We'll accept polls outcome-Jonathan,Buhari

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62371

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Amaechi's convoy shot at in Rivers •As soldiers besiege Oshiomhole's home 12 Germanwings Flight 9525 co-pilot 57 deliberately crashed plane —Officials

AGM: From left: GMD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Peter Amangbo; Chairman of the bank, Mr Jim Ovia and Executive Director, Mr Olusola Oladipo at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the bank, in Lagos, yesterday.

We'll accept polls outcome —Jonathan, Buhari

By Soni Daniel, Kingsley Omonobi, Ben Agande & Jude Opara

5 killed as robbers raid 3 banks in Owo

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BUJA — THE two leading candidates for the Presidential election scheduled for tomorrow, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress, Continues on Page 5

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COLUMNISTS:

Mr & Mrs

Finally!

•P.17

ELECTIONS: Why the candidates may not win •P.59

PEACE MEETING: From left; President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP presidential candidate; Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and APC presidential standard bearer, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd); during the meeting for the commitment to the Abuja Peace Accord over the 2015 General Elections at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

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POCKET CARTOON

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTION MATERIALS: Party agents monitoring distribution of election materials at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, FCT office in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

POLLS: We'll accept result —Jonathan, Buhari Continues from Page 1 APC, yesterday signed another peace accord, 48 hours to the election, where they affirmed their preparedness to accept the outcome of free, fair and credible elections.

The meeting was facilitated by the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee on 2015 Elections and witnessed by members of the committee, including the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who read the statement signed by the two candidates.

The statement:

"Renewal of our pledges to peaceful elections “Joint statement issued

by His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan and Major-

General Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, March 26, 2015 ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.

“You may recall that on January 14, 2015, both of us, along with nine other party leaders signed what has now come to be known as the Abuja Accord. The substance of that accord was our commitment to free, fair and credible elections in our dear country.

“In the accord, we agreed to, among other things, run an issuebased campaign and pledged that our electoral campaigns will not involve any religious incitement, ethnic or tribal profiling, both by ourselves and all agents acting in our names.

“Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections. We,

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.

You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings — Elizabeth Gilbert

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ANY people equate happiness and success directly to the amount of money they have.

How many times have you heard someone say: “If I hit the lottery, I’ll do this and that and just be so happy.”

Happiness is relative but remember, this isn’t really about money at all. It’s more about thinking outside the limits we tend to put on our aspirations and actions because things seem out of our reach financially.

You may not be able to do those exact things, but once you know what those true desires are, you expand your thinking and begin to develop a plan to work towards goals you may have never imagined. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.

therefore, call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our party supporters, to refrain from violence or any acts that may in any way jeopardise our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election.

“In addition, we call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles. We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections.

“Today, we again renew our commitment to a united, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. We want all Nigerians to stand together at this critical phase of our nation’s history.”

Both presidential candidates had on January 14, signed a peace accord witnessed by former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku.

Why accord was renewed —Abdulsalami

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar said the renewal of the accord was to “reassure the world and make Nigerians understand that this country is more important than their own aspirations and that people should live and reflect these ideals.

He said: “This committee has been working round the clock to assist the parties and Nigerians to ensure that there is peace and

harmony before, during and after the elections this time around.

“Mr. President was kind enough to see us yesterday (Wednesday).

One, he is the President of the country and secondly, he is a contestant. And this morning, Gen. Buhari, despite his late arrival last night or early arrival this morning, was kind enough to meet with this committee.

“In essence, all the meetings were held to brief them on the current situation of the country and what we expect of them as stakeholders and as presidential candidates.

“I want to thank both the President and Gen. Buhari for finding time to meet with the committee.

And I want to thank both party chairmen for the support received in trying to send this message of peace.

“I’m happy that both parties, the contestants are committed to free and fair elections, free of violence. And this morning a document to reiterate their commitment for this peaceful, free and violence-free elections was signed.”

DSS warns against unauthorised release of results

The Department of State Services, DSS, has warned against release of elections results by u n a u t h o r i s e d individuals and groups.

It said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was

the only organisation authorised to announce election results and warned that any other person or group planning to do so should desist or face the consequences.

The DSS also asked persons without any business with the elections to stay away from the polling station, while urging the electorate to be securityconscious.

Security is guaranteed

The statement reads in full: “Information at the disposal of this Service has revealed that certain mischievous persons or groups have concluded plans to announce election results before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) concludes its collation exercise.

“This statement, therefore, is to advise all citizens of Nigeria, election observers and the international community to disregard election results which are not announced by INEC as INEC remains the only authentic body authorised to do so.

“Once more, we reiterate our call on all eligible voters to come out and exercise their franchise as security is guaranteed. We also want to seize this opportunity to remind voters to remain vigilant and to warn all those who have no business with the electoral process to keep away from Polling Units and Collation Centres.”

15 electoral offences to avoid,

by Police

The Police, yesterday, came out with a list of 15 offences that may be committed which may lead to arrest.

According to a statement from Force Headquarters, the electoral offences are

"casting of vote twice or more; announcing false election result; stopping any other person from voting and revealing information on a ballot paper of another person."

Others are "being in possession of another person’s voter card; disorderly behaviour at polling units; canvassing for votes at polling unit; shouting slogan of a political party at polling unit; being armed with guns, sticks, stones or any other dangerous weapons at polling units and loitering or walking about in a polling unit."

Also, tagged electoral offences include "using siren at a polling unit; snatching or destroying ballot boxes or card readers; holding public meeting during election hours on election day; wearing or carrying badge or poster of a political party and inflicts or threatens to inflict injury on any person or persons at a polling unit."

The Police Force reiterated its advice to members of the public to avoid trouble, as any offender will be arrested and prosecuted.

FG reopens sea borders

Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after shutting all borders for the 2015 elections, the Federal Government yesterday reversed the order by reopening sea borders.

The reversal was announced by the Interior Minister, Abba Moro, at the commissioning of KotonKarfe Prison.

The minister said the Federal Government had received advice that closing the sea borders would adversely affect the nation’s economy.

He, however, assured that officers and men of the Nigeria Immigration Service had been Continues on Page 14

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

NDLEA arrests four Nigerians, Tanzanian with 30.673kg of narcotics

By Daniel Eteghe & Esther Onyegbula

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PERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arrested four Nigerians and one Tanzanian with 30.673 kg of ephedrine and cocaine at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Tanzanian was nabbed while attempting to smuggle 25kilogrammes of ephedrine to South Africa on a Kenya Airways flight, while the other four suspects were apprehended with 5.673kilogrammes of cocaine during an inward screening of passengers on an Emirates Airlines flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The NDLEA Airport commander, Hamisu Lawan gave the names of the suspects as Sekwoa Morris Mackindoshi, caught with 25kg of ephedrine; Eneh Chinedu Innocent, 1.534kg of cocaine; Nzube-chukwu Amaizu John, ingested 1.349kg of cocaine; Okafor Onyeka Obiajulu, found in possession of 1.642kilogrammes of cocaine and Udechukwu Pascal Onyeka, who was arrested with 1.148 kilogrammes of cocaine.

“The Tanzanian was caught with 25kg of substance suspected to be Ephedrine packed in thirteen sachets in a travel bag.

He was arrested during an outward security checks while intending to board Kenya Airline flight through Nairobi to Johannesburg.”

CRUSHED: At Olosa, Agege Motor Road, Lagos, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Immigration arrests 201 illegal aliens in Niger, repatriates 107

By Wole Mosadomi

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INNA—NIGER State command of Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, has clamped down on illegal aliens in the state, with the arrest of 201 in raids across the 25 local government areas of the state.

Of those arrested, 107 have already been repatriated to their different countries in West Africa.

Those arrested few days ago are being screened and will also be ferried back to their different countries as soon as the screening formalities are concluded.

Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Ezekiel Kaura, who paraded the illegal aliens

Imo Assembly worker acquitted of phone theft charge

By Bartholomew Madukwe, Victor Ogunsola & Echewodo Jane

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Kirikiri Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has struck out the charge against one Ikenna Nnaji, 31, who was accused by the police of stealing phone valued N13,500.

Magistrate Ademola Adesanya struck out the charge against the defendant after noting that it lacked

substantial evidence to show that he is guilty of the offence.

Nnaji was accused of stealing the said phone (Techno H5) belonging to Mrs Ulema Nwakere, at a cyber café in Alakija Plaza, Lagos.

According to the charge, Nnaji, who works at Imo State House of Assembly, committed the alleged offence on November 18, 2014.

When the charge was read to him, he had pleaded not guilty to the one-count offence of stealing.

before journalists at the state office in Minna yesterday, said the raid was occasioned by the general elections coming up across the country from tomorrow.

He said: “What we have done is normal routine, except that it is very close to the general election period. ‘’We want to repatriate them to their countries before the elections so that they do not become ready-made tools for politicians, who might want to use them to cause mayhem before, during and after the elections.

“Government has taken necessary and appropriate steps to conduct a free and fair election and as an agent associated with the exercise, we also have to play our role effectively for the general success of the exercise.”

Kaura disclosed that the raid was carried out without resistance or resort to violence as the aliens submitted

themselves willingly to all screenings demanded.

The immigration boss disclosed that the only incriminating materials recovered from them were

temporary and permanent voter’s cards, which had been retrieved from them.

Majority of the illegal aliens were arrested in Minna, the state capital.

50 human traffickers convicted

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—THE Benin Zonal Command of National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters, NAPTIP, comprising Edo and Delta states, has convicted over 50 human traffickers since inception.

This comes as the command intensifies the sensitization of about 10,000 students across nine secondary schools within the two states in the last one week.

The sensitization programme, which was carried out in collaboration with the Prisoners’

Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, PRAWA, is one of the components of the planned strategic massive sensitization activities of the agency targeted at post-primary educational institutions in urban and rural areas within Benin Zonal Command.

Speaking at the various locations, the Benin Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Oluchi Ebiringa, expressed sadness over the activities of human traffickers and their agents in the command, who she said had now shifted their operations to rural areas, taking advantage of the vulnerability of such areas.

23-yr-old stabbed to death by friend

By Esther Onyegbula

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PERATIVES of Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, are currently investigating the murder of 23year-old Joshua Oni, who was reportedly stabbed to death by

his friend, identified as Aniefiok Umanha, alias Caribbean, in Maza-Maza area of Lagos.

The victim, who is from Osun State, was on his way to buy food stuff for dinner, when an argument ensued between him and his friend.

Vanguard learned that the

argument degenerated into a fight, with Aniefok stabbing the former on the neck with a knife.

Vanguard gathered that operatives of the homicide unit of SCID are making efforts to fish out the suspect, currently at large, to face the law.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—7

5 kidnap suspects killed, 18 criminals arrested in Anambra

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—FIVE persons, suspected to be kidnappers, were, yesterday, shot dead by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu, Anambra State, while 18 others were arrested for various offences.

Among those killed during a gun battle with the police were one Jude, said to be providing information to the hoodlums on the movement of men of SARS in his Awkuzu community.

In the gun battle that ensued

at Onitsha and Eziowelle in Idemili North Local Government Area between the suspects and men of the state police command, two of the suspects escaped and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, said his men had been combing the state to fish them out.

Eighteen other suspects, including a 300-Level computer science student of Odumegwu Ojukwu University, were paraded over alleged involvement in various offences.

Their offences ranged from

robbery, rape, false information, diversion of goods to murder.

The student was said to have shot one Ezike Amarachi and collected his telephones and other materials and was regarded as a terror in the state.

Fake naira notes, amounting to over N200,000, two AK-47 rifles, four AK magazines, 117 rounds of ammunition, 30 live cartridges and a pump action gun were recovered from the suspects.

Karma, speaking during the parade, said since the hoodlums had refused to adhere to the advice to leave the state,

the police would continue to make their lives miserable.

According to the police commissioner, all the kidnap suspects had been on the wanted list of the police for the past two year.

He said: “The Police Command is ever ready for these people and there is no hiding place for them.”

He commended the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for the assistance so far given to the police in combating crime, assuring that the command would not fail him.

The arrested suspects and recovered weapons (inset).

Fuel tankers' fire injures 3, burns 10 vehicles in Lagos

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THREE persons were, yesterday, injured as two tankers loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, exploded at Ascon Fuel Station in Lekki area of Lagos State.

Vanguard gathered that the fire, which started at about 2p.m., razed about 10 vehicles, mostly owned by customers.

Eyewitnesses explained that the three persons sustained injuries, while attempting to put out the fire before the arrival of fire fighters.

Sources noted that the timely intervention of men of Lagos State Fire Service, who arrived the scene few minutes after the inferno started, contained situation.

Mr. Ademola Oni, a resident, said: “We heard a loud bang.

And in few minutes, there was fire. It started spreading across the road to an empty land.

z...as Lagos records 145 fire incidents in 21 days “The fire was raging, but the fire fighters succeeded in bringing it under control.”

Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, who confirmed the explosion, said the fire involved two tankers fully laden with 33,000 litres of PMS. He said 10 vehicles and two motorbikes were affected.

Fadipe also revealed that one fuel dispenser was affected by the fire.

The director of fire service said the Eti-Osa Fire Station was immediately alerted and it responded to the distress call.

But the magnitude of the fire prompted the mobilization of other fire trucks from Onikan and Alausa fire stations.

He said: “What you are seeing here has shown our capability and ability to tackle outbreak of fire in the state.

“The fire was very massive; you could see it from a very far distance billowing into the sky.

“Now we have been able to confine it. Presently, the fire that engulfed the 10 cars have been put out. Fire in one of the fuel tanker has been put out.

What we are doing is to tackle the fire on the other fuel tanker.

“You can still see the fire because of the type of product that the tankers were carrying.

It is still going to burn out on its own.”

Though the fire service chief could not immediately ascertain the cause of the fire, he said an investigation will be conducted to unravel the cause.

He said: “There was also radiation in the structure of the fuel station itself. If we had not responded promptly, the whole station would have been

engulfed in fire.

“Because of our swift response to the emergency, we have been able to prevent it from spreading to other pumps.”

He said the three persons, who sustained injuries, were attended to by Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS. He said this latest fire incident brought to 12 the number of petro-chemical fire incidents the service had responded to this year.

Fadipe said the Fire Service had so far responded to 548 incidents from January 1 to March 21, with the latest bringing the number to 549.

“In January, it was 253 fire incidents; February, it was 150 and this month from March 1 to 21, we have responded to 145 incidents.”

Reclaimed Michika residents storm INEC office in Adamawa over voting

By Umar Yusuf

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OLA—THERE was a mild drama in Adamawa State capital yesterday, as the people of Michika Local Government, which was recently reclaimed from Boko Haram insurgents, stormed the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, demanding to cast their votes in the March 28 and April 11 elections at home.

The protesters, in their hundreds, barricaded the main entrance to INEC office as fierce-looking military and other security agents kept vigil to prevent possible outbreak of law and order.

They carried placards with such inscriptions as “We want to vote at home,” “80% percent of the population of Michika are now back home and why should INEC compel us to vote in Yola,” “INEC, do not disenfranchise us; allow us to perform our civic responsibilities with our kiths and kins,” among others.

A delegation of the protesters was later ushered into the INEC headquarters, where they held discussions with the officials of the electoral body.

INEC officials, however, kept sealed lips over their discussions with the protesters.

Some of the protesters, who spoke to Vanguard, stated that all they wanted was for INEC to allow them to cast their votes in Michika and not Yola, the state capital.

They said security situation there was good for them to exercise their civic rights at home.

The leader of the protesters, Mr. James Manager, said the people were not contemplating boycotting the election, but wanted to vote at home.

According to Mr. James Manager, if the elections will be conducted in other reclaimed areas of the state, “there is no justification, that election should not also be conducted in Michika.”

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Court stops FG from removing Jega

Jonathan asks court to set aside order barring soldiers from elections

By Innocent Anaba

...Adjourns ruling till April 23

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, restrained the Federal Government, from removing from office the Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega.

Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa ordered that the government, its privies and agents should stay action on the planned removal of the INEC boss, pending the determination of the motion on notice before him by the Independent Democratic Party and Action Alliance.

Defendants in the matter are the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, SAN and INEC. Meanwhile, further hearing in the matter, was adjourned till April 23, 2015 for report of compliance.

The two political parties had in a motion, prayed the court for an order of interim injunction, restraining the President, or any person, political party or anybody whether by themselves or by their servants, agents, privies or successors or otherwise, however, described from taking steps to review, regulate or jettison the procedure and guidelines provided by INEC for the conduct of the 2015 general elections in the country, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The parties also prayed the court to direct President Goodluck Jonathan or any other persons or their agents to cause the removal of Jega except in compliance with section 157(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The parties prayed the court to order the President and his agents to maintain status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

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AGOS—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, has asked the Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, to set aside the Federal High Court order, which restrained him from deploying soldiers to assist the police in providing security during the general elections, which is starting tomorrow across the country.

The judge at the lower court, Justice Ibrahim Buba, had in the suit by a House of Representatives member, Femi Gbajabiamil held that the President cannot deploy soldiers without the National Assembly’s approval.

Other respondents in the suit were the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

President Jonathan through his counsel, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, in the appeal, is praying the appellate court, to dismiss the judgement of the lower court in its entirety for lack of merit.

Jonathan in his six grounds of appeal is contending the lower court’s decision did not represent the state of the law, “particularly his lordship decision regarding the validity of the originating process is not correct.”

Adesina faulted the lower court’s reliance on the recent election petition appeal relating to the issue of the deployment of troops, which was yet to be pronounced upon by the apex court.

He is contending that trial judge erred by “dismissing the objection filed by the 1st and 6th defendants and assumed jurisdiction when he held that the plaintiff sought and obtained leave to issue and serve the originating summons outside Lagos State, when indeed the grounds of the objection was non-compli-

GROUND-BREAKING: President Goodluck Jonathan (with shovel); Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (right); Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (2nd left) and Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr Olusegun Aganga (left) during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, by the President, in Ogidigben, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday.

Photo: Henry Unini. More photos on Page 16. ance with the provisions of Section 97 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act.” He argued that by virtue of the “Provisions of Section 97 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, every writ of summons for service out of the state in which it was issued shall in addition to any other endorsement or notice required by the law of such state have endorsed thereon a notice indicating that the originating process is to be served out of the state and in which state it is to be served. It is settled law that compliance with the provision of Section 97 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act is mandatory.”

According to him, the trial judge erred in law when he assumed jurisdiction and proceed-

ed to enter judgment when indeed, he lacks the jurisdiction to do so.

