$2.1BN ARMS PROBE: Metuh, 77 others got paid for doing nothing—WITNESS

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62680

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

FG'll recover $750m Abacha loot soon 14 — Minister $2.1BN ARMS PROBE:

CBN set to fine-tune exchange rate management, retains MPR at 11%

8

Metuh, 77 others got paid for doing nothing—WITNESS

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

•Got N400m through e-payment to his company •EFCC tenders three sets of evidence against Metuh

A

BUJA—TRIAL of the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh continued, yesterday, as a senior official from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Mr. Baleh Ndam, told the Federal High Court, Abuja, that Metuh’s firm, Destra Investments Limited, was among 78 beneficiaries of the alleged fraudulent payment from the ONSA

SEALED BY EFCC

Continues on Page 5

PDP is dead, Aregbesola teases Fayose 11 $2.1bn ARMS PROBE

—Some of the property allegedly owned by indicted persons at different locations in Kaduna, sealed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Photos: Olu Ajayi.

Soldiers invade Ondo for Ajube, ex-MEND leader

13

COLUMNISTS: SACKING OF IMO WORKERS: Okorocha on slopes of failure See Inside C M Y K

Can Nigerian He dumped me teachers still when his wife teach?

•P.17 found out

•P.32

Abdulrahman Dambazzau and the arrogance of power •P.19

Learning at the feet of a benevolent taskmaster (for BJ at 70) •P.19

Mr & Mrs

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016—3

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4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

FG, states, LGs share N387.8bn for December A

BUJA— THE Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, in Abuja said N387.8 billion was shared among the federal, states and local governments as revenue for December, 2015.

Adeosun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, announced this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting.

She said the shared amount comprised the month’s statutory revenue of N315 billion.

“Also, there is the exchange gain of N4.5 billion which is proposed for distribution.

Adeosun also said that the money shared included the N6.3 billion refunded to the federation account by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“Therefore, the total revenue distributable for the month of December, including VAT of N62 billion, is N387.8 billion,” she said.

It will be recalled that N369.9 billion was shared to the three tiers of government as revenue for the month of November.

This month’s allocation shows an increase of N17.9 billion.

Giving the breakdown of revenue among the three tiers of government, Adeosun said the Federal Government received N147.5 billion, representing 52.68 per cent while states got N74.8 billion, representing 26.72 per cent.

The local governments, she said, received N57.7 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed. She said N42.05 billion, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue was shared among the oil producing states.

Adeosun also announced that during the month under review, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas paid a dividend of $150 million which had earlier been distributed to the three tiers of government.

The minister said the country generated N214.6 billion as mineral revenue and N100.3 billion as non-mineral revenue in December.

She said this showed an increase of N16.04 billion and N1.5 billion respectively from what the country generated in the preceding month. The minister also said the balance in the Excess Crude Account was $2.25 billion, indicating that nothing had been removed or added since July 2015.

Adeosun said acts of vandalism on oil pipelines among other factors had continued to negatively impact

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on oil revenue generation.

She said shut-in, shut-down of production for repairs, production shortfall due to technical hitches at different

terminals throughout the month impacted negatively on crude oil and gas revenue.

According to her, there was a revenue loss of $143.9

million as a result of reduction in federation export sales and drop in the average price of crude oil from 49.58 dollars in October to 43.4 dollars in November, 2015.”

Electricity bills: Go after defaulting govt agencies, Reps tell DISCOs

A

VISIT: Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State briefing State House correspondents after officially informing President Muhammadu Buhari of the demise of the Olubadan of Ibadan, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

FG to revoke 500 mining licences A

BUJA — NO fewer than 500 mining licences of the 1,400 issued in 2015 are to be revoked, Director General, Mining Cadestre Office, NMCO, Mohammed Amate, has said.

According to him, the revocation of the licences is based on non-compliance with the provision of the 2007 mining laws of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

He said the licence owners committed offences that warranted the office to come up with a revocation plan, adding that some of the offences range from illegal operations to not using the document for the actual purposes they were granted.

According to Amate: “Some of them got mining licences for mineral exploration but not for extracting or mining minerals; some acquired licences but refused to mine due to economic circumstances.”

He said the office had written to them late 2015 and gave them 30 days to comply with the provision of the law or lose their licences.

He said NMCO had five categories of licences that mining companies could apply, such as Miners Reconnaissance Permit, which gives companies the power to sample minerals anywhere in the country without mining.

According to him,

exploration licence helps companies to carry out a detailed exploration of minerals of their choices and it is for the period of three years, and can be renewed twice for two years.

“Companies that are granted exploration licence can only take sample of minerals for analysis, just for conviction that they are minerals that worth mining, both in quality and quantity.

“Exploration is not a licence for mining minerals; if a company is convinced with the exploration conducted, it can then apply for a mining lease.

“Mining lease is a licence that can be granted for 25 years

and once it is granted then extraction of minerals can commence,” he said.

Amate said Small Scale Mining Lease (SSML) was another licence meant for those with little capacity to mine in small areas with little explosive and equipment.

He said Quarry Lease could be used for extracting granites, sands and limestones, explaining that the five licences could be obtained by a Nigerian with legal capacity who had not been convicted of a criminal offence and with adequate financial and technical capacity.

Comply with Local Content Act, Saraki tells foreign investors

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA — SENATE President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has asked foreign investors in the country to adhere strictly to Nigeria’s forein content law.

He insisted that foreign firms investing in Nigeria, especially in the power sector, must ensure the compliance with the Local Content Act in their operations.

A statement,yesterday, by Saraki’s Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, said the Senate President stated this when a delegation from the Power Generation and Integrated

Energy Solutions (Powergies Group) visited him.

The statement quoted Saraki as saying the Senate would continue to support and encourage foreign investors coming into the country, so long as the they were ready to inject the required local content in their operations.

He said he was particularly pleased that the Powergies Group said they had identified the country as viable for investment in the area of renewable energy as this would help in meeting the power needs of Nigerians, especially those living in the rural areas.

By Ediri Ejoh

BUJA —THE House of Representative has tasked Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to intensify efforts to collect debts owed by government agencies and parastatals and stop complaining about their inability to do so.

Making this call, Chairman, House Committee on Power, Daniel Asuquo, who spoke with Vanguard in an exclusive interview, wondered why DISCO owners were unable to collect their bills from these organisations, even when they were aware that provisions are made in the country’s budgets for such annually.

He, however, charged the operators of the DISCOs to disconnect government institutions that failed to pay their bills just as they do to regular customers, saying that is the only way they could continue in business.

He said: “The DISCOs must go all out to collect payment for electricity bills from all their customers, whether they are government agencies or not.

“They must run the DISCOs as business and stop waiting for government directive and intervention to be able to collect debts owned by government institutions that consume their products.

“How do they collect bills from the ordinary consumers? They should deploy the same strategy in recovering debts owned by government agencies.”

Asuquo, however, noted that the current government had made provision in the 2016 budget and promised that the House would do all it could to ensure that the outstanding debts owned DISCOs were settled.

Speaking on the position of the House as it concerns increase in billings which kicks off February 1, 2016, Asuquo said the committee was yet to take a decision, but stressed that it was important to balance business realities with the situation on ground.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

From left: Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the visit of the US official to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Metuh, 77 others got paid for doing nothing—WITNESS Continues from Page 1 without executing any contract.

Ndam, who testified before trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, added that the N400million electronically wired into the defendant’s company account amounted to alleged fraudulent payment for a contract not awarded.

Ndam is the third witness the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has brought to testify against the PDP spokesman, who alongside his firm, is answering to a sevencount criminal charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N400 million.

In his testimony, yesterday, the PW-3, told

the court that since 2012 when he started working in the legal department at the ONSA, he never came across or prepared any contract of any nature between the ONSA and Destra Investments Limited which is the 2nd defendant in the matter.

Led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said: “My lord, I am a civil servant in the legal department of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA. I have been working there since 2012.

“My duties include vetting and drafting contracts and memorandum of understanding, among other things. I don’t know Metuh personally and I have not in my official

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

A

LIBRARY card will take you much farther than a driver’s license would ever do. Read more, grow capacity and increase your probability of succeeding. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Live for the moment because everything is uncertain —Louis Tomlinson

G

RATITUDE allows us to celebrate the present, it makes us appreciate the value of what we have, and when we appreciate the value of something worthy, we extract more benefits from it; we’re less likely to take it for granted. When we embrace the spirit of gratitude, it allows us to participate more in life. Instead of adapting to goodness, we celebrate goodness. Gratitude blocks toxic, negative emotions, such as envy, resentment, and regret that can destroy our happiness.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE If a child washes his hands well, he will eat with elders.

capacity known or heard about Destra Investment Limited.

“I worked under MajorGeneral Muhktar, Gen Aliyu Gusau, Gen Azazi and later, Col. Sambo Dasuki. On November 28, 2015, the ONSA forwarded a letter to the chairman of the EFCC, titled “Payment of contract without award” for necessary action.

“The letter forwarded list of companies and individuals numbering 78 and Destra Investments Limited was one of them.

“Following the letter, the EFCC sent a letter to the ONSA requesting for epayment mandates of these companies. The letter which was sent to the office of the NSA on January 13, 2016, was signed by one Ibrahim Musa, Head of the STF unit of the EFCC. “The ONSA replied to the request of the EFCC, forwarding the list of epayment mandate No. 0799 to the EFCC on January 14, 2016. The reply was signed by M. Abdulrahim, a Group Captain. After the letter was forwarded to the EFCC, I was also invited to write a statement, which I did.”

The witness disclosed that the petition from the ONSA to the EFCC was signed by Lt. Col. Ibrahim A. A, who he identified as Special Adviser to the NSA.

Metuh objects to sets of evidence

Meanwhile, Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, objected to the admissibility of three sets of documents the EFCC wanted to tender in evidence through the witness.

The documents, included

the petition, captioned “Payment To Companies With No Contract Awards and Approval”; a letter by the EFCC requesting details of payments made to Metuh’s firm, Destra Investments Limited, and a reply to the EFCC letter which contained the epayment mandate for the N400m.

M e t u h ’ s lawyer contended that the petition from the ONSA was not the same letter the witness said was captioned “Payment of contract without Awards”.

He said: “Secondly, this witness identified A.A. Ibrahim as the maker of this document. This witness, who is Mr. Baleh Ndam, is not the maker.

“The essence of tendering documents through the maker is for such person to be crossexamined. This witness, not being the custodian of any of the documents, cannot be crossexamined with regard to the contents,” Ikpeazu argued.

He noted that the documents sought to be tendered were procured and certified by the EFCC and not the witness.

Relying on Section 84 of the Evidence Act and decided case-law in Bamaiyi vs AGF, 2001, Metuh’s lawyer also argued that the said epayment mandate, being a computer-generated document, could not be admitted by the court.

He said: “The epayment mandate, as an electronically generated document, must satisfy provisions of Section 84(4) (a) (b) and (c) of the Evidence Act. More so, as an evidence of electronic transaction, the document must be accompanied with a certificate as stipulated in the Evidence Act.” However, EFCC, yesterday, persuaded the court to discountenance arguments by Metuh’s lawyer which it said were “highly misconceived.”

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Tahir, maintained that all the documents were very relevant to the trial of the accused person.

“My lord, notice of the documents was given to the defendant by virtue of the proof of evidence already front-loaded before this court. We urge your lordship to dwell on the substance of the matter rather than on technicalities.

“The PW-3 is only a public officer who is representing his organisation which is the ONSA. Notwithstanding that the maker of the documents has not been called, the admissibility is at the discretion of the court,” Tahir argued.

He also relied on Section 83(2) of the

Evidence Act to insist that the court ought to admit the documents into evidence, owing to its relevance to the trial. He said the exhibits did not fall within the purview of those envisaged in Section 84 of the Evidence Act.”

Court admits documents as exhibits

Delivering a bench ruling on the matter, Justice Abang upheld arguments by the prosecution, stressing that the EFCC had a right to tender the documents through the witness who is also an official of the Federal Government.

He held that both the EFCC and ONSA represent the interest of the Federal Government which is prosecuting the case, stressing that not every public document in custody of a public officer required certification before it could be admitted into evidence.

“It is my humble view that the e-payment schedule is a mere annexure to the letter addressed to the EFCC and, therefore, does not require any certification”, the Judge held, adding that the fact that the witness wrongly identified the heading of the letter did not affect its relevance to the trial.

Consequently, the court admitted and marked the three sets of documents as Exhibits A, B and C. In continuation of his testimony, the witness told the court that the document tendered, yesterday, indicated that the N400m was paid to Metuh’s company for security services.

He said: “My lord, our legal department has not prepared any contract of any nature between ONSA and Destra Investments Limited.

“In 2015, I remember that I vetted two contracts

by ONSA. However, I cannot state the total number of contracts that were vetted by the legal department because I am not the only lawyer in the department.”

Under crossexamination, the witness

said the documents stated that all due process was complied with in the process that led to the electronic transfer of the fund to Metuh’s firm.

He told the court that it was the Department of Administration & Finance that was responsible for payment of contract costs, saying “besides the award of contracts, ONSA is also involved in security issues.”

Confronted with one of the documents tendered before the court, the witness admitted that Metuh’s firm was awarded contract to purchase three operational vehicles for ONSA. He said it was not in his capacity to know whether Destra Investments Limited was notified when the N400m was transferred into its account

by ONSA or whether or not it received an alert from its financial institution, Diamond Bank Plc when the money was paid into its account.

The witness also told the court that he had never come across any correspondence between the office of the NSA and Metuh’s firm in respect of the N400 million, noting that before payment could be made by the ONSA, it must be approved by the NSA. “At the time the transaction took place, Col S. M. Dasuki was the one in charge of approval. The NSA is the sole administrator with respect to activities of the ONSA and he is answerable to the President. I am not aware if the ONSA has more than one account at the CBN,” the witness added.

Nevertheless, defence lawyer, Ikpeazu, alleged that the witness was procured by the EFCC to indict Metuh.

Ikpeazu told the court that the PW-3 was summoned to make statement at the EFCC on January 21, after the case against his client was already fixed for hearing.

Justice Abang has, however, adjourned the case till today to hear Metuh’s application for variation of his bail and for continuation of trial.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Fire guts ATBU female hostel

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—A fire outbreak, yesterday night, razed a section of a female hostel at the Yelwa campus of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State.

Though no life was lost, the Public Relations Officer of the University, Zalani Bappa, said four rooms in the hostel were affected, adding that the students lost all their belongings to the fire before the arrival of men of the state fire service.

While revealing that alternative accommodation had been provided for the affected students, Bappa noted that the university authority had commenced investigation into the cause of the fire.

He therefore, appealed to the neighbouring communities to avoid burning bushes close to the university.

However, the Information Officer of the state fire service, Abubakar Bala, attributed the cause of the fire to a gas cooker mounted by a female student.

He said that the fire, which started around 10p.m., affected four of the hostels and a toilet.

Abubakar said it took the combined effort of Tatari Ali and Federal Polytechnic fire services to put out the fire.

He said: “It took the response of the fire service and residents living closeby to get positive results.

The fire did not extend to other rooms in the hostel.”

Police discover 3 decomposing corpses, human skull in Enugu

P

OLICE in Enugu State said they have discovered three decomposing corpses and a human skull in a bush at Ugwuaji in Enugu South Local Government Area of the state.

The state command’s spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed this yesterday in an interview in Enugu.

Amaraizu said the command

discovered the corpses and the human skull on January 25 at 4p.m., following a tip-off, and that everything would be done to uncover the identities of the corpses and the cause

KADUNA FRUITS MARKET: Traders and sympathisers at the razed Railway Station Fruits Market, Kaduna,

yesterday. NAN PHOTOS.

Robbers kill 2 policemen in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

T

WO policemen attached to the Ogbor Hill Police Division in Aba, Abia State, were killed by gunmen suspected to be armed robbers when they responded to a distress call at a supermarket near Ukaegbu Junction, along Ikot Ekpene Road, Ogbor Hill.

Abia State Police spokesman, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, who confirmed the incident, told Vanguard that the police team got a distress call from a resident that armed robbers were operating in their area.

According to Onyeke, “the

police team responded to a distress call, but the robbers were on their way back when they met the police team and opened fire. Two policemen were shot dead, while others sustained injuries.”

He disclosed that the injured policemen were now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital in the city and appealed to the public to assist the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the robbers.

Teenager commits suicide

In another development, traders behind Ndoki Primary

School, Ngwa Road, have been thrown into shock following the discovery of a corpse of a yet-to-be identified teenager, who allegedly committed suicide in one of the open shops in the area.

The situation forced many traders to close shop for fear of police arrest. When Vanguard visited the area, traders were seen in groups discussing the situation, while policemen were said to have removed the corpse from where it was dangling.

The traders urged the police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the

2 dead, 800 shops razed as fire guts Kaduna market

By Luka Biennia & Mayan Etym

K

ADUNA—TWO persons were, yesterday killed, goods and property destroyed when the popular Kaduna Railway Station Fruits Market located in Kaduna South Local Government Area was gutted by fire.

The two victims were said to have been sleeping in one of the shops, while some who sustained injuries were rushed to St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kauri.

An eyewitness revealed that the early morning inferno was caused by an electrical surge which started around 12.45a.m. yesterday, destroying more than 800 make shift shops that made up the market.

One of the eyewitnesses, Murk tar Abdulla, who resides

of death.

He urged residents of the state to be security conscious and to report any suspicious movements or acts in their localities.

at the popular Railway Down Quarters, close to the Station Market, said residents started noticing smoke coming from a shop in Lane 7 of the market.

Abdulla said it took hours before the fire could be put out by the combined efforts of the

Fire Service men from Nigeria Brewery Plc, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, Dialogue Fire Service and State Fire Service.

A trader in the market, Ifeanyi Ogochukwu said the fire incident would have been

averted if government had allowed them to put in place proper structures.

Heaps of burnt food items like vegetables, fruits, meat and fish were seen littering the market, as traders tried to salvage the little they could get.

15 injured, 17 houses destroyed in C-River communal clash

By Emma Una

A

clash between two communities of Wanihem and Wanikade in North Ukele, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, over a parcel of land, has left 15 people with severe bullet wounds and 17 houses destroyed.

The conflict, which erupted last Saturday, also claimed economic trees, farmlands and streams which were poisoned.

A Supervisor in Yala Local Government Council, Prince Dan Onah, said: “Several people sustained gunshot wounds on both sides and several houses and farmland were also destroyed.

“We are appalled at the calibre of weapons used in this conflict which is as a result of land dispute between two villages in the sister communities of Wanikade and Wanihem.”

When Vanguard visited the

area, about 300 kilometres from Calabar, it was desolate as residents had fled to take refuge in neighbouring villages, while stern looking soldiers mounted road blocks.

A community leader, Chief Christopher Okoko, said the attackers came to his village at about 3p.m. in the afternoon when the villagers had gone to the market, some five kilometres, away and those who challenged them were shot.

teenager ’s death.

When contacted, spokesman of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, said he was yet to be briefed about the incident.

PPMC nabs 8 over illegal bunkering

By Ediri Ejoh

T

HE Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, said it has apprehended eight suspects linked to the bunkering site at Robert Victor village, popularly called Idi mango, offshore, Lagos State.

The vandals were reported to have been arrested by the private pipelines surveillance security engaged by PPMC to police pipelines.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Aminu Joshua, Operations Manager, and Leader of the pipelines surveillance group, said that oil theft has been the major occupation of the community, adding that over 15,000 jerry cans were seized, with about 1,000 of them filled with petrol.

He said: “Among those arrested are three Nigerians, three Ghanaians, one Togolese and one citizen of the Benin Republic.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016—7

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8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

of regularly ensuring consistency with monetary and fiscal policies.”

According to Mr. Emefiele, Nigeria’s foreign reserve currently stands at $28 billion.

How to manage reserves

RECEPTION: From left, Alhaji Wasiu Abiola Anifowoshe; Alhaja Aduke Abimbola Anifowoshe; Alhaji Chief Adeola Adeniji, President, Yewa Secondary School Old Students Association (YESSOSA) and Senator Gbenga Ashafa during a reception by YESSOSA for Mr and Mrs Anifowoshe, who were promoted Permanent Secretary and Commissioner, in Lagos.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

CBN to fine-tune exchange rate management Retains

MPR at 11%

By Babajide Komolafe & Favour Nnabugwu

A

BUJA — THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, said it would soon fine tune the exchange rate of the Naira, even as the nation’s currency depreciated further to N305 against the dollar in the parallel market.

Addressing journalists at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, yesterday, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said the CBN would soon come out with efforts to fine tune the exchange rate framework.

This, he said, was to ensure “a more effective and liquid foreign exchange market, taking into account Nigeria’s strategic development priorities, with the policies being designed within an environment of regularly ensuring consistency with monetary and fiscal policies.”

The CBN governor gave no indication that he was ready to ease currency-trading and import restrictions that had kept the inter-bank exchange rate at 197-199 per dollar since March, even though they had been widely panned by investors, criticised by businesses and questioned by lawmakers.

He said the decision was reached, taking into account Nigeria’s strategic development priorities; with the policies being designed within an environment of regularly ensuring consistency with monetary and fiscal policies.

He said the 12 members of the bank’s MPC voted unanimously to keep monetary policy rate unchanged. It also held the cash reserve ratio for commercial

banks at 20 per cent.

Emefiele said there had been no changes to the official naira rate to the dollar which has come under tremendous pressure due to a drying up of vital oil revenues.

Asked whether there would be a devaluation, Emefiele said: “The only answer I can give is that we are already working on different scenarios ... under different crude prices.” He did not elaborate.

Giving details of the MPC meeting the CBN Governor said: “The committee observed that the last episode of low oil prices in 2005 lasted for a maximum period of eight months. However, the current episode of lower oil prices is projected to remain over a very long period.

“Consequently, it is imperative to brace up for a longer period of low government revenues from oil sources, which would necessitate hard and uncomfortable choices as the economy transits to more sustainable sources of revenue, consistent with the economic realities and strategic objectives of the country. In the circumstance, certain tradeoffs must be envisaged and duly accommodated.

“In view of the foregoing, the imperative for consistently sound and coordinated macroeconomic policy has become inevitable. In the medium term within which monetary policy is cast, the need to allow policy to produce the desired outcomes becomes a key consideration in the policy mix.

"Consequently, the bank is finetuning the framework for foreign exchange management with a view to ensuring a more effective and liquid foreign exchange market, taking into account Nigeria’s strategic development priorities; with the policies being designed within an environment

On how to manage the reserves, the CBN boss said the apex bank was already building several scenarios around the oil price and that it would ensure the best options possible.

He said: “With time, you will see how we will provide the needed framework for a flexible forex regime. We are already working on different scenarios. And we will look at them. We will look at different scenarios at both management and the monetary policy committee.

“We will continue, as much as possible, to engage the fiscal authorities and share our positions to see that notwithstanding the drop in the oil prices, we will continue to run the government and continue to do business.

"We have said it before that the drop in oil prices is going to be with us for much longer than it used to be. Before, it used to be for about eight months. This time, it has been

with us for more than 14 months and yet, we have not seen the light at the end of the tunnel. But we will continue to be alive to our responsibilities."

Stamp Duties

On the difference the Stamp Duties policy would make in raising the non-oil revenue of the Federal Government, Emefiele explained that at this time that oil revenue was facing great challenges, the CBN had no option than to support the Federal Government on raising revenue from other sources.

"We will work with the banks to make sure that stamp duty is paid on each transaction above N1000 in the banks," he said.

Retains MPR at 11%

Emefiele said the committee, in consideration of the headwinds in the domestic economy and the uncertainties in the global environment decided by a unanimous vote to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR), Liquidity Ratio (LR) and the asymmetric corridor of +2/-7 around the MPR.”

Nigeria, one of top 10 global economies — US govt As Obama sends American investors to Nigeria Buhari lauds US for support on insecurity

By Levi Nwabughiogu & Vera Samuel Anyagafu

A

BUJA — THE United States, US, government, yesterday, listed Nigeria as one of the top 10 global economies by 2050, citing the economic potentialities of countries across Africa.

This came as President Barak Obama dispatched a team of US officials to study Nigeria’s business climate, with the aim of investing in the country, even as President Muhammadu Buhari expressed gratitude to the US President and his government for assisting Nigeria in its anti-terrorism war.

US Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, who disclosed this at a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja, said this explained why her government was deepening economic and commercial engagement with African countries.

According to her, Nigeria is at the top of the list, considering the fact that Nigeria’s middle class of roughly 50 million people is expected to help grow the country into one of the top 10 global economies by the year 2050.

Pritzker, who is currently in Nigeria on a fact-finding mission with senior US business executives, including the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa, (PAC-DBIA), is optimistic that relationship between the US and African countries would lead to a prosperous partnership.

She also disclosed that the visit to

Nigeria provided an opportunity for the PAC-DBIA members to gather facts about the commercial opportunities and challenges in both Nigeria and Rwanda, and then report back to the President with strong and actionable recommendations that would take the relationship to the next level.

Pritzker said: “President Obama and I are convinced that the American private sector, working in partnership with the African business community, can help address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, including building modern infrastructure, creating jobs and opportunity for young people, and expanding access to education and the Internet.

“When we think about the economic potential of countries across Africa, Nigeria is absolutely at the top of that list.

"The imperative that we all face is to promote economic growth and opportunity at home, and deepening our mutually beneficial ties of trade and commerce is not just a nice to have, it is a must-have for all of us.”

Pritzker told President Buhari that she was in Nigeria with 10 leading American business men and women at the prompting of President Obama.

She said: “The purpose is to better understand the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Nigeria. Our

team is very optimistic about your government’s commitment to security, good governance, fighting corruption, having reliable and regular regulatory policies.

“All these make us optimistic about working together. We are not here to sell policies, but to partner with you.”

The secretary’s trip to Nigeria and Rwanda underscores Obama administration’s commitment to shifting the US economic relationship with Africa from one based on aid to trade and investment.

Buhari lauds US for support on insecurity Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed gratitude to President Obama and his government for assisting Nigeria in its ant-terrorism war.

Speaking on the visit by the delegation led by the United States Secretary of Commerce, Ms Penny Pritzker, at the Presidential Villa, Buhari applauded ongoing American collaboration with his administration on security and developmental issues.

He also stated that his administration would continue to welcome the support and understanding of the United States as it strove to achieve greater internal security and socio-economic progress in Nigeria.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—9

NITDA boss' suspension: Reps query Communications Minister As minister feigns ignorance of invitation

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — THE Joint Committees of Information Technology Communication, ICT and Telecommunications in the House of Representatives, yesterday, queried the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, for the comment he made on the suspension of the

Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Peter Jack, over an alleged misconduct.

The minister, who appeared before the joint committees, said: “I do not know the reason why I am before this committee, I am blank about this meeting.”

He further appealed that he had an international conference to attend, begging to take his leave.

Breaching further rules

and conventional practice of the parliament, Shittu, who said he was a lawmaker at the Oyo State House of Assembly from 1979 to 1983, said he had no information whatsoever why he has invited..

He said: “My name is Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu. I’m almost blank as to why I’m here. I don’t have information why I was asked to come. And I’m hoping that members will tell me. As I speak, there’s a conference at Transcorp where I’m to

represent Nigeria in the midst of many international bodies and foreign players.

“I also have another meeting with Mr President and some foreign investors.

And as you all know, Nigeria lacks the necessary capacity to fund investment in the ICT sector, so I’m appealing that I have all the questions so I can go and look at them, get necessary information and provide answers as appropriately on another date.”

His excuses and comments irked members

of the committee who told him that he erred by saying he was blank on a meeting that was properly communicated to his ministry.

Chairman of the Committee on ICT, Mohammed Onawo, however, told him that “this committee is mandated by the House to look into the perceived injustice done to the D-G of NITDA.” He added that the Clerk of the committee had told him that the letter was personally handed over to him.

Members of the committee, Wole Oke, Tajudeen Yusuf, Linus Okorie and others speaking separately expressed their displeasure at the minister’s statement, saying: “For him to say that he doesn’t know why he is here is an insult to the National Assembly.

“Mr. Minister knows why he is here, Mr. Chairman may give him another opportunity to express himself. We will not be part of anything that will undermine the National Assembly."

On the allegation that he was not informed of the reason he came, cochairman of the committee, Hon, Saheed Akinade Fijabi from Oyo displayed a letter sent to the minister's office and which was received and duly acknowledged with a copy of it sent back to the committee.

