his wife, Eve. God only made clothes for them when they fell from grace.

So, what is the place of this in marketing or in other areas of human endeavours? People who dress properly are admired while those who dress indecently are abhorred. The larger segment of the society tows this line. Often, when the culprits of indecent dressing or exposure are encountered, their defence is that they are only ‘marketing’ themselves. If you’ve got it flaunt it, some dare say! At product levels, every marketer knows the importance of packaging in earning “mind share” and consequently, “pocket share”. Consumers are naturally attracted to products in tune with the level of packaging. This Manufacturers must explains the great understand that pains taken by marketers to packaging and marketing package their must be done fairly p r o d u c t s attractively in a way that has Nigeria? Maybe an example formed an integral part of the will drive the point home branding process of leading clearly. I have noticed that companies today. What laws or Guinness Nigeria Plc, probably codes govern dressing, motivated by patriotic zeal or packaging or branding? desire to support a good cause Nation states are not rigid on entered into a sponsorship dressing, as it remains without agreement with the Nigerian written codes, except the few that Football Federation (NFF) but do this for religious reasons. that enviable right which must Other countries refrain from have cost a fortune (going by imposing rigid codes on citizens what other private companies because dressing is considered like Globacom, which is equally a basic human right. But that can a sponsor of the NFF but which scarcely be said of product may not be subject to disclosure packaging as they are made for requirements applicable to public consumption. The listed companies like Guinness marketplace is also a place of Nigeria have disclosed in the competition, and must be made media) is now being healthy by regulation or control. increasingly encroached upon Manufacturers must understand by a competitor, which has that packaging and marketing latched on perceived yawning must be done fairly, so as not to gaps in marketing and dupe consumers by deception or advertising regulations in defraud competitors by pass-offs Nigeria to usurp this and pirate marketing. This is marketing space while those probably why every aspect of saddled with the duty of marketing has a regulator to protecting legal marketing moderate the war between efforts, turn a blind eye. I have competitors. Sadly in marketing, waited this long in vain for as in many other human those saddled with the endeavours, written laws are responsibility of regulating the never sufficient as there is always marketing (advertising in a way for smart marketers to particular) in Nigeria to speak outwit the regulators in the up against an anomaly that has promotion of selfish business seen one company engage interests.I have to lay emphasis professionally with the NFF in on the fact that without the sponsorship of the Super regulations or laws, human Eagles while a direct beings are likely to degenerate competitor violates this to beastly behaviours. Nigeria contractual arrangement. with her abundant human and •Uwadiegwu writes from natural resources has numerous Ikeja, Lagos

,

The Adams Oshiomhole you don't know

R

regulators to ensure that packaging and marketing (dressing of products and brands) are done decently. So when blatant pass-offs show up in the marketplace, it propels the same ill-feelings as an individual violating the decent dressing code, though it might not have been enshrined in existing regulations! It is always written in the minds of the public. That marketers are desperate to sell their goods, commodities or brands is not in doubt, but should this lead to unethical things? And if they do, should the authorities condone them?

I admit that what constitutes ethical and unethical vary from person to person or even scenario to scenario. However, it must be noted that safety is one of the primary roles of nation states and countries able to provide security for individual and corporate bodies make faster progress on the path of economic growth.

International investors are always weighing up domestic investment climate before reaching investment decisions.

This is probably why Nigeria has set up an investment promotion council to try to convince investors that things will be done right and their investments adequately protected. To what extent are investments being protected in

,

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

BRIEFS We’ ll cooperate with UN to fight ISIS — Syria

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HE Syrian regime says it’s ready to accept sup port from the United States and others working under the U.N. umbrella to fight “terrorists.”

The comments, by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem, were made Monday as ISIS fighters seized control of a strategically important air base in the country.

The war-racked nation has been losing control of the northeastern region to ISIS militants.

Moallem, however, warned against any unilateral action or strikes in Syrian territory without permission.

“Any effort to fight terrorism should be done in coordination with Syrian government,” Moallem said.

Japan ready to offer drug for Ebola

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•Michael Brown’s parents (far left and right) at Brown's funeral yesterday in Ferguson.

Murdered black teenager buried in US •As victim’s father appeals for calm

T

HE funeral of the black teenager who was shot dead by a white police officer in Ferguson is under way in a calm atmosphere after weeks of unrest.