He argued that the originating process having failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act was not issued according to due process and therefore, incompetent and liable to be struck out.

“A competent court cannot sit on an incompetent suit. The law is settled that where a court lacks jurisdiction, its proceedings no matter how well conducted and its judgment or orders are a nullity,” he argued.

Another ground of the appeal, it that the trial judge erred when he held that the plaintiff had the plaintiff at the lower court had the requisite locus standi to in-

stitute the action, as it was a matter of public litigation.

On the particulars of this ground, he said “The Plaintiff is the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives who had canvassed thse same arguments and reliefs on the floor of the House of Representatives and lost to the majority. The members of the House of Representatives are elected by the citizens to represent their interest and having lost to the majority decision in the House, he has removed this matter from the purview of public interest litigation.

The appellant, therefore, wants the court to set aside the judgement of the lower court, or in the alternative, dismiss the entire suit for lack of merit.

NHRC boss raises alarm over volume of arms, weapons in Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers likelihood of significant violence

By Innocent Anaba & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—CHAIRMAN, Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, has raised alarm over the volume of small arms and light weapons in Kaduna, Lagos, and Rivers states, ahead of the general elections starting tomorrow.

He also expressed concern over hate speeches in the campaigns of the different political parties, saying “All the institutions, entities and communities whom we consulted affirmed that hate speeches was at unprecedented

levels and nearly all warned that the level of such hate now presents a clear threat to national cohesion irrespective of the outcome of the elections.”

Odinkalu in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said “On February 13, 2015, the NHRC issued a report and advisory on election-related violence in Nigeria’s 2015 general elections which found that “The run-up to Nigeria’s 2015 Presidential election has been characterized by bellicose rhetoric, a rise in hate speech, and a worrisome footprint of election-related violence.”

“The Report and Advisory itemized scores of incidents of pre-

election killings and violence affecting 22 states of the federation. In the six weeks since then, the footprint of pre-election violence has spread beyond the 22 states and election-related violence in some form has been reported in nearly all the states of Nigeria. ''During that period also, the number of complaints lodged with the commission concerning election-related violence has grown by over 200 percent.

“The Report and Advisory also identified Kaduna, Lagos and Rivers states as the three most worrying trends and locations predictive of a high

during the 2015 elections.’

“As a follow up and to mitigate this, teams from the Commission undertook verification, factchecking and advocacy visits to all three states where we met with state governments, cross sections of the leading political parties, their officials, candidates and campaign organisations, law enforcement, the Independent National Electoral Commission and INEC. ''In addition, the Commission or its senior officials have also been in Benue, Imo and Kano States. We have equally met with and consulted closely with both the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and with the Defence Headquarters.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 9

No plot to rig for APC –INEC

By Clifford Ndujihe & Dotun Ibiwoye

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A G O S — T H E Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, dismissed as baseless reports that it had hatched plots to the rig tomorrow’s Presidential and National Assembly polls for the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the polls will be free, fair and credible.

Indeed, to ensure that voting begins early tomorrow, the electoral commission, yesterday, moved sensitive election materials like ballot papers to the local councils, which in turn would be moved to the wards today.

Tomorrow, the materials will be moved to the polling units and voting points.

At the INEC Lagos office, yesterday, electoral officers were at hand to collect the materials amid tight security. Hordes of Mobile police men were at hand and two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) were strategically parked in front the commission.

Reacting to a front page advertorial ‘Exposed: How Jega plots to rig election for APC’ on some national newspapers on Wednesday, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, in a statement said the allegation is baseless.

Stating that the advert was placed by a faceless group, which cited the constitution of a presidential election result collation committee by the INEC chairman as the basis for its allegation that a plot to rig the election has been hatched, Idowu said ‘’INEC would not have bothered to respond to such patently cynical and malicious allegation, but for the fact that the

elections are days away and otherwise respectable national newspapers have lent themselves to be used as platforms to disseminate such falsehood. Any misinformation, – even as baseless as in this particular case – unless corrected could mislead innocent or undiscerning members of the public and cause unnecessary apprehension about the credibility of the electoral process.’’

He said: ‘’The Commission affirms that the allegation to manipulate or rig the election is completely false and baseless.

The Chairman of the Commission as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of Nigeria and the Returning Officer of the presidential election, has statutory and legal powers to constitute administrative committee(s) to

facilitate the performance of his duties.

The constitution of an in-house committee to assist in the collation process after the presidential election is purely an administrative arrangement to assist the Chairman. Members of the committee are officials of the Commission. They work as professionals and non-partisan technocrats and have sworn to the oath of neutrality in the execution of their official duties.

They are drawn from the Operations, ICT and Legal departments of the Commission as well as the Office of the Chairman. This arrangement is not new and was the same as during the 2011 general elections. ‘’INEC condemns these sinister and unpatriotic attempts to create unnecessary controversies aimed at

discrediting the Commission through dissemination of falsehood.

The Commission assures Nigerians of its commitment and resoluteness to conduct free, fair and credible elections. The Commission will not hesitate to institute legal action, where necessary, to protect its members from malicious and libelous allegations.’’

People can use cameras, smart phones during the polls – LAGOS REC

To show that the commission has nothing to hide and wants to conduct transparent polls, the Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Akin Orebiyi, yesterday, said that the electorate could use camera and other devices which have camera to capture the voting process during the elections tomorrow.

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE: From left; Mr Timothy Oguntayo, GMD/ CEO, Skye Bank Plc; Mr A.K Mirchandani, CEO, Sona Agro Allied Food Ltd; Mr Ashok Manghnani, COO, Sona Agro Allied Food Ltd; Mrs Amaka Onwughalu, GMD/CEO, Mainstreet Bank Ltd, during the Skye Bank Plc Business Roundtable on Distributive Trade, held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

NUPENG blames fuel scarcity on sabotage by marketers, depot owners

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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IGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday in Lagos, blamed the current fuel scarcity across the country on alleged sabotage by fuel marketers and depot owners, even as it did not absolve the Federal Government and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC from blame.

Answering reporters’ question on the current fuel scarcity at a briefing by the Joe Ajaero led faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, NUPENG President, Comrade Igwe Achese, insisted that NUPENG members were not on strike, but that there were simply no products for members to load because of alleged sabotage by the marketers and depot owners.

Comrade Achese who is also a Deputy President of the Ajaero’s

faction of NLC, urged the government to call the marketers to order.

According to him, the marketers were in alliance with private depot owners to allegedly hoard product because government was owing them.

He lamented that even NNPC imported products were stored in the private depots instead of public depots across the country.

He said “ the NNPC which is also importing fuel, is storing the products in the private depots.

The marketers who are aggrieved because the government has not paid them their subsidy claims can easily direct the private depot owners to shut down and not release products. ''We have public depots or NNPC depots across the country such as in Mosomi, Atlas Cove, Warri, Enugu, Owerri, Ilorin, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, etc.

Today, the pipelines are

functioning , we do not know why they are not being used to transport products by the NNPC. The government should make the NNPC to use the pipelines. Government should also be responsible enough and

pay the marketers their subsidy claims. You do not expect them to be happy and be importing fuel when their money is hanging with government. If the refineries are working optimally, we will not be in tho mess.''

UBA sustains growth momentum, posts N290bn earnings in 2014

By Peter Egwuatu

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NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has sustained growth momentum across the group, recording a 10 per cent growth in gross earnings to N290 billion for the financial year 2014.

According to the result released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE yesterday, the bank recorded a Profit-Before-Tax, PBT of N56.2 billion and a ProfitAfter-Tax of N48 billion.

Earnings received a boost from both Interest and Non-Interest Income showing the Bank’s diversified and stable income base. Interest Income rose 5.91 per cent to N197 billion in December 2014 from N186 billion in December 2013, while NonInterest Income rose by 18.17 per cent to N93.3 billion from N79.0 billion.

The Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO), Ugo Nwaghodoh expressed optimism that the bank will continue to record a steady and sustained increase in its profitability by leveraging on low cost stable funds as well as rising opportunities in the Bank’s target markets in Nigeria and across Africa.

“The performance of our African business was boosted by increased cross selling of our products and a number of other strategic initiatives. As we gain critical mass in the African market, we look forward to increased earnings in line with the diversification of our business across Africa” explained Nwaghodoh.

Airspace remains open tomorrow – NAMA

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KEJA—MRS Olajumoke Adetona, the Acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) said on Thursday that the nation’s airspace would remain open tomorrow.

Adetona said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, adding that the Federal Government had no plans to shut down the airspace.

“The airspace will be operating because of military operations, emergencies and for foreign airlines flying

over our country.

“Our local aircraft will be on ground due to the restriction of movement by the government and the electoral body,” she said.

Mr Banji Olawode, National Secretary, Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), also told NAN that the airspace remains open on Saturday.

Olawode said that members of NATCA would be on ground to perform their normal duties.

According to him, the Federal Government only closed the land and water boarders but the airspace would remain open.

“Airspace remains open all day.

Our members are on ground to perform their normal duties. We are aware that the Federal Government will only close land and water boarders. The airspace remains open,” he said.

Mr Samuel Ogbogoro, Head of Corporate Communications, Dana Airline, told NAN that the airline would not operate its flight scheduled operations on election day.

He said this was due to the restriction movement restrictions declared by the Federal Government within the election period.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Ex-govs Adebayo, Oni, Fayemi express concern over Ekiti zReport Fayose to Police, DSS zThey are afraid of defeat—Fayose

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Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—THREE former governors of Ekiti State have expressed concern over the spate of security challenges in the state.

The former governors who are incidentally members of the opposition APC are; Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo,Asiwaju Segun Oni and the immediate past governor in the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi. They expressed fears that members of their party are being harassed and intimidated by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

The former governors were at the state’s police command where they met the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lakanu and the Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, where they lodged a formal complaint.

In a statement jointly signed by the three, they urged the well meaning people of the state to intervene.

They alleged that the state government imported some hoodlums who are armed with guns and other dangerous weapons into the state and that they are unleashing terror on the innocent members of their party.

Their petition reads in part that; ‘’It has come to our attention that a team of hoodlums in three unmarked Hilux vehicles went round the state, armed with guns, machetes, knives and axes to the houses of APC members and also

to the homes of PDP members in the state who are opposed to the political philosophy of governor Ayo Fayose.

“Their most recent operation centred on Ijero Local Government. There, they created mayhem, beat and tortured the 90-year-old father of the Commissioner for Finance under the Fayemi administration. ‘’The hoodlums destroyed shops and properties including cars belonging even to PDP members because of their perceived opposition to Fayose.

“ We want to state unequivocally that we will no longer tolerate any further unprovoked attack on and willful destruction of APC branded vehicles and assets in the State.

Reacting to the allegations, governor Fayose through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi dismissed it as false.

“I want to state clearly that nobody whether APC or non APC member has been arrested or harassed or intimidated on the instruction of governor Ayo Fayose.

“The governor, as well has

never used the police or any government agency to harass anybody because of the coming elections.

“Ayo Fayose is popular among Ekiti people which guarantees total victory for PDP in Ekiti State.

“The three former governors who are APC leaders are making the wild allegations because they are getting disturbed of the repeat of humiliation they suffered in the hands of Fayose at the last governorship election. ‘’No APC candidate has been bold enough to campaign for fear of being stoned by the people.’’

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AGOS—THE faction of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, yesterday rejected the reconciliation committee set up by the Ayuba Wabba faction, to reconcile aggrieved unions following the disputed March 12 rescheduled Congress election, saying such committee was dead on arrival because the Chairman of the Committee and some other members were interested parties in the crisis.

It argued that the Chairman of the Wabba committee, Alhaji Aliyu Dangiwa, was the returning officer in the disputed election, some other members were products of the same disputed election, insisting that it would only respect and honour any invitation by an independent panel made up of labour veterans and civil society organization..

Recall that the Wabba faction of NLC had at the end of its Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, set up a reconciliation committee headed by Dangiwa, the pioneer General Secretary of NLC. The committee was inaugurated same Wednesday.

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By Abdulwahab Abdulah

AGOS—FORMER deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, has said the coming general election does not worth spilling of the blood of any Nigerian.

Speaking to Vanguard on phone yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s presidential election, Chief George noted the outcome of the general election in whatever form will determine the political future of the country.

According to him, what Nigerians need this time is for everybody to turn out enmasse and vote peacefully in accordance with their conscience.

He said: “This election is very important for the future of the country. We are begging and appealing to our people to avoid violence . We have heard from all the candidates."

POLLS: LCCI AGM: From left: Mrs Ehiwere Oyindamola, Company Secretary, FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd, Mr. Rilwan Belo-Osagie, MD/CEO, FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd, Alhaji Bello Garba, Director, and Mr Osaro Isokpan, Chairman, at the 3rd Annual General Meeting of FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd in Lagos.

NLC: Ajaero's faction rejects Wabba's reconciliation body

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Nobody should die during coming elections —Bode George

But briefing journalists yesterday on the outcome of its faction CWC, its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero said in a 27-point communiqué that “The CWC-in-Session reaffirms its commitment to the unity of the Labour Movement in Nigeria

based on the principles of trade union independence, fairness, strong internal democracy, equity, solidarity, gender balance and justice. CWC mandates the leadership of the Congress headed by Comrade

Joe Ajaero to enter into genuine dialogue with independent Reconciliation Committee to be constituted by labour veterans and civil society leaders with a view of addressing the current challenges facing the Congress.”

Tinubu-Ojo shuts Lagos markets for Ambode

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AGOS—UNDER the leadership of the President General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, market traders kept Lagos markets shut yesterday to hold a rally at the Onikan statdium in support of Akinwunmi Ambode, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the state, ahead of the elections.

Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo declared that all members of the Lagos state chapter of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria, have pledged their support for Ambode in a bid to sustain the growth and development that has been witnessed all over the state under the APC. “We market women and men make up a majority among voters. I can assure you that we

have our voters cards, and with this support and our continued prayers, victory is definitely assured for Ambode and all APC candidates in this general elections”, Tinubu-Ojo said.

Ambode, who was joined at the event by his wife, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, thanked the leadership and members of the

market women and men for their overwhelming support, and promised to keep Lagos working for them and all its citizens.

Also present at the event was the Babaloja of Lagos, Alhaji Wasiu Atanda Balogun, and Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, Senator representing Lagos Central.

urges INEC, others to be non-partisan

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By Nomi Uzor

A G O S — STAKEHOLDERS under the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Security Agencies and the Judiciary to be non-partisan, fair, equitable, impartial and independent in the discharge of their duties in the forthcoming general elections.

President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, who made this call, yesterday, in Lagos, urged the critical organs of government that are saddled with the responsibility of managing the electoral process to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

He said: ‘’The country is on the threshold of another election which is a defining moment in our democratic history."

Fuel scarcity may mar elections as NNPC assures on supply wet for two months

By Sebastine Obasi & Ediri Ejoh

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AGOS—THERE are fears that impending fuel scarcity may mar Saturday’s Presidential and National elections as long queues have surfaced in filling stations in some parts of

Lagos.

This is as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has called on members of the public to shun panic buying and stock-piling of petrol as there is enough stock of the product to keep the country

Vanguard investigation shows that while the filling stations close to toll gate end of Lagos- Ibadan expressway were closed, some others like Oando, Acorn and Total at Oworonshoki area of Lagos had long queues of vehicles waiting to buy the product.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 —11

Tinubu gets restraining order against COAS, others

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TRAINING: From left: Bank of Industry Director, BoI. representing Ministry of Industry, Omoniyi Fagbemi, MD, BoI, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, Manager, Accounting and Financial Advisory, Deloitte, Mr Uyi Izekor, Chairman, BoI, Alhaji. Abdulsamad Abdullahi, former Director, representing BOI Executive Director, Large Enterprises, Mohammed Alkali, and Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Waheed Olagunju, at the International Financial Reporting Standard Appreciation Training Course for BoI Board of Directors by Deloitte in Abuja, yesterday.

Ondo dep gov defects to APC zAlleges marginalization by Mimiko zHe was a mole in the party—PDP

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By Dayo Johnson

KURE—BARELY 48 hours to the Presidential election, the Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi yesterday defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. Alhaji Olanusi who celebrated his 73rd birthday on February 28 this year, however, refused to resign insisting that he will continue as the deputy governor of the state.

But in a swift reaction, the state government which said the news came as a surprise, however, wished him well in his new sojourn.

Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade in a two paragraph reaction in Akure said: “The state government just received the news of the defection of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the deputy governor of Ondo State to the All Progressives

PVC COLLECTION:

Ogun declares today work-free

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B E O K U T A — MEANWHILE, in order to ensure that all eligible voters in the State collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVC, to enable them exercise their civic responsibility in the forthcoming elections, the Ogun State Government has declared today (Friday, March 27) as work free.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who announced this in a statement, said the decision followed information that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state had received another batch of PVCs.

Congress.

Akinmade added that; “Though it came as a surprise, government acknowledge his right to determine his political affiliation and wish him well.

Alhaji Olanusi, however, cited marginalisation and total exclusion from government as reason for his defection.

Ironically, the deputy governor and the governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his wife Olukemi, jointly welcomed the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan during his visit to the state on Monday.

He sat besides his former boss all through the ceremony which took place at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure.

Alhaji Olanusi in a three paragraph press release personally signed by him yesterday announced his defection.

The statement reads; “In the unfolding political development in our country today, and in Ondo State in particular, it is increasingly clear that I need to chart a new course for majority of my followers who look up to me for direction and leadership and who have watched helplessly in the last six years, the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place.

“While still being in place as the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressives Congress, APC, where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty, a party to which majority of our kith and kin in Yorubaland belongs.

“I have taken this decision at this critical time in the best interest

of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the South West and the nation."

The news of his defection caught party leaders in the state by surprise.

The relationship between the governor and his deputy have been frosty in recent times.

are not in the same cadre, while Ikuru possess the power and influence to inflict devastating damages on APC in Rivers State, same cannot be said of Ali Olanusi of Ondo State.

Fadaka pointed out that, “as we go into the elections on Saturday, PDP will coast to victory here."

PDP reacts Meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo state yesterday reacted to the defection of the state deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi to the APC describing him as a mole in the party.

According to the publicity secretary of the party in the state, Ayo Fadaka said that Alhaji Olanusi did not join the PDP with the governor when he defected.

A statement by Fakada in Akure, said: “It is, however, pertinent for us to underscore the fact that Alhaji Olanusi is not a member of the PDP in Ondo State as he was not re-registered in his Ward and Local Government by the party.