Linus Okorie also frowned at the liberty taken by the minister to make his case when he was only invited to introduce himself.

He said: “The committee chairman was supposed to have opened the discussion before the minister would have responded by making his appeal as appropriate.”

He expressed dismay that the minister would feign ignorance of the reason for his presence, adding that either the minister was playing pranks on the committee which is tantamount to disrespecting the National Assembly, or some people in his office were simply being incompetent as to keep him informed.

Kehinde Odeneye concurred with Linus Okorie but pleaded with his colleagues to give the minister another opportunity to prepare and then brief the committee properly.

Minister apologises At this point, the minister, realising the full weight of his indiscretion, admitted receiving the letter of invitation, saying: “I want to apologise for any misconception. A letter was brought to my office yesterday with a heading relating to the suspension of the DG NITDA. "I liaised with my Permanent Secretary to get back to the committee's Clerk so as to work out the possibility of re-adjusting the date, given the number of engagements I’m to have with several groups on behalf of the President."

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10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016

Soyinka wants demolition of Artists’ Village probed

ALLEGED N1.126BN FRAUD: EFCC chairman, Magu to testify against Dariye

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

By Japhet Alakam & Prisca Sam-Duru

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AGOS—NOBEL laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called for a holistic investigation into the demolition of the Artists Village in the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu Lagos.

The Artists’ Village, considered as the only space that still brews creativity and activity within the National Arts Theatre, was allegedly demolished following the directive from the National Arts Theatre General Manager, Kabiru Yusuf, on Saturday, January 23, 2016.

Soyinka, who was reacting to the demolition of the village said though he was not apportioning any blame to anybody, “but that there is need to find out who was responsible, who brought the arms, shots were fired, who authorised them etc. ''This should not be happening, indeed, not in this society, if we presume to be cultured and civilized.”

He however, condemned the alleged brutality used during the demolition.

He said: “From all evidence and inquiry I have made since then, I still did not believe the orders were given at the ministerial level on what happened on Saturday. So, if I am right, and I think am, we must get to the bottom of what happened. Who gave the orders? We don’t want to hear anymore from oga at the top, or order came from above. No, we have to get down to the nitty-gritty, especially as the matter is far reaching as it goes back a long time, to the struggle for the soul of the national theatre” According to him: “People must stop thinking that what happened is unique to Nigeria and that it is a common occurrence outside Nigeria, especially in egalitarian countries. The problem is, what is the relationship between destroying shanties as directed by the Minister and shooting of someone.

Punishment must be applied to prevent a repeat.”

Sources claimed the Director General, who was acting on alleged orders of the Culture Minister to demolish shanties in the National Theatre in company of armed policemen came to the artists’ village with bulldozers as early as 5 am and demolished workshops and structures that housed veteran actors, painters, sculptors, drums etc without any prior notice of demolition.

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BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, told an Abuja High Court sitting at Gudu that the former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Chibi Dariye, was wanted in the United Kingdom for trial over his alleged involvement in money laundering.

The anti-graft agency told the court presided by Justice Adebukola Banjoko that Dariye jumped bail in the UK where he was arrested in 2004 and was briefly detained by the London metropolitan Police.

Dariye, who was the governor of Plateau State between 1999 and 2007, is answering to a 23-count criminal charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.

The defendant is a serving

Senator representing Plateau Central.

Among those that are lined-up to testify against him include the current Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

Meantime, at the resumed trial yesterday, an investigative officer at the EFCC, Mr. Musa Sunday told the court that the case of money laundering for which Dariye was arrested, granted police bail and was

BRIEFING: From left: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mrs, Olabisi Ariyo, during a briefing by the deputy governor on 2016 education budget and Strategic Focus for Education in Lagos State at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Lassa fever patient set for full recovery — LASG

By Chioma Obinna, Onozure Dania & Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS State Government said one of the two remaining Lassa fever patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, was set for full recovery.

This came as the government disclosed the state had 448 persons under its follow-up contact list and was at present investigating a new suspected case of the disease.

At a briefing ahead of immunization exercise for children in the state against measles billed to commence tomorrow, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said “We have 448 people on our contact list and with this new case, we are still investigating if confirmed, then our contact will increase but I am assuring that there is nothing to fear about.”

According to him, one of the two remaining Lassa fever patients at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, was near full recovery as test carried on him came out negative.

Responding to questions the briefing, Idris dismissed insinuations that the two

victims had died.

He said: “We have two cases now and they are doing very well, one of them in LUTH has zero converted it means he has now become negative based on the treatment, so if you come out very early you can be treated.”

The Commissioners explained that the state government had put measures in place to ensure that residents were protected, saying “if you fall ill with fever or noticed someone with fever symptoms that is not responding to normally malaria treatment there is need to report to nearest health facilities and we would carry out the appropriate diagnosis.”

On the immunization exercise, he said the government was targeting over 4 million children for measles, noting that exercise which is a 2nd phase of the nationwide measles Follow-Up campaign, was aimed at reducing any build –up of susceptible born since the previous supplemental immunization activities.

The commissioner also noted that the exercise, which will hold between January 28, and February 1, 2016 in 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs, and 37 Local Council Development Areas,

LCDAs, was also to reduce childhood mortality and morbidity from measles infection among children aged 9 months to 59 months.

expected to report back, is still pending before the London Metropolitan Police.

The witness, while being crossexamined by Dariye’s lawyer, Mr. Garba Pwul, SAN, said the EFCC investigations into the financial activities of Dariye while in office as governor, followed information that was passed to it by the London Metropolitan Police, which showed that the accused was involved in money laundering.

“The defendant (Dariye) was granted police bail by the UK police. And he jumped bail. The Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in London, Peter Clerk was in Nigeria in the course of our investigation,” Sunday stated.

Aside Magu who was listed as witness in the matter, the EFCC, in the proof of evidence it filed before the court, said it has 32 other witnesses billed to testify and tender evidence against Dariye.

The EFCC boss was identified as the leader of a five-man team of detectives that investigated the case against the erstwhile governor.

Earlier in his evidence-inchief, Sunday gave details of how Dariye allegedly moved funds from the account of the Plateau State’s Accountant General in Lion bank (now defunct) to an account in All States Trust Bank (now defunct) allegedly owned by a firm, Ebenezer Ritnan Venture Limited, linked to Dariye.

He said when the Plateau State Accountant General, Sham Damisa, a Deputy Director, Treasury, Nuhu Ali Madaki, and Deputy Director, Inspectorate, Silas Bum-But could not justify the payment of N204m to Dariye’s firm, they were charged to court.

Army resumes trial of 8 officers, soldier

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS—THE Court Martial Board of the Nigerian Army, has resumed the trial of eight of its personnel, among who is a Brigadier at the 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos.

This came as NA dismissed earlier report that 19 officers were being court-martialed.

Those on trial are; BrigadierGeneral J.O Komolafe, Colonels I.B. Maina and I. A Aboi; Lieutenant Colonels NN Orok C. A. Magaji, A.O. Agwu and O.O. Obolo and a soldier with an undisclosed identity.

Vanguard gathered that these personnel were among the former 22 officers who had been on trial for offences ranging from alleged desertion, to cowardice and alleged failure to fight the

Boko Haram sect.

Their alleged offences also included negligence and complicity in the invasion of the 21 Artillery Brigade, Bama, by insurgents , September, 2015.

The trial of the officers which started last year has witnessed series of postponement, attributed to transfers and promotions of members of the Army Board.

Vanguard gathered that of 22 officers brought before the Army Court Martial Board, 14 of them had their cases disposed off.

The 14 officers are Colonels A. Laguda, V. Ebhaleme, V.O. Ita, I.M Kabir, M.H. Abubakar, A. A. Egbejule, A.J.S. Gulani and A.M. Adetuyi.

Major M.M Idris; Captains M Adamu, O. A. Adenaike, M. Gidado, M.M. Clark and S. Raymond and one Second Lieutenant S.O Olowa, made up the number.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 — 11

PDP is dead, Aregbesola tells Fayose •My visit is for Yoruba unity, Ekiti gov says

By Gbenga Olarinoye

SURPRISE VISIT: Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (right) and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, during an unexpected visit by the latter at the Government House, Osogbo yesterday.

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SOGBO—GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday, set aside their political differences at a meeting in Osogbo.

While Aregbesola advised his Ekiti counterpart to face reality that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has gone into extinction, Governor Fayose said his visit to Osun State was to pursue Yoruba unity.

Aregbesola said while he was not asking the governor to abandon the opposition PDP against his wish, he would only advise him to join hands with a political party that will give hope to the people of Nigeria.

He also charged the Ekiti State governor to direct his energy towards bringing human and physical development to western region and Nigeria as a whole.

The Governor stated this when his Ekiti counterpart paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Osogbo.

Governor Fayose, during the visit, had said that he is in Osun not for any political reason and that he is not ready to abandon the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) but for his belief in the Yoruba race and her development and unity.

Aregbesola described the visit of Governor Fayose to Osun as demonstration of maturity, saying it takes a very matured human being to know that at the end of every public office, he will be left with humanity.

He said, “Osoko has said that he is not going to leave his party, but the reality today is that PDP has served its term in Nigeria. When a horse is dead, it is either you abandon it or you bury it.

“I want my good friend and brother to know that PDP has exhausted it’s stay in Nigeria, it can no longer be revived, let us look at a political party that will give hope to our people.

Opposition must be for a purpose, I stand by you on the unity of Yoruba land and that our leaders not put down in the country.

“The war is over, we are in a season of mobilising our people to agriculture and produce such that we will economically have the strength to give leadership to the Nation and Africa. Our energy must be directed at bringing human and physical development, we have enough in this region to give leadership”.

Aregbesola stressed.

He assured Fayose that he will stand by him in his effort to galvanise the people of South-west for accelerated development.

The Governor who lamented the present economic situation of the country noted that there is an invasion on the economy of Nigeria to the extent that the country is loosing 75 percent of her income due to oil glut.

“The country is facing a very

serious crises with the rate at which the crude oil price is falling. There is an invasion on the economy to the level that we are loosing 75 percent of our income which is not good.

“At this point, wise people must have an alternative to oil which part of it is your visit. We must use our culture and affinity to form a bond that can make our people live a normal life, it is a duty that we owe our people, States and Nigeria as a whole”.

My visit for Yor uba unity — FAYOSE

Speaking earlier, Governor Fayose stated that against all speculations that he was coming to Osogbo to ask Aregbesola

help him beg President Muhammadu Buhari, he was in Osun for the unity of Yoruba race.

He added that the Yoruba race is greater than any political office hence his belief in the development of the race.

The governor averred that the visit of the Ooni of Ife to the 45th coronation of the Alaafin of Oyo is instructive hence the need for every Yoruba sons and daughters to see to the unity and progress of the race.

He said, “This is my first official visit to any APC state. I am not in Osogbo to ask Aregbesola to help me beg as being speculated in some quarters. We are all Yoruba, politics is like water, it can flow anywhere.''

Afenifere to Buhari: Don’t make anti-graft war your only agenda Federal Government. by war, Liberia, Serria-Leone,

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—PAN-Yoruba SocioPolitical organisation, Afenifere, yesterday, cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against making the anti-corruption fight his only agenda but to tackle the nation’s dwindling economy.

It also kicked against the plan to finance the 2016 budget through excessive borrowing from international financial institutions.

Rising from its monthly meeting in Akure, Ondo State, the group kicked against the sensationalising of corruption by the

National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, who read the communiqué also faulted the presentation of the 2016 budget.

While it threw its weight behind the war against corruption, Afenifere said “we support the war, because corruption is evil but we quickly warned that our war against corruption should not be selective, sectional and should be all embracing and compassing.”

It, however, said the anti-graft war should be fought “within the confines of rules of law. And the anti-corruption war should not be the only agenda of the government. They should concentrate on rebuilding the economy because we have seen countries that have been ravage

people took over government there and they started rebuilding the economy. So we should not turn anti-corruption to the only agenda. Building the economy is important.

“The naira is collapsing. Every sector is going down. Investors are leaving our country. This should attract the attention of the government because ultimately, our experience have shown that anti-corruption takes a long time to win the war.''

Buhari'll attend Olubadan burial — AJIMOBI

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is expected to attend the forthcoming burial of late Olubadan, Oba Odulana Odugade, who died penultimate Tuesday.

Oyo State Governor, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi made the disclosure, yesterday, while briefing newsmen after a meeting with President Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Ajimobi said he was in the villa to formally brief the president on the death of the traditional ruler.

He said: “My mission here basically is to see Mr. President and intimate him of the recent transition of the Olubadan, who passed away a couple of days ago.

“We had to wait for the traditional message from the palace before we could convey this to the President. I am glad that I have been able to convey it. You may even ask why conveying such to the President, at least he was just an Olubadan?

He noted that “If you know, the Olubadan is not an ordinary King. Apart from the fact that he worked for the Federal Government, he was once a Minister of Labour under Alhaji Tafawa Balewa government when he was Prime Minister, he worked as a parliamentarian and a minister.

In addition, Ajimobi said “He was part of the delegation to Britain for the Nigerian Conference, therefore, he was a national figure, and contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.''

LASSA FEVER: FUNAAB undergrad, 18 others under watch in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State Government, yesterday, said it has placed a-24-year-old female undergraduate of Federal University of Agriculture, FUNAAB, Abeokuta (name withheld) and 18 others under contact watch of Lassa fever in Ogun state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Babatunde Ipaye disclosed this while addressing newsmen at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Ipaye explained that the undergraduate had contact with the index case of Lagos, recorded in Ahmadiyyah Hospital in Ojokoro area of the state.

He said apart from the female student, the others are workers of the Ahmadiyya hospital but live in Ogun State.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Ijaw protest cancellation of Maritime Varsity

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—INDIGENES of Okerenkoko Federated Community in Delta State, yesterday, besieged Government House, Asaba, protesting the Federal Government's move to cancel the Nigeria Maritime University sited in Gbaramantu Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of the state.

The protesters, numbering over 1,000, who blocked the entrance to Government House, berated the Federal Government over the alleged plan to cancel the university, noting that the reasons advanced by the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, were baseless and politically motivated.

The protesters, who were mostly youths, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop playing politics with our education,” “Mr. President if oil workers can go to this place and exploit oil, why can’t the same place play host to a university that will develop the people and the environment,” among others They urged the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to allow the university remain.

Speaking to Vanguard, Chairman of Okerenkoko Federated Community, Mr. James Tamgbowei, said that Governor

Okowa was in the best position to talk to the President and Minister for Transport to reverse the decision, adding: “We are against the cancellation because the university will benefit the entire nation, particularly Niger Delta people and Deltans.

“The school belongs to the whole world and not even Nigeria alone and that is the plain truth, which is why are protesting. We have written series of letters but we feel that we should take more steps like

this so that the President and the governor will know that we need the university because it will bring development and create both employment and other opportunities for our people.”

Speaking in the same vein, one of the protesters, Mr Welfare Timinimi, said that siting of the university in Okorenkoko was the best thing government had done for them, decrying that “its cancellation will be tantamount to

wickedness. Amaechi is from the Niger Delta. We are surprised at what he is doing. We are not happy with him.”

Timinimi said Gbaramatu Kingdom contributes greatly to the economy of the nation and wondered why the only federal institution in the area was being moved out for no just reason.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Zone B, has also described the decision of the Federal Government to cancel the university as disheartening.

VISIT: National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (right) and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, during a courtesy visit to Odigie-Oyegun in Abuja yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Give priority to E-West road, Oyegun urges Niger Delta Minister

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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B U J A — N AT I O N A L Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, yesterday, urged the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, to work towards completing the East-West Road project in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the minister at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Oyegun regretted that despite the huge sum of money already expended on the project by past administrations since 2006, the 338km dual carriage road, which traverses towns in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Delta States, has remained uncompleted.

He said: “You have one of the most challenging and strategic assignments as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. The Niger Delta is an area that had been steeped in unrest. You must ensure that the unrest does not arise again.

“You have the East-West Road which is a major challenge. It will be a significant achievement for this administration if the project is completed. The project will go a long way in assuring

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the region that this government is working in their interest”

Responding, the Minister promised to expedite action to ensure the completion of the

road in line with the change agenda of the APC .

Delta LG Chair presents N3.1bn budget estimate to legislature and street lights provided by the

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ARRI—CHAIRMAN of Warri South Local Government Area in Delta State, Mr. Matthew Edema, yesterday, presented a budget of N3.125 billion for 2016 to Warri South Legislative Arm for consideration and approval.

Presenting the budget, Edema explained that the fiscal estimate was geared towards restoring and facilitating allround socio-economic and infrastructural development of the entire council.

Acknowledging that the 2015 budget was not fully executed as a result of global fall in the price of crude oil, he emphasised that his administration ensured that the promise of removal of all illegal payments, all illegal allowances, ghost workers, blocking of all loopholes were carried out in 2015.

A breakdown of the 2016 estimate shows that recurrent expenditure will gulp N2. 252 billion, taking 72 per cent, while capital vote will take N73.667 million, constituting 28 per cent of the budget.

The estimate further revealed

that N1.881 billion is expected as statutory federal and state allocations, with Internally Generated Revenue projected at N843.674 million.

Edema said that in line with his administration’s policy direction of impacting positively on the lives of the people of Warri South council, the sum of N52.5 million would be spent to ensure that existing boreholes

council in the past were made functional and new ones provided in areas where there is none, while N37.8 million would be expended on environmental sanitation.

He stressed that as a major source of revenue, adequate attention shall be paid to the development of markets in Warri with a projected sum of N100 million.

Navy, Police clash over traffic control in P-Harcourt

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— MEN of the Nigerian Navy and some policemen clashed, yesterday, on the busy GRA Junction on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Innocent motorists were reportedly molested while the fracas lasted. Teargas canisters was freely fired by some of the security men.

Vanguard gathered that trouble started when some Navy men, who were escorting a senior officer got stuck in the traffic around the busy junction.

It was not clear what happened but suddenly there was exchange of hot words between men of the Navy and the plainclothes policemen, who were reportedly at the junction controlling traffic.

“The next thing we saw was teargas fired by the security men.

It forced many to run for safety,” an eye witness said.

It could not be confirmed if there was casualty. But the Police image maker in the state, Mr Ahmad Muhammad said, there was no casualty adding that the matter had been resolved.

C-River govt, Canada to collaborate in skills acquisition, micro-financing

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ROSS River State Government and Canada have identified health, fishery and agroforestry as areas of collaboration for skills acquisition, trainings and micro-financing for entrepreneurship.

The partnership, a resolution of a meeting between Governor Ben Ayade and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry Calderwood, held at the Governor’s Office in Calabar, comes on the heels of several others with countries that view Cross River State as strategic and secure for investments.

The Canadian High Commissioner said his country has been partnering the state through several programmes in the areas of health and was planning to include agriculture even as his country bids to become a key player in the exploitation and utilization of solid minerals in the state to create wealth for the citizenry.

Calderwood who announced a $15 million window programme for skill acquisition, training and microfinance for youths in the areas of agro-forestry, fisheries and agriculture, said that the meeting was also an approach for the state to increase its investment in essential medicine, especially for women and children.

Ebitimi for burial

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R Philip Ebitimi Sonron of Agadagba, Arogbo, EseOdo Local Government Area, Ondo State, is dead, aged 55.

His remains will leave University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, tomorrow, for his home town, Arogbo, Ondo State, for interment.

He is survived by a widow, three children, grandchildren, and other relations.

Late Ebitimi Sonron

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—13

Soldiers invade Ondo community for Ajube, ex-MEND leader JTF can’t hold community leaders liable —Boyloaf Ijaw under military siege —Rights group

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, SouthSouth & Akpokona Omafuaire

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ECURITY operatives hunting for the militants who bombed oil pipelines in Delta State have invaded the riverine Bolowoh community in Ondo State, in search of a former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Bibopre Ajube, aka Shoot-At-Sight.

Vanguard learned that the security agents were hunting for the former militant leader, a partner of former General Officer Commanding, GOC, of MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

Meanwhile, former Commander of MEND, Victor Ebikabowei Ben, alias 'General' Boyloaf, has dismissed the recent statement by the JTF, in the Niger Delta that it would hold community leaders responsible for attacks by militants on oil facilities in their areas.

Boyloaf, in an interview with Vanguard, said, “Truth is, the JTF cannot hold any community leader responsible for any attack that has taken place in the past or in the future, and they know it, because the community leaders are not empowered to secure or watch over the pipelines."

This came as a nongovernmental organisation, the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, cried out yesterday to the international community that the Ijaw nation was under military siege.

Ijaw nation under military siege —IPDI

National president of the organisation, Austin Ozobo, who called for the intervention of the international community told Vanguard on phone: “Thousands of residents have deserted their communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom and Bolowoh community, Ondo State, the hometown of former militant leader, Bibopre Ajube, aka ShootAt-Sight, because of Monday’s invasion of the community.

“Movement is restricted in the area, cost of food is high and some persons are trapped,” Ozobo said.

Also, the Committee for Rural Development, Warri, Delta State, claimed, yesterday, that security operatives searching for perpetrators of the last pipeline bombing in the state had issued an ultimatum to Ijaw residents living in Sandfield I and 2, Ogbogbene, int Warri over side, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, to vacate the areas.

President of the Committee, Mr. Asiayei Enaibo, in a statement,

AWARD: From left: Director General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Lagos, Dr. Gloria Elemo; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari; SNEPCo Portfolio Manager, Mr. John Eweje and SNEPCo Communications Manager, Mrs. Sola Abulu, at the Opening Session of the 2016 Offshore West Africa Conference in Lagos. SNEPCo was conferred with the only award of the conference, Loyalty Award. said: “The issue of JTF asking Ijaw communities, especially Sandfield I and 2, Ogbogbene, at Warri over side, because they are in search of Tompolo, is a sign of misdirected action.”

A military source, however, denied that the task force issued a quit notice to Ijaw communities, saying people were just blowing the military operation out of proportion.

Enaibo, who said the residents were already deserting the community, added, “The JTF should ensure professionalism in their operations, as they are known to be perfect in intelligence gathering. An ultimatum to Ijaw communities to pack out on January 28, is a declaration of war against Ijaw nation by President Muhammadu Buhari's government.”

Security operatives, who stormed Ondo State, were reportedly working on intelligence that Ajube took part in the Delta pipeline bombing, which the ex-militant leader denied.

Narrow escape

The details were still sketchy, yesterday, as the JTF in the Niger Delta was keeping its current operation in Ondo State secret, but our source said, “Ajube was not at home when they stormed his home.”

Our source said, “Soldiers narrowly missed arresting him, he escaped before they could seize him. They seemed to be targeting people close to Tompolo and have made more arrests. Ajube is one of the top Tompolo generals that accepted amnesty.

“We do not have the identities

of the people they have arrested so far and the purpose of the army invasion,” he added.

Last week, the Arogbo Ijaw National Front raised alarm that the Nigerian Army was exacerbating inter-ethnic tensions and other forms of violence in the riverine parts of Ondo State with an ill-advised manhunt for the founder of a vigilante group.

In a statement, its president, James Akubirisei, accused the military of declaring an unwarranted search for Ajube, saying that security agents accused members of a local anticrime group, Gallery Security Services, founded by Ajube, abandoned their duty posts to carry out the Delta attacks.

Meanwhile, the Okerenkoko Federated Communities have advised the JTF not to bring reproach on the military through indiscriminate arrests of Gbaramatu people over the recent crude oil and gas pipelines bombing in the state.

Secretary, Okerenkoko Federated Communities, Ernest Bebenimibo, in a statement, said, “I want to call on the security agency to stop harassing, arresting and detaining Okerenkoko and Gbaramatu youths without cogent reasons after the recent pipeline bombardment which was roundly condemned by us.”

However, General Boyloaf, in an interview with Vanguard, was asked: How do you see the present travail of Tompolo concerning a bench warrant by a court for his arrest and insinuation that he was party to the last pipeline bombing in Delta State?

What we have to do is to place

events in their proper prospective to avoid over heating the polity and causing unnecessary friction. Most of us have our private businesses and in the course of doing business, we interact on a corporate platform with other businesses and institutions of the government.

In business, there may be misunderstanding, claims and counter claims and I believe that there are ways and means to resolve whatever differences that occur in the process of doing legitimate business. They should explore that process.

A group of ex-militants which said ex-President Jonathan did not grant them amnesty had claimed responsibility, saying that they struck to draw attention to their demand. Do you think they are justified?

The late President Umaru Yar’Ádua, may God bless his soul, granted the amnesty. It was continued by President Goodluck Jonathan and President Buhari is sustaining it. Those who claimed responsibility should open up.

They should show their faces so that we will know if they are beneficiaries of the amnesty or not.

It is not enough to make bogus statements that you cannot substantiate. Anyone who is under amnesty has no justification to blow pipelines. If you do so and they identify you, the normal thing is that you automatically lose the benefits of the amnesty and they treat you as a common criminal.

JTF had said it would hold community leaders responsible for future attacks in their domains. What is your opinion

on this?

Truth is, the JTF cannot hold any community leader responsible for any attack that has taken place in the past or will take place in the future, because the community leaders are not empowered to secure or watch over the pipelines.

The communities do not have the wherewithal and capability to protect the pipelines, except the government is encouraging communities to start carrying arms to protect the pipelines, because you cannot protect the pipelines with your bare hands, as the people who destroy the pipelines do not come with bare hands.

I can recall that in the run- up to the last presidential election, mindful of all the threats and tension in the country at the time, government awarded pipeline protection contracts to community based entities.

However, uptil now, the government has not paid and most of these community entities are now indebted to their banks that provided funds for the execution of the contracts.

Now, the government is still expecting them to risk their lives to protect the pipelines. The best the community can do is to provide information to the JTF and they can only do this in a discreet manner or else there will be consequences. It is a matter of life and death.

What is your advice to Tompolo, to submit himself for arrest or continue to defy the law by not coming out?

I really have no advice, other than to say that all responsible adults should be able to discern and count their teeth with their tongues.

What is your advice to militants in N Delta regarding the Buhari regime?

First thing is that they should remember that it was not President Jonathan that granted the amnesty, so the future of the amnesty is not tied to the tribe of the occupant of Aso Villa. With that in mind, the end of Jonathan administration is not necessarily the end of the amnesty.

The sad part is that Jonathan's administration, through Kingsley Kuku, mismanaged the programme. I cannot fully understand the political agenda and direction of the Buhari administration on the amnesty programme. However, the Coordinator, General Boroh, is doing his best.

So my advice is that our people should understand the issues and the times we are in, and as far as the government has not made any categorical statement against the amnesty, the people should continue to support the government to succeed.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016

BUDGET 2016: Senate tasks Buhari on capital projects

By Henry Umoru, to to spend borrowed constitutional breaches.

The Senators agreed that Emman Ovuakporie & money on capital projects.

Johnbosco Agbakwuru The debate on the budget there was the need to limit

A

BUJA—THE Senate yesterday continued debate on the 2016 Appropriation Bill presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, with a call on the executive

ends today after three days.

This came on a day members of the House of Representatives on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged that the budget document contained

the expenditure of monies borrowed to fund capital projects, and stressed the need to diversify the economy, following the dwindling price of oil in the international market.

They also identified

agriculture and solid mineral sectors as areas the Federal Government should focus on in its drive to source for other means of generating revenues.

Unlike what played out on the first two days where the stiff opposition to the budget came from the opposition party, the

DINNER: From left: Founder and CEO of Alpine Investments, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; United States Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker and President/CE, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, during a private dinner hosted by Dangote in Lagos on Monday.

FG’ll recover $750m Abacha loot soon — MINISTER •To prosecute 800 terrorism cases cooperation with other the Ministry of Finance.

By Emman “The successful jurisdictions to ensure the Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru repatriation of illicitly- prosecution of the above

A

BUJA—THE F e d e r a l Government yesterday said that it would soon embark on the recovery of additional $750 million said to be “Abacha loot” yet pending.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami disclosed this during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Justice in Abuja.

The Minister further stated that his ministry was aiming at recovering on behalf of the Federal Government £6.9 million said to have been misappropriated by a former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

He said: “In respect of of the recovery of looted assets, the ministry will engage in an agree waive policy of using Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements or other bilateral and multilateral instruments to seek

acquired assets in foreign jurisdictions.

“The collaboration will equally involve the engagement of foreignbased Counsel to attend to matters on behalf of the Federal Government. Lowhanging fruits being targeted in this initiative include $750 million ‘Abaca loot’ as well as the sum of GBP 6.9 million of the ‘Ibori loot’.