Mourners sang,

clapped and danced on Monday at funeral services for Michael Brown, remembering him with words of goodwill and joy rather than the violence and outrage that followed his killing.

Brown’s body lay at the Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church in a black and gold casket, topped with the St Louis Cardinals baseball cap he was wearing when he was killed on August 9 in Fer-

guson, Missouri.

As hundreds of people filed into the modern redbrick church on Dr Martin Luther King Drive in St Louis, Brown’s coffin was surrounded by photos of him as a child, graduating from school and smiling in his Cardinals cap.

“There are no goodbyes for us, wherever you are you will always be in our hearts,” read a sign accompanying one of the photos.

Brown’s father made an appeal for calm on the eve of the services.

“All I want is peace while we lay our son to rest. Please, that’s all I ask,” said Michael Brown Sr, the father of the victim, on Sunday at a rally against police violence.

On Monday morning the city of Ferguson showed no signs of unrest. Children went back to schools for the first time since their classes got delayed from last week out of concern for student’s safety.

However, authorities remained braced for a possible flare-up around the funeral with the state of emergency remaining in effect, although clashes between protesters and police had significantly decreased by midweek and the National Guard began a gradual withdrawal from the St Louis suburb on Friday.

For well over a week, authorities had arrested dozens nightly in clashes with demonstrators, drawing attention to oftentroubled US race relations.

APAN said it is ready to provide a Japanesedeveloped anti-influenza drug as potential treatment to fight the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters on Monday that Tokyo can offer the tablet favipiravir, developed by a subsidiary of Fujifilm, any time at the request of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Suga said Japan is watching for the WHO’s decision on further details over the use of untested drugs, the AFP news agency reported.

In case of an emergency, Japan may respond to individual requests before any further decision by the WHO, he said.The WHO said earlier this month that it is ethical to use untested drugs on Ebola patients given the magnitude of the outbreak.

Prisoners beheaded in Brazil jail riot

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NMATES rioting for better facilities in a Brazil ian jail have killed four fellow prisoners, decapitating two of them, and have taken two guards hostage, officials have said.

Elson Faxina, a state judicial spokesman, said on Sunday that negotiations to resolve the standoff were to resume on Monday, with 60 percent of the jail still under inmate control overnight.

“A group of prisoners took six inmates hostage; they killed four and have injured two. They also took hostage two guards,” said Faxina. “Their demands are about facilities; it is an older building and they want food brought in.”

Libya’s outgoing parliament elects PM

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IBYA’S outgoing parliament, the General Na tional Congress (GNC), has appointed a new prime minister in a move set to deepen the country’s political split as warring factions vie for control of the country.

The •GNC reconvened unilaterally on Monday in Tripoli and elected Islamist-backed Omar alHassi as prime minister, a parliamentary spokesman told the Reuters news agency.

The GNC said it replaced the House of Representatives (HoR), and tasked al-Hassi, a lecturer in political science at the University of Benghazi, with forming a “salvation government”.

South Sudan rivals sign new ceasefire deal

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OUTH Sudan’s warring leaders have signed a fresh ceasefire deal vowing to end more than eight months of conflict, according to mediators who threatened sanctions should the agreement fail once again.

East Africa’s regional IGAD bloc, which mediated the talks between President Salva Kiir and his sacked deputy Riek Machar, called on the leaders to forge a unity government within 45 days. Thousands of people have been killed and more than 1.8 million have fled civil war sparked by a power struggle between Kiir and Machar, who met on Monday for the first time in more than two months.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 59

NFF fire report ready next week – Fire Service boss

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

football politicians continue to jostle for who controls the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Federal Fire Service yesterday said the report of its investigation of last week’s fire incident that gutted the secretariat of the football house will be ready next week.

Assistant Controller General, Toyo Peter Adeoye who made the assurance in a chat with journalists in Abuja after he led a team of fire officers to inspect the scene said that his department would not leave any stone unturned in its quest to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the fire.

He said that despite the fact that not much has been heard since the incident, his agency has S

of the NFF to clean up the place, their investigations will not in any way be hampered. He advised members of the public to be patient with the investigators.

Keshi

Continues from BP

Federation stalled would, afterall, lead the Eagles to prosecute the two matches.

The agent of Stephen Keshi has claimed the coach has reached an agreement with the Sports Minister, Dr Tammy Danagogo to handle the Super Eagles next month so as to avert “a disaster”.