“While admitting that he attended two party functions recently, he was a passive observer at such functions and his attendance does not in any manner confer membership on him.

“By his latest political action, it is obvious that he had been a clandestine member of the APC and a mole in the Government of Governor Mimiko and has just received the order to declare openly for them.

“Of course, we suspect that his action is intended to serve as a response to the declaration of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru.

“We, however, declare that both

APC chairman speaks However, reacting to the defection, the state chairman of the APC, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke described it as ”a welcome development. He is welcome to the progressive fold, this singular action of his has shown that the people of Ondo State in their greater number have resolved that they will not allow one man to continue to fool all of them all the time."

Kekemeke said that with the development, the party is sure of winning the general election.

He pointed out that the ship of the PDP in the state has sunk and the opposition is sure of taking over the state.

Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House Assembly, Dare Eniola, who is from the same Akoko South West council area with the deputy governor, has dissociated himself from the action.

Enmiola and Olanusi are chieftains of the PDP in the council area.

But Eniola in a statement in Akure said he remained a chieftain of the PDP in spite of Olanusi’s defection.

“I want to use this opportunity to dissociate myself from the actions of the deputy governor, Alhaji Olanusi, who dumped the PDP for APC. “All the honourable members of the Ondo State House of Assembly are still full fledged members of the PDP to which I belong,” he said.

AGOS—THE Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday restrained the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, his privies, agents and servants from arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The court presided over by Justice J. T. Tosho, granted the interim injunction after listening to Tinubu’s lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN. The plaintiff had approached the court on Wednesday, March 25, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

In the restraining order, Justice Tsoho, also barred the COAS or his privies, agents and servants from further laying siege on Tinubu’s home situated at number 26, Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, Lagos. Furthermore, the court restrained the military or its agents from preventing Tinubu, who was a former governor of Lagos State from participating in the 2015 general elections and adjourned further hearing on the matter till March 31, 2015.

The military had denied alleged plans to arrest Tinubu which had been circulated by a section of the media.

Ogun sets up c'ttee on state judiciary autonomy

By Evelyn Usman

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BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State Government has set up a six-man committee to facilitate the resolution of all issues regarding the financial autonomy of the state judiciary.

The national body of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, had on the January 5 embarked on a nationwide strike to compel the implementation of the judgment of the Federal High Court in favour of autonomy of the third tier of government.

JUSUN at the federal level subsequently suspended the strike on January 25 following agreement reached with the Federal Government over the implementation of the said judgment with regards to the federal courts, directing the state chapters to enter into dialogue with their respective tovernments with a view to implementing the said court judgment.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Amaechi's convoy shot at clash in Rivers zSoldiers besiege Oshiomhole’s country home

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State was trapped, yesterday in Rumuolumeni area of Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area of the state, as suspected political thugs fired live bullets at his convoy.

This came as tension heightened in Edo State, over alleged deployment of soldiers to the country home of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in Iyamoh, Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area.

In Rivers State, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Dave Iyofor, who confirmed the attack on Amaechi's convoy, said that the thugs from an opposition party first pelted the governor's convoy with stones and other objects before they started firing gunshots at him.

Iyofor said gunshots were fired at the governor, adding that two members of the APC sustained injuries.

“Gunshots were fired at Governor Amaechi this evening (yesterday) at Rumuolumeni in Obio Akpor council by suspected Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, thugs. Obio Akpor is the council of PDP Rivers governorship candidate, Mr Nyesom Wike. The thugs attacked the governor and his entourage with bottles, stones and various dangerous objects.

“Then gunshots were fired at the governor. For now two APC supporters are confirmed injured. When the governor was leaving the community, bonfire was set up on the road to prevent him from leaving. More gunshots were fired at his convoy. Amaechi was on door to door ward campaign in the state,” Iyofor said.

Community sources said the APC and the PDP clashed while the governor was in the area for his door to door campaign, adding that the development forced many businesses to immediately close shop in the area.

At press time, the Police were yet to respond to a text mesage from Vanguard for comments on the incident.

It was gathered that members of the APC and the PDP allegedly hurled stones and other objects at each other for several hours.

Some residents who spoke to Vanguard feared that the situation might escalate between members of the two parties at night if not checked.

“I heard somebody on phone saying there would be war later tonight today (yesterday). We are relocating from the area this night to a safer place,” the source said.

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It will be recalled that Governor Amaechi, had on Wednesday, alleged that a conspiracy was under way to assassinate him on the day of the presidential election. The plot, according to him, was hatched at the highest level of the executive branch of the Federal Government.

Amaechi, who is also DirectorGeneral of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, has alleged that the plot to be executed by men of the Department of State Services, DSS with backing of soldiers from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, was leaked to him by a party in the plot.

The governor said that as part of the plot, a reconnaissance was carried out in his village, Ubima, on Wednesday.

The governor who claimed that security around him had been significantly depleted to pave way for the attack on him, vowed not to leave the country

as family members and friends who have knowledge of the plot had sought to prevail on him.

Meanwhile, Edo State, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, said the aim of deploying soldiers to Oshiomhole’s home was allegedly to manipulate the election’s outcome in favour of PDP. Said Odion: “Family members of the governor were shocked to find his country home taken over by soldiers this afternoon (yesterday). When asked, the invading force said they were acting on orders from above. We also have it on good authority that the Army high command in Abuja had sent some soldiers to Edo State on what they described as ‘special operations’. In order not to arouse suspicion, these soldiers were told to dress in suits and pose as DSS operatives and station themselves at polling units on election day,

particularly in areas seen as APC strongholds. They were told to harass and possibly detain polling agents of APC in order to clear the ground for rigging by agents of PDP who would be wearing special hand bands. It is a rehash of the rigging manual implemented in Ekiti last year.

“Two days ago, our campaign jingle on Channels Television in which Oshiomhole endorsed General Buhari was stopped abruptly after few exposures on orders from above.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to use this medium to tell the Army high command that Oshiomhole cannot be intimidated even with whole might of the Nigerian Army from insisting on the application of the principle of ‘One Man, One Vote’ on the election day. We hope that as patriots, officers and men on the Nigerian Army will not allow themselves to be used by political desperadoes to truncate this democracy.”

BRIEFING: Cross section of Care-taker Committee Chairmen in Rivers State when they addressed journalists on alleged incessant arrests of APC members in their local government councils by security operatives in Port Harcourt yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

POLLS: Security beef up in Delta z15,000 policemen, other security operatives deployed

By Festus Ahon

police officers have been deployed in the state for the SABA—SECURITY has elections. been beefed up in Delta He said that 4,000 men were State, ahead of tomorrow’s also deployed from the Federal presidential and National Road Safety Commission, Assembly elections.

Immigration Service and Civil Police officers and other Defence Corps to assist the security operatives were seen police in providing security for in strategic positions, perhaps the period of the election, to forestall breakdown of law adding that the military would and order before, during and also assist from the outside. after the elections.

Explaining that the soldiers Contacted on the security would only be called in when beef up in the state, the state there is serious security Commissioner of Police, Mr challenge, he said only Usman Akali, said 11,000 statutory security agencies

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would be used in the elections.

He ruled out the use of vigilante groups during the elections.

He added that security personnel deployed in the polling units will fall back to collations centres at the end of the voting exercise.

He disclosed that security officers and materials would be moved to registration centres today and expressed the readiness of the police and other security agencies to protect lives and property of Deltans.

BONGA OIL SPILL: Shoreline communities beg Jonathan to prevail on Shell over $3bn compensation

By Emma Amaize

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A R R I — SHORELINE communities and fisherpersons affected by the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNPECo, Bonga oil spill of December 20, 2011, have called on President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene again by directing Shell/SNEPCo to pay the already approved $3.6 billion as compensation and punitive damage to the shoreline communities and fisherpersons through their representative, Gbutse Property Limited.

The communities, in a statement by His Royal Highness I.B. Ojukonsin and three others, said President Jonathan in January 2012, at a meeting with Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations SecretaryGeneral, on the sidelines of the 18th African Union Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Governments in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, indicated that Nigeria would ask for compensation from Shell to settle any problem that may arise from the Shell Bonga oil spill of December 20, 2011.

“The Senate and House of Representatives, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA as well as Department of Petroleum Resources, swung into action by holding joint meetings with representatives of Shell, shoreline communities and their attorneys through Gbutse Property Limited.

“During the said meetings, the aforesaid parties agreed, among other things, that NOSDRA being a federal agency responsible for oil spill in Nigeria should come up with compensation payable to the communities and fisher-persons.

Consequently, NOSDRA said that Shell/SNEPCo should pay the sum of $3.6 billion as compensation."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—13

Jonathan performs EPZ groundbreaking zDeclares project Free Trade Zone to attract more investors

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, performed the groundbreaking for the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, better known as the Gas City Project, in Ogidigben and the Deep Sea Port, Gbaramatu, both in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

The ceremony at the Ugborodo community of Ogidigben witnessed robust participation by the Itsekiri and Gbaramatu leaders following mutual resolution of the tension over host status for the project between the Itsekiri and Ijaw in the area which earlier stalled the event.

President Jonathan, said: “I hereby approve this park as a free trade zone to attract as many investors as possible. I also accord it a full port status with all the priorities it deserves.”

He announced that a steering committee to be headed by Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, would be constituted to regularly brief the National Executive Council on the progress in the execution of the project to ensure that no stone was left unturned in ensuring its completion.

He thanked the Gbaramatu and Itsekiri leaders for ensuring the kick-off of the project, adding: “We will work with you to ensure that this project is completed to benefit not just us, but our children yet unborn.”

To the array of investors gearing to establish stakes in the Gas City Park, the President, said: “You will not be disappointed. Your investment will be protected and will yield the desired results.”

In a valuation of the project, the Petroleum Minister, AllisonMadueke, said: "From the construction phase, over 150,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created by the project and many millions more will be created in the end.”

She said that the project was aimed at establishing Nigeria as the regional hub for gas and fertilizer production in Africa with investors from India, China,

Romania and other nations already waiting to establish stakes.

Host, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, thanked President Jonathan for being patient with the host communities while the conflict over the contentious issues raged, saying, “We pledge to protect and provide enabling environment for this project.

“This project is moving forward and will be commissioned. I am a happy man, leaving office in less than three months and seeing to this groundbreaking take place at last.”

Present at the event were the Olu of Warri, the Regent of

Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, a.k.a Tompolo and Pa J.O.S. Ayomike, Chairman, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, among many others.

Meanwhile, Ijaw leader, Captain Beck Hitler has commended President Jonathan and Tompolo for the successful ground breaking of the EPZ. Hitler, in a statement, also thanked the Itsekiris and Ijaws of Gbaramatu for embracing peace and for creating the enabling environment which enabled the President to flag off the $16billion Gas Revolution Industrial Park, in Ogidogben and Deep Sea Port, in Gbaratu.

SEMINAR: From left: Chiagozie Nwizu, MSME Advisory Manager, Diamond Bank PLC; Austin Olu, CEO, Gate & Shield Global Concept Ltd; Charles Ojo, CEO, ECCOH Trends Realty Company Limited; Uloma Jide-Afonja, Business Manager, Wuse Zone 4, Diamond Bank PLC and John Ekpikhe, Senior Consultant, CLM Consulting, at the 49th BusinessXpress Seminar for MSMEs organised by Diamond Bank Plc, in Abuja.

HOSTCOM, ex-militants threaten showdown over pipeline surveillance contract

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—ISOKO chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM and ex-militants from the area have threatened showdown with the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, if they fail to address the alleged marginalisation of Isoko people in the pipeline surveillance contracts recently awarded by the Federal Government.

In a statement by Morrister Idibra, Isoko HOSTCOM Chairman and Julius Omoyibo, for ex-militants in the area, the groups issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the NNPC to address the issue else they would be forced to unleash their grievances against oil installations and oil and gas servicing companies in their areas.

On the need for decentralisation in the award of the pipeline surveillance contracts and jobs to members C M Y K

of the host communities in the Niger Delta, they explained that pipeline surveillance jobs

rather than being a tool for settling of political jobbers, the patronage of HOSTCOM and

ex-militants for the job must cut across all tribes in the Niger Delta region.

Rivers LG bosses allege police harassment

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— CARETAKER Committee chairmen of the various local government areas in Rivers State, yesterday, alleged that they were being harassed and intimidated by the Police ahead of tomorrow’s elections.

The chairmen who spoke in Port Harcourt, alleged that the Police was being used to intimidate them and members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

The CTC Chairman, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Mr Amadi Nwanbueze, alleged that some policemen in about three patrol vans stormed his residence in Aluu, Ikwerre council, apparently to whisk him away.

He alleged that they shot several times before they left, adding that one of his aides was arrested by the police. CTC of

Eleme Local Government Area, Mr Orji Ngor said they had resolved to resist intimidation by the Police.

“On behalf of the CTC chairmen, I want to let you know that the Police have

continued to arrest members of APC over trumped up charges.

As political parties, we will not be intimidated. We will not sit back anymore. They are shooting in Ikwerre council as I talk to you now.”

UK group flays court order barring military deployment in elections

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—A United Kingdom-based group, Pan Nigeria Voice, yesterday, described the recent court verdict barring the military from providing security support during the elections as an open invitation to anarchy in the country.

The Chief Co-ordinator, Pan Nigeria Voice UK, Rowland Ekperi, in a telephone interview with Vanguard said that the deployment of the military to complement the effort of the police

would further strengthen security, which in turn will provide a stable and secure environment for free and fair elections in the country.

His words: “We are alarmed that those that shouted loudest about the insecurity in Nigeria at both local and International fora, are against the deployment of the military to assist the police in maintaining the peace and protect lives in the forthcoming election. Any opposition to this role for the military at this time is not in the interest of our nation.”

POLLS: Navy begins show of force ...warns against illegalities on the waterways

By Evelyn Usman

T

HE Nigerian Navy, yesterday, displayed a show of force on the nations’s territorial waters and creeks, with a view to ensuring that the waterways were safe during elections.

To this effect, it has handed down a warning to miscreants to desist from any illegality on the creeks during the period of the elections.

Vanguard gathered that surveillance would be intensified especially in the Niger Delta region, where ballot boxes are conveyed through the creeks , with a view to checking the activities of hoodlums with tendency of hijacking election materials.

Briefing journalists shortly before naval personnel embarked on the show of force at the jetty of the Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, the command’s Chief Staff Officer, Rear Admiral Begroy Ibe-Enwo, explained that the exercise was to improve the command’s level of preparedness in support of the overall success of the general elections.

Over 12 ships comprising capital (big) ships, according to him, will patrol the command’s area of responsibility from yesterday , to ensure that no ship flaunts the Federal Government’s directive on the closure of sea boarders, and also to ensure that no illegalities were found in the conducts of vessels which are already at encourage.

He added that boats would also be deployed to support the ships, with a view to patrolling the Cowrie creeks which link Victoria Island, Bonny Camp and Maroko toll gate; as well as creeks around Lagos Island, Lekki and Ikoyi. “ Some of our ships are involved in ‘Obagame express’, a multinational military exercise that we conduct with other friendly navies in the Gulf of Guinea.

So these ships will be rerolled to also be part of this patrol exercise in order to ensure that our waterways are safe particularly during the elections. Our role is in support of the Nigeria Police which is in charge of internal security," he said.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

POLLS: We'll accept result —Jonathan, Buhari Continues from Page 5 directed to effectively monitor movements in and out of the country’s sea borders before, during and after the elections.

INEC set for polls

Already, INEC, says it is ready to conduct an election that will meet international best practices.

The commission has concluded the training of the ad-hoc staff that will operate in the 120,000 polling units across the country. Over 700,000 personnel will be involved in the exercise at different levels. Certainly, one issue that really generated a lot of interest was the introduction of the card reader machine which the commission insists it will use for the accreditation of voters.

Interestingly, while some political parties kicked against the device which the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said will check the spate of rigging, others gave their full backing to the new innovation.

And talking about the voter cards, that is one other area where INEC seems not to have gotten it right. Across the states, many registered voters found it very difficult to collect their cards from the designated points.

But after a series of the extension of the period of distribution, over 81 per cent of the about 68 million registered voters have collected their PVCs, a situation that has added to the credibility of the exercise.

INEC briefs 82 groups Foreign and local observers are all at different parts of the country for the observation of the polls.

Last week, INEC had a briefing of the 82 different groups in Abuja. At the meeting, Jega told

them to restrict themselves to the role of observation and not to act as monitors, insisting that only the real stakeholders including the commission can monitor.

The security agencies have also been fully mobilised through the inter agency on security, comprising the police and other military and para-military agencies.

IGP deploys DIGs, AIGs to zones Meantime, the Inspector Gen-

eral of Police, Suleiman Abba, has redeployed states Commissioners of Police while Deputy Inspectors General of Police from Force Headquarters are to be deployed to man geo-political zones of the country The IG said the redeployments were aimed at further repositioning the Police for a successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.

A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP

PRESENTATION: From left, Analyst, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Michael Nwoseh; Dean, Student Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho, Professor Tunde Olabiyisi; raffle draw winner of Etisalat Cliqest Hyundai car, Olaniyi Oluwaseyi (400-level Civil Engineering student), and Analyst, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Martina Oghebor, at the Etisalat Cliqfest prize presentation, at LAUTECH, Ogbomosho, yesterday,

Why FG, AMCON must pay N132bn to Bi-Courtney, Babalakin A

FTER YET another victorious outing against the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, at the Court of Appeal in Lagos, Wednesday, Bi-Courtney Limited has explained why AMCON and the Federal Government must pay N132 billion damages as earlier ordered by a court.

Demanding AMCON’s compliance with the order of Justice G.K. Olotu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on April 5, 2012, in the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/50/09, in a statement yesterday, the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Tomorrow is a special day for Babalakin, explained how AMCON had allegedly attempted Nigeria. to take over the assets of his It’s the 10th in the series of our companies; how the agency had failed to obey a court order to pay general elections since 1959.

N132 billion damages, and how it Tomorrow's edition of Saturday had deliberately misinformed the public about the facts of the issues.

Vanguard is a special edition to Paragraphs three and four of the order stated: “An order directing read and keep for future

SATURDAY VANGUARD SPECIAL ELECTION EDITION

reference.

It’s for the young and elderly, a package that is rich in the news of today and historical perspective for all especially the youth.

It also has comic election cartoons that will entertain you and light up your day as you go to vote.