“On the long run, the ministry will be in a position to coordinate the recovery of billions of Dollars in foreign jurisdictions, based on current estimations.”

On the issue of terrorism, the AGF said, “My ministry is currently processing approximately 800 terrorism cases for prosecution . The resources required for the successful prosecution of these cases as well as the general coordination of the Criminal Justice Sector as envisaged under the ACIA, were fully captured in the original proposal made by the ministry to

priorities will require the necessary balance of personnel capacity including staff training, travels and tours, resource capacity in terms of adequate budgetary allocations and legislative support by the National Assembly through the passage of all requisite Bills, as may be presented by the executive arm.

“The anti-corruption campaign will involve the deployment of resources by the ministry to assess and prosecute the requisite cases in collaboration with the anticorruption agencies, pursuit to the overriding powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in Sections 150 and 174 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“In respect of measures to ensure the expeditious prosecution of terrorism, the ministry’s efforts will be anchored on the successful implementation of the administration of criminal justice Act 2015, ACJA, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.”

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a senator from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and wife of the national leader of the party picked holes on the budget, saying as a government with Change mantra, the change must trickle down to all Nigerians across board.

Making a passionate case for women, Senator Tinubu noted that what had been set aside for Nigerian women was not reasonable, warning that if there was no amendment to this, the Federal Government might incur the wrath of the women.

Some senators also called on the Federal government to scrap the security vote for governors, against the backdrop that many former governors were alleged to have abused the usage.

Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki told the Senators yesterday that the senate would round off debate on the 2016 Appropriation Bill today.

With this, the budget will today pass the second reading and would then be

committed to the Danjuma Goje-led Senate Committee on Appropriation.

Tinubu said: “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, is it not true with the saying that when we educate the girl-child we have educated the entire nation. The APC in its manifesto mentioned that there is need for an alle n c o m p a s s i n g empowerment programmes for Nigerian women, such comprehensive empowerment requires fund which should be included in the budget for implementation.

“Going through the budget for the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, I discovered that the total allocation to the women ministry is so meager and I think it would be the least allocation received that is allotted to a ministry. And when we look at the functions of this ministry, we see that the ministry is divided into two divisions, human resources and capacity building, economic services and women cooperative.''

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016—15

BIAFRA: MASSOB appeals for release of 23 members from detention ...Urges Uwazuruike to stay away from its hqtrs

By Francis Igate & Nwabueze Okonkwo

E

NUGU—THE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to release 23 members of the group in detention even as it raised alarm over the antics of its erstwhile leader, Ralph Uwazuruike. The group alleged Uwazuruike was planning to attack its headquarters in Okwe, OnuImo Local Government Area of Imo State in a desperate bid to restore himself as leader of the pro-Biafra group.

MASSOB warned that it will resist such attack as it appealed to security agencies to come to their aid given its peaceful stance on the agitation for Biafra.

While addressing newsmen,MASSOB leader,Uchenna Madu, warned that it will not fold its arms and watch but rather stamp its foot on the ground to ensure that Uwazuruike and his cohorts do not occupy the pro-Biafra base.

“Uwazuruike is under pressure because he never fought for the Igbo course. That is why we are appealing to security agencies to come to our aid as our demonstration for Biafra is peaceful. We will resist Uwazuruike fire-for-fire if security agencies fail to arrest him.

“We will not fold our arms and watch him(Uwazuruike)take over our headquarters. He has mortgaged our future to politicians,” the MASSOB leader appealed.

MASSOB, also appealed to the Federal Government to release unconditionally, its 23 members that littered the prisons in the south-east geopolitical zone.

Humanitarian bail

Meantime, the Coalition of South East based human rights, SBCHROs has called on Justice James Tsoho of Court Three Division of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to courageously grant detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and others humanitarian bail on Friday, January 29, 2016 during his much awaited ruling on their bail application.

SBCHROs said that "though by virtue of Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, accusations of treasonable felony and unlawful possession of firearms leveled against them are bailable; but it is our considered opinion that Nnamdi Kanu in particular has brazenly been denied the C M Y K

constitutional protection, rights and remedies; having been held in a manner and circumstance frowned at by the constitution."

The group said in a press statement issued yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State entitled: “Nnammdi Kanu deserves humanitarian bail and judicial protection from state falsehood,” that by humanitarian judicial bail, they meant a bail condition accorded to a prisoner of conscience facing state persecution for expressing his political thoughts without use of violence.

According to the group, “such humanitarian bail condition(s)

include self recognition, liberty, inviolate undertaking from UK High Commission or judicial deposition of his UK and Nigerian Passports. We also call for the speedy and fair trial of Kanu and others.”

In the statement, the coalition declared: “It is our authoritative information that the detained Nnamdi Kanu had never returned to Nigeria or traveled to other parts of the world including his second home-state of the United Kingdom without following and applying legitimate diplomatic processes and procedures.

“Specifically, Kanu did not return to Nigeria via Lagos, Southwest Nigeria in October

2015 without international passport of Nigerian origin. By convention or treatise (international law), which is applicable in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, Nnamdi Kanu is a member of international, Nigerian and UK citizenship.

Also by the provisions of Chapter Three of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, Citizen Nnamdi Kanu is a citizen of Nigeria by birth or parenthood and by the provisions of the relevant laws of the UK; he is also a UK citizen by birth or naturalization. Generally, in the eyes of international law, he is a dual national of UK and Nigeria.

“Traditionally and specifically in Kanu’s case; visa is not required of him when he is leaving UK to Nigeria with Nigerian Passport or

VISIT: Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right), receives a souvenir from Rev. Ian Ballentine of the Anglican Church (left) and Anglican Bishop of Aba Diocese, Bishop Christian Ugwuzor, during their courtesy call on the Governor in Umuahia.

EFCC accuses Ohakim of intimidating witnesses

ALLEGED $2.2M FRAUD:

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, accused the former governor of Imo State, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim who is facing corruption charges, of intimidating some of the witnesses billed to testify against him.

Ohakim who piloted the affairs of Imo state between May 2007 and May 2011 is answering to a three-count criminal charge bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds.

He was alleged to have looted the sum of $2.290 million from the state treasury and used same to acquire a mansion at the Asokoro District of Abuja.

At the resumed trial yesterday, the EFCC told Justice Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court in Abuja that Ohakim had through his son, Emeka, threatened the life of one of the

witnesses, Mr. Abu Sule, who earlier exposed how the former governor paid a cash sum of N270 million for the Abuja property.

EFCC lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo told the court that Ohakim’s son has already traced the residential address of the witness.

“My lord this is a very serious issue that has to do with life and death. The witness called me around 9am yesterday (Monday) to inform me that the second son of the accused person came to his office at Asokoro and made inquiries about the address of his residence. In fact ,he asked three different people, one Itakpo, Okoh who is a taxi driver and one Architect Sola, who all refused to tell him.

“This is a criminal trial. The issue at hand has gone beyond counsel to counsel, it has to do with the life of a witness. We humbly urge this court to caution the defendant to immediately call

his son or whoever that is also involved in this plot to order,” Keyamo added.

However, his submission infuriated Ohakim’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, who accused Keyamo of raising a false alarm with a view to destabilizing the defence team.

Kalu said it was unfortunate that Keyamo never discussed such issue with himoranyofthelawyersinhisteambefore making such allegation in the open court.

“Whenthecourtstooddownthis matter, he had the opportunity to discuss the issue with either the counsel or the father of the son, but he did not do so.

“In African tradition, when a young boy misbehaves, the attention of his parents should be drawn to it. We find this issue very disturbing. It is on record that the PW-2 testified on November 2, 2015, yet the prosecution is alleging that it was only yesterday (Monday) that the young man went to find out the residence of the witness.

“Since Keyamo refused to give the defence opportunity to investigate the matter, we urge the court to dismiss this story,” Kalu added.

when he is traveling to UK from Nigeria with UK Passport. By law, Kanu is mandated to show his Nigerian Passport to UK immigration officials at any UK international airport enroute Nigeria and to Nigerian immigration officials on arrival at any Nigerian international airport; likewise using and showing his UK Passport to immigration officials when traveling to UK from Nigeria.”

On why he should be granted humanitarian bail, the coalition further declared: “Today marks 102 days since Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and detained by DSS on October 14, 2015 without conditional or unconditional release. In the history of democracy in Nigeria, no citizen except Nnamdi Kanu had been arrested and detained for 90 days without trial or release on pretrial bail.

IPOB directorate flays Buhari, DSS over claims against Kanu

Similarly, the Directorate of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has flayed what it termed false claims by President Muhammadu Buhari and his DSS on Nnamdi Kanu’s entry into Nigeria.

In a press statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by their spokespersons, Mr Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, IPOB said during its media chat of December 30, 2015, that the FG government falsely claimed that Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, entered Nigeria without a passport and that Kanu has two passports (one British and one Nigerian) which by the government's understanding, makes him a criminal and therefore guilty of a non-bailable offence.

Pa James Ndububa, 80, for burial

P

A JAMES Ekpebuba Ndububa, 80, of Isseke, Ihiala LGA of Anambra State is dead. There was a social wake at his compound yesterday, Tuesday, January 26, 2016, while the interment holds today after a requiem mass at his compound in Amudo/Umueze Isseke.

He is survived by children, and grand children, including Mr. Emmanuel Nduduba.

Late James Ndububa

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016

Umahi set to probe Elechi's administration A

By Peter Okutu

BAKALIKI—GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday declared that his administration was ready to probe the financial records of the immediate past administration led Governor Martin Elechi.

Umahi stated this during a town Hall meeting with different categories of stakeholders in the state at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abakaliki.

The Governor who regretted the level of financial misappropriation and dealings of the immediate past administration added that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFFC and

Independent Corrupt Practices andotherrelatedoffensesCommission, ICPC would be invited to look into the books.

He added that the two Commissionswouldalsolookintothe financial records of his 8 months

administrations for the purposes of assessing its financial dealings and operations.

NLC gets c'ttee on sacked 3,000 Imo workers

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

A

BUJA—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has set up a 6-man action committee on planned industrial action against Imo State government over the sack of 3000 workers, unpaid salaries and other benefits of the state workforce.

The committee will also address the recent Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy and increase in electricity tariff.

This came as the Hassan

Sunmonu-led Reconciliatory Committee, RC, took a major step towards resolving the protracted factional crisis rocking the NLC by appointing a 7-man panel to address the issue of parallel executives in the 36 states and Abuja.

It will be recalled that the Ajaero led faction had Friday, January 22, issued a 14 day ultimatum to the government to recall the sacked workers

and pay their benefits, among others or the state would be shut down by labour.

Briefing, Mr. Joe Ajaero, alongside other leaders of his faction, said within the next 14 days, the Imo State government must purge itself of unlawful actions including “the governor rescinding the illegal sacking of 3,000 of our members, all those workers said to have been sacked be recalled immediately and their entitlements fully paid,” among others.

I'm not distracted

by A-Court judgment —Ikpeazu

U

By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA— GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has said that the Court of Appeal judgment against him would not in any way distract him from his business of governance, saying that it has rather pushed him to do more for the people of Abia State.

Governor Ikpeazu, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, said despite the court of Appeal decision “his passion for service to Abia people has remained unshaken and unwavering and will remain so.”

In a statement entitled “strength amidst challenges”, Adindu noted that “what should have caused a low morale and dampen the spirit of a leader has rather come to be an inspirational obsession for Governor Ikpeazu.”

According to him, “the regime of projects and road constructions has continued unabated despite the distractions of the Appeal Court ruling. For the Governor, his covenant with the Abia people remains constant. So this period has been largely a time of consolidation of the gains attained in the first 200 days and a time of opening up of new frontiers.”

Mabel Nwofor dies @ 62 Mrs. Mabel Nwanneka Nwofor (Nee Ibeadua) is dead, aged 62. Christian wake will hold on January 28, at her husband’s compound in Umuezeana, Ibolo Oraifite, in Ekwusigo LGA, Anambra State.

Lying-in-state holds the following day at her husband’s compound, with the commendation service at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ibolo Oraifite.

Internment follows immediately.

Late Mabel Nwofor C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 —17

T

EACHERS are the first set of people who give a child a sense of self or validation outside of the home. If they are successful at imparting their knowledge and building a child’s confidence in his or her abilities, or in encouraging a child to pursue certain skills or even dreams, then they would have had a positive impact on that child’s life.

Unfortunately, too few Nigerian teachers fall into this category of individuals who are driven by a sense of purpose, a desire to leave children, if not the world, better than they found them. How could our Nigerian teachers have this sense of responsibility, in a country that cares so little for them, where salaries are negligible if paid at all?

There is probably no other profession in our country today that is as undervalued as that of teaching. However, if the majority of people in Nigeria had access to quality education (especially at the primary school level) our country would be markedly different.

Teaching, like almost everything else in Nigeria, has become an allcomers affair where people with neither the qualifications nor the abilities find themselves as they search for something to occupy their time till something better comes along.

They cope with the poor salaries and their overall humble circumstance, in some cases by taking out their frustrations on their pupils or by entering into some immoral arrangements with parents. Situations whereby teachers accept “gifts” from parents in order to guarantee a child’s success are not unheard of.

The educator, like the journalist, is available for purchase and the society itself is a garage sale where everything can be bought at a discount, even those people or things who were once the backbone of the social order.

Backbone of the social order So, if today our country and it’s people seem mostly corrupt and aimless, we must go back to our classrooms to figure out how we can help teachers retrieve their enthusiasm and to see their job as a calling rather than a dead end.

Teaching in the 21st century is about engaging an audience, bringing a subject to life and challenging even the most apathetic student to think critically and see the world differently rather than rehashing old debates or stereotypes.

I am afraid that no amount of reform can magically change the Nigerian teacher into something he hasn’t been trained or even himself been taught to be, by other teachers, as a young person. The social protection programme coordinated by Maryam Uwais (SA to the President on social protection) includes provisions for the hiring of 500,000 new teachers, which is all well and good, but I personally would like to know what yardstick will be used to measure these new recruits.

Will government be hiring more of the same tired individuals, whose broken spirits, assaulted by an unjust society, can only but produce more angry cynics like

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Can Nigerian teachers still teach?

have to answer a resounding no.

The same issue as in the civil service then comes about: if those who have imbibed the old, nefarious ways which have gotten us nowhere cannot evolve and embrace new ways of thinking, what do we do with them?

It is the same in the police force: what does one do with the overweight, drunk policeman who has subsisted on bribery and corruption his entire life? What do we do with anyone really, in this new dispensation that cannot change?

I think, first of all, the option must be given to them. But those who cannot embrace critical thinking, creativity, being socially conscious and the notion of relationships based on more than a common language, religion or village, will eventually be left behind.

Sadly, more than half our population is still in the throws of illogical propaganda (occasionally causing them to defend or excuse ignoble acts) so we cannot, ultimately, abandon them. So there must be an urgent rescue mission or programme to tackle adult education, skills and corresponding values.

“Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education”, Martin Luther King Jr. once said.

We cannot rebuild the Nigerian character without first of all restoring dignity to teachers and restructuring their training.

Governor Okorocha

•A teacher and her pupils themselves? Or will we search for young people who hopefully, are not so tainted by the system and can conceive that their job is to be change-makers themselves by raising future citizens? Also, what methods will these new teachers use? Will they encourage students to think outside of the box and fall in love with their subjects, or will the classroom simply be a place of routine, missed opportunities and boredom?

When will we reform Nigerian education as a whole? What impact do we believe teachers should have on students? What sort of people do we believe this society needs: yes-men and ethno-religious bigots or inquisitive nonconformists who can re-assess the status quo?

What will be the new norms of the Nigerian society and how are

There is probably no other profession in our country today that is as undervalued as that of teaching

educators, the police and journalists being prepped to teach, enforce and communicate them? How do we go about training our teachers to find a raison d’être beyond simply preparing students for the

workforce? Can education in Nigeria be about socio-cultural development and preparing our youth not just for work but for life and active citizenship? With our current crop of teachers I would

Militants

T

HEY’re back. Like the pi rates who once traversed the Atlantic, they have no loyalty to country. Their only affinity is to the would be Niger Deltan cause to which they have brought nothing beyond destruction (after all by destroying oil pipelines and infrastructure it is their own region’s livelihood which is most directly at stake).

The likes of Tompolo etc. according to recent allegations were enriched by the past government, with no benefits to the common man of the Niger Delta.

So when will said common man in the creeks, living from hand to mouth, stop hiding and defending the people who are the cause of the region’s poverty?

As for those turning the security forces’ response to their acts of domestic terror, into an ethnic witchhunt, they should know that if they were law abiding citizens, they would have nothing to fear.

After all, neither you nor I reading this are wanted by the state. I hope that the people of the southsouth and south-east stop abiding by the destructive tendencies of

Tompolo some of their leaders who couch their followership in ethnic terms to distract from their failures. The citizens of Otuoke should be the most prosperous in Nigeria, if it were true that a leader from your community would be the most inclined to take care of you.

Nigerians, wake up to the manipulation and impossible greed at play. You are the only victims.

Extradition treaty

A

MUTUAL Legal Assistance agreement was signed in Dubai last week between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates to enable the repatriation of looted funds for development and the prosecution of corrupt Nigerians who saw Dubai as a safe haven.

There are billions of dollars, the proceeds of fraud, at stake. Bravo, Buhari, your country thanks you.

Gov. Okorocha

I

’M quite baffled by the sack ing of 3,000 Imo state workers, even after the Presidency released bail out funds for the governors to pay civil servants. Many of our governors are poor leaders or managers, incapable of seeking out creative solutions to problems.

They hire droves of civil servants in a populist move to provide quick employment till they can no longer afford to pay them, rather than seek to develop the state’s assets so that citizens do not need to look to government for sustenance.

I’lladmitthatregrettably,Nigeria’s civil service has not been equipped to function in the modern world so sometimes, letting go of positions, which are inessential or redundant is a tough but necessary call.

But did the governor let go of some of his aides? Or once again, is the average Nigerian expected to pay for the excesses and mistakes of the political elite?

*Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 Last week, the House of Representatives speaker, Yakubu Dogara, inaugurated the house constitution review committee to re-visit the 1999 constitution with a view to carrying out necessary amendments.

The house committee came on the heels of that of the Senate which it had earlier put in place. Specifically, the committees are to continue the constitution amendment process where the 7th national assembly stopped.

Incidentally, both Saraki and Dogara were members of the last National Assembly that virtually completed the process of amendments which former president Goodluck Jonathan refused to assent over some fundamental issues contained in the document. Jonathan cited 13 grounds why he withheld his assent thereby rendering the entire exercise an effort in futility, despite the huge resources and time committed to the process.

Among the contentious issues is the provision that strips the president of the power to sign the amended documents before it becomes law, power to appoint the attorney general of the federation vested in the National Judicial Council [NJC], separation of office of the Attorney General of the federation from that of the minister of justice as well as Attorney General and commissioner of justice

Senate, Reps, Constitution Review Committees at the state level.

Others include separating the Accountant General’s office from the federal government and creation of office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

The amendments also limit the period that expenditure can be authorized in default of appropriation from six to three months. President Jonathan also withheld assent claiming that the voting process that led to the amendments by the national assembly did not conform with section 9[3] of the constitution that requires 2/3 majority of members.

While we commend the initiative of the two legislative chambers to commence the exercise in earnest, we hasten to add that the unresolved issues should be given

priority to prevent a similar fate from befalling the entire effort as it happened previously.

Much as the provisions contained in the amended documents are laudable, they tend to whittle down the president’s power and weaken the office. That’s why we call on the eight national assembly to address those fundamental issues that may compel President Muhammadu Buhari to also withhold his assent when the time comes. We urge the Constitution review committees to take a second look at the provision that vests the power to appoint the attorney general of the federation on the NJC. This is imperative because the AGF performs an executive function, hence the holder is appointed by the Pres-

ident. In the same vein, the question of who would be the number one law officer between the AGF and the Minister of Justice should be addressed.

Similarly, we urge the National Assembly to also review the provision that separates the office of the Accountant General as provided in section 84 (a) of the Constitution from the federal government and create the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. Since the latter is expected to serve the three arms of the government,the issue of recruitment of personnel and funding should be resolved in the amendments.

We consider all this necessary because of the billions of naira that was expended by the last National Assembly which failed at the end of the day to produce the amended Constitution despite the high expectations of Nigerians. That is why we implore President Buhari to deploy all available means via the National Assembly liaison officer to ensure that the grey areas are sorted out. With the dwindling income of the federal government amid crashing crude oil prices, the nation cannot afford another wasteful jamboree in the name of Constitution amendments.

OPINION Preser ving the int egrity of the Judiciar Preserving integrity Judiciaryy

By Nkem Ikenegbu

P

ROFESSOR Itse Sagay’s interview with the national paper Saturday Telegraph will remain a historian’s favourite document.

The front page interview ran under ‘‘Sagay: I doubt if Supreme Court will upturn decisions on Rivers, Akwa Ibom elections.’’

First of all, the careful historian will notice the ‘deliberately fixed’ attributions to Sagay, as was perhaps demanded by him?

According to the intro, ‘’Sagay is a professor of law, a renowned constitutional lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria [SAN]’’…. Yet, despite the correctness of the assertions, it is a prudently expurgated CV. Now Professor Sagay is currently, perhaps feverishly famous, because he has just been appointed to head the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACC. That is to say if Sagay has a CV credit that is it.

But the fact of his headship of PACCC was prudently skimmed out.

Of course PACC is a quasi-autonomous non/governmental organization, more famously known as quango. And quangos reached their greatest heights of infamy in the hands of caudillos [military or military derived leaders] of Latin American. And it is on record that they used it to debase, co-opt and corrupt, not just the judiciary, but almost all other segments of society. So a quango is like an institutional bagman of government.

That is while they may exhibit the innocence of not being government, quangos are the ‘unseen’ monkey paws that stirs the sorcerer’s pots.

Now even if the interviewer made the innocent slip of not properly designating Sagay, why did Sagay who is in an autumnal career boom as a Nigerian-style sage and moralist, even if on government retainership, not do full disclosures, not show utmost good-faith, by declaring his interests and a priori positions on the matter; that he is heading a quango? Why did it pay him or his retainers not to do full disclosures?

And the matter gets interesting. The point is that the judiciary is under in temperate siege, contemning and distrainment by the executive. But to get a fuller picture let us quote Ekiti’s Governor, Ayo Fayose, in a subject matter that is common knowledge. ‘’I was listening to the president on the television. He said somebody stole and some people are somewhere suffering. Is the president now a law unto himself? Is he a judge in his own matter?’’ Premium Times, 23-01-16.

And to aid the presidency, other operatives of the executive and associated departments, have openly been boasting, threatening and accusing the judiciary that they are to be soon jailed and or dismissed as if the judiciary and judges were their houseboys.

Now the picture begins to solidify.

Professor Sagay is a head of a quango. And

A party is partisan, is for the part, not the whole. But the judiciary is universal, is for wholesomeness of society

that quango is funded by the APC government of the day. So, what he says can be in justice taken to represent the desires, delegated desires, instructions and threats of the government in matters at issue.

And what exactly did he say in the said interview in issue? Magisterially Sagay concluded: ‘’So, I would be very surprised if there is any change at the Supreme Court.’’

For any unsophisticated reader it is all a harmless speak.

But consider that lawyers are tutored in the use of rhetoric as tools of warfare, to bludgeon, persecute and browbeat, just as an assassin would, with his hidden daggers.

So Sagay’s choice of words are to be taken as cold and deliberate. And he says he will be surprised, repeat surprised, and necessarily in disagreement or otherwise with the verdict.

Now, Robert Clarke, SAN is one of the most informed, senior and big ticket lawyers. In the three week of January he was famously at Channels’ Sunrise television belt. And he wisely railed against lawyers, especially senior lawyers, who indulge in speculative propositioning of judgements in matters that are before their justices. It was not only in his learned opinion sub judice, it was professionally unethical, unbecoming and finally disgraceful.

And Sagay is a senior lawyer and teacher of laws. He should on the law of averages know that lawyers should not indulge in propositioning or speculating on judgements of the justices. He should know that these judgements are not like shares and stocks, or even Baba Ijebu lotto magic winning numbers.

Yet, the professor did exactly that. Now, with the combination of the ways of this administration, its impulses, statements and body language or odour, against the judiciary, and Sagay’s prudent choice of legal vernaculars, it is certain that his intention and or what can be deduced from what he says is: that the judgement of the Supreme Court did better go this governmentapproved way, or the Supreme Court judges would have surprised government. Thus, whatever government does to and or with them is their fault or making.

In a sense, all these amount to a clear and vicious assault on the judiciary, a constitutionally provided and independent arm of government. That is to say that the very independence and survival of the judiciary is about to be breached.

And what is their great purpose? According to their body language and odour, it is enthrone the impeccability of one man, of one party rule. How? It is simple. If the judiciary is bagged as a game, by the APC/ executive, opposition, ordinary Nigerians may never get justice, except as administratively determined by the APC/ executive. And if there is no justice, there can’t be opposition. In fact, there can’t even be the people. Citizens become chattels and plebian of their new Caesars or sheriffs.

So the siege against the judiciary is just to strengthen a party and its government. That is the judiciary is to be sacrificed to empower a party. Yet by existence and logic, a party is partisan, is for the part, not the whole. But the judiciary is universal, is for wholesomeness of society.

•Dr. Ikenegtbu, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Abdulrahman Danbazau and the arrogance of power

T

HE Minister of the Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau is not new to public office. A three star general at the point of retirement, he was for some years the Chief of Army Staff in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Even though his tenure as the CoAS was not particularly distinguished nor was he noted for any major achievement while in the military, he nevertheless carried himself in a rather dignifying way. His deep baritone together with his imposing physique gave him presence. Combine this with the fact that he is the proud possessor of a doctorate degree in criminology (?) (which will seem to suggest that he is something of an intellectual) and you have what might be considered the right picture of a soldier and a gentle man. Nigeria’s own version of US Army’s General David Petraeus. Even though, as earlier remarked, his time as the CoAS was unremarkable, and as average as average could be, his re-emergence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would suggest that there might be more to his person than meets the eye.

For making it into Buhari’s ministerial team of angels, as some Nigerians derisively called the president’s cabinet on account of the many months it took him to draw up his ministerial list and assemble his team, one would be excused to think that General Danbazau must be an achiever, albeit, one either under-rated or yet to be recognised. His appointment would therefore seem a second chance for him to reinvent himself.

Personally, I had allowed myself to be persuaded by speculations in the media that he would be appointed the Minister of Defense given his background in the military and his status as a former Chief of the Nigerian Army. But he was deployed to the Ministry of the Interior. Buhari probably thought less of his attributes as a soldier than his administrative and intellectual skills that might be better suited to manage several of the paramilitary forces under his assigned ministry.

Generally Danbazau appeared to operate from the background; neither did nor said anything important while still in the Army.

This no doubt shielded him from public attention. His reticence as a soldier may neither be possible

nor desirable in a civil administration. The type of protection that his uniform afforded him might no longer be possible in his new position. Which is to say that the true character of the man might gradually be showing now. And the picture that is developing from this might not be entirely flattering to his person.

In fact, what is coming up, the face of General Danbazau that Nigerians are beginning to see could possibly not be uglier than it presently is. What is emerging is the picture of a supposedly sophisticated and decent human being with a feudal mindset. This is hardly a nice introduction to the general public. Nigerians were righteously outraged to see the picture of one of the minister’s security agent crouched at his feet cleaning his shoes in the full glare of the public. The minister sat back in a manner that suggests he is used to such demeaning and psychologically brutalising treatment of his personal staff and subordinates, free born Nigerians like him. He looked on with feline complacency as his security man

But it is Nigerians themselves that must continue to insist on the type of police establishment they want and the conduct expected of such officers deserving of a place in it

Learning at the feet of a benevolent taskmaster (for BJ at 70)

E

VEN before I had sat in the same classroom with Professor Biodun Jeyifo (BJ to his legion of friends and admirers), I regarded him as my teacher. He had been instrumental to my arrival at Cornell in 2001 to fulfil my long-nourished dream of taking a degree in literature-in-English.

With a background in law, my best bet was to apply for a Master of Fine Art in poetry, having already published a collection of poems, finished the first draft of another, and freshly become a fellow of the Iowa International Writing Programme. All I needed were excellent letters of recommendation and statement of purpose.

BJ revised my draft statement into a document sure to be noticed among the mountain of entries, followed by an enthusiastic letter of recommendation.