Nigeria host Congo on September 6 in Calabar and then face South Africa four days later in Cape Town.

Keshi’s manager Emmanuel Ado revealed that his brother has agreed to an appeal from the federal government to return to his post to avert “disaster ” in these matches while contract talks continue.

Talks with Keshi’s agents were at an advanced stage, but have stalled no thanks to the leadership tussle that has bedeviled Nigerian football in the last four weeks.

“I want to announce that we have reached an agreement between Keshi and the minister of sports,” Ado told AfricanFootball.com.

“The agreement is all about Nigeria. And as a patriotic Nigerian, Keshi has no choice than to answer to the appeal of Mr President.

“Talks will resume after the two matches, but my client and brother has agreed to take charge of the games, so as to avert any form of disaster.”

Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo has not hidden his

T

HE Nigeria O l y m p i c Committee (NOC) has congratulated the Falconets for emerging the second best team at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which ended weekend in Canada.

In an exciting and dramatic final match held at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Germany defeated the Falconets 1-0 after extra time, with the Falconets missing many scoring chances to have put the match to rest in regulation time. They had the best chances of the night but strangely

failed to convert them, with tournament leading scorer Asisat Oshoala being the worst culprit.

And reacting to their loss yesterday, the President of the NOC, Engr. Sani M. Ndanusa said that the Falconets gave a very good and justified account of themselves in the tournament.

Hailing the girls for their valiant fight to win the title, Ndanusa said that the team can hold their heads high given that they were not disgraced by eventual winners Germany but only lost due to a stroke of ill-luck.

CR tops medal table in NDDC athletics championship

•Burnt NFF building continued to carry out series of investigations since then.

Adeoye added that notwithstanding the hasty hiring of an industrial cleaning outfit by the leadership

NOC hails Falconets for winning silver

preference for the 52year-old Keshi to continue as Nigeria coach after he guided the Super Eagles to the knockout stage of the World Cup in Brazil.

However, the General Assembly of the NFF holding today in Abuja is expected to deliberate on the coach’s future with the team.

There are strong indications that a majority of the 44-man congress would rather vote for an interim coach and allow the incoming executive committee to make the final decision on who handles the African champions.

Elections into the executive committee are expected to be conducted within a fortnight in Warri, Delta State.

“We are still investigating and we cannot come out with any statement for now.

There are a lot of factors involved, but I cannot tell you what the factors are for now because we are still investigating”.

T

•Imoke

Falconets Continues from BP told Fifa.com Dedevbo praised his wards for making it to the final of the tournament in the face of other good teams in the championship, but bemoans their poor finishing that would have made them champions.

“There are lots of good teams in this tournament who crashed out earlier than us, whereas Nigeria - not generally seen as the best - made it all the way to the final,” he added.

“Today, we had enough opportunities to win this match in the first half alone. But while we had chances we didn’t take them, Germany had one chance and took it.

That’s the nature of football.

“We had a great opportunity to win a World Cup with the chances we had in the first half, but we threw that chance away. Be that as it may, we did our best to redeem Nigeria’s image.”

The Coach, though, insist his girls will be better off in the future due to the experience of losing to the Germans and he will point out where they lost it to them once they get over the shock of losing the final.

“I haven’t spoken to my players yet as I don’t want to say the wrong thing to them now. But I will talk to them tomorrow once everything is calm and get through the message I want to put across,” concluded Dedevdo.

HE 4th Cross River/Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC South-South All Comers Athletics Championships has ended in Calabar with team Cross River topping the medals table with a total of 122 medals.

Rivers State took the second position with 43 medals while Delta State came 3rd with a total of 49 medals in the 3-day athletics championship.

Declaring the championship closed, the State Commissioner for Youth & Sports Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe commended the Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke for initiating the Comprehensive Sports Programme which has afforded a platform for the athletes to perform this feat.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Egwu Egeh expressed appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission, co-sponsors of the championship for their support to the initiative and called on other corporate organizations to emulate them.

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

Liverpool sign Balotelli M

ARIO Balotelli has completed his £16m move to Liverpool subject to registration with the Premier League.

Balotelli underwent a medical over the weekend and came through that before penning a three-year contract.

He will earn around £80,000-a-week but that wage packet will be topped up by £2m-ayear if he does not break any rules surrounding his contract.

Balotelli underwent a medical over the weekend and came through that before penning a three-year contract.