Book your copies now to enrich your day and be part of our history C M Y K

Emmanuel Ojukwu, named the redeployed senior officers as DIG Dan Azumi Doma, who is second in command as Coordinator South-East Zone; DIG Mamman Tsafe, who is DIG in charge Logistics and Supply, Coordinator South-South Zone.

DIG Hashimu Argungu, who is in charge of Training is Coordinator, South West Zone; DIG Christopher Katso, who is in charge Communications and ICT

the defendant/respondent (Attorney General of the Federation), being the Chief Law Officer and legal representative of the Federal Government and all its agents/agencies, including the government institutions and bodies responsible for the payment of the sum due to the applicant, to mandatorily compel the said government institutions and bodies to immediately comply with the judegment of this court by making without any further delay the payment of N132,540,580,304.00 to the Plaintiff/Applicant in fulfilment of the aforesaid order of this court.

“An order directing the defendant/respondent, being the Chief Law Officer and legal representative of the Federal Government to set off from the above-mentioned amount any claims agreed with the Plaintiff/Applicant to be due from the Plaintiff/ Applicant to any agency of the Federal Government, including but not limited to the AMCON.’’

is Coordinator North West Zone while DIG Hilary Opara, who is in charge of Administration is Coordinator North-East Zone.

Others are DIG Adeola Adeniji, Coordinator North Central Zone; AIG Kalafite Adeyemi is the Asst.

Coordinator South West Zone.

AIG Bala Magaji Nasarawa is Assistant Coordinator North Central Zone. Also, AIG Baba Adisa Bolanta is Assistant Coordinator North West Zone; AIG Usman Gwary is now in charge Federal Operations (FEDOPS) Abuja while AIG Mark Idakwo is the new AIG in charge Zone 9 Umuahia.

For the Commissioners of Police, CP Hosea Karma moves from Anambra State to Rivers State Command; CP Adamu Mohammed moves from Enugu State to Anambra State Command; CP Dan Bature from Rivers State to Enugu State Command; CP Usman Abdullahi is CP Katsina State Command; CP Jimoh Ozi-Obeh is CP Benue State Command while CP Hyacinth Dagala is CP Operations (DOPs) at FHQ Abuja;

Nduku seeks injunction against APC chieftain

T

HE zonal vice chairman of APC (Delta North), Chief Chukwujindu Nduku, yesterday, urged the Federal High Court, Asaba, to bar Mr. George Sunday Okafor from parading himself as the zonal vice chairman (Delta North) of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Nduku who made the appeal in Suit no. FHC/ASB/CS/15/2015 is also claiming N5milion as general damages in compensation for usurpation of his office by the said Mr. Okafor.

The zonal vice chairman is seeking an order of the court to remove Okafor as the zonal vice chairman (Delta North) on the premise that he was never elected into the position.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 15

Alleged kidnapper of Enugu Gov arrested, charged to court ...Father protests, says son merely overtook the convoy unknowingly

By Austin Ogwuda

E

NUGU — A 31-year-old man, Anthony Okeke, a sound engineer with the Winners Chapel Church headquarters, Enugu, has been arrested and charged to court for allegedly attempting to kidnap Enugu State governor, Sullivan Chime, on the night of February 22, this year while his convoy was in motion.

But the father of the suspect, Mr. Linus Okeke, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in a sharp protest to the Civil Rights Realization and Advancement Network, CRRAN, a human rights organization based in Nigeria, is demanding justice in respect of the son’s incarceration in prison custody, saying the kidnap charge was a frame-up.

Investigation by Vanguard showed that citizen Okeke was arraigned before a Magistrate's court in Enugu on February 27, 2015 on a one-count charge contained in charge sheet number, MES/03C/2015, Commissioner of Police vs Anthony Okeke.

The charge read: “That you, Anthony Okeke, male, 31, on 22nd day of February 2015 at about 2340 hours, night time along Ogui Road by Fire Service office GRA, Enugu, Enugu North magisterial district suspected to be armed with dangerous weapon/weapons did attempt to kidnap the Governor, of Enugu State, His Excellency, Barrister Sullivan Iheanacho Chime and thereby committed

an offence punishable under Section 315 (3) of the Criminal Code, Cap 30 Vol. 11 Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria 2004 as amended in 2009”.

He was arraigned before chief magistrate’s court Grade 1, presided over by Mrs. G.C. Amadi.

The suspect was remanded in

HE POLICE Command, (AIT, Alagbado Police), has said that the police are combat ready to maintain peace and security during and after the general elections on Saturday, March 28 and April 11, 2015 respectfully.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Adepoju Ilori, said a peaceful meeting was held

Protests trail fresh move by Enugu House to approve N11bn loan for govt Stories by Francis Igata

E

NUGU—PANDEMONIUM ensued, yesterday, at Enugu State House of Assembly as hundreds of

traditional rulers, CDA, community leaders and the landlords on how to maintain existing good relationship and uninterrupted security system before, during and after the forthcoming polls.

He warned the hoodlums, miscreants and political thugs not to cause trouble, adding that anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly.

demonstrators besieged the Assembly complex protesting alleged plans by the House to approve a fresh loan of N11 billion for the state government.

The demonstrators, led by the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the state, Chief Okey Ezea, marched round the complex, carrying placards with inscriptions as, “Chime should not mortgage our future, Enugu people are opposed to this loan,’’ expressed disapproval of such an action by the Assembly, urging the members

A

N IGBO in Kajola, Oyo State and leader of Catholic Renewal of Nigeria in St. Michael Catholic Church, Okeho, Oyo State, Chief John Arirahu, has described the polls shift by the Federal Government from February 14 to March 28 and April 11, 2015 C M Y K

as a divine intervention to save Nigeria and its democracy.

In a statement, the cleric cum Igbo chief said the polls shift was "not at all a manipulation by the Federal Government, but a controlled action by God to get the election done at a better time that will help defuse the earlier tensioin building up in the country. " God heard the relentless and

in the interest of people of the state to reject the proposal.

Ezea said: “These young men and women are here to demonstrate their rejection of the planned approval by the House for a loan of N11 billion for the state government that has come to the end of its term.

“We are saying that before now, if you go to the Debt Management Office, DMO, Enugu State as at January 31 2015 owes N12.061 billion and somebody wants to take another loan of N11 billion.

....GOV RACE: Onyishi withdraws suit

E

NUGU — AN aspirant to Enugu State governorship race under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Sam

POLLS SHIFT: A divine intervention — Cleric

By Starrys Obazei

Advancement Network, Mr. Olu Omotayo, yesterday in a statement, questioned the rationale behind the alleged kidnap charge.

He said: “The big question now is who gave order that Anthony Okeke be charged for attempt to kidnap the governor of Enugu state just because he overtook his convoy at night?

AWARD: From left, Soji Akinyele, Senior economist, BusinessDay; Adepeju Adebajo, MD, WAPCO Operations; Leonard Palka, MD/CEO, AshakaCem; Fidelia Osime, Director, HR and organisation, Lafarge Africa Plc, and Rabiu Umar, Energy and Power director, Lafarge Africa Plc, at the 2015 BusinessDay Top 25 CEOs Award, where the CEO got an award.

POLLS: We are combat ready — Police with various groups such as

T

prison custody since the day of arraignment as the court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter, awaiting legal advice from the State Attorney-General’s office before the matter can be transferred to a higher court.

Enugu-based civil rights activist, who is the President of the Civil Rights Realization and

unlimited prayers from churches and mosques, even individuals, and allowed room for making peaceful election possible," Chief Aririahu said.

Aririahu, commenting on tomorrow's polls, said: "The election will hold this time and will be very peaceful, with the security of the nation well placed in God's hands."

Onyishi, who felt aggrieved by the processes leading to the party primary and sought redress at an Abuja High Court, has withdrawn the matter unconditionally in support of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s candidature in April 11 poll.

Onyishi had prayed the court to outrightly cancel the outcome of the December 8, 2014, party governorship primary.

The matter, which was brought before Justice Envo Chukwu sitting in Abuja, had advanced to judgement stage, but the plaintiff consented to overwhelming pleas from religious and political leaders in the state.

Pursue your ambition with the fear of God, APC chieftain urges politicians

By Evelyn Usman

T

HE OGUN East senatorial candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, charged candidates from other political parties to pursue their ambitions with the fear of God rather than being desperate to win.

Speaking,yesterday, on the preparedness of his party towards Saturday polls, Abiodun, pointed out that this year’s general elections would mark another milestone in the democratic process, noting that Nigerians had become politically mature to elect the right leaders that would ensure the masses enjoys dividends of democracy.

He, therefore, called on the electorate to shun thuggery and violence, even as he urged candidates to accept their victory or failure in good fate for the interest of the country.

Nnewi South Skill acquisition graduands empowered

E

FFORTS BY Nnewi South LGA First Lady, Dr. Mirian MboluIyiegbu, to support and empower segments of her society received a boost, recently.

Under the aegis of her pet project, CAFE, the Anambra First Lady, Her Excellency, Chief Ebelechukwu ObianoOsodieme, while celebrating the first anniversary of her husband, Governor Willie Obiano in office, brought state power to complement the LG efforts.

Speaking at the Ekwueme Square, Awka, as thousands gathered to celebrate the event, MboluIyiegbu said the local government was humbled by the gifts - dryers, salon equipment, gas cooker ovens, cash and confectionery equipment presented to her team of beneficiaries who had undergone training to become self- employed.

Many beneficiaries went home fulfilled and empowered.

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Groundbreaking of Gas Revolution of Industrial Park, Delta State

President Goodluck Jonathan, flanked by (from left), Hon. Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor, Mrs. Diezani Allison Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources, and others.

President Jonathan, performing the ground breaking of the gas industrial .With him are, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta (immediate right); from left Mr Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment; Mrs Diezani Alison Madueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources and others. photo: Akpokona Omafuaire and Henry Unini

A cross section of top management staff of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

From left, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Chief Vero Tangbowei, the Regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom; HRH Patani.T. Havens,the Olu of Warri; HRM, Ogiame Atuwatse II, Chief Brown Mene, and others.

The Olara-Aja of Ugborodo,Chief Austin Ojogor(2nd right) and his kinsmen From left, NFF Chairman, Mr. Amaju Pinnick; Senator Emmanuel Aguariarvodo, Senator James Manager, Delta State PDP Governorship flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and Governor Uduaghan.

High Chief Government Ekpemupolo,a.k.a, Tompolo (3rd from left) with Kingsley Otuaro, Hon. Boro Opudu, and others C M Y K

Governor Uduaghan (left), welcoming President Jonathan on arrival at the Osubi Airport, Warri.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 —17

Finally! end.

Now, at long last, closure is imminent.

Jonathan’s petulant rejection of the 2013 Governors’ Forum Chairmanship election results (when his candidate, Jonah Jang of Jos, was defeated by Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers) indicates that Jonathan is a very bad loser by nature.

However, despite rumours that Jonathan will enter into a pact with the army or try to establish an Interim National Government if things don’t go his way tomorrow, I don’t share the widespread view that he will throw a massive tantrum and do everything in his power to prevent Buhari from replacing him.

I could, of course, be wrong,

but I am strongly suspecting that Jonathan will, despite his peevish track record, go fairly quietly if he loses the race.

Why? Because a European journalist friend who has access to high-level foreign officials, tells me that: “If the British and Americans hadn’t pushed Jonathan to do the right thing, you guys

wouldn’t be getting a chance to vote this weekend.”

And I could of course be wrong, but I believe that our Wester n allies will also persuade Jonathan to respect himself, respect the wishes of the majority and conduct himself like a gentleman if the eventual outcome doesn’t favour him.

I

thank God that the D-Day or should that be E-Day? – has finally arrived, after months of toxic mudslingings, comical episodes, tragic misfires, dramatic cross-carpetings, nail-biting suspense, fevered speculation and controversies galore.

Ever since the CPC, ACN, ANPP and an APGA faction merged two years ago to create the most viable and vibrant opposition party that Nigeria has ever produced, politically engaged persons on every rung of the socioeconomic ladder – from villagers to international tycoons - have been perched on the edges of their seats, wondering how this colourful PDP Versus APC saga will

•Buhari

•Jonathan

Money, money, money!

M

R President has spent so much money on his election campaign. Even when I am browsing foreign websites, I come across “Vote For Jonathan” adverts.

Meanwhile, I’m hearing that some civil servants have not been paid for a while.

Isn’t it time to drastically reduce the amount of cash that incumbents can spend on electioneering?...and time to insist that they don’t spend our money.

Let me close today’s column with a letter from Paul Agbroko (agbroko@hotmail.com), a Vanguard reader.

Hi Donu, I must say your frustration with our people of, is it SouthSouth, or is it Niger Delta now, over the issue of supporting “our own” which means a continuation of much of the same, or wanting a better path for us all, is one that is shared by some of us as well. Going by the rot in the system and the failure of governance in all ramifications in the last 16 years of PDP misrule and C M Y K

especially in the last six years under the watch of one of our own, I would have thought that the minimum would be that we would all agree that change is

desirable and in which case, it would be a fait accompli that Buhari’s APC forms the next government, post May, 2015.

But not so, think our people.

For them, it is the sing-song of ethnicity, religion, perceived fear of dictatorship, or the paranoia of the civil war of almost 50 years ago! Difficult to believe, but this is the reality we face. And when you add to these, all the talk making the rounds about the underhand

Ditch all this do-or-die rubbish!

I

don’t know why some folks insist on a nasty, desperate, do-or-die approach.

I know of friendships that have collapsed because of political rivalries. I know of relatives who are avoiding each other because they belong to different parties.

And we’ve all personally witnessed – or heard about – the terrible electoral violence that is being sponsored by psychopathic grandees who think that they have a divine right to rule and are ready to hire and arm thugs.

My home state, Rivers, is particularly frightening at the moment. So many people have died this year. I

attended a rally at which APC supporters were shot at last month. I often hear gunshots at night as rival factions tough it out for dominance. My security guard was beaten to death a fortnight ago.

I find it very sad that we bovinely tolerate the status quo and don’t challenge corrosive individuals who regard us as dross and think nothing of coercing, maiming and killing when they are seeking and trying to retain various positions.

And I keep wondering when decent Nigerians will develop the guts and self-esteem to flatly refuse to be led and destroyed by dangerous gangsters.

I find it very sad that we bovinely tolerate the status quo and don’t challenge corrosive individuals who regard us as dross and think nothing of maiming and killing when they are trying to retain various positions

methods and utter desperation or what is referred to as “do or die”, you begin to wonder whether the sage Obafemi Awolowo truly saw tomorrow, when he said something to the effect in the dark days of the NPN and UPN, that we might not see democracy in our generation.

Let me not take it from you however, DK. Your courage and steadfastness is a beacon to the profession of journalism today.

The dream of a better tomorrow must stay alive. Thank you Donu.

All I can add is “thank you Paul, for understanding where I am coming from and not regarding me as a traitor!”

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 OUR country is in more danger each day.

Every move to pull her from the brink is set for ruination by those who think that the country is all about them. They have narrowed issues to a few politi-cians, instead of the larger interests of Nigerians, without which the country would remain mired in its many challenges. An example, tomorrow’s elections include 109 seats in the Senate and 360 seats in the House of Representatives, yet the elections are being primed as if they are only about who becomes President.

These schemes, bereft of agenda to improve Nigeria, are to project personalities of President Goodluck Jonathan and Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari as the issue.

Little is said about how any of them would be the better person to pull Nigerians out of the doldrums that strings of poor policies have dumped them. Blames, namecalling, and sheer abuses were the new order of campaigns. Everything was wrong with the other person. Every action was being subjected to scrutiny that bore minimal relevance to the burden of leading Nigeria out of its precarious times.

Beyond Buhari, Jonathan The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have focused their campaigns on the imperatives of power being theirs.

Nigerians have been a fringe interest to both parties. Where does the everlasting name-calling and blame sharing place Nigerians? How do troubles politicians cause benefit Nigerians?

Political parties, one of the more outspoken politicians has said forthrightly, are in the business of winning elections.

Nigerians should take the inclinations of the contenders serious as they make their choices, not only for the President, but for

all the legislative seats at stake. Sentiments would be unhelpful.

Nigeria’s challenges run through every stratum of society. Rot at the local governments affects the people more than decisions in Abuja and state capitals. The castration of the local governments through constitutional lacunas on their status has pushed governance away from the people.

Politicians are delighted at the fact that they hold power without being accountable to anyone. Should it be so? Should Nigerians allow this situation to be one of their contributions to democracy?

Our concerns, as a people, should be the agenda for 2015 and beyond. Politicians are obsessed with power. They do anything to get it. From the sharp divisions that emerged at the party primaries, it was clear that politicians were ready to grab power at any cost. The people are an inconvenient baggage in this journey. It is time Nigerians re-directed attention to basic issues affecting us. They should vote for those issues. Nigerians should reclaim their country from politicians whose interest in running Nigeria is to annex our national resources.

OPINION

By Yahaya Bello

A

DOLF HITLER'S propaganda minister in Nazi Germany, Paul Joseph Goebbels stated in one of his popular submissions: "If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."

The foregoing is the situation Nigeria finds itself with the twisted, yet, celebrated tale of the "missing $20 billion" crude oil earnings.

When the royal court of Kano is in session, part of the Emir's elaborate turban covers his mouth so that courtiers speak on his behalf. On the few occasions an Emir speaks, it is expected to be in measured tones and bereft of controversy - two qualities the former Central Bank Governor and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido clearly lacks.

The role of the Emir is that of peacemaker.

Politics and an apparent scripted smear campaign he is presently headlining against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are things that he should traditionally stay clear of.

Speaking recently with Christiane Amanpour of the Cable News Network (CNN), Sanusi, against the findings of the Senate Committee on Finance and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has continued his unabated false allegation of unremitted $20billion oil revenue against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Before his ignominious ouster, Sanusi, in his self-appointed role of whistle blower, alleged that the NNPC had not remitted C M Y K

Sanusi Lamido 'missing $20 $49.8 billion into the Federation Account.

Shortly, he claimed that the unremitted funds, which had stood at $10.8 billion after reconciliation, are now $20 billion, a claim which the NNPC has since disputed with documentary evidence. Again, the allegation has also been proved to be false even by his (Sanusi) own account.

Indeed, part of the Nigerian tragedy is that someone like Sanusi, whose record of financial recklessness and other improprieties, became the helmsman in the CBN. It is a sad commentary that someone who couldn’t push a simple matter as a new denomination of the national currency by following simple

Giving the NNPC a bad name for obvious political gains may seem an act of local misdemeanour on Sanusi's part, but the ripple effects are not limited to the national stage

and his billion'

twisted tale

statutory processes, became a pontiff for transparency and accountability.