Boosted by an equally hearty recommendation from one Wole Soyinka (you know him?), he opened the road to my pursuit of post-graduate studies, starting with an MFA and ending with a Ph.D in literary and cultural studies that culminated in a dissertation published in 2013 by Palgrave Macmillan as History, Trauma, and Healing in Postcolonial Narratives: Reconstructing Identities.

When BJ turned 60,I became his student in the strict sense by enrolling in his seminar “Broken English: English Studies in Post colonial, Post modern Frame,” just before Harvard lured him away. I paid tribute to this exemplary man with a narrative essay entitled “For BJ at 60: A Student’s Random Recollections in Lieu of a Tribute” (West Africa Review, http:// www. a f ric a k n o w l ed g ep r o j ect. o r g / index.php/war/article/view/275). I would like to add one more word of homage, the man

being so accomplished his praise song must be long.

BJ’s name spells R-I-G-O-U-R and E-RU-D-I-T-I-O-N, as Aretha Franklin had us spell R-E-S-P-E-C-T. His vast body of scholarly articles, books, monographs, edited volumes, and journalistic essays, attest to this universally acknowledged fact among his peers and students. If in doubt, see Wole Soyinka: Poetics, Politics, and Postcolonialism (Cambridge University Press, 2004), his acclaimed study of Soyinka’s oeuvre, a task I need tell you is not for the intellectual feather-weight or faint-hearted! During the two-day conference last week at the Obafemi Awolowo University—where he taught for 11 years before the desecration of our universities led him to the United States in search of intellectual succour for “two years in the first instance”—this reputation set the stage for proceedings.

To BJ, no human problem is quite as simple as it may appear. Thus, we must always probe beneath the surface of ideas

What many might not know is that 40 years ago, he resigned from the University of Ibadan and withdrew with a few comrades to a commune in Ode Omu, Osun State, to prepare for a socialist revolution

dusted his shoes from one foot to the other. It never occurred to him that the man’s brief was to protect him and not as a shoe- shine boy who in such circumstance would be doing that for which he is paid.

Danbazau apparently enjoyed this foolishly servile gesture from a secret agent.

Nigerians may just be getting to know Danbazau, even if from a distance, and they are not amused by his big man airs. But I first started feeling disappointed in the man after I saw television footage of him addressing staff of one of the ministries under his supervision. This was shortly after the new ministers had been sworn into office and he was on some kind of familiarisation visit to the said ministry. As if speaking to soldiers at a drill ground, our man addressed his listeners in a manner one shouldn’t talk to adults. His tone and voice was both authoritarian and threatening. The last time I saw a public officer addressing civil servants like that was during the military era. But Mr. Danbazau was either blissfully unaware or unperturbed by the inappropriateness of his instructions, a form of verbal violence, to his listeners. That episode got me rethinking my earlier favourable impression of ‘His Excellency’. And even though I would have expected a more sophisticated behaviour from someone of his professional and intellectual attainments, his latest misconduct seems one of a type with the earlier one.

The general reactions of Nigerians, impassioned and angry, should send a message to the likes of General Danbazau that their conduct is no longer acceptable in this country. It is appropriate that this has happened at a time Nigerians have had reasons to complain about how policemen

and things to apprehend their truer meanings.

An ideological task that requires mental agility served by erudition and a c o n s t a n t scrutiny of extant knowledge. In s h o r t , epistemological vigilance, intellectual inquiry being a complex matter ab initio: for you see, O le gaani o! The Yoruba rendering summed up the testimony of Tejumola Olaniyan, a distinguished exstudent of BJ’s at Ife and Cornell and now the Louise Durham Mead Professor of English, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

There is an American version of BJ’s motto of mental sophistication. After several meetings at which the reading list grew successively longer and the angles of inquiry ever more abstruse, an African-American doctoral student of his exclaimed, “Ah, that brother is tough!”

And now my own testimony. As chair (later co-chair on leaving for Harvard) of my dissertation committee, BJ posed the toughest question at my candidacy exam. I had proposed the theoretical framework of post-positivist realism developed as a counterweight to the growing insidiousness of post-structuralism/post-modernism in the humanities by a community of scholars in which he was active. Naturally, there remained several questions to be answered by this theory. Sensing that I had addressed myself insufficiently to complexity, he asked, “So, Ogaga, how would your framework respond to (primary) texts that are resistant to realist readings?”

O le gaani o! His “unfriendly” question was, however, a major impetus towards the integration of a psychoanalytical approach into my post-positivist realist paradigm. It led me to recall Frantz Fanon’s famous

and others within the security apparatus are being employed in degrading and unbecoming roles when on escort duties with or serving as security aides to some of our big men and women. These security personnel, usually police officers, are often saddled with less than dignifying responsibilities.

They function as hand bag carriers, messengers, traffic wardens and attack dogs for their principals. This is aside their roles as domestic staff that go on market and related errands for their principal’s spouse. Many of these professional security men, it seems, now see their undignified activities as normal, especially where there are personal gains to be made. Many struggle to be posted to such ‘lucrative’ beats where they can continue to play the role of porters, gardeners, cooks and steward even when in uniform.

To be sure, some of those on such duties still retain their sense of dignity and resist the attempt to assault their self-worth. But such are rare and are often seen as arrogant. They are stigmatised by both their colleagues and their principals for their lack of ‘eye’ service. Now the Police Service Commission has placed an embargo on police officers taking on domestic responsibilities while promising to prune the category of public officials entitled to police protection. But it is Nigerians themselves that must continue to insist on the type of police establishment they want and the conduct expected of such officers deserving of a place in it. It shouldn’t be a matter to be decided by the officers involved or the person(s) they are assigned to protect. It is the image of the Nigerian people and that of our police officers that is at stake.

Nothing should be done to undermine it. Not even the empty airs of bloated egos.

prescription in Black Skin, White Masks that “only a psychoanalytical interpretation of the black problem can lay bare the anomalies of affect that are responsible for the structure of the complex.” Fanon and Freud would be, then, my guides in grappling with texts that resist realist or simple readings. For if colonialism was nothing but a historical catastrophe, could it have inflicted only material damage and spared the psyche of the colonised? What, then, would it mean to read postcolonial narratives under the prism of trauma? A hard taskmaster had led me to derive new insights into the postcolonial predicament.

That is the teacher and scholar. There is also BJ theunrepentant Marxist and humanist every reader of his newspaper contributions towards progressive change knows. What many might not know is that 40 years ago, he resigned from the University of Ibadan and withdrew with a few comrades to a commune in Ode Omu, Osun State, to prepare for a socialist revolution.

It was after the dissolution of the commune a year after that BJ returned to academia.

At 70, his passion for change burns at even greater wattage than his commune days, though perhaps without the same zealfor revolutionary vanguardism. He will soon be back for good from his long sojourn abroad, he announced at Ife last week. All of progressive Nigeria should be counting the days to this homecoming. I wish my teacher and mentor many more fruitful years in health and happiness.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Govt raises fresh hopes on lingering boundary dispute between A-Ibom communities

By Chioma Onuegbu,

Uyo

T

HE lingering boundary dispute between Ikot Akpan Udo village, in Ukpum Ete Clan of Ikot Abasi Local Government area and Amazaba villages in Eastern Obolo local government area may finally be put to rest if the promise by the state government to bring out a white paper on the matter soon is anything to go by.

Vanguard Metro VM gathered that the renewed crisis among the communities penultimate Tuesday that led to destruction of properties and displacement of persons from the affected communities, first started rearing its head as far back as 1975 and has continued to be a recurring problem in the areas despite previous government interventions. The renewed crisis in the area prompted the state government through the office of the Deputy Governor to organise a peace meeting with community leaders as well as security operatives drawn from both local government areas of Ikot Abasi and Eastern Obolo last week with a view to bringing the worrisome matter to rest.

old Exco Chambers, Uyo, were the chairmen of both local government areas, and the Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, from the two areas as well as the representative of Mr. Murktar Mani, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command.

Addressing the people, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, said the present administration is determined to bring an end to the lingering crisis. The government, he said, is currently working on the recommendations of the commission of inquiry set up earlier which will be used to release the white paper as soon as possible. According to him the white paper when released, will determine the boundaries and interrelationship between the warring communities. He appealed to the people to cooperate with government in the move to restore peace in their area.

His words, “We (government) hope that by the time we rise from this meeting that the

Worrisome matter The community leaders present at the peace meeting included the Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi, HRM Edidem Udo Ntukubom, Paramount Ruler of Eastern Obolo represented by Chief Job James Job, Clan head of Ukpum Ete in Ikot Abasi, Etebom Clement Idemudo, spokesman of the Amazaba group of villages, Sir Utikpa Bibama, Amazaba youth leader, Sigismund John, youth leader, Ikot Akpan Udo, Abasiokon Etukudo and the village head of Ikot Akpan Udo, Eteidung Oscar Abel who was earlier reported to have been kidnapped by the Amazaba Andonis.

Other community leaders present at the meeting held at C M Y K

•Ikot Abasi LGA and Eastern Obolo LGA leaders with Akwa Ibom Dep Gov, Moses Ekpo communities will resolve by themselves to continue to live together in unity not only in the interest of their communities but in the overall interest of the state. The history of the problem that we have at hand is well known to you and efforts by government to put the problem at rest is also known to everybody here. Also I believe that in one way or the other all of you seated here from the two communities of Ikot Akpan Udo in Ikot Abasi and Amzaba group of villages in Eastern Obolo local government areas have been involved in this continued effort to find a lasting solution to this crisis. Let us hope that today will be the last time we will be sitting like this to seek for solution to this problem.

Release of white paper

We must all have understanding on how to live; so we are meeting again with the deputy governor on Tuesday for final solution and I strongly believe that is going to come out good

“The Commission of Inquiry which government has set up earlier has made its recommendations and government is working on those recommendations now which will be used to release the white paper. The white paper if released, will make all of you recognise that each of you in your various units and communities should live together as one people.” The deputy governor said government welcomed the request in a recent letter by people of Amazaba of Eastern Obolo LGA through the Council Chairman stressing their desire to go back to their

locations and takes it to mean that they actually want to go home and live in peace.

Ekpo lamented the huge resources government wasted in deploying security operatives to guard the affected communities over the years in order to ensure the protection of the areas against any possible attack from either of the warring communities.

“So we are not going to do that by using security agents to watch over you so that you don’t fight. Let us not give government further reasons to want to spend more resource by sending security people to come and superintend over your people”, he said, adding that the wasted resources ought to have been used to develop their areas and the state as a whole.

“You cannot imagine the resources that government has spent by sending security people to guard over your places. That money to me is wasted because it was not on your behalf; it is on behalf of trouble, to ensure that there were no eruptive actions. The resources probably would have been used for the betterment of the life of the people of the state. Both sides appreciates the fact that whenever there is a problem, disquiet, crisis leading to loss of lives and property it cannot augur well for that area.

“If we are perpetually at war that development cannot be achieved. Government is very much worried that rather than face the problems of making

sure that every community is looked after it has been spending so much on problem on boundary and land disputes. Land belongs to nobody. Land belongs to only God,” he said Some of the community leaders who spoke to VM after a closed door meeting with the deputy governor were optimistic that the peace move this time would be a success even as some expressed expectation that the continuation of the meeting schedule for yesterday, January 26, 2016 would be positive.

Lasting solution Clan Head of Ukpum Ete in Ikot Abasi local government area, Etebom Clement Edemudo said, “The deputy governor approached the issue pragmatically and I think both sides are happy about it. But the situation demands that the two communities have to sit down to proffer lasting solution to this lingering problem. It is not about police, it is not government. We must all have understanding on how to live. So we are meeting again with the deputy governor for final solution and I strongly believe that is going to come out good.”

However, efforts to find out why the peace meeting which lasted for over three hours was inconclusive was not successful as some of them declined comments on the reason.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

— 21

‘FG should explore CBN’s forex policy to boost manufacturing’

By Jonah Nwokpoku

M

ANUFACTURERS have called on the Federal Government to strengthen the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN policy on foreign exchange in order to support the growth of the manufacturing sector.

Deputy Managing Director, Tempo Pulp & Packaging Limited, Nassos Sidirofagis, a Greece national who runs a manufacturing firm in Nigeria, told newsmen at a recent press briefing on ‘the CBN policy and impact on the manufacturing sector,’ that the policy has begun to yield impressive dividends as local patronage has increased significantly leading to improved production capacity of up to 70 per cent.

He said: “The recent CBN policy was something that manufacturers were already waiting for.

LAUNCHING: Officials at the commissioning of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, and Chevron Nigeria Limited, NNPC/CNL Joint Venture, load-out of topside module of the SONAM N on-Associated Gas, NAG, Wellhead Platform project, built on Snake Island, Lagos.

Foreign products patronage

is only one medicine. You have to have discipline in spending at the government level, you have to help very much the manufacturing sector and you also have to have policies that contribute to job creation.

If Nigeria can keep this policy for one or two years more and be very strong with this policy, you will see that many investors will be coming to Nigeria to invest.

This is because; Nigeria will now be seen as a place that can support manufacturing”

Because of that policy which is encouraging local production, Nigerians are beginning to patronise locally manufactured products thereby creating jobs instead of the foreign products patronage which takes the jobs away from the economy.

It was a game changer because as a Nigerian company, we are also competing globally and locally. But this policy has helped us increase our production capacity by up to 70 per cent. This is significant because it will help us to increase export which will increase the rate of foreign exchange flow.”

He added: “In this global economy that we live now, there

$116.00

By Babajide Komolafe

$2,798.00 -21.00 0.08

$30. 68 0.18 $30.58 CURRENCY BUYING US DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

0. 24

SELLING

196 197.5 279. 2216 279. 9339 212.072 212.613 193. 1605 193. 6533 1.6548 1.6591 0.3038 0.3138 269. 6371 270.325 29.7895 29. 8659 52. 2249 52.3581 28.4087 28.4812 270. 0292 270.7181

197 280. 6462 213.154 194.1461 1.6633 0. 3238 271. 0128 29.9424 52.4913 28.5536 271.4069

CBN Exchange rate as at 26/01/2016 C M Y K

ment and only focused on importation. I can tell you that in Greece now, the government is focused so much on manufacturing and supporting the sector because that is the only way to create jobs.”

On his part, Managing Director, Sren Chemicals Limited, Oluwaseun Taiwo-Tijani, said: “Since the implementation of the policy, the demand rate for our products has increased dramatically.

This is because; most of the companies that now patronise us were

not able to import the products again. Before now, most companies still imported nylon bags, which we manufacture locally here, but because of this policy, they had to resort to local manufacturers.

This shows that this policy is capable of making Nigeria export dependent. As manufacturers, we are happy with the policy. Nigeria should manufacture not less than 70per cent of what it consume.”

Current economic climate calls for investment diversification —Oyebola

-0.45

$14.18

Speaking further, he said: “Being from, Greece, I understand that the problems that we had there were basically problems that many other countries have.

“The solution is to open up the market, focus on manufacturing and local production.”

Greece was like Nigeria, importing almost everything because it had plenty of money but at the end of the day we got bankrupt. And this is just because we didn’t have strong manufacturing, supported by the govern-

M

ANAGING Director/Chief Executive, FBN Capital Asset Management, Mr. Michael Oyebola has advised investors to embrace diversification as a tool of personal and institutional financial planning in light of the prevailing economic realities in the country to Reviewing early investment performance indicators in 2016, Oyebola said, “A simple look at the current investment climate in Nigeria following recent events that have occurred both locally and globally - from the drop in oil prices to the fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Naira - have reinforced the need for investment diversification for institutional and individual investors. Highlighting the various classes of investment options, he stated that while the usual rules of committing funds based on predetermined objectives and how much risk the investor is prepared to take in relation to the returns on his/her investments still apply, greater dynamism

will be required to manage exposure on current savings and investments as the year unfolds. As an example, following the new policy directives of the CBN on domiciliary accounts, it is perhaps the right time for individual and institutional investors that have dollar funds to also consider investment instruments that accommodate such currencies and yield significant returns.

Worthwhile alternatives “As the New Year evolves, there has to be the growing recognition among large and small investors, as well as savers nationwide that there are credible and worthwhile alternatives to saving their locally and internationally denominated funds which can bring them good returns. As a leading asset management firm, we have seen an increase in investors moving their savings and investible funds to our Mutual Funds, as we have delivered consistent returns

since inception. We have worked hard to raise public awareness on the benefits of mutual fund investing and are pleased that our efforts have resulted in phenomenal growth in the size of our total mutual fund assets under management, from NGN5.1bn at the end of 2010 to NGN31.6bn at the end of 2014 to NGN81.9bn at the end of 2015”.

Over the years, FBN Capital Asset Management, which is the Asset Management business of FBNQuest, has provided strategic advice and managed the funds of a broad spectrum of clients, including governments, corporations, institutional investors, HNIs and individual investors.

Resultantly, as at 31st December 2015, its Money Market Fund (MMF) had grown to become the largest in Nigeria with NGN72.6bn, while the FBN Fixed Income Fund (FIF) is the second largest Bond Fund with NGN4.6bn and the FBN Heritage Fund (HF) is currently the largest Balanced Fund with NGN4.5bn. In December 2014, the firm was recognised as the best Asset Manager in Nigeria at the EMEAFinance African Banking Awards in London.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

As it is now, many of the nation’s assets are uninsured by government through its ministries and agencies, despite the promulgation of the law on compulsory insurances

,

Insurance can thrive in the informal sector – Ogunbiyi T HE business of insurance can thrive in the informal sector as much as it is doing in the formal sector.

Group Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi who made this assertion noted that Mutual Benefits has demystified the misconception that the business of spreading risks to promote investments can only thrive in the formal sector.

Ogunbiyi who stated this at the company’s 20th annual thanksgiving service in Lagos said that the company has become pathfinders into a new dawn for insurance in Africa and trailblazers for creating massive employment, empowering citizens by generating income at the bottom of the pyramid and developing rural communities.

Ogunbiyi said, “Our God divinely led us to take the responsibility to seize the opportunity and bring the values of insurance to the doorsteps of our teeming population in Nigeria and even beyond.

“With brand Mutual, we have broken the bond of misery and

helped people to help themselves. Through valueadding hard work, we enhance and boost the wealth of the rich.

At the same time, we help the hardworking, poor to cast-off the chains of poverty and climb steadily up the ladder of sustainable progress.

The whole of Africa has adjudged Mutual as the most innovative insurance company because today, we have successfully used our strategic resources to purposefully play and add value in the informal sector. We are constructing the pillars of history by chronicling our past. This will help us to understand how far we have come and how far we have to go.

“By Gods grace, I was able to lead team Mutual, in just 20 years, to successfully becoming the most innovative insurance company in Africa and the pearl of the Nigerian capital market. Painstakingly and with empirical parameters, Mutual was adjudged to the glory of God, the Nigerian insurance industry leader and the overall highest leader of the Nigerian capital market,” Ogunbiyi said.

Continental Re strengthens W/A resource

C

ONTINENTAL Reinsurance Plc has announced the appointment of Mr. Shola Ajibade as General Manager, Operations, Anglophone West Africa.

Mr. Ajibade is an accomplished reinsurance underwriter and joins Continental Reinsurance with over 25 years’ experience in insurance and reinsurance.

He has garnered his experience through serving in leading institutions under different capacities.

His last role was with Aon Benfield South Africa where he held the position of Executive (treaty) for Sub Sahara Africa and was previously the senior broker for West Africa and Portuguese markets.

Prior to joining Aon Benfield, he worked at Swiss Re South Africa and Swiss Re Ivory Coast. He also worked in senior executive positions at United African Insurance Brokers (UAIB) Nigeria, The

C M Y K

INSURAN

,

Lion of Africa Insurance Company, Nigeria and Africa Re, Nigeria from where he started his career as an Underwriting Assistant.

Dr. Femi Oyetunji, Group Managing Director, Continental Reinsurance Plc states: “We’re delighted to welcome Mr. Ajibade to the company.

His wealth of experience and industry knowledge is a key addition to our company ’s multinational talent pool and in alignment with our vision of being the premier pan-African reinsurer.

Mr. Ajibade is a Fellow Chartered Insurance Institute, London; Fellow Insurance Institute of South Africa and an MBA holder from the University of South Africa. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Insurance from the Lagos State College of Science and Technology.

War on corruption: Best time to insure govt assets Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

T

HE administration of President Muhamadu Buhari has continued to sound the trumpet that it is disposed to prudent management of the nation’s resources.

As it is now, many of the nation’s assets are uninsured by government through its ministries and agencies, despite the promulgation of the law on compulsory insurances.

Accordingly, insurance practitioners are of the view that there could not have been a better time to take serious the issue of insuring the country’s national assets than now.

Aside from providing investible funds, insurance is one of the financial management strategies that must be factored into genuine economic development initiatives.

President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, NCRIB, Mr. Kayode Okunoren said that inputs should be solicited

from the insurance industry in the government’s economic policies.

Okunoren stated that government should be sensitive to its risk exposures and adequately insure all assets.

Group Managing Director of

To effectively enforce the ‘No premium, no cover’ policy in the country, the federal government should set example by paying premium for all its insurances so that individuals and corporate organisations can emulate

Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, Mr. Bode Akinboye said that to effectively enforce the ‘No premium, no cover’ policy in the country, the federal government should set example by paying premium for all its insurances so that individuals and corporate organisations can emulate.

Akinboye said, “If the federal government can pay premium as at when due, it will be easier to also help in enforcing the policy.

Enforcing the policy So we expect that under this new change era, government should be good example to the corporate world as well as to individuals. Government should lead, and then others will follow. So if the government knows that all its assets needed to be insured, and money is budgeted, they should release the budgeted fund. By such action, government will be in a position to enforce its own policy. If

Insurance part of human existence — Osipitan M

ANAGING Director/CEO of Great Nigeria Insurance Plc, GNI, Mrs.

Cecilia Osipitan has said that insurance is gradually becoming an integral part of

human existence coupled with the emerging innovations in the insurance industry.

VISIT: From left, President, Africa, Unilever, Mr. Bruno Witvoet; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh; Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Sam Egwu and Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Soromidayo George, during a courtesy visit to the Senate President in Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—23

VOL. 1 NO 53 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARYWEDNESDAY, 20, 2016 Vanguard, JANUARY 27, 2016

By Chidi Nkwopara

I

T is no longer news that Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has summarily sacked all the workers in 19 parastatals, agencies and departments. It is equally a fact that Governor Okorocha also stopped the salaries of those affected by the action, with effect from Monday, January 4.

South-East Voice gathered that the current action of the Governor is closely linked with the recent vexatious form which the administration forced Imo workers to sign before collecting their unpaid salaries.

A statement by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu, said the workers caught in the sack web include Imo Water Corporation, Imo Cattle Market, Imo Sports Council, Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission, ENTRACO, Imo Marketing Company, Imo Consumer Protection Council, Hospital Management Board, including its headquarters staff.

Others are Imo Tourism Board, Imo Blue Lake of Treasure, Imo State Investment Promotion Agency, Imo Job Centre, Imo Water Development Agency, IWADA, Imo Library Board, Imo Agricultural Loans Board, Imo Livestock, Imo Poverty Alleviation Agency, Imo Palm Plantation, Agricultural Development Programme, ADP, and Small Holders Unit.

Parents, guardians accuse Enugu PPSMB of charging students illegal fees — Page

SACKING OF IMO WORKERS: Okorocha on slopes of failure

Spared

It was equally gathered that the other agencies of government, whose staff narrowly escaped Okorocha’s sledgehammer were the Secondary Education Management Board, State Universal Education Board, General Hospital Okigwe, General Hospital Aboh Mbaise, Imo Essential Drugs, Special Education Centre Orlu and

Protesting Imo State workers.

School of the Deaf and Dumb, Orodo.

Others are Zoological Garden, Owerri; Logara Mbaise Remand Home; Government House Clinic; Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC; Project Finance Management Unit; Financo

Brokers; Heartland Football Club and Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies, ICAPS, Owerri.

Government explains action

Ejiogu’s statement explained that the

Ochanja Market electioneering takes new turn

By CHIMAOBI NWAIWU

N

NEWI—OCHANJA Market traders, under the aegis of Ochanja Central Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, OCMATA, have expressed dissatisfaction over the way the leadership of the market is handling the issuance of nomination forms for their forthcoming election, alleging that the market leadership was trying to unjustly disqualify some people to impose an unpopular person on the traders as President-General.

However, it has been revealed that the move to stop some contestants from contesting the upcoming OCMATA election is not necessarily because they are not wanted by the traders, but connected with their ambition to contest the President-General of all markets in Anambra State in an election that may hold in three years, and therefore, they must be stopped at the Ochanja level.

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Also in a separate reaction to the handling of the nomination form for the election in the market, women traders have threatened to strip themselves naked in the market if the leadership of the market goes on to disqualify some candidates because of their popularity in the market.

The traders embarked on a protest to drive home their stand against the market executives, who it is alleged are collaborating with an external trader’s body in the state to deny some aspirants of the position of President General of OCMATA Nomination Forms to contest in the upcoming election, against the constitution of the market.

The women, numbering over 1,000, who spoke to South-East Voice, through their spokesperson, Mrs. Augustina Agwuchukwu and three others, also vowed to boycott and disrupt the election if the leadership conducts it with the exclusion of some of the popular candidates.

The traders displayed placards with inscriptions such as “We say no to disqualification of anybody,” “We will never accept disqualification of any candidate,” “We say no to imposition of President General on Ochanja traders,” “Governor Obiano must hear this,” “Some people are short-changing his government in Ochanja market,” “No external market leadership will impose any leader on the Ochanga traders,” “Non-Ochanja traders should leave us to elect our leaders,” “We don’t want kangaroo election by electoral body,” among others.

They also chanted anti-incumbent executive songs, singing “Ofia must be given forms,” “Ebube Monso has said that Ochanja Market is short-changing Anambra Government as they danced round the market and later retired in one of the market offices upstairs.”

Speaking with South-East Voice, a

Continues on Page 25

action followed what he called “a productivity audit recently conducted in the parastatals, agencies and departments.

The release further stated that “government is satisfied that it is no longer in the public interest to keep running these agencies, parastatals and departments at huge cost to public revenue and no services to the public, under the present economic realities.”

Government promised that the affected workers would be communicated in due course about the administration’s next line of action regarding possible reengagement, after the ongoing concessioning exercise affecting the agencies, departments and parastatals.

The release, which ordered the affected staff to handover all government property in their possession to their chief executives within 48 hours, added that civil servants on secondment to any of the affected, parastatals and agencies are deployed to their parent ministries.

Labour reacts

Organised labour in Imo State reacted immediately, directing Imo workers in the 19 parastatals, agencies and departments affected by the recent sack order issued by the state government, to “report to their places of work and

Continues on Page 25

24— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Parents, guardians accuse Enugu PPSMB of charging students illegal fees

By Emeka Mamah

E

NUGU —PARENTS and guardians of students in secondary schools are

Lawmaker distributes 450 bags of rice to constituents

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—A member of Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Pascal Agbodike, has distributed 450 bags of rice, some cartons of groundnut oil and tomatoes to members of his Ihiala II constituency.

The ceremony took place at his Umuhu Mbosi home, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.

He also feted nursery and primary school pupils of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mbosi, and distributed some education materials to the school children.

Agbodike, who is the Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman, Youths & Sports Committee in the House, represents Okija, Orsumoghu, Azia, Mbosi, Isseke, Lilu and Ubulu-Isiuzo among other towns.

In his speech, Monsignor Michael Onyekachi, the Priest in charge of St Patrick’s, praised the lawmaker for his magnanimity, adding that Agbodike had never hidden his love for his people, particularly the less-privileged among them.

Speaking on the occasion, Agbodike thanked the priest and the Rev. Sisters for organising and imparting the required knowledge to the children for the good of the society and re-iterated his willingness to continue supporting education programmes of the pupils and other students at both the secondary and tertiary levels through his Mirioma Education Foundation.

According to him, over 100 youths from Ihiala II constituency will benefit from

Mr. Agbodike (right) presenting bags of rice to his people through Chief C. Y. Obi. his scholarship scheme at the end of his four years in the House.

He then appealed to parents to always encourage their children to acquire Western education, which he stressed,

“makes a man virtuous and affords him many opportunities in life.”

Also, speaking, the PresidentGeneral of Mbosi Town Union, Mr George Obizulike, expressed gratitude to the 11

Editor with honour in his hometown

E

IGHT TRADITIONAL canon shots, one for each of the eight communities of Ngor Ancient Kingdom, boomed as the Eze placed the red cap on the head of Dr Jossy Nkwocha, and named him Ebube Dike of Ngor.