He trained at Liverpool’s Melwood base yesterday for the first time.

Liverpool should complete the registration of the player today.

R

• YOU WON'T WALK ALONE... Balotelli displays his Liverpool jersey

...vows to win Champions League M

ARIO Balotelli has set his sights on winning the Champions League with Liverpool after completing his £16 million move to Merseyside from AC Milan.

"We will see. I want to win another Champions League for sure, because the Champions League [with Inter] wasn’t all mine, I was in a team. I want to take this team to the Champions League.”

ONNY Deila claims taking Celtic into the Champions League would be like “Christmas and New Year” rolled into one.

The Scottish champions appear to be in the box seat after their 1-1 draw with Maribor in the first-leg of their play-off in Slovenia last week.

Speaking at the club’s training complex in Lennoxtown ahead of the return game at Parkhead tonight, the Norwegian described his feeling about the possibility of taking the final step into the lucrative group stages where the Hoops would rub shoulders for the third successive season with the elite of European football.

“It is a dream to have the opportunity to play in the Champions League, “ said Deila, who would only reveal that “things were moving” with regards the signing of Wakaso Mubarak from Rubin Kazan and Sporting Gijon’s Serbian striker Stefan Scepovic.

Ideye: I want to be like Kanu W

Simeone gets eight-game ban

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TLETICO Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been handed an eightgame ban by the Spanish football federation following his actions during Friday’s Supercopa second leg against Real Madrid.

Simeone was sent to the stands during the first half of the clash at the Vicente Calderon after aggressively remonstrating with the fourth official, who he then tapped on the back of the head.

Efe’s Celtic eye Champions League progress

•Brown Ideye in action against Jack Cork of Southampton

EST Bromwich Al bion’s record signing Brown Ideye says ex-Baggies cult hero Kanu Nwankwo gives him advice on a weekly basis on how to be a big hit with the Baggies faithfuls.

Kanu spent two years with the Baggies between 2004-06, scoring a total of nine goals in 58 appearances and memorably playing his part in the Great Escape.

“I spoke with Kanu, once or twice in a week.

He’s a great guy,” Ideye told the Express and Star “He told me to be myself and try to do my best on the pitch, to score goals so that hopefully the fans and the club would be behind me.

“He just told me to give my best in every game and try to get my head down and listen to what the manager has to say and also what my fellow players are telling me.”

•Efe Ambrose

Roma lead race for Torres

•Torres

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OMA are reported ly leading the race to sign Chelsea striker Fernando Torres before the start of the 2014-15 Serie A season.

According to the Sun, Roma are the team most likely to secure the Spaniard’s services in the final week of the summer transfer window, though Chelsea will have to pay the striker a fee of around • 20 million before he can make his exit from the club.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 61

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014 — 63

•Usman •Brume •Okagbare (inset) Ogba

Athletics: Ogba celebrates women for being on top

BY TONY UBANI

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RESIDENT of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Evangelist Solomon Ogba took stock of Athletics under his regime yesterday and promised Nigerians that Athletics would delete the ugly memory of London 2012 Olympics(where Nigeria recorded no medal) with a fantastic outing in Rio 2016 Olympics. He pleaded for time but said comparatively that Nigerian athletics is now better than it used to be. ‘’People easily talk about the glory days of athletics. How glorious were the days? Except for one or two exceptional cases, our athletes have done well.

We must stop talking about our past performances and focus on the future. Nobody is going to lower standard for Nigeria’’, Ogba said.

The AFN President also heaped plaudits on Nigerian women for excelling more than their male counterparts in athletics and attributed the dominance to self motivation.

Ogba though agreed that

women dominance in athletics did not start from his era. ‘’It has been like that even before I came in. I don’t joke with women.

Women are go-getters, women are selfmotivated than men. I rather put my hope in women than in men’’.

He also asked rhetorically to back up his love and belief in women. ‘’How many men have won individual Olympic medals for Nigeria? It is only late Sunday Bada who got to the semi final of the Sydney Olympics.

The rest achievers are women. Mary Onyali, Chioma Ajunwa, Falilat Ogunkoya. A woman listens more than a man.

Men believe that they know everything. We entered more men at the G l a s g o w Commonwealth Games but it was the women who won more medals for us. Women are gogetters’’, Ogba said as the women at the conference felt like walking on cloud nine.