Nigerians must ask Sanusi what he stands to gain in his spirited effort to hang a tag of corruption on the NNPC (by implication the country's petroleum ministry).

Giving the NNPC a bad name for obvious political gains may seem an act of local misdemeanour on Sanusi's part, but the ripple effects are not limited to the national stage. Indeed, Nigerians are the ones made to suffer in this discrediting plot.

The confidence of foreign investors is bound to be shaken, with the country’s position on the perception of corruption index unflattering.

Yet, for all the stridency with which these attacks on the leadership of the Nigerian oil authorities is conducted and the multiplicity of fronts from which the missiles are launched, none of the wicked – even if always salacious – allegations have been conclusively proven.

Even more tragically, the opposition has blindly taken side with the agents of malicious campaign against the country's mainstay, crude oil.

While the sabotaging smear campaign against the Ministry for Petroleum Resources, NNPC and it's subsidiaries persist, Nigeria's petroleum minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and her policies are being celebrated in the real world.

Alison-Madueke, a strong-willed woman

who, with her hard-earned credentials, should be encouraged and celebrated; in other climes, as with the examples of the US and the Rices (Condoleezza and Susan) or Christine Lagarde (France), to give just two instances, Diezani would be a revered personage.

The woman has many firsts. AlisonMadueke is the first woman to hold the position of Minister of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria. In October 2010, she became the first woman to head a country delegation at the annual Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) conference. She was also the first female Minister of Transportation, and the first woman to be appointed to the board of Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria.

Last November, Alison-Madueke was elected as the first female President of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) at the 166th meeting of the OPEC Conference in Vienna, Austria.

The House of Representatives is on the verge of passing the important Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), a revolutionary legislation championed by the country's petroleum ministry.

Alison-Madueke has stated that Nigeria will end gas flaring by 2017.

These are the true situation of things.

Sanusi must be called to order in Nigeria's interest. *Dr. Bello, executive director of Transparency Network, is an Abuja-based anti-corruption advocacy group.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015— —19

Real change will come

By Clement Udegbe

C

HANGE is one thing that is inevitable in life. From birth to death, man continues to change, either for good or for bad.

If he grows up to imbibe the fear of God in his ways, he lives well, but where he adopts to live by his own ways, he lives at his own peril. When man refuses to accept change, change forces itself on him. It is same with the life of any nation and Nigeria appears to be on the brink of a big change.

When the change in the date for the elections was announced last month, it looked like March 28 will not come, but tomorrow; we shall be casting our votes.

Many of us have travelled to our registration points to contribute to change using our votes, while many others who wanted to vote has been disenfranchised, as they just could not find their PVCs. It is too late now to write or shout, but just to pray and watch. Those of us who have our PVCs are praying that the INEC officials arrive early, Card Readers function well, peace be maintained, the miscreants be well managed, and that politicians and their agents comport themselves during and after the polls.

Prayers are needed because there is cause for worry and concern, over likely clashes

between rival parties in spite of the accord signed by the party leaders in January in Abuja, what role the military will play, during this election, as politicians continued to plot the down fall of each other, during their campaigns .They remained either oblivious of, or deliberately ignored the fact the change has occurred in the polity which simply put, is that Nigerians shall demand change in how we are governed, and hold political office holders accountable from henceforth.

Our politicians and leaders have excelled each other across party lines, in doing what they know how to do best- living large, and impoverishing the people that voted them into positions of power and privilege. The result is that today, you could not ordinarily, differentiate between a PDP and an APC governor except in what they wore, and what they shouted during their campaigns. While PDP shouted “Power”, APC shouted “Change” but they are all stupendously rich people, who talked anyhow to anybody, changed parties at their convenience, paid little respect to rules only when it suits them, generally proud and arrogant persons, with a common condescending attitude in their dealings with others.

Since they have refused to change, change will foist itself on them, and this is the people’s time and chance!

A few observable positive changes from the campaigns so far include that more and more people including our youths are realizing the that the real power lies in their voting, and ensuring that their votes count; that people must change themselves before they can effectively change any system, or our nation for the common good; that the opinion of our citizens in the diaspora must count now and in the future; And that political violence will no longer be tolerated as Nigerians are now ready to kill and bury do-or die politics.

The dwindling national fortunes from oil earnings due to the fall in global oil prices will make governance more challenging, and rough, and Nigerians will hold their leaders responsible for any further hardships in the years ahead. It

No blood of a Nigeria is worth the political ambition of any man, or party, now and in the future

Abia and threat of violence

By Clement Omenegor

A

BIA State is not known for political violence since its creation, though it witnessed such during the immediate past administration between 1999 and 2007. It was obvious to Nigerians then that the political violence that rocked the state was orchestrated by the government of the time to divert attention from its non-performance.

During the period, the state was always in the news for negative reasons. If Governor Theodore Orji’s predecessor who abandoned the business of governance in pursuit of cheap political popularity was not attacking the then President of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, he was busy fighting or witch-hunting some prominent political opponents. It was an era marked or characterised by intentional and orchestrated diversions, deceits and political brigandage.

When Governor Orji assumed office in 2007, the political atmosphere was tense, but before two years, the government stabilized it and made a move to bring all the stakeholders to a round table. Being envious of the progress by the state government, some politicians sponsored kidnapps in the state, especially in the commercial city of Aba. For almost two years, the ugly menace nearly grounded daily activities in the state. Many including then President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Dauda (SAN) called for Governor Orji’s removal and declaration of a State Of Emergency in the State. Governor Orji was never deterred or distracted with the undue criticisms, rather his government confronted the monster headlong. Billions of State funds that would have been used for the development of the state was channeled by the state government to tackle the menace.

Not too long, success beckoned as the ringleader of the kidnap gang, Osisikankwo

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was killed in a gun battle with security agents and the kidnap menace was totally brought under control. Those who have deserted their businesses in the state especially in Aba returned en masse.

Indigenes and non-indigenes of the state who had stayed away from the state for long because of the menace also started visiting again. Investors were attracted and business boomed; job opportunities were created like never before. The development provided the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the 2011 polls in the state which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the first time since 1999 won landslide. Since then, the state has remained secured, peaceful and calm.

Ahead of the 2015 rescheduled polls in the state, some people and groups appear determined to foment trouble and destroy the peace of the state once more. Latest of such incidents in the state since last year was the recent alleged shooting of an

But neither the Governor, nor his party governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and party supporters have displayed any form of violence in the face of consistent provocations since the electioneering campaign commenced

will never be business as usual again for our politicians. We are hopeful that March 28 will bring change and real change indeed to the way governance is ran, and our focus is now on those things that could truncate the expected results of this election.

The recent Federal High Court judgment in Lagos, restraining the President and Commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces from deploying soldiers for elections, could complicate matters if not properly handled, and can be exploited by some politicians to foment violence and trouble during and after elections, knowing the limitations of our police.

There is therefore a high possibility that anything can happen during and after this election if nothing is done by those concerned to effectively keep the peace especially in and around known violence flash points in the country, irrespective of who wins.

If one of the reported advantages of the Card Reader is that it will authenticate PVCs and report same to a central collation control, there is no reason for people to hang around polling boots after voting. This is to avoid overcrowding the area, and creating a conducive atmosphere for trouble and mischief makers.

It also depends on the peculiar circumstances in any particular polling boot. All steps should be taken by everyone to make the work of the law enforcement agencies and agents easier and less complicated, during and after the polls. The law enforcement agents must on their own

innocent Abian, Frank Dickson by the armed guards of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Alex Otti at Umuojiocha village square, Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area.

Speaking on the alleged attack, the Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. ACB Agbazuere who condemned it, said that the shattered legs of the victim is now receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia. Agbazuere alleged that before the recent incident that Otti’s supporters had shot the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Isiala Ngwa, Chief Darlington Nwokocha in Isiala Ngwa South, attacked and destroyed campaign vehicles of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, in Uturu.

Agbazuere warned those instigating violence in the state should not take the humaneness of the governor for granted, stressing that the Abia State government will no longer condone violence from any person or group or watch anybody forcefully intimidate innocent Abians in the name of politics.

He urged the governorship candidates of the various parties in the state to abide by the peace accord they entered into before security personnel.

It would be recalled that Otti before now has been accused of parading men in military uniform in the state.

Obviously, the current development in the state is strange and worrisome. It calls for urgent attention by the leadership of the security agencies in the country before it gets out of hand. Even at the peak of the liberation struggle championed by Gov. Orji, the state did not witness or experience any violence despite threats

by Orji’s predecessor that he would make the state ungovernable for him. It may not be out of the place that Otti and his supporters do not understand the elementary rudiment of democratic process and electioneering campaign. Why it is Otti’s right to have security protection as party

conduct themselves in a manner that is above board. They must remain alert and not allow themselves to be distracted by whatever, near the polling boots, and results collation centres. All our efforts now should be to ensure a violence-free, fair elections and credible polls in order to encourage the two contestants, GEJ and GMB and their respective teams to accept any verdict that the polls may return.

They have respectively worked doggedly, and fought gallantly, criss- crossed the whole nation across religious and ethnic lines to woo voters. We appreciate them immensely, and hope that each of them will accept the result of this election. We have entered the period when the full impact of the peace accord will be expected to bear on the contestants. Since in any contest, a party must emerge the winner, one group will win in this election, while the other should embrace the result and work to win in 2019.

Where any of them feels shortchanged in any manner, our laws are there for such a candidate to head to the court to obtain redress, and not incite violence in order to ventilate his anger, disappointments and frustrations. No blood of a Nigeria is worth the political ambition of any man, or party, now and in the future.

•Mr. Udegbe, a practitioner, wrote Lagos.

legal from

governorship candidate, such security personnel and supporters should not be seen as tools for political violence. Besides, constitutionally, the state governor is the chief security of the state. Nobody should dare disrupt the security of the state under any circumstance because of its monumental implications and effects especially in election period like this. One imagines what will become of the state if Gov. Orji and his PDP members decide to launch reprisal attack on Otti and his supporters.

Truly, Otti is not the only governorship candidate in the state, but the question is; why has he and his supporters been always in the news over alleged disruption of peace in the state? Does it mean that they have monopoly of violence or what? Even if Otti is not in the know how of the violent activities of his supporters in the state, there is need for him, not only to caution them, but to speak out against their actions in public.

He should realise that his governorship ambition cannot be achieved on the altar of violence. It is an axiomatic that if there is any group that should have monopoly of violence in the state, it is the PDP and its supporters who have the incumbent governor as its leader and chief security of the state. But neither the Governor, nor his party governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and party supporters have displayed any form of violence in the face of consistent provocations since the electioneering campaign commenced.

This is because political violence has not been Governor Orji’s style of governance since he assumed office.

•Mr. Omenegor, a System analyst, wrote from Toronto, Canada.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 27, 2015

Parents lament brutal murder of son •Say he was not a cultist

By Jimitota Onoyume, Assistant News Editor

I

T was like the world crashed on the family of Mr and Mrs Chijioke Jona last Thursday when unknown gunmen murdered their only son at Gada Street in Ogbunabali community, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The parents wept uncontrollably as they narrated the sad incident to the Vanguard Metro. Their son, Alex, who was about 20 years old was among eight persons reportedly killed at different locations in Port Harcourt by suspected cultists.

Like some of the others who were shot dead by the rampaging cultists the parents of Alex and some members of Ogbunabali community believed Alex and his friend were not the target of the assailants. “They were just unlucky to be at the wrong place when the boys struck,” a lady on Gada Street where the sad incident occurred said.

“My son was a good boy. He was loved by everybody. My son cannot be a cultist,” the mother insisted as she spoke to the VM. She sobbed as she continued: ” Go to Ogbunabali market, women will tell you about my son. He is not a cultist”.

When asked if he was a member of any of the political par-

ties, the woman said her son had no time for politics. “No, he was not a member of any political party. He did not have time to even go for his permanent voter’s card, PVC, “ she broke down crying again.

The father, Mr Chijioke Jona who was by the side of the wife, took it up from there. ”He was my first son. I had two boys and two girls. The two boys are now dead. One died some years back while this one died on Thursday. Now I have only two girls, “ he said as he shook his head, paused and continued.

“He came back from work between 6pm and 6.30pm. He saw me sitting outside. He said I should have put on the generator and be inside the house. I told him I wanted us to manage the available fuel. Well, he later went to put on the generator.

“When his friend visited, they decided to go and eat noodles at a nearby place where they sell cooked noodles with fried egg.

He liked noodles, so he patronised the place regularly.

About 15 minutes after they left, I suddenly saw people running helterskelter. Then I heard: ‘They shot him on the leg’. Later some elderly men came to tell me not to worry, assuring me that he was shot on the leg and had been rushed to the state-owned Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, BMH. I was asking them, ‘who and what

happened?’ Nobody told me anything. All they kept saying was ‘na leg dem shoot am, wear your cloth. Just come’.

“Immediately I sensed that something terrible must have happened. I quickly went inside to dress up, switched off the generator and came out. Some of the elderly men immediately drove me in a vehicle to BMH. It was at the Emergency Ward I saw the lifeless body of my son. I screamed and those around held me again, trying to calm me”.

He paused at this stage to gaze at the wall in front of him, his right hand supporting his jaw.

Then shaking his head, he sighed and wept: ” O! So my son is gone. My son, my son. Just like that; my son who was with me barely 30 minutes before the incident”.

But shaking off his sorrow, he turned to the reporter and continued. “As I heard, they said he had finished eating the plate

It was at the Emergency Ward I saw the lifeless body of my son; I screamed and those around held me again, trying to calm me

•The late Alex...Murdered in his prime of noodles he ordered and was waiting for his friend who asked for a second plate when the assailants came and started shooting at them. “He ran into a nearby chemist shop after they fired the first bullet at him; the killers followed him, shooting.

“My son was a talented young boy. He finished his secondary school and was hoping to continue his education but in the interim was repairing phones and laptops at Garrison area of Port Harcourt. My son was never a cultist,” he said.

Community folks who spoke about the late Alex described him as a gentle and quiet young boy who would never hurt a fly. “Appeal, as we called Alex,

ROVING CAMERA

Tired and frustrated? Teenage cart pushers taking a nap on a day business was slow. PHOTO BY LAMIDI BAMIDELE. C M Y K

Mr. Chijioke Jona could never have been a cultist.

He was jovial and friendly. It was a very painful death,” a neighbour said.

Alex and his friend were not the target of the killers Some of those who spoke to VM said the late Alex and his friend were not the target of the assailants. A community source who spoke under anonymity said youths in the area took note of the killers when they drove round in a taxi. According to the source, the assailants allegedly had two informants on ground who kept tab on their target. “ Their target greeted the late Alex and his friend before they entered the noodles spot. What I heard was that he showed Alex his phone and said it had some problems. So they agreed that he would work on it later. Those monitoring probably thought Alex and his friend belonged to the same rival cult group with the target they greeted. So they had to go for them when they missed their target, thinking the two were members of the target’s group”.

Not much is known about the late Alex friend who was also shot dead since he did not reside in the community. “We heard the friend who died with him that night visited from one of the universities around,” a community source said.

Last week’s sad incident has raised the number of those shot dead in Port Harcourt under cultrelated circumstance within three weeks to about 23. Residents expressed worries with the development, connecting it with the upcoming elections.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 —

21

Zenith Bank shareholders caution FRC over imposition of fine on banks … Commend 2014 financial per formance

By Peter Egwuatu

S

From left: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Director-General, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Dupe Atoki; and Honorary Adviser to Dangote, Engr. Joseph Makoju, during a courtesy visit by Atoki on CPC's collaboration with the private sector on consumer protection in Lagos.

Oil prices surge after Saudi air strikes in Yemen B

rent crude oil soared more than 4 percent towards $59 a barrel yesterday after Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies began a military operation in Yemen, which sits on a key shipping passage between Europe and the Arab Gulf.

The air strikes against Houthi rebels, who have driven the president from Yemen’s capital Sanaa, could stoke concerns about the security of Middle East oil shipments if the conflict

$139.55 $2,774.00

12.51

$56.35 $49.05

2.25 -9.00

0.06

widens.

Brent futures were up $2.47 at $58.

U.S. crude was up $2.16 at $51.37 a barrel.

Brent and U.S. crude prices spiked around 6 percent earlier in the session but pared gains in European trading.

“Geopolitical risk like this has been on the back burner for a while because we’ve been focusing on global oversupply,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

This news has not made the oversupply go away. The upside potential is limited unless something escalates. We need to see how this unfolds over the next couple of days,” he said.

Iranian officials demanded an immediate halt to Saudi-led military operations in Yemen and said Tehran

1.24 1.54

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

196 292.6868 215404 205.0209 1.6421 0.3069 271.236 31.5835 52.2583 28.8626 272.7144

196.5 293.4335 215.9535 205.5439 1.6461 0.3169 271.9283 31.6645 52.3916 28.9362 273.4101

197 294.1801 216.503 206.0669 1.6503 0.3269 272.6202 31.7455 52.5249 29.0098 274.1058

CBN Exchange Rate as at 25 /3/15

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Geopolitical risk like this has been on the back burner for a while because we’ve been focusing on global oversupply

would make all necessary efforts to control the crisis there, Iranian news agencies reported. In order to export to Europe, Arab producers have to ship oil past Yemen’s coastlines via the Gulf of Aden to get to the Suez Canal. Four Egyptian naval vessels have passed through the Suez Canal en route to Yemen to secure the Gulf of Aden, maritime sources said.

The waters between Yemen and Djibouti, known as Bab el-Mandeb, are less than 40 km (25 miles) wide. They are considered a “chokepoint” to global oil supplies by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA estimates that 3.8 million barrels a day of crude oil passed through Bab el-Mandeb in 2013, the latest year for which figures were available. The region is heavily populated with Western military forces. The United States and France operate large military bases in Djibouti. NATO’s anti-piracy fleet also operates from the Gulf of Aden.

While the strikes have not yet disrupted major oil facilities of key Gulf producers, such as Saudi Arabia, there are concerns that the conflict might widen. The Shi’ite Houthis have received some support from Iran, Saudi Arabia’s long-time rival for dominance in the Middle East. State-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp said the OPEC member country had raised security around its oil facilities after the military operation in Yemen.