This title means the people’s General.

It was the highpoint of the 10th coronation anniversary of His Royal Highness, Eze (Engr) Fredrick Nwachukwu, EzeOgboro I of Ngor autonomous community in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State on December 28, 2015.

Dr Jossy Nkwocha, former General Editor of Newswatch magazine, was among seven

•Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, Ebube Dike of Ngor.

Community signs first constitution Nwidoko, Elders Mamah Apeh, Omeke Alih and the Chairman of Imufu Town Union, Edwin Ossai, SUKKA— IT was further reduced the cost of marriages jubilation galore at or bride price in the community to Imufu community in Igboeze about N35,000 no matter the North Local Government educational level of the bride-to-be.

Area of Enugu State on On governance, the constitution December 28 when the first gives the Onyishi pre-eminence over constitution of the community the Igwe or traditional ruler, who must was signed at the palace of Gov Ifeanyi Ugwanyi be crowned by the Onyishi, whenever the Onyishi (eldest man) His of Enugu State elected.

Majesty, Ngwu Nwidoko.

The Onaje clan, the eldest in the community, The constitution, which has six main chapters, will produce the first Igwe while the prime reduced the period of mourning for both widows minister and the Igwe’s or palace secretary would and widowers to one month, and stipulated severe be produced by Umuossai and Umuowaa clans. penalties for defaulters. It further reduced the cost Among those present at the occasion were the of burying both women and men stating that only a elders-in- council, the former Chairman of Igboeze cow and a horse (both not compulsory) and four Local Government Area, Chief Celestine Ezugwu, goats should be slaughtered during such events no the Ikorobias, Egals including Chief Remigius matter how wealthy or poor the deceased or his or Attah and youths who were around for the “end her families might be. of year general returns in the area.”

The constitution, which was signed by Ngwu

By Chinenyeh Ozor

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wards that make up Ihiala II constituency for supporting Agbiodike and assured that the lawmaker would not disappoint them, instead he will always give them effective and responsible representation.

eminent sons of the town honoured for their various contributions to their fatherland.

In a citation read at the palace of the king, Dr. Nkwocha was credited with seven projects for the community.

He single-handedly built and donated a vicarage at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Ngor and renovated Ngor junction of AbaOwerri to prevent accidents.

He was chairman of Peace and Reconciliation Committee after a bitter Ezeship tussle 10 years ago.

In 2014, Dr. Nkwocha also wrote a book entitled NGOR, to project the community. He was also commended for employment opportunities for youths.

The king was quite impressed with the contributions of Dr Jossy Nkwocha, hence he gave him the chieftaincy title of Ebube Dike.

Jossy said he was humbled and promised to do more. Other persons who were also honoured include Okenze Innocent Edi, Chief Emma Black Eke (Odiukonamba), Chief Emma Nworgu (Udokanma), Chief Ugo Opraugo (Akarakaugo), Chief Chukwuemeka Nkwocha (Nnanyereugo) and Engr Peter Okere.

High Chief Emeka Egu and his wife, Dr. Ijeoma Egu from Umuohiagu community who live in the US, were also honoued with chieftaincy titles.

groaning under heavy burden of illegal fees allegedly introduced by officials of the Post-Primary Schools Management Board, PPSMB, in Enugu State.

Investigations showed that although the state government had declared free primary and secondary schools education PPSMB introduced all manner of fees, thus making a mess of the state’s free education programme.

It was discovered that some of the fees included, N900 paid by every student taking WAEC or NECO examinations and N500 for Junior Secondary School, JSS, examination.

However, SSS3 and JSS3 students have additional N100 embedded in their WAEC and NECO registration.

The levies are not part of the official fees for such examinations as separate bank accounts are created for them just like other levies introduced by the officials involved.

Other illegal fees include: education magazine levy, N100, for every student; reading culture, N900, for each Senior Secondary, SS3, and JSS 3 students; Morning Assembly Manual, N150 each; Moral Instruction, N100 each, both for JSS 1 students.

Apart from the above fees, students also pay for Reading Culture Magazine according to their levels.

Those in JSS 1, N150; JS2, JS2, SS1 and 2, N700 each and principals who refuse to collect such fees were made to face punitive measures.

Although it was not possible to get comments from officials of PPSMB, some school principals, who confirmed the fees collection to South East Voice, alleged that they were not exempted from payment.

According to them, two principals who refused to collect some of the levies were recently demoted and replaced by their juniors.

They said that they (principals) usually paid between N10,000 and N20,000 depending on the population of their students for “compulsory workshops” which were regularly organised for them.

“Instead of principals being paid allowances for attending workshops, those who have between 500 and 1,000 students population pay N10,000; from 1,5000 and 2,000 pay N20,000,” they alleged.

A principal of one of the hugely populated secondary schools in Enugu metropolis said that even private secondary schools had joined in the illegal taxation of students and sited a particular missionary school at Achara Layout, where students paid N200 each recently to support their principal, who was getting married.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—25

Ochanja Market electioneering takes new turn Continues from Page 23 trader and union leader in the market, Mr. Uzochukwu Okeke, said some of their grievances are attempts by the incumbent market leadership to intimidate and harass them, and foist candidates on them, attempts to deny some popular candidate Nomination Forms, using market vigilantes to sell forms as if they are in war in the market, and connivance with external market leaders to impose members of OCMATA executives on the traders.

He said: “The traders are also not happy with the introduction by the present administration rules that are strange to them, and are not in the constitution of the market, just to disqualify some particular people by denying them Nomination Form.

“We don’t want disenfranchisement of any trader, we know whom we want as our leaders. As big as this market is, it does not have any single bank.

“There is no provision for vehicles, they do not want people with vision in the market and they want to disqualify some candidates that can change the face of this market and generate revenues for government.”

However, another member of the market, Mr. Oliver Nwankwo, said that the attempt to stop some aspirants to the seat of the President General is not necessarily about who becomes the Ochanja market leader, but that some people are afraid that once the candidates the traders want step into the leadership of OCMATA, they are

THE TEAM Supervising Editor: Chioma Gabriel, Lagos (08052201257) Editor: Emeka Mamah - Enugu email: emekemamah@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Awka Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu, Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Francis Igata, Enugu Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba Enyim Enyim, Onitsha Chinoso Alozie, Owerri Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka Eric Ugbor, Aba C M Y K

automatically in Amalgamated Markets Traders Association Anambra State, AMATAS. He said some of the contestants in Ochanja Market leadership can conveniently contest and win the AMATAS leadership when the incumbent completes his tenure and because of that, relentless efforts are on to stop such contestants that may have eyes on the leadership of AMATAS. He said: “One of the contestants in the OCMATA election has all it takes to win the election in Ochanja Market and also go ahead to win at AMATAS when the incumbent completes his tenure and, therefore, there is a serious gang up to stop the man, popularly known as Ofia, at the Ochanja Market election level.

“They are also doing the same thing in markets where they feel some candidates are potential threat to the person they want to hand over power to when incumbent AMATAS leadership leaves office.”

However, the protesting OCMATA members wondered why the leadership said they will start selling Nomination

Ochanja Market traders protesting.

Forms from 12p.m. to 3p.m. on the agreed day, only for them to change the time to 10a.m. to 12p.m. without informing the market traders.

They said the aim was to quickly sell to their candidates and close sales to give the impression that others, who did not come at that time are no more interested, and therefore cannot contest again.

OCMATA Presdient General reacts

Reacting to some of the allegations against OCMATA leadership, its President General, Chief Fredrick Ezeonyi, said: “Chief Nwbueze Umeh is not qualified to contest the election.”

Asked to explain why he is not qualified, he simply said

“ you will hear the reason within two days. The government has stepped into the matter, you will hear the reason; you will be the one to call me.”

He said they stopped selling Nomination Forms because some people were trying to disrupt the exercise but that the government had stepped in, “and we will all move to Government House, Awka, to resolve the crisis. But I am telling you that Nwabueze is not qualified.

The women traders, while speaking through another spokesperson, Mrs Elizabeth Onyekwuluje, wondered why for an election scheduled to hold on January 29, the market leadership was not selling the Nomination Form.

She said: “The market leadership is hoarding the forms because they have plans to sideline some people, but their plan and attempt to sideline some people in the election will fail; we must elect the candidate that we want.

“We are aware that one Chief Nwabueze Umeh, popularly known as Ofia, is in the race for the seat of the President General of the market, including others.

“We have not said any of them is our candidate. What we are saying is that every contestant should be given a level playing field to contest; nobody should be denied Nomination Form because we all own this market.”

Okorocha on slopes of failure Continues from Page 23 close at the approved time.”

The directive was signed by all the labour leaders in the state, including the State Chairman and Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrades Austin Chilakpu and Kenneth Onwuemeodo.

It read: “The workers are directed to, in line with the rules governing attendance to work, report to their various places of work and close at the approved time.”

The aggrieved unionists equally insisted that “workers cannot be sacked or suspended or subjected to any form of punishment through radio announcement in complete disregard to due process.

“It is also necessary to further point out that workers, who have worked up to the 15th of the month, cannot be suspended and backdated to January 4.”

Okorocha's promise

Labour recalled that when the factional National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, visited Governor Okorocha last Wednesday, he not only promised that no worker in the state would be sacked or suspended, but also denied that sala-

ries of Imo workers had been slashed.

“The said government announcement, credited to the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir Jude Ejiogu, is a contradiction to the assurance by the state governor, which casts a doubt on its authenticity,” labour said.

They appealed to government officials, who they said “are anxious to cause disaffection between the organised labour and the state governor, to desist from such acts, which are capable of causing industrial crisis.”

Continuing, the labour leaders advised the workers to go about their normal duties and report any form of harassment to the leadership of organised labour, for appropriate action.

Tension mounts as workers react

When South-East Voice closely monitored activities in some of the affected parastatals, agencies and departments within the past week, workers were seen in their offices, bemoaning their situation.

Those who spoke to SouthEast Voice claimed that despite the directives issued by labour leaders in the state, all the

affected workers agreed that the state government followed due process before employing them.

A staff that simply identified himself as Chukwuka, fumed: “The state government strictly followed due process, including interviews, before employing us. It, therefore, follows that if government wants to disengage us, and for whatever reason, it must follow due process.”

While wondering why government should make a sweeping order, sacking thousands of workers at a go and for no just cause, Chukwuka equally recalled with grief that “most of the victims of the executive recklessness never had a single query in their files.”

In her own reaction, another worker that simply identified herself as Chiaka, said it was most improper for the Okorocha administration to sack workers through the airwaves.

She said: “Bizarre things have been happening in the state since 2011. One of the first things this administration did soon after coming on board, was the sacking of the 10,000 workers engaged by the immediate past governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.”

Continuing, Chiaka equally

recalled that apart from workers that retired when it was due, Governor Okorocha had, at various times, suspended workers without pay.

She said: “It is most shocking the way the Governor takes delight in maltreating workers in the state. Some permanent secretaries and directors, including those in the Ministry of Justice, were earlier suspended without pay.”

She appealed to religious leaders in and outside the state, to call the governor to order, adding that people that draw their living from the affected workers will obviously suffer undue hardship.

Mr. Chiemeka Akwarandu, an Imo indigene, described the workers’ sack as “the height of insensitivity.”

According to Akwarandu, “Imo people did not take 2015 election serious, if not, I do not know the magic behind preferring a man with an oral and inconsistent manifes to than an Emeka Ihedioha, who presented and unveiled a well written manifesto tagged My covenant with Imo People, and also shared copies to Imo people for the record.”

He urged labour leaders in the country to rise to the rescue of the workers.

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Ede-Oballa community confers chieftaincy title on Abba

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—NATIVES of Ede-Oballa community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State recently conferred a chieftaincy title on their son and immediate past Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Vitta Abba, for his contributions to the smooth transition that led to the emergence of a governor of Enugu North senatorial zone extraction after 22 years.

Abba, who was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Onwa(Light) of Nsukka Zone, by the Enugu North Council of Traditional Rulers in appreciation of his outstanding contributions to the state, thanked his people, the governor and other guests for their solidarity and support, assuring them that he will continue on the path of selfless service to humanity.

In an address presented by Chief Sylvanus Asogwa on behalf of the Ede-Oballa and Edenu Ede- Oballa Town Unions, the people of the community said that they honoured Chief Abba in recognition of his meritorious service and salient contributions to humanity, his community, the state and Nigeria at large, emphasising that Abba rendered selfless service and brought great fortunes to PDP. Speaking on the occasion, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, assured Nigerians that the present economic hardship in the country would eventually turn to a blessing through God’s grace.

Ugwuanyi, who commended Chief Abba for his selfless service to PDP and the state at large, noted with regret that the present leaders in the country were facing a lot of challenges due to the negative development in the oil sector, stressing that “before now the story was excess crude oil, but today it is bailout fund.”

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He reiterated his administration’s commitment to step up development in the three senatorial districts of the state in spite of the harsh economic situation in the country.

Ugwanyi then called on the people of the state to continue to offer special prayers for his administration and the country, saying that what the nation was passing through would eventually be a thing of the past.

He noted that the honour done to Abba was for all the people of Nsukka zone, who appreciate his successful and peaceful tenure.

•The immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Chief Vita Abba, being conferred with the chieftaincy title of Onwa Nsukka Zone by the Chairman of Enugu North Council of Traditional Rulers, His Highness, Igwe R.S.N Ezeh, during the grand reception organised by the people of Ede-Oballa in honour of Abba, and his wife, Oby.

•The immediate past Chairman of PDP in Enugu State, Chief Vita Abba and his wife, Oby with a cross-section of traditional rulers from Nsukka zone after the conferment.

Ngwa High School Old Boys Association to invest N10m to rehabilitate infrastructure

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—THE Ngwa High School, Aba, Old Boys Association, NHSOBA, has earmarked N10 million for the rehabilitation of the institution.

Speaking at the combined event of the homecoming of the old boys and the golden jubilee celebration of the 1965 class in Aba, Abia State, President of NHSOBA, Chief Mike Ahamba, lamented over the dilapidated infrastructure in the school founded in 1954 and promised that the old boys would partner with the new owners— the Anglican Church— to address the challenges and re-establish a high standard of learning which the school was known for.

Ahamba said: “We are here for our homecoming, to take a look at the state of infrastructure in the school and see how we can help. The buildings are old and most of the students are day students.

“We will invest at least N10 million in the first instance, in the infrastructural rehabilitation of the school.

We will like a situation where most of the students would come into residence to help

inculcate in them the true character of an Ngwa High School student.

“We will ensure that

immediately we leave here, students of the school will enjoy water from the borehole sunk by the old boys and it

•NHSOBA in a group discussion during the inspection of facilities at the school

•One of the dilapidated structures at the school

will be reticulated. After that, we won’t wait, we will go on to execute other projects.

“We enjoyed water and showers in the 1960s, why won’t our students enjoy them now? I commend the Vice President of NHSOBA, Chief Jasper Jumbo, for renovating the school chapel and library and Dr. Chianyigadi Denna, who re-roofed and installed metal doors to the science blocks.”

Earlier in his address, the Principal of the school, Dr. Felix Erondu, who is also an old boy of the school, had enumerated the challenges facing the institution to include lack of laboratory facilities, dilapidated buildings, broken fences and lack of a school bus.

Highlights of the homecoming event included a church service, fund raising and the giving of awards to deserving old boys.

Those who received the awards included Brig.

General G. A. Umelo; DIG Ali Amodu, Justice Kenneth Amadi; Engr. Emmanuel Denna, Gordy Uche (SAN) and the incoming Abia State University, ABSU, Vice Chancellor, Prof.Uche Ikonne; Eric Archibong and Chianyidi Denna, among others.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 —

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CE & YOU

Insurance practitioners are of the view that there could not have been a better time to take serious the issue of insurance of the country’s national assets than now

27

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Nigerian insurance to benefit from Prudential Financial, LeapFrog partnership

By Nkiruka Nnorom

P

BRIEFING: From left, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr. Fatai Adegbenro; NCRIB President, Mr. Kayode Okunoren and NCRIB Honorary Treasurer, Mrs. Funke Adenusi at the first press conference at the council’s Secretariat, Yaba, Lagos. government is not doing that how can they enforce the law on big multinationals for example with huge financial muscles?”

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Mohammed Kari stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria was only able to spend about N2 billion on insurance out of N20 billion budgeted in 2014.

Kari stated that the implication of the federal governments action was that only about 10 per cent of the budgeted amount for insurance

was used, thereby exposing most federal government’s asset, workforce and operations to uncertainty.

Kari said, “The challenges of huge competence deficit, corruption, low level of innovation, over-dependence on the oil sector leaves all asunder to phantom the best soluble buyouts and how to harness the opportunities inherent therein.

“In consequence of the effect of uncontrollable changes in the macroeconomic environments affecting our businesses,

organisations and entities either passively or negatively, we are therefore implored to map-out adaptive strategies and identify the opportunities inherent in the ‘change’. As far as innovation is concerned, we need to improve the content and quality of our services. In addition to our quest for innovation, changes in companies’ business model must be exploited. The earlier we realised that the music has changed and thus the need to adjust our dancing steps, the better for us all.”

Accordingly, GNI has introduced a new payment solution to enable customers pay for their services without stress, Osipitan stated.

GNI, a composite underwriting firm in the country introduced PayDirect and Quickteller payment solutions to make it easier for its existing and potential customers to pay for their respective insurance and financial services at any bank branch nation-wide.

in any bank nationwide, Quickteller on the other hand operates on simple easy-to- do steps that are self-explanatory.”

She noted that customers can now walk into any bank branch nation-wide to pay for their respective policies on the PayDirect platform.

“In a bid to remain a major player in the industry and with a mission of ‘Giving you peace

of mind by keeping our promises, Great Nigeria will continually strive to ensure the delivery of exceptional quality service having created an effective and functional customer service desk. For Great Nigeria, the journey has just begun and the insurance industry is set to witness more innovative ways of doing insurance business in Nigeria,” Osipitan stated.

Financial services The company said that the innovation was introduced in a bid to make insurance more accessible to customers, adding that the effort is geared towards reiterating the commitment of the GNI brand to meeting and surpassing the expectations of its esteemed clients.

Head, Information Communications and Technology, Mr. Fasasi Kaseem explained that the new payment channels were introduced to provide a secure and fast way of enabling customers make premium payments and renewals of existing insurance policies anywhere anytime, adding, “While PayDirect offers a customer the opportunity to complete an insurance transaction C M Y K

RUDENTIAL Financial, Inc. (PFI) and LeapFrog Investments have announced the launch of a $350 million investment partnership to access high-growth markets in Africa.

Managed by LeapFrog, the new investment vehicle will target investments in life insurance companies in Nigeria and other leading economies, including Kenya and Ghana, to be made over a three- to five-year period.

Charles Lowrey, executive vice president/chief operating officer, PFI’s International Businesses, said: “This investment expands PFI’s footprint into Africa, a continent that we believe offers tremendous potential for growth over the long term.

We are delighted to partner with LeapFrog Investments, given their deep experience in Africa, and their impressive record of success as insurance investors focused on emerging consumers.”

Doug Lacey, Partner at LeapFrog Investments, said: “The global insurance industry is looking for ways to close the protection gap for millions of people in emerging markets. This partnership will help address that need.

Nigeria is a very exciting market, ranked in the top three in Africa for growth prospects, alongside Kenya

and Ghana. Insurance penetration in Nigeria remains low and we see real opportunities for growth.

We are delighted to broaden our relationship with PFI, a values-driven partner whom we know well and greatly respect for its global leadership in life insurance, retirement and asset management.”

Global leadership PFI is an investor in LeapFrog’s most recent private equity fund, and also a member of the LeapFrog Insurance Innovation Circle, a knowledgesharing and innovation initiative that convenes many of the world’s leading insurers and reinsurers.

It is a financial services leader with more than $1 trillion of assets under management as of September 30, 2015, with operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America. LeapFrog invests in extraordinary businesses in Africa and Asia, and partners with their leaders to achieve leaps of growth, profitability and impact.

Today, LeapFrog companies reach over 51 million people across 21 emerging markets.

More than 36 million are emerging consumers, often accessing insurance, savings, pensions or credit for the first time.

TOP INSURANCE GAINERS AND LOSERS

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

AFTER THE INAUGURATION REGGAE

Will Kogi play the blues?

AS all attention beams on today’s inauguration of a new government in Kogi State, Vanguard looks at the postinauguration expectations in the Confluence State.

•Bello: Governor-elect

By Kingsley Fanwo

C

ONTENDING with electoral confusion It is no more news that the unusual occurrence of losing a candidate before the end of poll has no doubt, thrown up an unusual legal challenge.

Could a Faleke who never participated in the primaries of the party have replaced his late boss for the supplementary poll? Can a living inherit the votes of the dead? Do the votes of the dead die with him?

These and more are some of the questions to be answered by the tribunal.

Political engagements The next nine months will no doubt, test the efficiency of the judiciary as the Kogi scenario is the first of its kind.

Beyond the judiciary, it is expected that the Kogi case may pose further political engagements from the highest political ring as the different camps may go for the broke.

With Faleke seemingly losing all, the Tinubu camp may decide to fight back. Analysts are postulating a fierce political battle ahead.

A lawyer who craved anonymity told Vanguard that he was afraid Faleke’s case may be thrown out on the ground of lacking “locus standi”. To him, Faleke was never a candidate in the election and may not have the right to challenge a process not

•Wada

•Audu involving him. However, Faleke is also aware of his limitations, hence, he is restricting himself to the argument that the November 21 poll was won and lost and that there was no basis for supplementary poll.

The new political chemistry The new page in Kogi politics is opening new political alliances with old wounds still aching.

The governor may also need to appease the Kogi East people through policies and programmes that will guarantee them security under the new arrangement

During the governorship primaries, the bulk of Yahaya Bello’s votes came from some party members who had earlier defected to Accord Party after the alleged imposition of candidates by leaders of the party prior to the 2015 general election.

With the victory of Alh. Yahaya Bello, many of the leaders of the party who defected to other parties are back in APC. The battle for supremacy between the two warring camps may test the political suavity of the new governor.

House of Assembly shakeup: With the emergence of Alh. Yahaya Bello, the leadership of the Kogi State House of Assembly will surely be altered.

The political arrangement in the state is such that the positions of Governor, Deputy and Speaker are to be spread across the three Senatorial Districts of West, Central and East.

As it stands, the Speaker of the House of Assembly is from

Kogi Central, same as the Governor-Elect.

The permutations in the state point to the Deputy Governor emerging from Kogi East, especially if Faleke makes real his threat to excuse himself from the inauguration.

In the above scenario, the Speaker will move to the West and the Deputy Speaker to the Central and Majority Leader to the East.

Dominant party in the House Already, Prince Yomi Kolawole is being touted as the next Speaker of the House, if he is able to extricate himself from his ties to some opponents of the Governor-Elect.

In his stead, the House may settle for one of the members representing Yagba East and Yagba West, who are both members of the dominant party in the House.

Operating with minority membership in the House The political consanguinity of the new governor will also be

put to test by the fact that his All Progressives Congress are already in an abysmal minority in the House.

However, the governor’s spin doctors are working round the legislators to ensure a robust and cordial engagement with the rival legislators.

Analysts believe the governor may need to heavily lobby opposition legislators to get them on his side.

Populist programmes: Pundits believe Kogites will begin to put the new governor on the spotlight from his first day in office. Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello is believed to be ready to put himself right into the minds of the citizenry by addressing the issues of salaries and infrastructures.

The governor may also need to appease the Kogi East people through policies and programmes that will guarantee them security under the new arrangement. To insiders, this is not the best of jobs. But to Alh. Yahaya Bello, fixing Kogi is a task that must be faced.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—29

EVER since the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, rolled out the guidelines for the Kogi governorship election, the unusual has been the unbeaten characteristic.

From the unwieldy number of aspirants in the All Progressives Congress to the unusual challenge of the incumbent in the PDP and the emergence of new political frontiers from other parties, the contest was a scintillating political hysteria, shocks and drama.

Save Kogi from rot, Onukaba, Daniel tell Bello

By Kingsley Fanwo

L

•Faleke

Chronicles of the governorship race

By Kingsley Fanwo

H

OW candidates emerged The All Progressives Congress was the party to beat from the onset. The ruling People’s Democratic Party was roundly condemned by its opponents for non-performance.

However, the Wada administration cannot be dismissed for it contributions in some sectors such as agriculture.

The nomination of the APC candidate for the election was not without the usual political desperation. The late Prince Abubakar Audu came into the contest with a princely veteran status. But the generation that greatly craved change and end to ethnic tension in the state, choose to go with Alh. Yahaya Bello.

Smart as he was, the late Audu went back to his board to draw out a strategy that knocked others out of the contest. He set the aspirants against one another and emerged from the dust of confusion and straight jacket politics of the state.

Shortly after his emergence which sparked protest, the People’s Democratic Party also came with its own version of uncertainty.

Version of uncertainty The party leaders were fixated on the confused spot of who to choose between an incumbent governor and Alh. Isah Jibrin Echocho. The likes of Sen. Smart Adeyemi and initially, Alh. Ibrahim Idris were said to be rooting for Echocho.

However, Wada emerged from the ashes of intense political horse-trading and concessions.

Ashes of the primaries: Dissatisfied with the APC primaries outcome, Alh. Yahaya Bello and other lobby groups raised alarm over some infringements against the party guidelines and constitution.

Audu’s Board of Trustees membership status to the point of primary was said to have

offended the letters of the party laws. A panel was set up to investigate the infraction. The panel which was headed by Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, recommended the disqualification of Prince Abubakar Audu. But some powerful influences within the party halt the implementation of the report. Also its primaries, PDP lost the boat. Alh. Isah Jibrin Echocho, one of the most respected Igala leaders, abandoned the party for the All Progressives Congress. That action jolted the PDP in Kogi East.

The choice of Faleke as running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu also created crisis within the leadership of the APC. It was believed that most of the leaders saw Faleke as a Lagos politician who had never supported the party in the state.

Further down the road are candidates who were in the race with little or no chance of winning. Some of them are Dr. Philip Salawu of the Labour Party, Mr. Emmanuel Enesi Ozigi of the PPA and others.

The campaign colours: As the electioneering commenced, the parties hit the road to woo voters in their support. The PDP and APC were the heaviest spenders as billions of naira were sunk into

The Kogi scenario turned every Nigerian into law officers

the campaign. Also, the campaign recorded a few disturbances across the state.

The election day dramas: The November 21, 2015 governorship election would go down history lane as a historic moment. The All Progressives Congress was able to win in all the three Senatorial Districts, clinching the main strongholds of the rival PDP. It became obvious that the party was about to cruise home to victory. And the history changed.

Inconclusive poll and Audu’s death: Within 24 hours, a series of events occurred in quick successions to alter the destiny of the state. Skirmishes in some areas made the poll inconclusive as the number of votes in the affected areas was higher than the margin between the two leading parties.

Fallen candidate INEC decided to fix a date for supplementary poll. Then, the big masquerade died. The death of Audu threw the state into legal pandemonium as the party would have to replace its fallen candidate.

At the end of day, APC decided to go for the candidate who was runner-up to the late Audu.

Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello was made to replace Audu.

And Faleke kicked, and still kicking: The choice of Bello as the replacement for late Prince Audu sparked protest in the camp of the latter’s running mate, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke. To Faleke, he was the rightful owner of the votes casted for the Audu/Faleke ticket.

Also, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Capt Idris Wada also claimed to be the candidate with “the highest votes alive”. The Kogi scenario turned every Nigerian into law officers.

However, efforts at stopping the conduct of the supplementary poll was aborted by a Federal High Court in Abuja who asked all parties to pursue their cases at the tribunal.

ITERARY icon and former governorship aspirant in Kogi, Dr. Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba has painted a grim picture of the state, calling on the GovernorElect to salvage the state from its present shambles.

Speaking to Vanguard newspapers during an exclusive chat over the weekend, Dr. Onukaba said the task before task before the incoming administration is daunting, calling on the people of the state to “pull behind Alh. Yahaya Adoza Bello for total redemption and progress”.

According to the playwright, the incoming administration must address the myriad of challenges confronting the state at the moment, with a view to addressing them to give hope to the people.

His words: “Kogi is in a big mess. The state is broke. Workers are owed months of salary arrears.