But they forgot to reckon that the fastest man in the world is faster than the fastest woman in the world. The best male golfer can drive farther than the best female golf

player in the world. The list is endless but Nigeria remains a case study as the women have over-turned the table.

Mary Onyali started this at the Commonwealth Games when she paid glowing tributes to women for being in the vanguard of winning medals for the country at major sporting events. A break-down of Team

Nigeria’s medals shows that women have won eight gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals while men have won no gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals.

The amazons who won gold include; Blessing Okagbare 2 gold(100m and 200m), Ese Brume(Long Jump gold), Amalaha Chika(Weightlifting),

•Onyali

•Ajunwa

A d e s a n m i Oluwatoyin(Weightlifting), U s m a n Maryam(Weightlifting), A d e k u o r o y e Odunayo(Wrestling), and Adeniyi Aminat.

The women who won silver are Winifred Ndidi(Weightlifting), O k o l i Obioma(Weightlifting), and Ebireguesele Itohan(Weightlifting).

The men who got silver medals are A y e n u w a Yinka(Weightlifting), Dick Abibo(Wrestling) and Welson Ebikewenimo(Wrestling).

Six men won bronze while five women won bronze. Ogba also spoke on the controversial invitations of Nigerians in Diaspora to run the country.

•Falilat

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

‘Rejected’Ike Uche scores!

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EJECTED by Nigeria, Ike Uche will most certainly continue to win the adoration of Villarreal fans after he scored on the opening day of the

Keshi makes ‘U’ turn

•Agrees to lead Eagles against Congo, S/Africa

La Liga season at Levante.

Uche hit target in the 56th minute for his club’s opening goal in a 2-0 away win.

He was booked in the 52nd minute and then replaced by Moises Gomez in the 68th minute.

Last season, he also scored a brace against Levante The 30-year-old banged in 14 goals last season, but was not considered for the World Cup in Brazil by coach Stephen Keshi.

•Uche

‘Falconets lost to tactical indiscipline’ H

S

•Keshi

PECULATIONS that the Super Eagles could face both Congo and South Africa in next month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers without a coach have now been put to rest. It is understood that Coach Stephen Keshi, who told BBC that he was “taking a walk” after contract talks between him and the Nigeria Football

Continues on page 59

Awards: Claire Lavogez of France, adidas Bronze Ball, Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria, adidas Golden Ball, and Griedge Mbock Bathy of france, adidas Silver Ball pose with their awards on Sunday.

EAD Coach of the Nigeria female under-20 team Peter Dedevbo slammed his players for losing their tactical discipline in their 0-1 loss to Germany at the Under20 World Cup final.

“I’ve not spoken to the girls yet, but I will tell them to take this defeat hard and learn from it because we lost this game due to tactical indiscipline,” Dedevbo Continues on page 59

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Poke (4) 4 Child (3) 6 Vessel (4) 9 Help (3) 10 Comforted (8) 11 Mistake (4) 14 Stray (3) 16 Scour (5) 19 Fearless (8) 21 Wrath (5) 23 Shyness (8) 24 Challenged (5) 27 Barrier (3) 31 Roster (4) 33 Poor (8) 34 Bow (3) 35 Lake (4) 36 Cover (3) 37 Fall (4)

DOWN 2 Space (4) 3 Twilight (4) 4 Indulgent (8) 5 Neat (4) 6 Fundamental (5) 7 Lubricate (3) 8 Farewell (5) 12 Cheated (5) 13 Fluctuate (5) 14 Epoch (3) 15 Inflexible (5) 17 Send (5) 18 Gemstone (5) 20 Claimed (8) 22 Edge (3) 25 Unaccompanied (5) 26 Avoid (5) 28 Occupy (4) 29 Elderly (4) 30 Unfasten (4) 32 Hill (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Salami 5, Varied 8, Criminal 9, Away 10, Yes 12, Dream 15, Set 17, Too 18, Eft 29, Ego 20, Litter 21, Ass 22, Rub 23, Gun 24, Doe 26, Tense 29, Dye 33, Edge 34, Talisman 35, Trauma 36, Errand.

DOWN: 2, Agree 3, Alms 4, Inner 5, Villa 6, Real 7, Erase 10, Yield 11, Store 12, Doubt 13, Eaten 14, Merge 15, Stand 16, Taste 25, Order 27, Extra 28, Salve 30, Yearn 31, Menu 32, User.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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