Yemen shut its major seaports on Thursday, industry and local sources said.

hareholders of Zenith Bank Plc yesterday cautioned the Financial Regulatory Council, FRC over imposition of fine on banks saying it affects their returns on investment, just as they applauded the financial performance of the bank for the year 2014.

The shareholders who spoke at the th Zenith Bank’s 24 Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos said “The FRC should find a way of punishing banks or companies that fail to meet regulatory requirements of filling in returns and others. The penalties affect shareholders when the companies are made to pay the fines.

Speaking, Sir Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, ISAN said “Zentih Bank has performed creditably well in the financial year 2014 as virtually all the performance indicators moved up.

However, we are not happy with the way the government agencies like FRC, AMCON etc are taking away our money in the form of penalties. Rather than allowing the banks pay these penalties in the form cash payment they can penalise them through suspension in interbank market transactions for some days and so on or ask the directors to pay the fine from their personal accounts. In that way the various directors responsible for such responsibilities will be made to sit up. Imagine, Zenith Bank paid N14 billion to AMCON and it is our investment that is being affected.”

Mr. Timothy Adesiyan, President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association, NSSA, who spoke the minds of its members said “ We are impressed with the performance of our bank, giving us N1.75 kobo as total dividend for 2014 financial year.

We are really worried with the money that Zenith Bank pays to the regulators in form of fines and levy and we hope this will reduce in the year ahead. We commend the bank for training and retraining its staff, whose inputs have contributed to the remarkable results we are approving today.”

The bank’s 2014 financial result shows that Profit After Tax, PAT edged up by 4.0 per cent to N99.455 billion from N95.318 billion in the previous year. Profit Before Tax, PBT rose by 8 per cent from N110.597 billion to N119.796 billion in the review period. Also the bank gross earnings grew by 15 per cent year on year. Gross earnings rose from N351.470 billion to N403.343 billion.

Earnings per share was up by 4.98 per cent to N3.16 from N3.01,while total assets jumped up by 16.3 per cent to N3.755 trillion from N34.143 trillion in 2013. The group also increased its loans and advances by 38.21 per cent to N1.729 trillion from N1.25 trillion. Interest Income grew by 15.9 per cent from N272 billion to N313.4 billion, while non-interest income rose by 39.1 per cent to N90.1billion.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Wema Bank’s profit up by 59%

By Peter Egwuatu

EMA Bank Plc has W declared a 58.8 per cent increase in Profit Before Taxa-

Chief Executive Officer, Teragro (Agribusiness subsidiary of Transcorp Plc), Dupe Olusola, receiving award from Kunle Malomo of MSY Analytics on behalf of Transcorp for ranking number one in the first ever Growth Strategy Leaders Awards, a ranking of the top 100 publicly traded companies in Lagos.

tion, PBT for the financial year ended 31 December 2014.

The bank also grew its Total Assets by 15.6 per cent for the same period under consideration.

According to the result released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE , the bank recorded Profit Before Tax growth of 58.8 per cent from N1.95billion in 2013 to N3.09billion in 2015 on the same capital base indicating

Sterling Bank records N104bn gross earnings

By Peter Egwuatu

S

TERLING Bank Plc has recorded 13 per cent growth in gross earnings for the financial year ended 31 December, 2014.

Specifically, it posted N103.7 billion gross earnings for the year under consideration and its Profit Before Tax, PBT rose by 15.4 per cent to N10.7 billion.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2014 released at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed appreciable growths in most key performance indices, sustaining the strong performance outlook of the lender in spite of industrywide headwinds.

Major highlights showed that net interest income leapt by 20.1 per cent to N43.0 billion in 2014 as against N35.8 billion recorded in 2013.

This was driven mainly by 11.4 per cent growth in interest income to N77.9 billion, which far outweighed the 2.2 per cent increase in funding costs to N34.9 billion. This underlined the increasing cost efficiency of the lender as cost of funds had dropped from 6.1 per cent in 2013 to 5.3 percent in 2014.

Similarly, non-interest income grew by 18.3 per cent from N21.8 billion in 2013 to N25.7 billion in 2014. This was boosted by 82.2 per cent growth in net trading income to N6.8 billion.

The bank continued to strengthen its mid and bottomline performances as its increasing focus on cost reduction, credit risks management and operating efficiency cushioned macro headwinds and retained

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values for shareholders. Net operating income rode on the back of growth in net interest income and a 10.5 per cent reduction in impairment charges to N61.4 billion in 2014, an increase of 24.4 per cent on N49.3 billion recorded in 2013.

Meanwhile, operating expenses increased by 26.5 per cent to N50.6 billion in 2014 as against N40 billion in 2013. This was due mainly to on-going investments in branch refits and expansion and rollout of alternative channels as well as regulation-induced cost.

Consequently, profit before tax inched up by 15.4 per cent to N10.7 billion while profit after tax increased by 8.8 per cent to N9 billion. The net profit was impacted by 68.4 per cent increase in income tax expense. The bank’s balance sheet also emerged stronger. Net loans and advances increased by 15.4 per cent to N371.2 billion in 2014 compared with N321.7 billion in 2013. Customer deposits rose by 15 per cent to N655.9 billion as against

The bank recorded Profit Before Tax growth of 58.8 per cent from N1.95billion in 2013 to N3.09billion in 2015

N570.5 billion while shareholders’ funds increased by 33.5 per cent from N63.5 billion to N84.7 billion. Total assets closed 2014 at N824.5 billion, representing an increase of 16.5 per cent on N707.8 billion recorded in 2013.

Commenting on the results, managing director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, said the bank’s performance shows the strengths of its resilient growth model and its ability to continue to deliver value for all stakeholders.

According to him, 2014 was

a difficult year in many respects for the Nigerian banking industry as the multiple challenges arising from a weaker macroeconomic environment and the various regulatory responses to them put significant pressure on the margins of banks.”Despite these pressures, we achieved double-digit earnings growth in line with our medium-term strategic objectives. This performance underscores the commitment of the entire team to our corporate goals and the resilience of our business model,” Adeola said.

improved efficiency and better utilization of resources. Wema Bank recorded a 19 per cent growth in customer deposit volumes largely from the Commercial and Retail space despite the tightening government regulation on cash-reserve. Our loans and advances to customers increased by 51%, as the Bank was able to lend more to productive sectors of the economy. In addition, the bank has continued to ensure strong Risk Management, and this is evidenced by the level of non-performing loans ratio at 2.5 per cent.

Speaking from the bank’s headquarters in Lagos, Segun Oloketuyi, Managing Director/ CEO of WEMA Bank Plc said “It gives me great pleasure to report that Wema Bank continues to record year on year improvement in its financial performance. The Bank has improved significantly on its profitability and customer growth despite shrinking margins and intense competition. This progress recorded is a result of the continued execution of our three-year growth strategy – Project LEAP.” Continuing he said “The “New Wema Bank” that has now emerged is a stronger, more efficient, resilient and customer-focused organization with a robust risk management and corporate governance structure. The bank has realigned its business focus to concentrate on its key area of strength – Retail Banking.”

NSE, MSCI sign agreement to develop, commercialise co-branded indexes

By Nkiruka Nnorom he Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has Tannounced a strategic co-operation

agreement with MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, to develop and market a co-branded family of indexes for the Nigerian equity markets.

Following the partnership, existing and future indexes will be co-branded as the MSCI/ NSE Indexes, including the flagship NSE 30 Index and NSE 50 Index, which will become the MSCI/NSE 30 Index and the MSCI/NSE 50 Index, respectively, the NSE said in a statement.

The NSE noted that indexes would be jointly developed and launched in future based on client demand and market development, adding that the indexes would be used as performance benchmarks and as the basis for index-linked products for investors seeking exposure to the Nigerian capital markets.

“As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is increasingly positioning itself at the center of the development of the region’s capital markets,” said Baer Pettit, Managing Director and Head of MSCI’s Product Group.

“MSCI is very proud to establish a strategic relationship with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and we look forward to working with them to raise the profile of these indexes

around the world. The combination of MSCI’s emerging and frontier markets index expertise and NSE’s position as one of the leading exchanges in the region will, we believe, deliver high quality indexes for both international and domestic investors,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Oscar Onyema, CEO, NSE, said, “We are proud to collaborate with MSCI, one of the top and most-respected index providers for global stock markets. Our collaboration provides the global investing public, listed companies and other stakeholders in the Nigerian market access to MSCI’s high quality products and internationally recognized brand. The Nigerian Stock Exchange, in cooperation with MSCI, will continue to innovate and bring products to market that will increase the sophistication of African markets and continue to establish Nigeria as the market for entrepreneurial growth.”

The MSCI/NSE Indexes will be calculated and disseminated by MSCI, based on the same industry leading standards that apply to the MSCI indexes. MSCI will commercialize the indexes outside of Nigeria while the NSE will continue to serve clients in Nigeria.

The NSE is the largest exchange in Africa by volume traded, currently trading an average of 437.4 million shares daily. With 253 listed securities, the NSE’s total market capitalization is USD 90.67 billion.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 23

Agriculture bears major brunt of disaster impacts — Report N

EARLY a quarter of damages wrought by natural disasters on the developing world are borne by the agricultural sector according to initial results from a new FAO study released here today at the UN World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Organization also announced the launch of a special facility aimed at helping countries better equip their food production sectors to reduce risk exposure, limit impacts, and be better prepared to cope with disasters.

Twenty-two percent of all damages inflicted by natural

hazards such as drought, floods storms or tsunamis are registered within the agriculture sector, FAO’s analysis of 78 post-disaster needs assessments in 48 developing countries spanning the 2003-2013 period shows.

These damages and losses are often incurred by poor rural and semi-rural communities without insurance and lacking the financial resources needed to regain lost livelihoods. Yet only 4.5 percent of post-disaster humanitarian aid in the 20032013 period targeted agriculture.

FAO’s 22 percent figure

represents only damages reported via post-disaster risk assessments, so while indicative of scale, the actual impact is likely even higher. To arrive at a closer estimate of the true financial cost of disasters to developing world agriculture FAO compared decreases in yields during and after disasters with yield trends in 67 countries affected by (at least one) medium- to larger-scale events between 2003 and 2013.

The final tally: $70 billion in damages to crops and livestock over that 10 year period.

Asia was the most affected region, with estimated losses

adding up to $28 billion, followed by Africa at $26 billion.

“Agriculture and all that it encompasses is not only critical for our food supply, it also remains a main source of livelihoods across the planet.

While it is a sector at risk, agriculture also can be the foundation upon which we build societies that are more resilient and better equipped to deal with disasters,” said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

“This is why building resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises is one of FAO’s top priorities,” he added.

New facility for disaster risk reduction in agriculture

From left: Dr. Ahmed Adekunle, Chairman, Advisory Ministerial Mechanization Committee, FMARD; Permanent Secretary, Sunny Echono and Director of Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr. Damilola Eniayeju during a press briefing on mechanization.

FAO aims to increase funds for nutrition, climate change

F

OOD and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Director-General José Graziano da Silva has appealed to its members to approve a proposal including more funds to be directed at nutrition and climate change issues.

Speaking at a week-long session of the organization’s executive council, Graziano da Silva expressed hope that FAO’s member countries would reach consensus on the agency’s programme of work and budget prior to formal approval by the entire membership at the FAO Conference in June.

I am asking you to invest in your organization so that we can do what you are asking us to do, to the benefit of everyone

The budget proposed for FAO’s programme of work for 2016-2017 is $1.044 billion dollars.

FAO members have recognized the unprecedented efficiency savings introduced by Graziano da Silva since he took office in January 2012. The Director-General warned, however, that it would be “irresponsible” to claim that the

Organization could still deliver its programme of work in the same way if the trend for budget cuts remained unchecked.

“I am not asking you to give money away. I am asking you to invest in your organization so that we can do what you are asking us to do, to the benefit of everyone, especially, the poor, hungry and vulnerable,” the FAO Director-General said

addressing delegates.

He noted that the proposed budget represented a real funding increase of 6.1 million dollars - the equivalent of 0.6 percent of the current budget.

This amount would be fully allocated to FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme to increase assistance to Small Island Developing states in adapting to climate change.

To help countries better prepare for and respond to disasters affecting agriculture, FAO today launched a new facility aimed at channeling technical support to where it is most needed. The facility will work to mainstream disaster risk reduction in agriculture at all levels through diverse activities.

“With this new effort, we are aiming to limit peoples’ exposure to risks, avoid or reduce impacts where possible, and enhance preparedness to respond quickly when disasters occur,” said Graziano da Silva.

Studies have shown that for every one dollar spent on disaster risk reduction, as much as four dollars are returned in terms of avoided or diminished impacts, he noted.

The work of the new facility will be guided by FAO’s Framework Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction for Food and Nutrition Security.

Agriculture remains a key sector Worldwide, the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people depend on agriculture. These small-scale farmers, herders, fishers and forest-dependent communities generate more than half of global agricultural production and are particularly at risk from disasters that destroy or damage harvests, equipment, supplies, livestock, seeds, crops and stored food.

Beyond the obvious consequences on peoples’ food security, the economies and development trajectories of entire regions and nations can be altered when disasters hit agriculture. The sector accounts for as much as 30 percent of national GDP in countries like Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, the Niger, among others.

There are also spill-over losses in agriculture-dependent subsectors, and significant consequences for trade flows.

Countries surveyed experienced an increase in agriculture imports to the tune of $18.9 billion and a decrease in agriculture exports of $14.9 billion following natural disasters, between 2003 and 2013.

...Nigeria inaugurates inter-ministerial agric, nutrition group

A

n Inter-Ministerial Agriculture Nutrition Working Group was formally inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, recently during a High Level Policy Dialogue meeting on Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture in Nigeria.

Dr. Adesina, while inaugurating the Group, tasked members on the need to work together and deliver on the assignment, in view of the serious efforts of the Present Administration in tackling the issue of malnutrition in Nigeria.

In a related development, the

Minister, during the dialogue meeting, was also presented with an award of excellence by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria for championing issues of nutrition in Nigeria.

Presenting the award to the Minister, the President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, commended the Minister on his efforts to improve nutrition in Nigeria and urged him to approve a week in the month of March of every year for the celebration of Nutrition Week.

The Minister thanked the society for the award, saying he sees himself as a small instrument but would like to dedicate the award to all the hardworking staff of his ministry, who have contributed immensely

to all the successes recorded so far.

Dr. Adesina also used the occasion of the dialogue to launch a Snapshot Publication on Cultivating Nutritious Food System, the first of the series, compiled by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The Minister commended GAIN for the rich contents of the publication which requires adults to pay more attention to what they eat and other enriching features as contained in the report.

He thanked all the Development Partners for their support for the Agricultural Transformation Agenda programme of the Present Administration.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Senate ties NIMASA’s 2015 budget approval to payment of workers’ allowances

By Godwin Oritse HE Senate T Committee on Ma-

rine Transport has told the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA to make full payment of its workers allowances before its 2015 budget can be approved.

The Senate, Vanguard learnt was quite disturbed by the non-payment of staff allowances and had invited the management for meeting to find out why the payments have not been made.

As at time of this report, it was gathered that two out of the four allowances have been paid.

While housing and children education allowances have been paid, the furniture and leave allowances are still being awaited.

It will be recalled that the management of NIMASA came under serious attack following media report of the agency’s inability to pay workers’ allowances.

After the intervention of the Senate, the management at a time had to call for a meeting where it assured workers of the payment of their allowances on or before the first week of April Recall that workers of the agency alleged that they were experiencing hard times as some of their allowances have not been paid.

The workers, Vanguard gathered, took loans from some commercial banks in anticipation of the allowances.

Some of the allowances, include housing, furniture and children education, were usually paid in the first week of January.

The banks, it was learned, at a point became worried over the inability of NIMASA’s management to meet its financial obligation to its workers.

The affected banks have also been on the heels of the loan defaulters and had officially written to the management of the agency.

The agency, Vanguard also learned, had written back to the banks pleading with them to give it till March to meet its financial obligation to both its workers and bankers.

Sources at the agency C M Y K

also told Vanguard that while some workers at a point resorted to patronising money lenders to borrow money to pay their bills others had to sell their vehicles and other properties with view to meeting their financial; obligations Effort to reach the Head of Public Relation Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, a deputy Director for comments was futile as he said to be out of the country.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in a handshake with Adeniran Bolanle, a graduate and beneficiary of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) an initiative of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) during an interactive session with Young Professionals in Lagos.

FEC sends 4 maritime Bills to National Assembly

By Godfrey Bivbere

T

HE Federal Executive Council, FEC has sent the four maritime bills, the Ports and Harbour Bill, the Railway Bill, the National Transport Commission Bill, and the National Inland Waterways Bill to the National Assembly for consideration, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Benjamin Dikki, has said.

Dikki who disclosed this at an enlightenment programme titled, “Monitoring and Compliance with Concession Agreements Eight Years Post Concession,” organised by the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, said “When the bills finally becomes law, it will open up the port system for more private sector participation.”

The BPE boss said, “After going through series of stakeholders review and consultations, including its considerationbytheFederalExecutive Council, the bills along with other transport bills have been presented to the National Assembly for considerationandenactment.Once

The objective of the reforms was to increase the efficiency of the port operations, decrease the cost of port services to the port users

that is done, the whole system will be open up to the private sector.”

He explained that the Nigerian Ports before the reformswascharacterisedwith infrastructure deficit with minimal private sector participationanddominantpublic monopoly in the area of design development, maintenance and operations.

He noted that the objective of the reforms was to increase the efficiency of the

port operations, decrease the cost of port services to the port users, decrease the cost of government of supporting aviableportsector,boosteconomic activities and accelerate development and make Nigeria the hub for international freight and trade in West Africa.

He pointed out that “the Nigerian privatisation programme rightly focuses on the big picture, that is, the whole economy, and ultimately on doing the great-

estgoodforthegreatestnumber of Nigerians. The opening up of hitherto government-dominated sectors to the private sector and stimultanously divesting government interest in these sectors pave way for innovative, hard working Nigerian entrepreneurs to grow the economy. This will nurture strong private sector foundation that we need in a bid to increase overall efficiency and raise standards of living of Nigerians,” he

concluded.

Recall that the Ports and Harbours Bill has been embroiledinconfusionandcontroversy since the conclusion of port concession in 2006.

Two versions of the bill have been in circulation as one emanated from the National Assembly which had passed through second reading and the other one which has gone through public hearing before controversy from the executive arm stalled the passage.