Roads in the state are in deplorable condition. The public school system, especially at primary school level has almost collapsed. The state capital, Lokoja, is about the dirtiest city in the country. It stinks.

“There is serious mistrust and suspicion among the different groups in the state over recent political development and over perceived marginalization of some groups in the state. All these have to be addressed urgently. “The state has not witnessed true development in the last 16 years. I expect the new government to embark on a comprehensive staff audit in Lokoja and in Local Government Areas.

Thorough staff audit The era of people being paid for doing nothing should be over.

The era of people just sharing public money should be gone for good. We have to carry out a thorough staff audit to know if the state workforce is actually 28,000 and we really need of them.

“We need to begin fixing critical roads, bridges, schools and healthcare centres. The incoming

The newly elected governor is a man of capacity. From his blueprint, we are confident of his capability to refocus our dear state and make it the envy of all

administration must be creative and innovative in its drive for revenue. It must raise internally generated revenue to the level where it can pay recurrent expenditure.

“The new government must embark on reconciliation of Kogites. The people of the state are right now, divided and suspicious of one another. The new governor should be a peacemaker, a unified and a serious leader”. Onukaba called on the new governor to serve as the bridge to link the state and its people together.

According to him, “Kogi is in serious crisis. A period of crisis portends danger and opportunity. He can turn this crisis into an opportunity Kogi’s rebirth through good governance and exemplary leadership, expressing confidence in the capacity of the Governor-Elect to turn the state around.

Former instructor Also speaking to our reporters, a former Instructor at the National War College, Commodore Michael Folusho Daniel (rtd) said the state has moved on from the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, calling on the GovernorElect to address ethnic mistrust among the people of the state.

The retired Naval Officer said God has brought Yahaya Bello through a divine means to accomplish divine purposes, urging party leaders to rally behind the Governor-Elect to enable him achieve great exploits.

He said: “Faleke should be grateful to God for being considered for the position of Deputy Governor in a party we worked to make a force to reckon with. We accepted him because we know it is God who gives power. I urge him to accept the verdict of God and join the party to rescue the state.

“The newly elected governor is a man of capacity. From his blueprint, we are confident of his capability to refocus our dear state and make it the envy of all.

“The people of Kogi State are pregnant of expectations. They want quick fixes. The Local Government Staff are in perpetual hunger while many roads in the state are death traps.

The governor should take radical steps to plug leakages in the system and thoroughly investigate of ghost institutions and staff.

“Our monthly outlays on salaries are unacceptable and we can reduce this without sacking genuine workers”. Daniel called on the leadership of the APC to come together without prejudices in order to tackle the challenges ahead.

30— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

NOGIG 2016: NNPC,

SHELL for final

S

hell and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) football teams have qualified for the national finals of the 2016 Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG). Shell demolished the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas(NLNG) 3-O and 2-O wins against LNG and Total Football clubs in preliminary games.

Shell were first to pick a final ticket at the Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos before two great goals by NNPC’s Abdulayi Umaru handed the title holders a ticket to the NOGIG games due to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos come February 28 and March 5, 2016.

Meanwhile, Chief Coach of NNPC, Frank Onyiriuka has attributed their good outing so far to good team spirit in camp. They earlier defeated PTI 2-O and NLNG 2-O before the win over Total F.C. The defunct, IT T, Stores, Ranchers Bees and NNPC top striker hinted that players and officials of the “Oil Boys” work with a perfect understanding and that a rare brotherly spirit exude in and around the field.

Onyiriuka who is hundred percent certain that NNPC would defend the title they won in 2014 said two nil wins over petroleum Training Institute and Local Content before Friday’s win over Total were achieved by dint of hard work on and off the field by the technical crew and players captained by Charles Uyi.

S

Enyimba begin title defence at Dolphins

aad Bguir’s brace lifted Tunisia Cathage Eagles to deserved 05 drubbing over 10 man Niger in a fast paced Group C game played at the Regional Stadium in Nyamirambo yesterday evening to guarantee a spot in the quarter final of the ongoing African Nations

Tunisia pound Niger silly Championship.

Carthage Eagles started the game like a house on fire with and in the 4th minute Saad Bguir fired home with a left footed shot from the edge of the box past a hapless Soumalia Ayouba in Niger ’s goal for the his first as Tunisia took the lead 0-1.

Bguir ’s got his brace in the 39th minute with another sharp finish to give Tunisia a deser ved 0-2 lead.Captain Ali Maaloul picked out the unmarked Esperance striker who

finished with aplomb firing into the roof of the net past Ayouba.

Carthage Eagles continued pilling pressure which paid off handsomely in the 78th minute when Ahmed Akaichi hit the knockout blow rounding off Niger keeper Ayoube before putting the ball calmly to give his side a rousing 0-3 lead .

Barely 3 minutes later Ben Amor hit Tunisia’s fourth goal when he curled the ball beautifully into the top left corner of the net in sublime fashion as Tunisia stood ground against the now demoralized Niger players who were ball watching.

Mali eye Zambia win for knockout stage

M

ali will be eyeing a place in the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) knockout stages when they clash with Zambia at the Stade Régional Nyamirambo in Kigali, Rwanda this afternoon.

The Eagles narrowly edged out the Warriors of Zimbabwe 1-0 in their previous Group D encounter on Saturday. Moussa Sissoko netted a later winner.

The West African side, who drew 2-2 with Uganda in their first game, are placed second on the Group D standings two points behind leaders Zambia and three ahead of third-placed Uganda.

Mali need a victory or draw with Zambia to book their place in the 2016 CHAN knockout stages.

However, Eagles head coach Djibril Drame has already reportedly stated that they are targeting nothing but a victory over Chipolopolo.

Meanwhile, Zambia will be looking to finish at the top of Group D with a victory over the Eagles this afternoon.

Chipolopolo overcame Uganda 1-0 in their previous Group D match at the Umuganda Stadium in Gisenyi on Saturday. Veteran striker Christopher Katongo netted the only goal of the game.

With six points from two matches, the Southern African giants have already booked their place in the 2016 CHAN knockout stages.

Zambia head coach George Lwandamina has explained that they will be looking to maintain their momentum when they face Mali.

C M Y K

Tunisia Team

N

igerian champions Enyimba wi start the defence of their title on th road against Port Harcourt clu Dolphins on the weekend of February 20 an 21.

The People’s Elephant will have th psychological edge going into their openin game of the Nigeria Professional Footba League (NPFL) season having not suffered defeat to the Port Harcourt outfit in their las nine meetings.

Dolphins last defeated Enyimba in Marc 2011 when they won 2-1 at the Liberatio Stadium with Emah Godwin and Captai Ejindu scoring for the Port Harcourt side whil Chidozie Johnson netted for the People Elephant.

Enyimba have also avoided defeat in the last four trips to the Liberation includin claiming a 2-1 win last term en route t winning their record seventh title.

The pick of the opening day fixtures will b at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri wher Heartland will play hosts to last season runners-up, Warri Wolves.

There will be a clash of promoted sides whe Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes go hea to head. Tornadoes were relegated in the 2011 2012 season while Plateau United dropped t the second tier five seasons ago.

The other newly-promoted sides, Ikorod United and MFM FC, are debutants in th Nigerian top-flight and are both based in th country’s commercial city of Lagos.

MFM FC, owned by the church, Mountai of Fire and Miracles Ministries, will pla their first top division game at Nasaraw United.

Lagos will be the venue of the Ikorod United versus Abia Warriors game. It will b the first time in a decade that a top-flight matc will be held in the commercial city of Nigeria Former champions Kano Pillars are hosts t Enugu Rangers while El-Kanemi Warriors an Wikki Tourists will go head to head in northeast derby.

El Kanemi to play in Maiduguri after Boko E

l Kanemi Warriors are hopeful they will host their opening game of the new Nigeria league season against Wikki Tourists at their home ground of Maiduguri, which has been suspended for several seasons because of the activities of the terrorists group Boko Haram.

Maiduguri in the northeast of Nigeria is one of the battle grounds of the Boko Haram and as a result the league has long suspended the staging of league matches there.

El Kanemi have therefore had to play their home games in Kano and most recently Katsina.

However, club spokesman Prince

Anthony Obaseki said the security situation in Maiduguri is now fully under control and they are waiting on the League Management Company (LMC) to send inspectors to have an onthe-spot look at the stadium.

“We are just waiting for the LMC to come an inspect our stadium. Maiduguri is now very safe and we do not expect to play our home games away from there in the new season,” said Obaseki.

He further said hosting their home games outside Maiduguri has cost them dearly financially.

“We spend thrice what we are supposed to spend when we play our home games in either Kano or Katsina,” he disclosed.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 — 31

Enrique sure Neymar will sign new deal B arcelona coach Luis Enrique is confident Neymar will sign a new contract.

The Brazil forward’s existing deal is due to expire in June 2018 and Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris SaintGermain are believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation at Camp Nou. But Luis Enrique expects the 23-year-old to renew his contract with the Spanish and European champions.

“I believe Neymar will end up signing a new contract here,” the Barcelona boss said at a

news conference on Tuesday.

Neymar missed Saturday ’s 2-1 win over Malaga due to a minor hamstring problem, but Luis Enrique expects him to be fit for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao.

“Neymar is fine,” he added. “There is no risk with him. He has trained and is in perfect condition.”

However, Barca may have to do without captain Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Arda Turan due to illness.

“Sergio, Arda and Andres have the flu,” Luis Enrique added.

RUGUAY midfielder Gaston Ramirez has joined promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the season.

Ramirez, 25, who cost Southampton £12 million when he joined them from Italian side Bologna during the summer of 2012, is the club’s second January signing following the capture of Spanish striker Kike Sola.

Head coach Aitor Karanka told the club’s official website: “I am really pleased. He is a really good player who knows the league and the country.

“He has international experience and has played in the World Cup. He is another

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Ramirez

good player for us. He is the kind of player who wants to join us and that shows he is committed to us.

“He has played in the Premier League and I think it is important to bring in players with this kind of experience.” Ramirez, who scored eight goals in 55 appearances for the Saints, will go into a squad which has faltered in recent weeks, losing its last two league games to slip from the summit of the Championship table.

However, Boro remain just a point behind leaders Hull with a game in hand and, more importantly, are four points clear of third-placed Burnley.

DR Congo ‘fear no team’ D

R Congo head coach Florent

Ibenge insisted they are not afraid of Rwanda, as the Leopards will face the 2016 African Nations Championship hosts in the quarter finals of the continental tournament.

o Haram defeat

Defeated 3-1 by Cameroon in Butare on Monday, in their final group stage outing, the Congolese failed to finish top of Group B, which would have seen them avoid the Amavubi.

But while Ibenge was left very disappointed by his team’s performance against the Indomitable Lions, he vowed they were ready for any opposition.

“I really have bad feelings.

The defence played badly.

They failed to stop the Cameroonians, and the midfielders and strikers as well didn’t play good,” the Congolese tactician lamented after the match.

“We didn’t want to take risk because we had some players with cautions from the previous matches.

“We have no problem with opponents at the next round.

We fear no team. At the last edition in South Africa, we were eliminated at the quar-

terfinals stage. We are not scared of Rwanda.

“Football is all about fan and we will do it. We are always committed either we are playing against a host or any other opponent.”

delightfully competitive championship, which first set gave way to Williams wonLogo: in two tight Australian Open one-way traffic as Serena sets.

Serena Williams answered the dismisses Maria What Sharapova, it means: The victory Sharapova query for an 18th pits Williams, 34, against advances to semifinals Pix; straight time.

Poland’s Radwanska.

Williams, Williams the world No. 1, Serena holds a withstood a steady challenge commanding 8-0 head-tofrom Sharapova in a 55head lead against the crafty, delightfully first set gave way minute first setAand then blew competitive all-court player, including a one-way the match open,to winning 6- traffic win as in Serena the 2012Williams Wimbledon the Sharapova query for an 4, 6-1 to bookanswered her place in theMaria final.

Radwanska dismissed Australian Open semifinals.

18th Carla straight time. Navarro in Suarez She’ll faceWilliams, No. 4 seed the world No. 1,sets withstood straight earlier ainsteady the Agnieszka Radwanska day, 6-1, in 6-3. challenge there. from Sharapova a 55-minute first Williams has looked Sharapova, long winning known as6set never and then blew the match open, back after these two players tennis’ great and tenacious 4, 6-1 to book her place in the Australian engaged in a classic fighter, hasn’t presented a semifinals. semifinal here in 2005, theOpen third set challenge for seven She’ll face No. 4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska American winning her first of consecutive matches there.

18 in a row 2-6, 7-5, 8-6. against Williams, when the Their quarterfinal Tuesday Williams has never afterin these twolooked went toback a decider the was a re-match last year’s two of players engaged in a classic here Miami finalsemifinal in 2013.

in 2005, the American winning her first of 18 in a row 2-6, 7-5, 8-6. Their quarterfinal Tuesday was a re-match of last year ’s championship, which Williams won in two tight sets. ovak Djokovic What it means: The victory pits Williams, 34, hammered an off-key against Poland’s Radwanska.

Serena holds a Kei Nishikori and Roger commanding 8-0 head-to-head lead against Federer put on a masterclass the crafty, all-court player, including a win in against Tomas Berdych as the semi-final 2012 Wimbledon final. Radwanska they set up a dream at the Australian dismissedOpen Carla Suarez Navarro in straight yesterday. sets earlier in the day, 6-1, 6-3.

Defending Sharapova, champion long known as tennis’ great and Djokovic recovered strongly tenacious fighter, hasn’t presented a third set from his five-set struggle challenge for seven consecutive matches against Gilles Simon as he against Williams, when the two went to a ousted Nishikori 6-3, 6-2, 6Djokovic decider in aside the Miami final in 2013. Williams, 4, after Federer swept herself never-say-die competitor, again Berdych 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, a6-4. which is locked at 22-22. proved to better “Any in everyround category(against on this Djokovic is seeking hisbe 11th day, title serving stronger, takingfeels bigger cuts at the Grand Slam while Federer) like a final Federer, 34, is and looking to key ball winning pointsofwhen shethat needed because the fact we extend his record tally to 18 them most. are, you know, big rivals, we — and both will want to take The great question looms: Willtimes Sharapova played so many against charge of their head-to-head, each other,” Djokovic ever be able to beat Williams again? Atsaid. this point, it’s looking less and less likely.

Djokovic, Federer set up dream semi-final

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Murray eyes path to first Open title

W

Murray

Ibenge

orld No 2 Andy Murray, four times a losing finalist, will continue his pursuit of a first Australian Open title against eighth seed David Ferrer in a quarter final match today.

In the women’s draw, seventh seed Angelique Kerber from Poland, making her first appearance in the quarter finals, faces two-time champion Victoria Azarenka, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament.

Murray has won his last five matches against the 33-year-old Ferrer, but the Spaniard is in dominant form in Melbourne and is the only player in the men’s draw to reach the last eight without dropping a set.

C M Y K

32—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, JANU ARY 27, 2016 32—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA JANUARY

I want a better figure

He dumped me when his wife found out Dear Bunmi, WHEN my husband died five years ago, one of the people who stood by me was an ex-boyfriend. We had a really passionate relationship which later fizzled out. When

I became lonely - I had just one child by my husband - my ex took me out and we soon started a relationship. Though I was looking at just the sex, my ex said he loved me and would support me in whatever

My daughter’s treatment of her son is appalling Dear Bunmi, MY daughter who is in her late 20s got jilted by the father of her three-year-old son.

Unfortunately, the new man in her life died in a motor accident.

She works full-time and I look after my grandson most of the time. But whenever his mum comes for him, he screams he doesn’t want to go back home with her, and she threatens to beat or punch him if he doesn’t behave.

I’m really worried about her as she didn’t grow up in a violent environment. How can I protect the boy from her violence as they live alone in the flat.

Mandy By e-mail.

Dear Mandy, Your daughter is obviously going through a traumatic period. She’s not really forthcoming as a mother and may be beating up her son as a way to release tension.

Your first step is to really have a mother-to-daughter talk with her. Don’t criticise her. Try to be sympathetic, but let her know that you’re concerned and offered to help her through her trauma.

If possible, offer to take the boy off her hands so she could relax more. If she refuses, then you have to be firmer and get more assistance from people close to her until she’s back on her feet emotionally.

I do.

Some months ago, his wife found out and she made a lot of noise about it. She made life hell for my ex so that he had no option than to break off our relationship. I’m really heartbroken and feel bereaved all over again.

Efe, By e-mail.

Dear Efe, The problem really is that you’ve never recovered properly from your original bereavement. It is natural that you became lonely and sad when your husband died, but you made the mistake of rushing into a new relationship with a man who wasn’t even free to love you openly, before you’d fully mourn your husband.

You need to feel sad, depressed and all those other things you should have felt the first time. So, take time to grieve for both your lost relationships. Only when you’re really over them will you be ready to love again.

When that happens, make sure it’s with a man who’s free to return your love.

Hubby wants oral sex Dear Bunmi, MY husband and I have a good sex life, but I’ve never really got much kick out of oral sex. Most women go on about how good it is, but it does nothing for me. When making love, I like really firm pressure and a slithering tongue just can’t provide that. In fact, the only time it worked for me, I stimulated myself with my fingers before my husband finished things off.

He’s complained he feels really cheated that I don’t enjoy oral sex. I even heard him complaining about it to a friend. So, now I feel guilty for short-changing him.

Bella By e-mail.

Dear Bella, Some women like penetration, others don’t. A lot of women might be in seventh heaven when they have oral sex, only you aren’t one of those women, no problem.

Unfortunately, it seems to be a problem with your husband.

He may feel he’s not giving you enough pleasure.

So, explain to him that every woman is different. Stress that

the fact that you’re not enjoying oral sex doesn’t mean he’s a bad lover.

Remind him of the ways he does turn you on, all the other ways he has of making you feel ecstatic.

The bottom line is that sex is an individual thing. Some men don’t particularly go for oral sex either. You and your husband obviously have a good love life - so don’t worry if it doesn’t involve oral sex.

How should I let him go gently?

Dear Bunmi, MY boyfriend and I started going out early this year. It’s a casual relationship with no promises on both sides. We were having a great time in bed until recently when he started having erection problems. This could really be frustrating as there seems to be no solution in sight. He feels embarrassed, he wants to make love, but cannot. I’m thinking of dumping him, but my best friend thinks I’m heartless. Am I? I’m in my early 30s and want a man I can have children with.

Mope By e-mail.

Dear Mope, Has it ever occurred to you that you might be the cause

of his erection problems? This is called performance anxiety.

One slight failure often caused by booze, can make a man panic. This stops him from performing, so he panics more. If his partner gets freaked out by this, the pressure is even more. As things are, you don’t owe your man years of dedication, but if you’re close enough to make love, you’re close enough to give him some short-term support.

So, try to relax. Give him a cuddle, tell him that you’re there for him and he’ll relax too. Keep doing this and his erection may well come back.

If you can’t relax, then leave - not for your sake, but his. No man needs a girlfriend who feels bad about him.

Dear Bunmi, I’ve been with my boyfriend for a few years, and everything is great between us. But recently, I’ve developed a lot of cellulite on my hips and bottom, and it is making me feel really bad about myself. I hate the way I look, how can I possibly expect to turn him on?

Looking better is my New Year resolution.

Modesta, By e-mail.

Dear Modesta, Worrying about cellulite is something women do. We

think that unless we have smooth thighs and bottoms, we have no chance of a lovelife. But men don’t really care about celIulite - it won’t turn them off particularly when they’re in long-term, loving relationship with a woman.

Try to improve your cellulite for your own sake if you wish, but don’t panic that your man will stop fancying you. He will only pull back from sex if you do, because you feel uncomfortable about your body. So, don’t let it affect your confidence.

He shows little emotion in bed Dear Bunmi, MY boyfriend of nine months is a hunk and I love him so much. Unfortunately, he is amazingly quiet in bed. It is impossible to know if he’s enjoying himself. His foreplay is routine for him to get hard and, he also climaxes but he doesn’t even grunt!

How can I find out if he is enjoying sex with me and if I really turn him on?

Fausat, By e-mail.

Dear Fausat, If he gets hard and climaxes, when you make

love, then, it is obvious that you turn him on. What we’re talking about here is his style of arousal. Ask him whether he normally makes a lot of noise during lovemaking - or whether he’s just the quiet type. If he admits he’s normally more vocal, ask what you can do to help him make that noise. And, if he says he’s the silent type, tell him you like hearing a partner moan with pleasure!

Whatever you do, don’t force it, just encourage him and if he does start to show his satisfaction through noise, show him just how much that turns you on.

How can I give as much pleasure as I get?

Dear Bunmi, MY boyfriend is five years older than me. He is a great lover, but I’d only had sex a couple of times with my ex before we got together and I feel like I’m lousy, especially when compared to his exgirlfriends. He keeps asking me to make love to him, but I’m terrified as I don’t know what to do.

He loves me and says I’m wonderful in and out of the bedroom. I love him so much, and want to please him as much as he pleases me.

Please, help!

Joke, By e-mail.

Dear Joke, Experience is not always the secret of being a good lover.

Men who are in love with their partners are turned on by who she is and how she feels about them.

It won’t be sexual tricks that will do it for your man but your body, your face, your smell, your taste. So, show him how much you care for him - in the way you touch, kiss and respond to his lovemaking.

Once you’re confident, ask him to teach you what he’d like you to do in bed. That will give him a good time and reassure you you’re getting it right.

Has it ever occurred to you that you might be the cause of his erection problems? This is called performance anxiety; one slight failure often caused by booze, can make a man panic

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 — 33

Pipeline bombings: Okowa faulted over failure to join Defence Minister’s inspection team A

prominent Ijaw leader in Gbaramatu and Ogulagha Kingdoms of Delta State, Chief Beck Hitler, has expressed displeasure over Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s failure to join the entourage of Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Monsur Dan-Ali (retd), on Tuesday last week, to the pipelines explosion scene in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.

Hitler, who spoke yesterday, in Warri, said it was regrettable that since the multiple blasts occurred, Governor Okowa being the Chief Security Officer of the state, has not deemed it necessary to personally visit the explosion scene while still failing to join the Defence Minister to the scene.

He commended the Defence Minister for the inspection, but appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to pursue his agenda to develop the Niger Delta region.

He said: “Okowa should

know better that it is also his responsibility to protect Federal Government assets

in Delta State, therefore, he should have been active, and shown more commitment

since the incident occurred, instead of shying away from his responsibility.”

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Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Edo State Governor, Mr. John Mayaki, has accused the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of plots to blackmail Governor Adams Oshiomhole in the build-up to the 2016 governorship election.

Mayaki, in statement, claimed that the state PDP had orchestrated dubious political machinations to instigate Christian and Muslim faithful in state against Oshiomhole.

He alleged that the state's PDP Chairman, Dan Orbih, was out to fan the embers of bitterness against the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the governor. He described the move as Orbih’s recent trend in malicious plots to denigrate and blackmail the APC and Oshiomhole.

According to the media aide, the purpose of the new tactics was to paint the government as an enemy of the Church and the Muslim communities in the build-up to the 2016 governorship election, saying, “Orbih alleged, weekend, that Oshiomhole stopped the Muslim community from accessing the stadium for a scheduled programme and that the government marked over 60 churches in the Government Reserved Areas, GRA, Benin City for demolition. For me, this recent ploy by Orbih is

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By Tare Youdeowei

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LAUNCH: Edwin Okolie, CEO, Eddie Wine Bar; John Goldsmith Marketing Head, Artee Group; Prakash Keswani, Deputy Managing Director, Artee Group; Efosa Ogbaide and Atanu Mukherjee, Business Head, Artee Group, at the launch of Babyshop, Splash and Lifestyle Stores in Port Harcourt.

Edo 2016: Mayaki accuses PDP of plots to blackmail Oshiomhole

By Stephen Mmabukwem

‘Don’t misconstrue war against vandals as affront to Ijaw'

symptomatic of the drowning man and the fast drowning party, the PDP. If anything, it exists in Orbih’s imagination. The state government and Oshiomhole have a good and cordial relationship with the various

religious bodies in the state and hold them in high esteem.

“Importantly, Orbih’s recent approach, after series of failed attempts by brandishing fake vouchers to incite the people against the

government is to show how desperate his party wants to occupy Osadebey Avenue.

For me, this is actionable and I urge the good people of the state, both the Muslims and the Christians alike to condemn it.”

Delta SSG makes case for devt of non-oil sector

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—SECRETARY to Delta State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to its prosperity agenda for all Deltans captured in the SMART agenda of the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Agas, yesterday, while delivering a lecture for participants of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Senior Course 38, Jaji, who were on a study tour, said the state government was shifting its focus from oil in order to diversify its economic base.

He said, “Our best hope for survival as a nation lies in the development of the non-oil sectors. It is on account of this that the immediate past administration conceptualized the vision of Delta Beyond Oil principally to shift our focus as a people to the need to diversify the state’s economic base.

“In furtherance of that focus, the current administration under the leadership of Governor Okowa, envisioned prosperity for all Deltans through the

SMART agenda which focuses on job and wealth creation through agriculture and skill acquisition.”

In his remark, the leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral

Sylvanus Abbah, commended the effort of the Delta State Government in engaging youths of the state meaningfully through its various skill acquisition programmes.

Court begins hearing in N300m suit against Idahosa

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—AN Edo State High Court in Benin, yesterday, commenced hearing in the suit by Prince Anthony Iyahen, who is claiming the sum of N300 million from the President of Benson Idahosa Property Development Company Ltd, Bishop Feb Idahosa. The matter is before Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga.

The claimant in the suit, is contending that he incurred the said amount as Chief Executive Officer of Portoviro Nigeria Ltd, after he was commissioned to carry out technical, nontechnical and other mechanical works as regards the construction of Benson Idahosa Garden Estate, adding that Bishop Idahosa allegedly

reneged in the payment of the agreed amount.

The claimant wants the court to compel the defendant to pay the sum of N275,579,750.00 “as professional and consultancy fees for all technical and nontechnical work already done in the planning and provision of infrastructural designs, engineering and quantity surveying and in which work the claimant had done and submitted to the defendants."

At the proceedings, yesterday, counsel to the defendant pleaded with the court to adjourn the matter to enable him study the suit, adding, “I was only briefed on the matter last Friday.”

Justice Eruaga adjourned the matter till March 16, 2016 for hearing.

ENIN—THE Niger Delta Patriotic Front has said that the on-going efforts by the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta to fish out those who vandalized oil pipelines must not be misconstrued as an affront to the Ijaw.

The group frowned at comments insinuating that Chief Ayiri Emami was instrumental to the current travails of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), noting that Emami has no personal grievance against the Ijaw but was vehemently opposed to the destruction of national assets.

In a statement by its President, David Odeli, the group condemned what it described as undue attacks on Emami by some Ijaw leaders, warning that any attempt to foment crisis between the Ijaw and the Itsekiris would be resisted.

“What Chief Emami is saying is that anybody involved in the recent destruction of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta should be arrested no matter how highly placed the person may be. He has no personal problem with Tompolo as some persons are mischievously trying to imply,” he said.

Ijaw, Itsekiri urged to sustain prevailing peace

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HAIRMAN of Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Francis Maku-Eyituoyor, has appealed to the Ijaw and Itsekiri to sustain the prevailing peace in the council and avoid any form of hostility between the two ethnic nationalities.

This is as he condemned the recent sabotage of oil and gas pipelines by militants, describing the development as economic treason against the nation.

He called on the militants to stop their nefarious activities because apart from worsening the already bad state of the nation’s economy, the people in the creeks suffer untold hardship from the oil spills.

Maku-Eyituoyor also appealed to the outposts of Military Joint Tasked Force in the riverine areas to be on the alert to checkmate the militants before they carry out their evil actions.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

PDP gov aspirant files notice of appeal ABIA A-COURT VERDICT:

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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BA—AN aspirant in the December 8, 2014, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship primaries in Abia State, Chief Friday Nwosu, has filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, which sacked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu from office and declared Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, as the governor-elect.

Vanguard gathered that Nwosu had filed a separate suit at the Federal High Court, Owerri, praying the court to declare him the candidate of the PDP at the 2015 governorship elections, alleging that Gov. Ikpeazu presented forged tax documents.

In the notice of appeal which have Alex Otti, his party, APGA; Okezie Ikpeazu, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as respondents; Nwosu who described himself as an interested party in the suit, outlined six grounds of appeal on which the Court of Appeal verdict should not be allowed to stand by the Supreme Court.

According to him, “The Court of Appeal erred in law when it assumed jurisdiction to hear the appeal when the notice of appeal filed by the appellants was fundamentally defective. The Court of Appeal also erred in law when it held that the 1st appellant (Alex Otti), did not testify to state his claims orally and cannot be a valid reason to hold that he has abandoned his claims. This is an error in law because pleadings not supported by claims are deemed abandoned. The appellant abandoned his deposition on oath and failed to testify at the tribunal.

In the circumstances of the case, he was a necessary witness for

his case to succeed. Failure of the 1st appellant (Alex Otti) to present himself as a witness at the tribunal for cross examination is fatal to the case of the petitioners.”

He faulted the cancellation of the election results of the three local councils; Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa North, stressing that it was wrong for the Court of Appeal to base its decision on the card readers

which he said, is not a voters register.

“Deduction of votes from the three local government areas was not based on any law. Voters register used in accreditation in the three local governments was not tendered as exhibits in the tribunal."

A

By Peter Okutu

Speaking after his conferment, the monarch who thanked President Buhari for finding him worthy of such appointment charged the students to shun cultism and other vices.

“I urge you to shun social vices and be law-abiding and serious minded in your studies, because those who do not read are to be pitied than those who cannot read.

“Who you are today and where you will be in the next 25 years is

andcuffs are really made for suspects, for them not to escape. If innocent soldiers, who protested no arms in fighting boko haram, were handcuffed and court marshalled- so what is the big deal handcuffing Metuh? Mr Ime Okon, Lecturer C M Y K

U

directly proportional to your reading habits, the relationship you cultivate with others and your closeness to God”.

The monarch commended President Buhari for his passionate efforts to rid the country of insecurity, corruption and unemployment.

“I urge all Nigerians to give Buhari's government full support in its drive to return the country to the path of progress,” he added.

Rep decries killing of Nigerians in S-Africa

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By Anozie Egole

AGOS—THE Chairman House Committee on Disapora Affairs, Hon Rita Orji, representing, .Ajeromi/Ifelodun federal constituency has decried the recent killing of Nigerians in South Africa, describing it as an epidemic that is getting worse by the day.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, the lawmaker called on the Nigerian Consul

General to South Africa, Uche Ajulu-Okeke, to act fast on this incident and present a report to the Federal Government as he promised.

She said: “From tales of xenophobic attacks against foreigners, Nigerians included, to all kinds of violent crimes perpetuated against Nigerians in South Africa by both the police and citizens, we are, once again, saddened by another incident of

a Nigerian dying under the custody of the Police. Eye witness account reported that the South African police arrested the deceased, Mr Timothy Chinedu, tied his hands and covered his face with acellophanebag.TheNigeriannational was allegedly suffocated to death by the police in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The Police, however, is alleging that he diedafteringestingdrugsbutaNigerian witnessed the entire incident and reported it to us."

Group urges ESUT mgt to reduce tuition fee

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By Francis Igata

NUGU—A group,Youth Concerns Realization Initiative,YCRI, has threatened to drag the management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology,ESUT,to court over alleged N10,000 increment on tuition fees paid by students of the university.

This came as ESUT

management,through the Director,Public Relations,Osita Ugwuoti dismissed claims of increment on tuition fee saying,”it has been a tradition of the university to levy N10,000 penalty on students who pay their tuition fees late”,adding that,”there was never a time management increased tuition fees.”

While addressing newsmen on the predicament of the s t u d e n t s , M e d i a Officer,YCRI,Blessing Luka revealed that the group was bent on ensuring the welfare of youths across every strata of the society even as she appealedtoGovernorIfeanyiUgwuanyi of Enugu State to recruit youths to man Youths/Sports portfolio inorder to give them a sense of belonging.

On handcuf tar o cour handcufffing of PDP’s national publicity secre secretar taryy tto courtt

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hatever must have informed this, I condemn it in all ramifications. It is against fair hearing and the constitutional provision of presume innocent until otherwise proved. It is violation of his rights. Mr Adeola Opeyemi, Self Employed

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etuh has shown tendencies to be violent even before his present ordeal. I believe putting him in handcuffs is to save him and perhaps others around him. They must have their reason(s) for bringing him to court like that. Mr Olayinka Fashipe, Businessman

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s stealing of the p e o p l e ’ s commonwealth not a security threat? And which liberty are they talking about, after they stole the people’s commonwealth and left them in poverty? Mr Mohammed Jajere, Worker

MUAHIA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former special assistant to Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Mr. Ben Onyechere has described the judgment by the Appeal Court on Abia governorship election as a close reminder of what transpired during the reign of Justice Salami in which states were freely awarded to a party of his choice without recourse to judicial decorum.

According to him, that trend seemed like cancer until it was nipped in the bud.

He said: “The sensibility of people of Nigeria have in the recent past been set aghast by the delusional sentiment of political considerations associated with such judicial partisanship. That judgement was an affront against the Ngwa people who were unpretentious about their voting pattern in the last election.

“In civilized climes, such judgments which are inconsiderate of the defenseless masses who had come out to exercise their right of citizenship should have been probed.

"The judiciary in this digital era can no longer be made to look like an Okija shrine where the priests are probably infallible but must be made to live up to their bidding which is primarily as the last hope of helpless masses and not as an instrument of denial and intimidation.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

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By Victor Otigbu

Buhari instals Alake of Egbaland as FUNAI first Chancellor BAKALIKI—THE Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo was yesterday installed as the first Chancellor of the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, FUNAI. The monarch was installed by President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Prof A. I. Essien during the 4th Matriculation ceremony of the institution at Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State.

Abia A-Court judgment, affront to Ngwa people —PDP chieftain

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e needed to be treated this way because last time he destroyed evidence statements and tried to swallow it. This time, let me see what he will do with his hands been cuffed. Handcuffing him is not wrong in my opinion Mr Isa Owolabi, Businessman

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or the quantum of money allegedly stolen and shared to baron Metuh, he ought to have been neck cuffed and feet chained. Hand cuff showed far too much undeserving respect. It was the money that aided his adrenalin. Mr Gbolade Jetawo, Self Employed

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 — 35

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36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

ETISALAT AWARD: From left— Manager, Corporate and Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs Oyetola Oduyemi; Dean, Student Affairs, University of Lagos, Professor Tunde Babawale; recipient of Etisalat Nigeria 2015 Merit Award, and UNILAG accounting undergraduate, Ms. Akinsulire Oyebusola; and Director, Office of Advancement, UNILAG, Mrs Ronke Salaam, during the presentation of cheque in Lagos.

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SKYE'S STOCKCBROKERS FORUM: From left— Chief Executive Officer, Proshare limited, Mr. Olufemi Awofemi; Deputy Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu; Managing Director, Nigerian Stockbrokers Limited, Mr. Bosun Adekoya; GMD/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo; Chief Dealer, Compass Investment and Securities Limited, Mr. Sam Willie Ndata; and Vice President/Chief Executive Officer, Capital Assets Ltd., Mr. Ariyo Olushekun, at the stockbrokers forum organised by the bank. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

VISIT: British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ray Kyles (left)

and Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi, during the British Envoy's visit to Arik's headquarters in Lagos.

PTI AWARDS: Principal/Chief Executive, Mr. Avuakporeta Orukele (4th left); Registrar, Mrs. Angela Ewere (5th left); some awardees and guests, all of Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State, during the 2016 long service award held in honour of 2014 and 2015 recipients.

WAMCO: From left— Operations Director, Doyin Ashiru; MD, Rahul Colaco, both of FrieslandCampina WAMCO; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem; Business Group Supply Chain Director, Royal FrieslandCampina, David Chatard, and Corporate Affairs Director, WAMCO, Ore Famurewa, during the commissioning of the company’s multi-billion Naira finished goods warehouse in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

LBS BRIEFING: From left— Academic Director, Lagos Business School, LBS, Dr. Olayinka David-West; Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Kosta Peric, and Dean, LBS, Dr. Enase Okonedo, at the briefing about the research on financial inclusion, supported by the Foundation in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE: From left— Vision and Talent, Joe Wilson; MD/CEO, Berger Paints Plc, Peter Folikwe; MD, Vision and Talents, Paul Uduk; Regional Manager, FCMB, Edward Nwodo; Chief Medical Director, New Quest Solutions Health Clinic, Dr. Abayomi Aiyesimoju, and Head, Medical Services, Bask Health Management Ltd., Dr. Adebayo Owoeye, at the Vision and Talent Executive Business roundtables in Lagos.

GCGT SEASON 6: From left— Host, God’s Children Great Talent, GCGT, IK Osakioduwa; Coordinator, GCGT, Adenike Ajakaiye; Co-Producer, Oh TV, Deborah Oluyemi; and GCGT sponsor from Digital Jewels, Mrs. Adedoyin Odunfa, at the launch of GCGT Season 6 in Lagos, yesterday.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 — 37

Aisha Buhari

The 5 Oyo oloris

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HOTOS have appeared on the Nigerian blogosphere of the famous 5 dazzling Oloris of Alaafin Oyo, taking a selfie at the celebration of the monarch’s 45th year on the throne. The five queens of

the septuagenarian have become famous for their matching outfits, bright complexions and choreography, and must have made the ceremonies extra spicy.

Jumoke Oduwole

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LSO newly appointed by the presidency in a crucial portfolio is former university of Lagos don Jumoke Oduwole, who is to be senior special assistant to the president on .

Prior to this Jumoke, who has a doctorate in from Stanford, was in the university. She will be working from the office of the vicepresident.

Congratulations galore on blogosphere.

HE wife of P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, is trending on blogosphere after hosting wives of state governors in Abuja, supposedly to evolve ways the State Governors’ First Ladies could serve the interest of their people better.

Noting that the constitution does not explicitly provide a role for First Ladies, Aisha

told the First Ladies that it did not stop them from making a difference in the lives of the people, saying the Governors’ Wives Forum was an avenue for them to support their h u s b a n d s t o w a r d s delivering on the change agenda.

I believe in our little ways, we can assist them to bring succour to the populace, especially those in need such as victims of insurgency in the North East and other forms of violence, physically challenged and other vulnerable groups.

She also called for the restructuring of the two

Maryam Uwais

Toolz Oniru

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ROP dead sexy On Air Personality Toolz has released photos on Instagram and her fiancee, Tunde Demuren, who continue to stun us with beautiful photos of displayed affection. Toolz p o s t e d : #ThePrincessandTheCaptain, her man posted a beautiful photo with the words, I’m just happy to be here.

Blogosphere just can’t wait for the wedding proper.

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mrs Maryam Uwais, the wife of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Muhammadu Uwais as his Special Adviser for Social Protection Plan.

The online medium

Aisha Alhassan

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GROUP, the Taraba Women f o r Democracy Network, is circulating its dismay over some comments in the media attributed to the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Taraba state, Aisha Alhassan.

The group in a statement signed by Asabe Jonathan, Amina Danboyi, Catherine AdiAdebayo, the Conveners said “She was quoted as having rained insults on parents of the Chibok girls tragedy when they went to the presidential villa yesterday.

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regional halves of the forum to boost networking, cooperation and constructive partnership.

She urged the First Ladies to be prepared to deal with programmes that are capable of impacting positively on the lives of citizens particularly the less privileged members of the society.

A commentator writes: She knows the perks of office and how to go after them. She knows how powerful women behind the throne could be. The president had earlier approved TEN political appointments for her, including a Ph.D holder who had a full page advert placed congratulating her on her appointment.

YET THERE IS NO OFFICE OF FIRST LADY.

“She then went on to give them a thorough dressing down, questioning even the visitors sanity.

She also quickly (chose to) toe the line of President Muhammadu Buhari who has maintained that the Chibok girls saga didn’t happen under him but his predecessor and so no one should blame him.

“Many parents all over the world were shocked that Aisha, a mother and grandmother, should talk like that. She didn’t show any kindness nor any milk of motherhood to those haggard parents who have been traumatised by their loss. Aisha, who wants to be our first female governor, did not exhibit any motherly attitude at all.

“We were also aghast when Aisha’s

boss announced that the girls whereabouts are unknown.

Because when under the last regime, General Alex Badeh said he knows where the girls are, we were hopeful. Now that hope has been finally crushed. Aisha’s unfortunate comments only poured more salt to the painful injury. Her uncaring treatment of the women is a slap on all that we hold dear.

And to the Chibok parents we, the authentic Taraba women pledge our prayers and continuous support in this time of needs. We also offer our apologies for the barbaric behaviour of the minister.

also reports that Mrs Uwais has been deployed to the office of Vice President Yemi Osibajo, where she is coordinating the administration’s social protection schemes, including a N60billion micro-credit scheme for artisans and market women.

Mrs. Uwais is a respected lawyer with over 30 years experience, including serving as principal partner at Wali Uwais & Co, an Abujabased law firm.

The special adviser graduated with an LL.B from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981, after attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

In 1985, she bagged a Masters in Law from the same university.

Mrs Uwais worked at the Kano State Ministry of Justice between 1980 and 1987.

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Tecno lights up Ikeja in new CSR project

S&T Minister unveils policy thrust, says political will needed for sustainable R&D PAGE 40

PAGE 39

FG’s N300b innovation seed fund to create 35,000 jobs

By Emeka Aginam

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HE N300 billion innovation fund released by the Federal Government of Nigeria as seed fund to grow local technology start-ups, is expected to create up to 35,000 jobs in the country.

The seed fund will work in concert with the $50 million target seed fund which an investment company, EchoVC, has promised to inject for the growth of African tech startups.

EchoVC is the sole manager of the Federal Government’s fund.

The company, a seed and early stage technology-focused Lagosbased venture capital also promised to fill the seed fund and early stage financing gap.

The Managing Partner of the company, Mr. Eghosa Omoigui who disclosed this during a press conference on Monday in Lagos said that his company plans to make investment of $1.5 million per startup with a goal of making forty to fifty investments throughout the life of the fund.

Existing investors, he said included a mix of domestic and foreign institutional investors and asset managers. “We made

four investments in Nigeria in 2015 and anticipate making up to 10 seed-stage investments in 2016”, he said.

He said that companies backed up by venture capital have been a major driver of technology innovation, economic growth and job creation over the last forty years.

The company’s investment in disruptive and innovative technology startups in Nigeria that grow to become category leaders, he said would transform opportunities currently available to the ever growing population.

US, Asia, Africa based entrepreneur insight, co-invest in first institutional financings of emerging market technology companies with traction, he added are part of their plans.

“Our strategy underpins a disruptive approach: to invest at the intersection of consumer, media, commerce, data technology & mobile devices layered by networked knowledge. We target equity and

Institutional angel funding Part of the plan of the company to support tech startups, according to him was to fill the seed and early stage gap by providing mentorship and institutional angel funding to promising entrepreneurs and codeveloping and stimulating the existing local angel community.

Working with portfolio companies to enhance value and exit value, deliver value added with formal knowledge transfer frameworks that cross-polinate

Our focus is on technologies that support the “99% bulge” of underserved populations

•Tech start-up

equity-related seed and early stage technology investments in Nigeria (and the broader PanAfrican region).

“Nigeria, as one of the main growth drivers for Africa, is also one of the primary growth drivers for the firm. We seek to capitalize on Nigeria’s burgeoning period of growth in technology innovation and identify and invest in next generation companies that will lead this technology renaissance across the continent.

“The fund will also opportunistically evaluate investment opportunities in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia”, he explained.

According to him, EchoVC makes investments of $1.5M per startup with a goal of making forty to fifty investments throughout the life of the fund.

Specific technology sectors of interest according to him included consumer Internet and Services, Data, Mobile, Social, Digital Media, Content and Advertising, e-commerce, Software, linguistics, Gaming, Business intelligent, last-mile services, among others

“Our focus is on technologies that support the “99% bulge” of underserved populations.

Investments target high-growth services and scalable products in select markets, with distinct and sustainable competitive advantages, all of which affect daily life and provide essential services in large growing markets.

Growing markets “Our strategy underpins a disruptive approach: to invest at the intersection of consumer, media, commerce, data technology & mobile devices layered by networked knowledge. We target equity and equity-related seed and early stage technology investments in Nigeria (and the broader PanAfrican region).

The ICT Innovation Fund (with a $10m commitment from NITDA), to be managed by EchoVC, he said was officially announced in September 2014 by the then Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016—39

Gionee enriches smartphone market with M5 Mini

By Prince Osuagwu

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•Lagos state commissioner for science and technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, flanked

by Tecno MD, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo and others officially commissioning the project.

Tecno lights up Ikeja in new CSR project

By Prince Osuagwu

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HE lights came on quite literally at the Ikeja computer village recently when mobile manufacturing company, Tecno telecoms limited, donated eighty-eight high end solar-powered streetlights, to the Ikeja community as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR efforts.

Addressing a teeming audience at an event to launch the donation last week, Tecno’s Managing Director, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo said the company would continue to invest in a broad spectrum of communitycentric projects to better the lives people in its sphere of operations.

Sphere of operations “It is proven that private corporations with strong community focus in their business agenda tend to prosper better than the others,” he said, “we’ll like to use this avenue to encourage other businesses and corporations in the area to show commitment to community development by spearheading projects that have lasting impact on the community.”

The iFLUX engineered streetlights of have a two years warranty cover and will enjoy maintenance for optimum operation by Carlcare, another subsidiary of TRASSION Holdings as is the TECNO Mobile and iFLUX brands.

Also speaking at the event, Lagos state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi said: “We’re elated as an agency to see what TECNO has done her etoday

and we look forward to partnerships between private corporations like TECNO, who are community-centric and the government to bring life changing projects to the people.”

One major highlight of the occasion was a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the

Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr Olufemi Odubiyi, the TECNO MD, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo, representatives from the Local government area, community and market leaders and members of the press to mark the official commissioning of the project.

OBILE phone m a n u f a c t u r i n g company, Gionee, has said that its recently released Gionee M5 is targeted at Millennials who are keen for innovation, efficiency and stylish devices.

Speaking at the product launch, Marketing Director, Gionee Nigeria, Mr. Somoye Habeeb, Gionee Nigeria, said that the company is focused on delivering high quality phones that fit the lifestyle of the Nigerian middle and upper class without hurting their pockets.

“Gionee focuses on innovation, efficiency and affordability in ways that other brands don’t.

Having received a warm reception from the Nigerian market when we introduced the Gionee M5 a few months ago, Gionee is following up with the M5 Mini. The M5 as the name implies, is a compact version of the M5. It is just as effective and stylish, but more affordable. It can be considered a sequel to the highly durable M5, and is the latest phone to be released in Nigeria,” he said.

The M5 Min comes with Amigo 3.1 operating system

that rests on 5.1 Android OS and packed with different features and chipset.

Its design, software and battery capacity points to the fact that the device is specifically made for both light and heavy smartphone users and would suit the average Nigerian user.

M5 Mini operates at a rather impressive processor speed of 1.3GHz Quad core. The implication of this is that your phone promises to operate at a speed that is truly deserving of a smartphone.

The M5 Mini is equipped with a 2.GB RAM size and 16GB internal storage songs, five hundred videos, hundred applications and your largest files and documents.

“The cameras serve as the best medium through which our brightest and most unforgettable moments especially when they come in clear, detailed and perfect quality, Habeeb said.

He added that Gionee understands the importance and value attached to pictures; the reason the M5 Mini is endowed with 8MP rear and 5MP (megapixel) front camera.

Also, keep the pictures coming even at night with the flash for nighttime mode.

Gloo.ng ‘express’ customers to get deliveries within two hours

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By Laju Iren

NLINE supermarket, Gloo.ng has launched new express delivery service that lets customers get their goods within two hours of purchase.

The company said this move was targeted to meet increasing market demands as wells as promote the happiness of busy homemakers.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Olumide Olusanya, the service is unique and the first of its kind in Nigeria.

He said the express service extends the convenience of Gloo’s award-winning same-day service to last minute, emergency or unplanned purchases. A minimum order of N4, 000 is required, a maximum cap of N8, 000 is allowed and home appliance products are excluded.

Olusanya explained that the system is built in such way that

A minimum order of N4, 000 is required, a maximum cap of N8, 000 is and home appliance products are excluded

these conditions are verified at the point of checking out; stressing that only orders that meet the above conditions will see the “2-Hour Express Service” option presented as part of the delivery options on the checkout page.

He added that all a customer needs to do is select this option as delivery method if he or she wants to use the 2-Hour Express

service. “Your ordered goods will be delivered within 2 hours of us sending you a Delivery Advice Confirmation message. The 2Hour Express service attracts a N999 express delivery fee and payments are prepaid before an order is processed. According to him, since the service is still in beta phase, “we are presently limiting it to delivery locations on the Lagos Island.

He also used the opportunity to expatiate on Gloo.ng’s purpose to “redefine and own the word ‘supermarket’ in Nigeria” and the vision to “be the biggest Nigerian supermarket,” ultimately giving busy homemakers, irrespective of clout or class, no single reason to visit a brick-and-mortar supermarket or open market in any Nigerian city.”

LG crowned ‘brand of the year’

By Laju Iren

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G Electronics was crowned the ‘Brand of the year 2015’ at the prestigious Red Dot Awards held in Berlin recently.

The honour was bestowed on the electronics giant following its thirteen wins in Red Dot’s communication design category over the course of last year.

The title of Brand of the year was bestowed on LG for its 13 wins in the Red Dot award: Communication design category over the course of the year. Winning entries this year include the LG G4 and LG Watch Urbane both embodying the company’s human-centric user experience (UX) design philosophy with a

simpler and more intuitive interface to accommodate individual users.

With this recognition, LG joins the ranks of renowned previous winners such as PepsiCo; Audi AG; and Mercedes -Benz. LG also becomes the third company to win both Brand of the year and Design Team of the year, which it won in 2006.

Founder and CEO of Red Dot Dr. Peter Zec speaking at the Berlin event said: “The brand management of LG Electronics is unparalleled in its skills in this respect.

The corporate claim sums it up—Life’s good. Anyone who invests in an LG product notices immediately that his or her life is

a little more attractive because of it. That is exactly how convincing brand management works”.

Commenting on the achievement, LG’s Vice President and Head of Corporate Design, Mr. Noh Chan-ho, said “Being honored by Red Dot Award is humbling and demonstrates LG’s leadership in the field of design by reaffirming our ongoing commitment to both innovative design and intuitive consumer experience, we will continue to design and develop creative solutions that elicit positive emotional response and deepen the relationship between our brand and consumers to live up to our motto, innovations for a better life.”

40—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 •Telecoms mast

FG must classify telecom facility as critical national infrastructure, ALTON chairman insists

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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HE National Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom operators in Nigeria, ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has insisted that the only way the federal government would

maximally harness the full potentials of telecommunications, is to declare telecom facilities as national security and critical economic installation.

Adebayo said that this would be geared towards protecting them against vandalisation and

wilful damages that have become the order of the day in recent times..

The ALTON Chairman made the appeal during a meeting of members of the Association with Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

on Monday. He told the Minister that operators had

S&T Minister unveils policy thrust, says political will needed for sustainable R&D president is the most important

By Emmanuel Elebeke

I

N an apparent move to hit the ground running, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu says his main thrust in the new administration is to secure the dwindling economy through import substitution and fight crime using science, technology and innovation.

He said the country had suffered setbacks in terms of economic and security development due to the continued display of ignorance by the previous administrations and their sheer neglect of science and technology

as the critical factor in achieving true development.

Onu, who spoke at the weekend, said Nigeria must face the current economic downturn and insurgency with effective policy direction and right equipment with intelligent gathering, to be able to come out of the present difficulty.

“We must face problems in the country with effective and right type of equipment and intelligence gathering. The problem we have is to make sure we deploy the right type of equipment and without science and technology, we cannot do it.”

On funding, the Minister said though research and

development which is at the heart of science and technology, require a lot of funding, the most important thing was leadership and political will, which the president is already providing.

“The President is recognizing that science and technology is important in research and development. Once the political will is there, the commitment will come and science and technology will now have the needed support from government.

“Unlike in other countries, where science and technology is making very big contributions to their GDP, the situation has to change in Nigeria but we have to make a start.

“The commitment of the

thing for us. Tackling the preponderance of the movement of small arms and weapons going on in Nigeria calls for caution and reflection on how we can turn the tide because the country is blessed with human and natural resources to do all these things locally,” he said.

Onu, who regretted the long neglect of the sector in the past decades said, “if we had deployed science and technology in the past, we would not be what we are today. Our military would be stronger. A situation where we go begging to buy arms from other countries with cash is not acceptable because we should be capable of doing this.”

suffered from various interferences, especially multiple taxation and vandalisation of their installations, and urged the federal government to ensure maximum protection of the facilities.

Earlier in his remarks, the Minister stated that government had launched campaigns to tackle insecurity and corruption as well as for national reorientation and solicited the support of the nation’s telecommunications operators for the various campaigns of the Federal Government because communication is at the heart of the campaign.

The Minister said since communication, which is at the core of their operations, is also at the very heart of these campaigns, the ministry believes it can work with the operators by leveraging on their umbrella platform to reach more Nigerians.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 — 41

APC raises committee to replace Faleke as Bello’s Deputy

By Charles Kumolu, Kingsley Fanwo & Boluwaji Obahopo

IS Internet Solutions Nigeria makes leadership changes

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HEAD of today ’s inauguration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the governor of Kogi State, All Progressive Congress, APC, has raised a committee to find replacement for the unwilling deputygovernor elect , Mr. James Abiodun Faleke.

Similarly, APC leaders from Kogi East have distanced themselves from media reports endorsing one Gowon Usman Egbunu as Deputy Governor, claiming the purported endorsement was forged.

This came as chieftain of APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the inauguration of Alhaji Bello as the governor of Kogi State, was an aberration that would be addressed by the Supreme Court in the fullness of time.

The Committee, “Kogi West committee for selection of Deputy governor”, is expected to submit its report to the party'Ss national secretariat within the week.

It was gathered however that the committee has pencilled down Mrs. Justina Abanida, Dr David Atte and Mr. Kola Bamisaye, for consideration.

Vanguard gathered that the Committee headed by Mr. Samuel Mogbole, narrowed the list from initial seven to the three based on their political strength and contributions to the party in time past.

Mrs. Abanida who hails from Egbe, Yagba West local government, is a prominent politician and was AttorneyGeneral of the state between 1994 and 1996.

Dr Atte on his part, was once the Commissioner for Education in the defunct Kwara State, and hails from Itakete-Ide in

By Dave Oso

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FIDAU PRAYER: From left; Sheikh Musa Olaoye of the Ansar-Ud-Deen mosque, Abuja with the General-Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment & Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) Comrade Issa Aremu and the President, Aani Kuru, Jos, General Lawrence Onoja at the 40th day fidau prayer for Late Hajia Hamdalat Abiodun Aremu in Kaduna. Photo by Olu Ajayi.

Mopamuro Local Government area of the state.

Though not much is known in the political scene about Bamisaye until now, but works at the National Assembly commission in Abuja.

In a related development, A cross section of APC leaders from Kogi East told Vanguard that the purported endorsement of Egbunu was not a part of the resolution of the meeting of the Kogi East caucus.

K

ADUNA—THE Kaduna State Kaduna Police Commissioner, CP, Umar KofarNaisa, has ordered, the Vice Chancellor, VC, Kaduna State University, KASU, Professor Willaims Quirix, to produce perceived anti-government lecturer, Dr. John Danfulani, over comments he claimed could cause violence.

This came as the University authorities since January 8, 2016, suspended the Political Science lecturer after querying him earlier.

But a group, Nerzit Patroitic Front, has kicked against the suspension of the lecture, asking KASU to rescind its decision.

The group threatened to go to

in Lagos State, while speaking in his personal capacity on his Facebook page, described Bello as an interloper, who was foisted on the state by vested interests.

He contended that it was wrong for the national and state chapter of the APC to choose Bello as a replacement for the late Prince Abubakar Audu, claiming the former’s loyalty to the party during the governorship election was questionable.

Industrial unrest looms over planned sack of 3,000 ports workers approval, the Maritime Workers dockworkers engaged

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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AGOS—THERE is mounting restiveness in the nation’s Ports following alleged approval by the Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amechi, for the sack of no fewer than 3000 dockworkers.

Surprised by the alleged

Police write KASU VC to produce anti-government lecturer as group kicks

By Luka Binniyat

Some of the leaders who confirmed to Vanguard that they never discussed the Deputy Governorship issue nor endorsed anyone. Those who spoke were Sule Amodu, Yahaya Meyanga, Peter Akasakowa, Friday Adejoh and Jubril Usman.