NAC partners govt agencies on portal for vehicle importation

By Godfrey Bivbere

T

HE National Auto motive Council (NAC) has said that it would partner with government agencies in the maritime sector in the development of a portal for all vehicles imported into the country.

Director-General of the agency, Aminu Jalal, who disclosed this in Lagos when he visited the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC in his office, said the proposed vehicle portal was expected to play key role in the registration of vehicles in the country through the use of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Jalal noted that NAC has opened negotiation with a South African bank on how to help stakeholders in the maritime sector; especially truck owners to finance the purchase of new trucks.

According to him, “We (the NAC) are ready to facilitate the transactions.

Truck manufacturers such

as ANAMMCO and NTM have started operations. Plans are under way for about eight more truck firms to start operations this year. Truck owners in the maritime sector should take advantage of this opportunity. We are ready to assist them with

funding. We need to have their specifications. All goods come through the port. It is in our interest to see that port operations are not disturbed by broken down trucks. Prompt clearance of goods is also in the interest of the auto sector.

“Logistics is very important in the auto industry.

We are here to say thank you and seek the Shippers Council’s cooperation in building a portal that will house the VIN numbers of all the vehicles imported and also produced in Nigeria.”

Security: Apapa port to set up c’ttee comprising govt agencies

By Ifeyinwa Obi

T

HE management of Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa is to institute a top level committee among heads of government departments operating in the port to build synergy and cooperation required for the overall security and progress of the port.

Port Manager of the LPC, Mr. Nasir Anas Mohammed disclosed this while receiving the Controller Immigration Service in-charge of Lagos Seaports/Marine Command Mrs. TFA

Olayemi who visited him on courtesy call.

Mohammed, while interacting with the Immigration boss, informed her that with the Apapa Port serving as an important economic facility for the nation, it was necessary that a forum is provided for heads of security and other government regulatory bodies operating in the port to meet regularly and discuss security and other important issues for the overall interest of the port in particular and the nation at large.

Heads of agencies that will be attending the

meeting, he said, will include those of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Police, Department of State Security, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the military.

While further assuring continuous support to the Immigration boss, the Port Manager also discussed that the port has been concerned over reports that some security personnel operating from land and water side have been extorting port users.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—25

2011 and 2015: What has changed for Jonathan and Buhari?

Conventional wisdom is that there are no permanent friends, but permanent interests in politics. The dramatic alteration of friendships and forms in the perception of the two major presidential candidates shows that fact.

•Jonathan

•Buhari

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE two major contenders in the Saturday presidential election are no strangers to each other. The two men first encountered themselves on the ballot in 2007 when Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was running mate in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ticket headed by late Alhaji Umaru Yar‘Adua and General Muhammadu Buhari was at the head of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP ticket.

The PDP easily won that election that even the victor, Yar‘Adua admitted to some extent was tainted and thus pushed forward the momentum for electoral reforms which were consolidated after Dr. Jonathan succeeded him in office.

In 2011, the two men again faced off with Jonathan coasting home to victory with 22.19 million votes and Buhari running second with 11.98 million votes. The candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu polled about 2 million votes. Jonathan went home after polling day in 2011 with 23 states and Abuja, while Buhari won 12 states.

Ribadu managed to win only in Osun State.

The Jonathan victory in 2011 was remarkable as he won all but one state (Osun) in the South; won all but one state in the NorthCentral (Niger) and pulled off victory in two states in the Northeast -Taraba and Adamawa.

The only geopolitical zone he did not win a state was in the Northwest and even then, the president made some remarkable

Jonathan victory in 2011 was remarkable as he won all but one state in the south

2011: JONATHAN STATES Anambra Imo Enugu Ebonyi Abia South-South Rivers Delta Edo Akwa Ibom Cross River Bayelsa Southwest Oyo Lagos

Ondo Ogun Ekiti Northwest None Northeast Adamawa North-Central Plateau Kwara Kogi Benue Nasarawa Taraba

scores polling of 25 per cent in all but Jigawa and Kano in the Northwest base of his major challenger.

Remarkably, the president polled more than 20 per cent in all the seven Northwest states.

WHAT HAS CHANGED FOR JONATHAN Two of the seven states in the Northwest, Sokoto and Zamfara where the president had incumbent PDP governors to mobilise for him have changed to the APC. But given that the president did not win the two states even with the support of those governors, it really would not matter much for Team Jonathan. What would bother his capacity to mobilise 25 per cent of the votes could be a threat by the hostility of the Sokoto and Zamfara governors.

LOSS OF SIX GOVERNORS A major change in the political permutation for Team Jonathan is that six states Jonathan won in 2011 with incumbent PDP governors to mobilise votes for him have changed loyalties to Buhari.

The six states are Rivers, Kwara, Nasarawa, Imo, Ogun and Oyo. Jonathan won handsomely in 2011 in the six states but

I

n 2011, Buhari won in 12 states all of which were in the North. Nine of the states he won were at that time controlled by PDP governors, namely: Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, NORTHWEST Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Sokoto Niger.

Kano The other three states, Kano which also had a Katsina presidential candidate in the person of Ibrahim Jigawa Kebbi Shekarau, Yobe and Borno were controlled by Zamfara the defunct ANPP. Kaduna Going into the 2015 election, Buhari now has the five governors of Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, North East Yobe and Kano actively pushing for him.

Borno What is going good for Team GMB is the fact Yobe that without much of an organisation and Gombe support from any governor he was able to win Bauchi 12 states in 2011.

He, however, has to contend with the fact that North Central one of the big states he won in 2011, Borno is Niger now politically fractured. Though the governor is actively supporting Buhari, the governor ’s governors in those states are now former main man, Senator Ali Sheriff, SAS is now actively backing Jonathan. actively pushing for Buhari.

The inclination of some governors such as Ebonyi remain suspicious given their lack of control in the affairs of their state chapters of the PDP. On the brighter side for the president is that his party’s chances in the Southwest have between 2011 and now improved with the enthronement of NE main thing that has Governor Ayodele Fayose in Ekiti changed for the two main State. candidates is the introduction of Also, quite unlike before, the the card reader, a device that president’s hands on campaign practically limits the capacity of especially in the Southwest has parties to manipulate votes in brought him out as a more areas where they are strong. personable president.

In one state in 2011 the The most remarkable positive difference in votes cast between change for Jonathan is the fact that the hotly contested governorship in 2011 he contested against three election and the presidential was major candidates, Buhari (CPC), more than 500,000.

Ribadu (ACN) and Shekarau Such incidents would now be (ANPP). limited by the ability of the card Between 2011 and 2015, two of reader to ensure that only voter ’s his major rivals, Ribadu and cards that pass through the card Shekarau have dramatically reader are allotted ballot papers. altered their political perspectives to shape in with that of Jonathan and the two men are today actively backing him.

2011: BUHARI STATES

What Has Changed For Jonathan And Buhari?

O

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

JONATHAN: Uncommon journey to greatness man who incidentally, he was meeting for the first time.

For that visit by the then Bayelsa State governorship aspirant, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan would have by now been

By Charles Kumolu

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan comes across as one of the favourites in tomorrow’s election.

Having learnt the ropes as a deputy governor, VicePresident, acting-President and President, he appears well groomed for the position he is seeking.

The fact that he is the incumbent President, creates an aura of edge around him, but that is limited by arguments that incumbency does not seem to be an asset in this race.

His journey from the creeks of the Niger-Delta region to the highest office in Nigeria, was obviously very unlikely.

Such journeys are only possible in a few places and hardly possible in this part of the globe.

Jonathan’s rise from a shoeless son of a local ship builder to the highest office in the land is a remarkable reflection of the Shakespearean quote that ‘’Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,’’ Jonathan had greatness thrust upon him.

That does not imply that the President did not arm himself with the prerequisites required for greatness to be

•Jonathan

thrust upon him.

Just as his name ‘’Goodluck’’ suggests, Jonathan, who was born in 1957, has been extremely lucky in his public career, leading to the belief that he is being favoured by unseen hands.

Jonathan, who has a doctorate degree in Zoology had often been at the right place at the right time, thereby

becoming a beneficiary of various top leadership vacuums that had existed in Nigeria’s political trajectory.

Until mid 1998, he was a deputy director in the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, residing in the OMPADEC quarters, PortHarcourt, Rivers State.

Sometime late that year, he played host to a former military

Jonathan’s rise from a shoeless son of a local ship builder to the highest office in the land is a remarkable reflection of the Shakespearean quote that ‘’Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,’’ Jonathan had greatness thrust upon him

BUHARI: A consistent alternative

By Charles Kumolu

W

ITHIN the span of about 18 years from 1985 to the turn of the century, Muhammadu Buhari transformed from a military dictator to a democracy enthusiast. He has traced his conversion to the implosion of the former Soviet Union.

Since his conversion, he has consistently not looked back and today, the story of Buhari is that of folklore that is generating enthusiasm across the land.

It is not surprising that he has a legion of antagonists arising from his record as a former military ruler, but his band of followers extend beyond ethnic and religious boundaries.

In a country where political followership is largely driven by ethnic and religious considerations, boasting of a support base that shattered all known primordial barriers is no mean feat.

But that is not to his credit alone,

•Buhari

considering his membership of the All Progressives Party, APC—a party with a broader national spread.

Even though some of his policies as Head of State, were misconstrued, Buhari has the uncommon integrity for honesty among Nigeria’s politicians.

Perhaps, that accounts for why his reputation soared among the

electorate even after three consecutive defeats.

The near impeccable aura surrounding his personality is considered an addition to the reasons why the race for the first time, has become too close to call.

His military vocation, ensured that Buhari like his peers in that era, occupied prominent leadership positions at early stages of his life.

approaching his retirement from the civil service.

Alamieyeseigha, who was accompanied on that trip by one Gordon Bozimo, went there with the simple request of telling Jonathan, who he had never met to resign from the services of OMPADEC to become his running mate.

Though Jonathan accepted after some time, Alamieyeseigha was to change his mind upon some intrigues that arose and had proposed to drop Jonathan from the ticket but one incident or another delayed the process of substituting him putting him in good luck to become the deputy governor of Bayelsa State at the advent of the Fourth Republic.

In the second term of that administration, luck again fell on Jonathan in December, 2005 when Alamieyeseigha was removed from office.

Jonathan was not directly involved and he according to sources took safety in Bauchi under the protective comfort of the then governor of the state, Adamu Mu‘azu while the political intrigues played out in his native Bayelsa State.

After becoming governor, all

Continues on page 27

Buhari, who was born in 1947 was at different times, governor of North-East State, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Head of State, and Chairman Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund. These are in addition to various command positions he held in the military.

Of all the positions he held in his service to Nigeria, his tenure as Head of State sometimes come under criticisms from those, who thought was too extreme in the implementation of his policies.

In spite of such criticisms, many Nigerians regard his stern and austere disposition as an asset in the quest to enthrone purposeful leadership in the country.

It is repeatedly said that not even his political enemies have been able to find any reason to trace any allegation of corruption to him despite his high level exposure to what many would describe as juicy government offices.

Buhari’s present aspiration is his fourth run since 2003 and it looks his most promising outing.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—27

Jonathan and Buhari:

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HERE is no doubt that the build-up to the presidential elections generated heat.

This is because the two front line contenders, Dr Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Major-General Muhammudu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ran exciting campaigns.

Expectedly, Nigerians held their breathe with the view that the campaigns would be issue based but they got messier upon gathering steam.

The duo of Jonathan and Buhari went to the nooks and crannies of the country projecting their vision, mission and plans to the electorate with a view to attracting votes in tomorrow’s elections.

Pundits posit that the ability to respond to the people’s wishes and service delivery are important aspects of the political process in any country.

Perhaps, this informed the need for the presidential candidates to leave their comfort zones to meet with people at the grass-roots, marshalling their selling points and what stand them out among the candidates.

Jonathan’s selling points Incumbency:- For the president, the incumbency factor is expected to give him an edge over his main challenger, in tomorrow ’s presidential polls. Elected presidents in the past have banked on their incumbency strength which has worked for them at the polls.

It is imperative to note here that no sitting president has

Their selling points

•Jonathan

been defeated at the polls in the history of Nigeria’s elections. Whether this factor will work for Jonathan tomorrow is to be seen.

Funds:- To prosecute elections in Nigeria, politicians rely on their financial war chest to fund their campaigns. As serving president in the last five years and with the support of captains of industry and business moguls, President Jonathan did not appear to lack funds in his campaigns.

Whether or the funds were properly deployed will the

•Buhari

seen tomorrow.

PDP’s unbroken 16 years leadership:- Another factor that will assist the president in tomorrow’s polls is the long and unbroken years of PDP leadership. For 16 years, the PDP has been at the helm of Nigeria’s affairs at the centre.

Control over security: There is no doubt that whoever controls security agencies especially in Nigeria, usually have an upper hand during elections. This is because security agencies are in the firm grip of the government, which

JONATHAN: uncommon journey to greatness Continues from page 26 he wanted was to win the 2007 election and was on his way in that regard after riding the tide of incumbency to edge out the more rooted Timi Alaibe. But his course and the nation’s course was changed when luck again smiled on him to pick up the vice-presidential ticket of the party.

Not long after the luck of Jonathan came calling again when he was elevated to the presidency in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Yar ‘Adua. Before then he had become he had by the Doctrine of

Necessity, projected by the National Assembly been declared as acting president.

In the election that followed in 2011, Jonathan triumphed over two of his main challengers to become the first person in the history of Nigeria to have served as deputy governor, governor, vice president, acting president and president.

It is a record that has put him as the most experienced executive office holder in the history of Nigeria.

His record, however, is a matter of divided opinions between his passionate supporters and his critics.

can be deployed for coercion.

Being the Commander-inChief of the armed forces, the president has the wherewithal to deploy security agencies.

This is considered a key factor in elections.

Sympathy votes:- In the history of Nigeria, Jonathan could be considered the first president from a southern ethnic minority region to occupy the nation’s seat of power.

Perhaps, many voters will throw their weight behind Jonathan in tomorrow’s polls owing to the fact that he hails from the Niger Delta, a region whose oil resources have been the mainstay of the economy for over 50 years.

Buhari’s key points Virile opposition:Contesting on the platform of the APC has magnified Buhari’s chances in recent times. The merger, which gave birth to the APC has made the opposition virile in Nigeria.

This characteristic will perhaps give the APC standard bearer an advantage in tomorrow’s election.

Since the commencement of the electioneering campaigns, the APC has shown that it has what it takes to give the PDP a run for its money.

Integrity:- One factor that continues to endear Buhari to many Nigerians is his integrity.

Many people see him as a man of character and integrity, and

There is no doubt that whoever controls security agencies especially in Nigeria, usually have an upper hand during elections.

This is because security agencies are in the firm grip of the government, which can be deployed for coercion this stands him out as a man who has what it takes to become the next president of Nigeria. His supporters said a man of integrity like Buhari will help in revamping the country’s battered economy and restore Nigeria to her place in the comity of nations.

Religion/ethnicity:- Another factor that gives the Buhari ambition an advantage is the religious and ethnicity factor.

For Buhari, who is believed to have a large following in the Muslim-dominated North, this factor is a plus.

In Nigeria, religion plays a prominent role in elections. For the APC presidential candidate, who is a Muslim, he has also received support from some Christian folks.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

•Okorie: UPP

•Onovo: NCP

•Sonaiya: KOWA

•Okoye: UDP

Other presidential candidates: Pretenders or Contenders?

By Joseph Erunke

T

HEY are Senator Tunde Anifowoshe-Kelani of the Action Alliance, AA, Prof.

Oluremi Sonaiya for Kowa Party; Ambrose Albert for Hope Democratic Party, Ganiyu Galadima Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Rafiu Salau for Alliance for Democracy, AD and Godson Okoye for United Democratic Party, UDP. Others are Nani Ibrahim Ahmad African Democratic Congress,ADC; Martins Onovo for the National Conscience Party, NCP, Chief Chekwas Okorie for United Progressive Party, Adebayo Ayeni of the African Peoples Alliance , APA; and Chief Sam Eke, representing Citizen Popular Party, CPP. As predicted from the onset when their names featured publicly, having been cleared by the electoral umpire, none of these candidates are contesting the presidential election in the real sense of it.

They are candidates in the presidential election billed for Saturday, this week, but they have never been seen in the fields campaigning like President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, thus giving room to question on what they intend to achieve.

The nonchalant and lackadaisical attitude of the ten in their campaigns for the highest political office in the land stand them out.

When they emerged as presidential candidates of their various political parties in the 2015 presidential election earlier scheduled for February 14 but which was postponed to March 28, 2015, due to initial unpleasant security situation in the country, those acquainted with Nigerian political terrain knew they were out to play the roles of spoilers for the two leading presidential candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

political campaign period for the presidential candidates to traverse the length and breadth of the country to sell themselves to the electorate, only President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP and General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, of the APC that were visibly seen and heard across the various states of Nigeria. The other ten candidates, except Chief Chekwas Okorie of UPP, have not carried out any mass campaign or rallies. They are only either seen on political sensitization

Leading candidates They have since and various pitched their tents with the two leading candidates, for one reason or the other. Among the ten candidates, it is only Chief Chekwas Okorie of the United Progressive Party and Chief Martins Onovo and his counterpart in the National Conscience Party that have remained stuck to the guns, insisting to go it out to the poll.

But even as the two candidates, unlike others who have opted to support either Jonathan or Buhari, have decided to push ahead with their aspirations, the question on the lips of most political watchers is: “What is the strength of their followership?”

Throughout the one-month long

Galadima has said that if elected as the president of the country, he would do away with the national grid by ensuring that every state was allowed to generate its own electricity

workshops or speaking on radio and television. Even as he is restricting his campaign to the South East, some believed that Okorie may play the role for a spoiler to a particular presidential candidate between Jonathan and Buhari. But in spite of his perceived role, Okorie may not fail to secure reasonable number of votes from the region, since his name is in the ballot paperto be used at the presidential poll.

Messrs Okorie and Onovo, who refused to step down or adopt any of the major presidential candidates, unlike the seven others have given as their reason, the fact that they have the capacity to adequately govern the country.

Speaking on how she could tackle corruption, if elected as president, candidate of KOWA Party, Mrs Oluremi Sonaiya, had said corruption was not an act of God but a deliberate action by the corrupt to pocket monies meant for the development of the country and advised that public offices should be made less attractive just as she regretted that Nigerian public office holders earned much more than their counter parts in developed countries.

But Okorie of the UPP suggested that declaration of assets by public office holders be monitored on yearly basis, adding that security votes which were often abused should be cancelled.