According to them, a purported endorsement clause was smuggled into their resolutions by perceived “self-serving politicians.”

Meanwhile, Igbokwe, who is the Publicity Secretary of the party

court, accusing KASU and state government of “persecuting Dr. Danfulani because he holds a different political ideology, ethnic and religious learning with the government of the day”.

A letter dated 21st January, 2015 with reference – CR: 3000/ KDS/X/D6/Vol.82/150 signed CP Umar Kofar-Niasa addressed to the VC of KASU, reads: “This Department is investigating the above mentioned case involving one of your lecturers, Dr. John Danfulani. You are kindly requested to release him to interview the undersigned through O/C General Surveillance State SCIID Kaduna on 25/01/2006 at about 1000hrs to enable complete our investigation.''

Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday, threatened to shut down the Ports operations and called on the Minister to immediately state the true position before things went out of hand.

The union lamented that the report almost triggered simultaneous reaction by ports workers across the country, but for personal intervention by the President General of the Union, Mr. Nted Anthony Emmanuel.

MWUN accused the management of Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, of being the brain behind the reports for its known agenda to secure the illegal engagement of cargoes surveyors.

The leadership of the union has already written to the Minister of Transportation, over the matter to avert looming industrial unrest in the ports.

In a statement by the Secretary General of the Union, Mr. Aham Ubani, the union said it condemned in totality the report that the Minister had given NPA the nod to sack Tally Clerks, Onboard Security members of the union, insisting no such decision was made by Minister of Transportation at the stakeholders meeting held on January 20, 2016 at the conference room of the Ministry of Transportation, Abuja.

According to the statement, “on continuation of the service, the

in Tallying and Onboard Security Services, which is the primary area of interest of the union, the Minister promised to report both the labour position and the NPA intension to the Head of State for final decision/directive. ''The news report of the approval which was planted by the Management of NPA to fast track/to hoodwink the Transport Minister into taking hasty antiworkers decision is certainly not in the interest of our country and is indeed a direct assault on the prevailing industrial peace in our Seaports nationwide.''

AGOS—IS Internet Solutions, a division of Dimension Data, has announced that in line with its passion of focusing on the needs of its clients, the company has named Mr. Chiekezi Dozie its new Sales Director effective January 4, 2016.

Chiekezi brings to the role over 15 years work experience in West Africa and the United Kingdom with renowned IT and telecoms organizations and has well established high level relationships required for the company ’s continued success in the enterprise segment.

He has an LLB degree from the London GuildHall University and an accelerated Development degree from London business School.

Chiekezi leverages both his natural authenticity and strong diverse experience across a set of functional areas (strategy, sales, finance, legal, consulting) to create impetus in organizations and teams.

He has been particularly successful in creating highly engaged teams and organizations.

Olusola Teniola, the MD/ CEO of IS Internet Solutions Nigeria is excited at the opportunity to have Chiekezi lead a truly iconic business like IS Internet Solutions Nigeria at this time and looks forward to working with him and the rest of the management team to deliver on its performance ambition.

ERC faults UNIABUJA, Nasarawa varsities on students’ unions

By Amaka Abayomi

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HE Education Rights Campaign, ERC, Abuja chapter, has condemned the continued suspension of students’ union activities at the University of Abuja and Nasarawa State University, Keffi, by the institutions’ managements.

Condemning the imposition on students the so-called transition committees allegedly composed of handpicked students, Coordinator, ERC

FCT Abuja Chapter, Akande Daniel Babatunde, called on the managements of both institutions to respect the democratic and fundamental human rights of their students by allowing them to freely operate independent students unionism.

Babatunde said “ERC rejects the false claims by both managements that this undemocratic action is meant to maintain peace and put an end to different problems erupting as a result of religious and tribal sentiments on both campuses.''

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

By Esther Onyegbula

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AST Wednesday, some suspects were paraded at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja over various offences ranging from robbery , rape and impersonation.

To the astonishment of all, some people showed up at the command to identify some of the suspects as those who invaded their homes and dispossessed them of cash and other valuables.

Among the victims, was a lady who said but for providence she would have been gang raped by three of the suspects .

The lady who gave her name as Precious Nwankwo, identified the trio of Balogun Mutiu( 32) Kuye Daniels( 24) and Fashola Adewunmi ( 32) as suspected members of the robbery gang that stormed her apartment in Iju area of the state.

According to her : “I was asleep when the door of my apartment was forced opened . I woke up in shock and quickly tied my wrapper . Before I could hide, these strangers (pointing to the suspects) barged in . One of them said they should waste me if I had no money to give to them. They took my hand bag which was on the bed, opened it and poured out everything on the bed and collected the money.

In my confusion, I ran inside the toilet inspite of warning from them not to do so. Two of them (Kuye Daniels and Fashola Adewunmi ) ran after me and threatened to rape me to death for disobeying their order. They were about to carry out their threat when their partner told them to leave for the next apartment .

Collection of the car key I recognized them because they were not masked . They collected N60, 000 from my purse and N5, 000 from my wallet, including two ATM cards, one infinix phone, one Nokia Lumia, one Tehno phone and one Nokia touch”, she said.

They snatched my car: Another victim who simply gave his name as Fredrick told a bewildered crownd at the command that he also fell victim of the robbers cruelty. He said he was at Climax hotel at Iju Ishaga of the state , in the company of his wife when the robbers struck.

He said : “They snacthed a car which broke down on the way.

They came out of the car and made straight for the hotel. They collected the car key from me at gun point and drove off in my car. I dentified them by thier body smell.

My vehicle was however recovered later by men of the Rapid Response Squad. But the money inside, including my phone, wedding ring and wristwatch had been taken away”.

A third victim, Peter, claimed that the suspects invaded his residence at Mile 12, last Thursday, around 2 am where

The robbery suspects

Our ordeals in the hands of robbers — victims •How I escaped being gang–raped – female victim •I am not a robber —suspect they carried out a room-to-room operation and dispossesed them of cash, phones and other valuables.

He identified one of them with the blue jean and ash coloured shirt he wore.

Peter said “ Immediately the robbers left , we alerted the Lagos State emergency department on thier telephone number 112 . when it was dawn, we reported the case at Alapere police division.

To my surprise, I had a call from one of my stolen phones , only for the caller to identify himself as a policeman from Area ‘C’.

They took two phones from me.

But only the Asiha 303 was recovered while the Tecno Y6 was not.

Crime Alert gathered that when the distress calls was received,

Two of them (Kuye Daniels and Fashola Adewunmi ) ran after me and threatened to rape me to death for disobeying their order. They were about to carry out their threat when their partner told them to leave for the next apartment

operatives of the Rapid Response Squad around the location barricaded all exit routes, thereby leading to the arrest of the suspects at Randle Avenue roundabout in Surulere. They were arrested in a stolen Toyota Corolla car with registration number AAA-239-BD. Suspect’s account: However, one of the suspects, Balogun Mutiu, denied being an armed robber. He maintained that he was arrested on his way to his farm land by the police . He said

“I told them I was on my way to the farm. They said a robbery operation just took place around that area . They took me and the rider of the motorcycle was on, to the police station. Later, these men; Kuye Daniels and Fashola Adewunmi were brought in .

The police asked the Daniel and Fashola if they knew me and the okada rider they said no.

They just want to send me to jail“, he said.

At that moment, one of the

suspects , Kuye Daneils, (20) interjected , saying Mutiu was inside the stolen vehcile.

According to him “Balogun Mutiu and Fashola Adewunmi, were inside the vehicle with Badoo when i joined them. I was arrested inside the car at Oshodi, I am not a member of the gang.

The person that took me out that night is at large. I have not never gone on any operation with them . When they picked me, they said we were going to a carnival. I know one of them called Badoo. I am a cobbler. I am from Ondo state. I came from Ibafo to Lagos to celebrate the yuletide”, he said in tears.

Police uncover well used to siphon PMS in Lagos •arrest 59 year old woman

By Ifeanyi Okolie and Angela Okpe

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HE Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism has uncovered a building in Idimu area of Lagos, used as mini depot by vandals, where siphoned petroleum products from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC pipelines are diverted. It also arrested a 59 year old woman, Mrs Florence Olayinka, who claimed to be owner of the building.

Inside the building located on KM 1, LASU-Igando Road, by Iyana-Odo Bus Stop, is a 20 feet well, where siphoned petroleum products are stored for onward sale to ready buyers. From the

NNPC pipeline located at the riverine part of the area, is a dug hole through which is a pipe that connects the vandalised pipelines to the well.

Residents said vandals visited the building on daily basis with 50 litres jerry cans and trucks to scoop the siphoned products.

Acting on tip off, operatives stormed the area yesterday, but on sighting the operatives, the vandals were said to have taken to their heels, while the owner of the building was arrested.

During interrogation, however, she claimed that the petroleum product in the well were spillage from the NNPC pipelines, adding that vandals forcefully gained entry into her apartment to scoop the products. She said, “I have reported to the NNPC

that vandals were jumping into my compound to scoop fuel and they begged me to exercise some patience while they fixed the broken pipe. I didn’t bother to report to the police because, the NNPC came with policemen when they inspected the well and they told me that they will give me a bore hole water when they repair the pipes."

When Vanguard contacted the Commander of the Task Force, Valentine Olumese, he said that his men acted on a credible intelligence linking some notorious pipeline vandals to the compound. “ We stormed the place and didn’t arrest the suspects, but we found the owner of the compound where the well is located. We are also conducting our investigations”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015—43

How smoking, excessive drinking fuel erectile dysfunction — EXPERT THE effect of Erectile Dysfunction, ED, can better be imagined. Intimate relationship between man and wife is very personal and private. But when a man has ED, it usually affects and changes his relationship with himself and his partner(s). The man may be embarrassed and even feel guilty, making it difficult to talk about this issue.

ED has a direct impact on how it affects a man's life and marriage. Studies have shown that ED is involved in one in five failed marriages.

A common issue among couples dealing with ED starts with failures of sexual advances. This can have an effect on issues of trust, intimacy, and closeness. The man withdraws emotionally and physically because of fear of failure. The partner starts to believe that the man is losing interest in her, thereby impacting self-esteem and feelings of attractiveness.

Good Health Weekly spoke to Dr. Narasimhan Subramanian, a senior Consultant Urologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi in India.

Narasimhan with 35 years of experience in medicine is an expert in Endourology, Laparoscopy, Robotics and Holmium Laser. He explains what constitutes ED and the root causes and effects of alcohol and smoking on the condition. Excerpts:

By Chioma Obinna

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HAT is Erectile Dysfunction?

It is the inability to achieve and maintain a normal erection adequate for penetration. A delay in achieving erection or inability to maintain erection will also imply erectile dysfunction.

Immediate and extreme symptoms: These include complete loss of erection and often acute psychological distress and gradual loss of desire for sexual activity.

Relationship to diabetes, HBP, etc: Erectile Dysfunction may occur under various circumstances ranging from spinal injuries, neurological and psychological dysfunctions and often without any identifiable cause. However, it's far more frequently seen in diabetics and to some extent in those with cardio vascular diseases, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease. The effect on the nerves and consequently on the

blood vessels leading to poor blood flow seems to be the primary reason.

Traditional cure: In Africa, plants and herbs have served as a dependable and ever ready source of medicines for the treatment of chronic erectile dysfunction among the underclass people, and there have been claims of potency of these alternative medicines. This really pitches the traditional method against orthodox treatment of the disease. To what extent would you support the use of alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction?

Various plant products and herbal medications have often been reported to produce good results. However there are no controlled studies comparing those with established allopathic medicines or with placebo.

Root cause: Inadequate flow of blood or derangement of mechanisms which trap the blood in the specified area of the penis.

Advice to ED patients: People

testosterone and prolactin. A psychological evaluation will often benefit those who suffer from performance anxiety. Depression is often seen as an accompanying factor of erectile dysfunction in many people. A detailed evaluation of one's medication is also important. Smoking and excessive drinking are both known to have significant adverse impact on erectile dysfunction.

Alcohol is a depressant, and using it heavily can dampen mood, decrease sexual desire, and make it difficult for a man to achieve erections or reach orgasm while under the influence. In fact, overdoing it on booze is a common cause of erectile dysfunction.

Moderate drinking A Senior Consultant Urologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi in India. suffering from ED should carry out assessment of blood sugar, cardio vascular assessma senior consultant urologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi in India.ent, measurement of hormones like

Alcohol is a depressant, and using it heavily can dampen mood, decrease sexual desire, and make it difficult for a man to achieve erections

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, moderate drinking is no more than two drinks a day for men (and one drink a day for women). The liver can only break down the amount of alcohol in about one standard-size drink an hour, so regularly drinking more than that means that toxins from alcohol can build up in your body and affect your organs, including those involved in sex.

For men, heavy drinking can lead to temporary erectile dysfunction.

Researchers have found that too much alcohol affects both your brain and your penis. This is because pre-sex drinking decreases blood flow to the nether region, reduces the intensity of your orgasm, and can dampen your level of excitement.

Also, Long-term erectile dysfunction has been linked to chronic heavy use of alcohol. In fact, studies show that men who are dependent on alcohol have a 60 to 70 percent chance of suffering from sexual problems. The most common of these are erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and loss of sexual desire.

Why Nigerians continue to suffer in pain

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ANY countries have long recognised the socioeconomic importance of relieving pain in their populations. Low back pain is the cause of major disability, work absenteeism and lost productivity in most countries. Nigeria is no different.

Pain related disorders that have lingered longer than three to four months become a serious determinant of quality of life. Depression sets in; relationships at work, with family and friends take on new dynamics. Whatever contribution the pain sufferer made to society starts to shrink.

The patient may begin to feel a burden to society or a castaway from society. It need not be so.

As far back as 1999, pain was accorded the position of "5th Vital Sign". That is, when a nurse checks the temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate periodically, the nurse must also assess the patient's level of pain.

Today, in Nigeria, there is a paucity of truly trained pain specialists. There are a number of Nigerian doctors who have specialised in the Pain Medicine but who continue practice in the UK and the USA where it is lucrative and full of job satisfaction. Training and education in Pain Medicine has to be incorporated in undergraduate and postgraduate medical, nursing and pharmaceutical schools. The West African College of Surgeons has only recently added this subspecialty to its postgraduate education programme.

A few months ago the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiology (WFSA) listed Pain Medicine, Obstetrics, Paediatrics and Intensive Care as areas in which it would support Fellowship Train-

ing programs in Nigeria. I trained in such a programme at Emory University in Atlanta in 1996.

The Nigeria Society of Anaesthetists (NSA) is a respected member of the WFSA. It will be holding the 2017 World Congress of this esteemed body next year in Abuja. Hopefully, our own Pain Fellowship programme should (must) be up and running by then!

Government also has a significant role to play in the alleviation of pain and suffering in Nigerians.

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) is currently the ONLY purchaser and importer of strong pain medicines into Nigeria. Through NAFDAC, the FMOH also distributes, regulates and monitors these medications in Nigeria. The current system is fraught with problems.

Apparently, the medications (opioids) are under-requested from the FMOH stores. Many expire and are discarded.

On the other hand, doctors and pharmacists, complain that the ordering process is cumbersome and complex.

NAFDAC also has the tough challenge of curbing diversion, misuse and abuse of these drugs.

This is a tough challenge indeed considering the illegal importation routes and the fact that these very strong medications have been found in the possession of criminal elements of the society. Monitoring and regulation is a problem in the USA as well. But the drugs are still available for physicians to prescribe and for patients to use.

Stakeholders (doctors, pharmacists and patients) are currently being consulted so as to design a workable model, framed on the US system, for Nigeria. While

doctor@lagospainclinic.com the FG can remain the sole purchaser and importer, the distribution and monitoring can be decentralized and digitalized. “To patients afflicted with chronic pain and cancer patients, these drugs are literally "lifesaving".

Despite serious side effects which the body gets used to, the drugs permit the pain sufferer some appreciable activities of daily living (ADLs).

Nurses have a role to play as well. They have the maximum contact with the patient. Have they accepted pain as the 5th vital sign? Do they respond promptly and compassionately to analgesic needs of their patients? Do they undergo the necessary training on administration and side effects of these drugs? Do they pre count, post count, crosscheck and countersign morphine, fentanyl and other opioids they administer?

Even patients themselves have a role to play in the relief of their pain and suffering. Patients must be compliant with treatment, report for regular follow-up appointments, and desist from "doctor shopping", locally and abroad.

Patients can form a strong lobby group. I have treated some who have potentially influential connections in the legislative, judiciary and executive arms of Government.

Together we can alleviate chronic pain, cancer pain and associated suffering in Nigerians.

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

Palace Oshoala joins Gunners Ham are rivalling West CtoRYSTAL sign Fenerbahce Emmanuel Reds website reads: striker Ladies “Liverpool Ladies can Emenike, after Fener-

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IVERPOOL La dies have confirmed that they have accepted a bid from Arsenal Ladies for Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala.

This was announced on Liverpool’s official website on Tuesday.

It was also revealed that the former African Woman Player of the Year will now discuss personal terms before joining the Arsenal Ladies. A statement on the

today confirm that the club has reluctantly accepted a bid from Arsenal Ladies for Asisat Oshoala.

“After the Gunners activated a clause in the Nigerian international’s contract, the striker will now discuss personal terms with Pedro Martinez Losa’s side.

“The deal is also subject to the 21-year-old being granted a work permit ahead of the 2016 season.”

bahce and West Ham failed to reach a deal for the player.

The Hammers had made an offer to take the 28-year-old on loan with the view to a permanent transfer in the summer.

Sky sources claimed the deal had hit a snag late last week and it is understood that snag is the interest from Palace.

Palace boss Alan Pardew wants another option up-front and could lose Connor Wickham for three matches after he

Sports Editors Guild warn against fresh sanne, Switzerland on crisis in Nigerian football Moving On... Liverpool’s Nigerian striker Oshoala takes on Chelsea ace Claire Rafferty during a match.

Oshoala is teaming up with the Gunners Ladies.

GOtv Boxing unveils NextGen Search

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HE next genera tion of professional Nigerian boxing stars is set to be unveiled at the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, an event billed to hold between 17 and 19 February at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gymnasium on Olatilewa Street, Surulere, Lagos. The GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is open to professional as well as amateur boxers wishing to turn pro.

According to Jenkins Alumona, CEO of Flykite Sports, promoters of GOtv Boxing Night, GOtv NextGen Search was conceived to give hidden boxing talents an opportunity to demonstrate their prowess as a

route to getting selected for big fight events, particularly, GOtv Boxing Night, the biggest ever boxing event in Nigeria.

“We are calling on professional boxers as well as amateurs ready to turn professional from every part of the country to come and show what they can do.

“GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is part of the ongoing plan to revive boxing by widening the access to GOtv Boxing Night, which is broadcast in 47 African countries by SuperSport.

“It is a launch pad to development and sporting stardom for boxers with ability,” explained Alumona.

Eagles Continues from BP needed just a point to book their place in the last-eight of a competition they finished third two years ago.

AS Horoya 19-year-old midfielder Ibrahima Sankhon scored the match winner against Nigeria on the stroke of half time. Sankhon exploited poor Nigeria defending to score from inside the box.

Nigeria did not have clear sight at the Guinea goal with Osas Okoro wasting possibly Eagles best chance of the first half when he elected to shoot from inside the box when he had several other free teammates to pass to. Guinea bossed the possession and were the more cohesive team.

Nigeria were lucky not to concede a penalty when Jamiu Alimi hanC M Y K

dled the ball right inside the box in the 25 th minute. After the interval, Nigeria brought on tournament leading scorer Chisom Chikatara for defensive midfielder Paul Onobi as the Eagles went for broke.

Substitute Bright Onyedikachi had two headers from inside the box in the second half, but they both missed their mark. Another substitute, Bature Yaro could also not steer his free kick from a very promising position home as the minutes ticked away for Nigeria.

In the 81st minute, goal scorer Sankhon’s stinging free kick was directed straight at goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and eight minutes later he had another chance to double his team’s tally but his final shot rolled out of touch.

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HE Nigerian Sports Editors Guild, the umbrella body of the managers of sports of the country’s media outfits, has urged all stakeholders to steer clear of any ‘action or inaction’ that could bring fresh crisis in the country’s football.

Rising from a meeting at the weekend in Lagos, the sports editors condemned the recent meeting reportedly convened

by Sports and Youth Development Minister, Solomon Dalung, where he tried ‘to resolve the purported leadership crisis in Nigerian football.’

In a communiqué signed by the Guild’s President, Tony Ubani, the editors said it was “unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility of running Nigerian sports are the same people trying to drag the sector back to the dark days by seeking solution to a non-existent crisis.

“We want to believe that the minister was ill-

advised and so does not know that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership issue was decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) sitting in Lau-

Eagles lost 0-1 to their Guinean counterparts, Syli Nationale in yesterday’s last group match at the Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu. Syli Nationale dangerman, Ibrahim Sankhon’s lone strike in the 45th minute proved adequate to hand his side the vital win that cemented a quarterfinals berth for the West Africans.

Chukwu, however, will want the CHAN Eagles to be kept together to form the basis of the mainstream side, Super Eagles. “I consider the result as bad and terrible for Eagles to lose 0-1 to Guinea. That’s a bad way to end a championship campaign that started quite well.

“Well, that’s football there is nothing any of us can do to change the result, it’s just unfortunate.

“However, I will like this CHAN squad to be

was charged by the FA with violent conduct.

Emenike, who was of interest to Tottenham several years ago, has been playing on loan in Dubai for Al Ain and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic knows him from his time in charge of Besiktas.

According to Turkish daily Milliyet , the Yellow Canaries will weigh up other bids from the rest of the teams interested in the signature of the 28year-old before making a decision on whether or not to sanction his departure to England. Emenike had off the field problems with officials of United Arab Emirates club Al Ain, where he spent the first half of the season on loan, because he refused to live in Abu Dhabi, preferring to travel every day from Dubai .

NOC President mourns Akoja, condoles Sports Minister ternational competi-

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engr Habu Gumel has consoled Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung and staff over the death of Deputy Director in NSC’s Federations in charge of Elite Athletes Department, Olu Akoja.

Akoja died last week at the National Hospital, Abuja.

President of the NOC expressed shock at the death of Akoja who he described as “diligent, trust-worthy and hardworking officer”.

“I’m most pained to hear of the death of a

Chukwu Continues from BP

May 18, 2015.”

The Guild advised any qualified Nigerian desirous of becoming the president of the NFF to wait until the end of the current tenure to actualize his dream.

Palace enter race to land Emenike

kept together to form the bulk of Super Eagles so that in the next competition we will be certain we have a team already on ground,” said the former Nigeria international.

Chukwu said the CHAN championship lesson is for us to always consider the domestic players in all our football programmes.

“The sure lesson from the CHAN is for us not to neglect the home-based players in our football programme and to always keep them busy with competitions. “I will still insist that the home players be made the basis of the main Super Eagles a trend in most progressive countries,” said the former Kenyan manager.

Guinea and Tunisia progressed to the quarter finals in Group C while Nigeria and Niger were eliminated from the biennial football showpiece.

meticulous and hardworking young man who worked directly with me when I was in service”.

Gumel who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, extolled the qualities of Akoja who he reckoned gave his all in pursuit of excellence for Team Nigeria in in-

tions.

“On-behalf of the Executive, Staff and Board of the NOC, and worldwide Olympic family, I wish to express our deepest condolences to you, to everyone at the National Sports Commission/Ministry and most importantly to the family of late Akoja, his friends and loved ones.

Musa

scored 10 goals in 29 games this season and 11 times in 56 appearances for Nigeria.

Musa, who made his international debut against Madagascar in September 2010, scored twice in Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He scored the county’s fastest-ever goal at a World Cup - netting after four minutes - before becoming their first player to score twice in one game at the tournament.

Oliseh

mental and preparatory competition. Of course, as Nigerians, we love to win always, and we feel bad when we don’t.

“I want us to take the positives from this tournament. A player like Chisom Chikatara broke onto the global platform and players like Usman Mohammed, Chima Akas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Austin Oboroakpo and Ifeanyi Mathew confirmed their class.

“For me, it is disappointing that we did not progress. But the NFF will now focus on the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, and start preparations early for the remaining rounds,” Pinnick said.

Continues from BP offer as they hold out for a fee closer to their $27m valuation of the forward.

The 23-year-old is believed to be open to a move to Leicester.

Musa has a $32.5m buyout clause in his contract, which runs until 2019. Leicester are expected to return with an improved bid for the player before the transfer window closes on 1 February. A former VVV Venlo player, Musa has Continues from BP over the Super Eagles shock exit.

NFF president, Amaju Pinnick reiterated that the African Nations Championship is “both developmental and preparatory for bigger challenges,” and said without mincing words that the Federation would now shift focus to the qualification race for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

“We apologise to Nigerians for the poor outing of the Super Eagles in Rwanda, but we toe the line of CAF which states that CHAN is a develop-

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016—45

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46— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 , 2016—47

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016

CHAN: Eagles Leicester gun for Ahmed Musa crash out P

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REMIER League leaders Leicester City are untiring in their bid to secure the signature of Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, despite having an initial bid rejected by CSKA Moscow.

The Russian side have rejected a $21.6m offer as they hold out for a fee closer to their $27m Continues on Page 44

EXPENSIVE LEAP: Musa to cost Leicester City a princely sum of $27m

Tunisia pound Niger — Pg.30

NFF, Oliseh apologise to Nigerians OACH Sunday against Guinea to adC Oliseh said that vance to the quarter-filosing 1-0 to Guinea in nal. yesterday’s last group C match of the Africa Nations Championship, was something he and his team did not envisage.

He regretted the loss coming after the Super Eagles have chalked up four points from their two previous matches and only needed a draw

“We apologise to Nigerians for this loss, we never planned to exit the tournament this early.

The boys gave their best,” said a sober Oliseh after the game.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation also expressed regrets Continues on Page 44

TODAY'S PUZZLE

CONTEST: Guinea’s Alseny Camara (l) contests the ball with Alimi Jamiu of Nigeria.

Guinea won 1-0.

Eagles ouster bad news – Chukwu

F

•Oliseh

IGERIA crashed out of this year’s CHAN in Rwanda after they lost 1-0 to Guinea in a final Group C match in Rubavu yesterday.

Tunisia thrashed Niger 5-0 to win Group C on five points, while Guinea, also on five points, finished as runners-up. Nigeria were third on four points and Niger finished last in the group with a point.

It was the home-based Eagles first loss under coach Sunday Oliseh and it came at a bad moment and against most expectations as Nigeria were top of the group leading up this West African derby against Guinea and Continues on Page 44

ORMER Super Eagles manager, Christian Chukwu has described the team’s elimination at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda as bad news.

Continues on Page 44

RESULTS CHAN Guinea Niger

1 0

Nigeria Tunisia

0 5

Today’s Matches Zambia Uganda

v v

Mali Zimbabwe

3pm 3pm

QUICK CR OSS WORD CROSS OSSWORD

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Bucket (4) 4 enquire (3) 6 Too (4) 9 Pinch (3) 10 Scornful (8) 11 Equipment (4) 14 Fighting (3) 16 Command (5) 19 Aardvark (8) 21 Postpone (5) 23 Cheated (8) 24 Dissuade (5) 27 Wand (3) 31 Divide (4) 33 Attendance (8) 34 Owing (3) 35 Ale (4) 36 Parched (3) 37 Discourteous (4)

DOWN 2 Declare (4) 3 Placed (4) 4 Flustered (8) 5 Retain (4) 6 Wrath (5) 7 Untruth (3) 8 Flood (5) 12 Swift (5) 13 Fat (5) 14 Lump (3) 15 Allude (5) 17 Dig (5) 18 Prompt (5) 20 Recuperation (8) 22 Colour (3) 25 Elude (5) 26 Go in (5) 28 Rushed (4) 29 Tolerate (4) 30 Tart (4) 32 Regret (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Appeal 5, Secure 8, Register 9, Onus 10, Asp 12, Ledge 15, Set 17, Awe 18, Rip 19, Lag 20, Villa 21, Eke 22, Ape 23, Sin 24, Win 26, Rhyme 29, Tit 33, Mean 34, Initiate 35, Client 36, Endure.

DOWN: 2, Press 3, Edit 4, Lithe 5, Spring 6, Clot 7, Route 10, Allow 11, Pagan 12, Lever 13, Delay 14, Erase 15, Spent 16, Treat 25, Ideal 27, Hoist 28, Maize 30, Inter 31, Once 32, Kind.

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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