He also said that the immunity clause in the constitution should be removed.

On his part, Okoye’s view, the problem of corruption arose because the socio-political economy has failed to reward competence, ability and merit.

Okorie lamented the delay by government in motivating the military.

Motivating the military Okoye, however, commended government’s efforts in recapturing some local governments ceased by the terrorists.

Martins Onovo of the National Conscience Party, wondered why government would “waste” N700 billion to subsidise the importation of fuel and the privatisation of the downstream sector was needless.

He said he would ensure that the country’s refineries were made functional if elected into office. He believed that once the refineries were fixed, a litre of fuel could sell for as low as N7 in the country.

Galadima has said that if elected as the president of the country, he would do away with the national grid by ensuring that every state was allowed to generate its own electricity.

Speaking specifically on the problems bedevilling power

generation in the country which has had adverse effect on the economy, Galadima said that allowing states to generate their own power supply would be the solution to the epileptic power supply in the country and would revive the economy.

On oil theft, Ahmad said that Nigeria had lost several billions of money because most powerful men in the country were involved in the nefarious oil bunkering activity and that as the president, he would start a process that would trace every stolen oil in the country with the support of the international community.

In collaboration with the position of the ADC candidate, Owuru, also accused oil companies, the army, the navy and the police for being behind oil bunkering but vowed that vandals and oil theft would not happen under the watch of his government.

He said that he would undertake surveillance of the oil vessels to ensure that the country was no longer embarrassed as much as complaining that vandals were stealing the oil.

Eke said that security operatives would be well equipped to secure the water ways and that the oil companies would be made to live up to their corporate social responsibility in their host communities, among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—29

Senate battles

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Daud Olatunji

I

N the past, permutations on who would be elected president of the Senate or speaker of the House of Representatives were almost always determined by internal political intrigues within the party.

Senator Adolphus Wabara before his emergence as Senate President in 2003 was generally acknowledged by the power brokers to have been pencilled down for the number three office in the land.

Ahead of the 2007 National Assembly elections it was as such not surprising that associates of the two men who were in the reckoning for the office of Senate President, Senator David Mark and Ibrahim Mantu allegedly commenced efforts to ensure that they derailed the election of one another.

The gist according to sources then was that associates of Mark relocated to Mantu’s Plateau Central to support his opponent while Mantu’s associates also moved to Mark’s Benue South to flame opposition to Mark’s election.

In the end if the story was really true, Mantu was defeated in the main election of 2007 and with it ended his well known aspiration to move up from the office of deputy Senate President to that of Senate President.

Ahead of the 2015 election, such permutations are, however, the least in the considerations of many in the PDP as the party faces a seeming rebellion that for the first time could bring down its ascendancy in the country.

Indeed, Senator Mark may have finally put behind him the home trouble that at one time saw political rebellions against him from some folks like Usman Alhaji and Gen. Lawrence Onoja.

•Mark

•Mantu

Ngige

•Peter

•Ochei

•Kaka

Experienced senator His endorsement by many Idoma groups for a straight sixth term as senator is, however, no guarantee that Nigeria’s most experienced senator would not win but have him self watching proceedings among a possible minority constituted by the PDP. The prospects for such are not that removed given the tough turf battles all over the land and the fear of a possible Senate candidates on the platform of the APC riding on the coattails of their popular presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

In most cases, the battle would be a straight fight between PDP and APC Senatorial candidates. However, there would be exceptions in Ogun, Oyo, Edo and Anambra States where three major parties on ground would slug it out with one another.

The battle in Delta North is one between two one time political soul mates, Victor Ochei who is flying the ticket of Accord and Peter Nwaoboshi, the immediate past state chairman of the PDP in Delta State.

Ochei who against odds took a respectable third position in the PDP governorship primaries before his cross over to Accord is apparently banking on the fact that Nwaoboshi as party chairman may have offended a number of people.

Another tough battle is the three horse race in Delta Central that has the PDP’s Chief Iyoghota Amori against Chief Ovie C M Y K

Indeed, Senator Mark may have finally put behind him the home trouble that at one time saw political rebellions against him from some folks like Usman Alhaji and Gen. Lawrence Onoja

•Umeh

•Clark

Omo-Agege of Labour Party and Halims Agoda of the APC. Omo-Agege’s threat is especially coming in the form of the partnership between him and Chief Great Ogboru, Labour’s governorship candidate in the state.

Ijaw born Senator James Manager is aspiring for a fourth straight term in Delta South in a battle mainly against the Itsekiri born Prince Ebiyemi Emiko in a battle that may be settled along ethnic cleavages.

A titanic battle many are looking forward

to see is that in Benue North East where Governor Gabriel Suswam after eight years in the House of Representatives and subsequently another eight years as governor is seeking to return to the National Assembly as senator. He is pitched in battle against the incumbent, Senator Barnabas Gemade who after losing the PDP ticket to Suswam crossed over to the APC. Though the Senate seat under the zoning arraignment is supposed to go to Kwande, however, the elders of Kwande supposed-

ly ‘donated’ their ticket to Suswam who is from Logo.

Another epic battle would be in Cross River South where Senator Bassey Otu, popularly known as “Sweet Prince” will be slugging it out with one of the political godfathers in the state, Chief Geshorm Bassey. Gesh as he is fondly called has been the Chairman of Cross River Water Board right from the administration of former

Continues from page 30

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

The role of the amazons The women are perhaps the revelation of the campaign. When the men seemed to have exhausted energy, their wives took over.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

A

DETERMINED First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan fighting to keep her husband is matched by the new lady on the block, Aisha Buhari.

Nigerians were of course not unused to Mrs. Jonathan having been First Lady for more than six years. However, the plumb and punch she brought into the campaign really shook the political terrain. While she succeeded in rallying the troops towards her husband, she lately was seen in some sectors as becoming a divisive figure in the Jonathan campaign.

Even more than many of her husband’s paid campaigners, she was able to in street language articulate the successes of her husband, making vigorous references to the administration’s successes in pushing up the role of women among others at several rallies.

She was, however, seen to have made an overkill when, she in Calabar, Cross River State alleged that her husband’s main opponent, Muhammadu Buhari was brain dead.

Another assertion about alimajiris was thought by some as provoking.

“Our people do not give birth to uncountable children. Our men don’t give birth to children they dump in the streets. We are not like people from that part of the country (North),” she was quoted to have said in seeming denigration of the north.

•Patience Jonathan those that are campaigning, saying that he is coming to jail Nigerians, I don’t know what their fear is. But they shouldn’t be afraid, because we are all yearning for change. The

•Aisha Buhari insecurity in the country, the very poor healthcare system, lack of education and other basic necessities that people are lacking I believe Nigerians need somebody like General

Muhammadu Buhari now.

“Already, they have painted him black, using religion. I’m happy today that Nigerians realise that they use religion as a cover to loot Nigeria. Any politician who talks

to you about religion is a liar, he only wants to loot the treasury and the little resources you ought to enjoy. So say no to politics merging it with religion to deceive the people.

Trained cosmetologist Aisha Buhari, a trained cosmetologist if her husband succeeds may be the first First Lady to go to school from the presidential villa as she is currently a graduate student of International Affairs and strategic planning.

A professional cosmetologist, she is a graduate of the Carlton Institute of London and the Academy Esthetique Beauty Institute of France, Dubai.

Mrs. Buhari it is claimed, was encouraged by her husband to practise her trade and is reportedly a consultant to the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company on skills acquisition.

While much of her professional background was until lately buried, Mrs. Buhari has on the campaign train shown herself to be a strategic mobiliser. She had in recent weeks gone round the country mobilising women and educating women on the voting process.

Mrs. Buhari had limited her duties to voter education until recently when she opened up to stand up for her man against the attacks levelled against him. “For C M Y K

•Kashamu

•Gemade

Senate battles Continued on page 29 governor Donald Duke. He had at one time been rumoured to be in reckoning to take over from Governor Liyel Imoke, but given the agitatation for power shift, he had to shift his eyes towards the Senate.

Otu’s resistance was easily suppressed and the senator had to decamp to Labour, the new party where all those who have anything against Imoke now seem to have gathered together.

Given Senator Otu’s strong grassroots support base and Bassey’s high level con-

nections, the feelers suggest an unpredictable contest between the two powerful men.

ANAMBRA CENTRAL Senator Chris Ngige of the APC is another senator that will face a stiff political battle in Anambra Central senatorial constituency given the strong line up against him. Contending with him for the seat are Chief Victor Umeh, the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Hon. Uche Ekwunife of

the PDP. Political pundits have predicted that the former Anambra State governor will have a herculean task in retaining his seat.

Indeed, all three Senate seats in Rivers State are under serious contention as the two major parties lock horns to express supremacy over one another.

Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges will also have to breast up to retain his seat as the Senator representing Ondo Central. He joined the ruling PDP but will be facing a strong opposition from the APC candidate, Tayo Alashodura. His colleague, Senator Robbert Borofice representing Ondo North

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—31

Fright and flight: Fleeing from likely post election violence

By Favour Nnabugwu

S

HEHU Mohammed, an official of the Nation al Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW in one of the parks in Abuja spoke as a matter of fact when he said that he had never seen the kind of exodus out of the federal capital as it has been in the last few days.

“It is unprecedented.”

Even with the safety and security infrastructure around Abuja, many residents are putting their security in their hands by leaving Abuja for their places of origin. The flight out of Abuja has been helped by the occurrence of the Easter holiday a week after the presidential election.

Not surprisingly, many residents of Abuja and the northern cities prone to violence decided to take this period to go on leave.

Olamide Sanni, who works in the hospitality industry in Abuja said he had already applied for two weeks leave and will be travelling latest today to Oyo State before the elections. “I’m not planning to come back until after the elections, because we don’t know what will happen,” he added.

The fear of those fleeing is based on past episodes of post election violence which cost lives and property especially in the north.

As many as 800 persons were reportedly killed on account of the post-election violence in the north in 2011, a not too distant past that has understandably caused many to take caution this time. That fear is even heightened by the extreme positions taken by the two major political C M Y K

parties who consider the election as a do or die affair.

Compounding the fears of Nigerians also, are the provocative comments by the politicians and the actions of their supporters coupled with the hate campaigns hence those travelling to safe areas feel strongly that there might be a repetition of 2011 violence in the 2015 elections.

Mr. Iheanyinchukwu Okolo, a Jikwoyi, Abuja based resident said the fear of post-election violence among Nigerians is real, adding that he has already relocated his family to the East. “I’m the only one staying back here now because of my work. Although, Abuja is a bit safe, noone can be sure.

My wife and children will remain in the village until after the elections and there is no visible sign of threat before they come

back,” he added.

Mr. Chidi Okoli, managing director of Fishers Konsult, in Suleja Niger State said his wife and children moved to his village in Anambra State last week because of the presumed post election violence.

Okoli said the tension of the Saturday’s election, arose from what he described as the crude campaigns from both major parties. Indeed, in the countdown to tomorrow’s election residents of Abuja and many northern states prone to violence who are not relocating have adopted strategies to secure their wellbeing in the event of

violence. Those that cannot leave for one reason or the other are busy stockpiling foodstuffs in readiness for any eventuality.

Some of them who spoke to Vanguard, said they would stay indoors during the period.

At Zuba Park, a driver with Kano Line Motors, Mr. Musa Salisu who plies the Kano route told Vanguard of a feeling of panic, that he has seen as people mostly move from Abuja to the East, North and other regions.

Some people relocating have even gone to the extent of chartering trucks to convey their property home.

Some residents who were about

Senate battles Continues from page 30 on the APC platform will also work hard if he wants to retain his seat as he will be slugging it out with a former senator, Senator Bode Olajumoke of the PDP. Also in a battle of his life is Senator Olufemi Lanlehin representing Oyo South. He is flying the ticket of Accord following his exit from the APC.

Compounding the fears of Nigerians also, are the provocative comments by the politicians and the actions of their supporters coupled with the hate campaigns hence those travelling to safe areas

leaving the town told Vanguard that the move became necessary because they don’t want to be caught up in any violence which may arise as a result of the elections. “I’m travelling to the East because you can never tell,” said Mrs Uchenna Okorocha who was spotted at the Peace Mass Transit Terminus.

At Kano and Borno Express motor parks in Dei-Dei, in Abuja steady movement of people out of the city was observed.

Vanguard gathered that many people, especially those from Eastern Nigeria are also travelling on the guise that they are going for the Easter celebration.

OGUN Senator Ibikunle Amosun is not on the ballot tomorrow, but his influence will be everywhere in the contention for the three Senate seats given the upheaval in the former Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN that led to the refusal of all three senators from the state to join the APC. The senators who defected to the SDP are as such ranged in battle against Amosun’s proxies in the three constituencies and most notably in Ogun East and Central. The three contenders in Ogun East include the incumbent, a former deputy governor, Adegbenga Kaka who is flying the flag of the SDP, a chieftain and financier of the PDP in the state, Prince Buruji Kashamu, and oil mogul and onetime aspirant for the governorship slot, who’s the candidate of the APC, Dapo Abiodun.

Kaka, who’s a grass root politician has facilitated and executed various projects across the nine local government areas in the district, cutting across education, health and other empowerment schemes. But, Kashamu, a moneybag politician has empowered many people with various items such as kerosene, rice and cash gifts during campaigns in his district.

Abiodun who is described as a returnee politician, having shown interest in the governorship slot in 2003 under the PDP but, now, flying on the platform of APC. Vanguard observed that, if money is the determining factor for voting, then the winner may be between the two moneybags, Kashamu and Abiodun. But, despite the influence of money in the district, Kaka’s performance seems to have put him in good stead to match the competition.

The other tough battle expected in Ogun is the battle in the central senatorial district between the incumbent, Senator Gbenga Obadara who defected from the APC to the SDP and wife of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark who is flying the PDP flag and Prince Lanre Tejuoso, the APC candidate.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

‘Marriage has changed me as Peter Okoye, but not as Psquare’ Two years after he got married to his baby mama, Lola Omotayo, in November, 2013, one half of the music duo PSquare, Peter Okoye is poised to share his experience as a married man. According to him, while marriage has made him to be more responsible, it has not, as a matter of fact, restricted him from doing what he knows how to do best on stage. He also bares his mind on a number of issues bothering on his career, music and fame...

BY IYABO AINA Are you working on any project at the moment?

We just finished with recording our new album which is six months now.

We are still working on the videos.

One of them with the title “Collabo” and featuring Don Jazzy has already hit the market. We are also preparing for our tour of US and Europe.

How is your newly signed artiste, Classic P doing?

We are still doing everything to promote him. We are not in a hurry to push his songs into the market. So, his songs will soon dropped.

What would you say marriage has done to you?

Marriage has made me to be more responsible, in the sense that there are certain things which I am limited to do as a married man. But I still remain who I am because marriage doesn’t restrict me from doing what I know how to do best on stage. In a nutshell, I will say marriage has changed me as Peter Okoye but not as Psquare.

What are the things you consider before signing an artiste on your record label?

When you are setting up a record label you don’t just sign on any artiste. We look at your background and other essentials. We are careful in terms of selecting the kind of artiste that we want to sign on. We are not influenced by whether the person is wealthy or not.

Any challenges in managing the label?

I and my brother are managing the label. So far, we have not encountered

I’m not pregnant, Yvonne Nelson cries out C M Y K

Hard work has brought me this far —Okotete Enjite, Winner of Airtel Trace Music Star

Tec h de vices devices ech that won’t exist in a better Nigeria

any challenge. But it’s going to be more challenging to the artiste because we need to prepare them for what they are about to face. What I mean is that a new artiste might have a song he or she is working on, but before you know the rhythm will change. So that’s why we are so careful before releasing any of our artiste’s song.

Being accessible and friendly In this industry, we are still learners and the truth is that people believe once they hit the top they are not answerable to anybody. But you might be surprised that the next level of our career might come from this interaction and that’s one thing most people don’t know. I always tell people when they ask how we have remained on top of our game for more than a decade. I tell them that I always pay special attention to people’s comments on every of our performances. What I do is whenever I am off-the-stage, I try to listen to different comments from the audience. some will commend our performance while many others will criticize it. That’s where we measure our strength as musicians, learn of our mistakes and correct them where need be.

You people are more of dancers than musicians?

I’m used to people saying I love Psquare because they know how to dance. But the fact is that I don’t like it when people refer to us as dancers.

They can describe us as entertainers and musicians because it makes us more presentable. A fan once told me that Peter, I love you guys because of your kind of love songs. But the question is , when last did a love song sell or made a name in Nigeria, aside “Olufunmi” by Star Plus and probably, “Beautiful Onyiye” by Psquare.

These days people are used to the song they play in the club so even if you release a love song they won’t play it in the club because it belongs to a different genre. I’m happy we have fans who still believe in love songs and we are going to revive it.

Continues on page 33

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—33

Synopsis Nightcrawler Dan Gilroy’s thriller “Nightcrawler” is about an amateur cameraman who parlays his eye and his nerve into a successful small business, deceiving, manipulating and exploiting everyone who stands in his way. Shot by Paul Thomas Anderson’s regular cinematographer Robert Elswit through what could be a Night Vision Rot filter, it’s a film about how sociopaths get over on everyone else, and a portrait of a disturbed, marginal loner that would fit perfectly on a double bill with “Taxi Driver ” and “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.”

MOVIES Commencing from Friday 27th – 2nd March , 2014.

SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Night Crawler : 11:30am, 4:40pm,8:50pm Son of a Gun : 6:40pm,8:40pm Love or Something like That : 12:30pm Black Hat : 9:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Night Crawler : 1:40pm,4:00pm9:15pm Son of a Gun : 5:10pm,9:10pm Love or Something Like That : 4:55pm Black Hat : 6:55pm,9:15pm Sponge Bob : 12:40pm

‘Psquare saga was a make-believe’ Continues from page 32 About our challenges and failure?

Remember I said we are still learners in this game, and that is our number one focus. As Psquare, we have failed a lot, but there is a saying that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it is about being able to get up after every fall.

For instance, the Glo CAF Awards was a horrible performance for Psquare. I remember how people said we disappointed them. But this year people still talk about our performance because we tried our best to adjust and fix many things that were not in order. The secret is because we always follow what we hear from our fans after every performance.

We’ve done worse performances sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control. We could be on stage performing and all of a sudden the microphone will stop working or there will be power failure, which should not be Psquare’s fault. But at the end of the day people will say Psqurare’s performance was trash.

So the thing is as an entertainer, once we finish a performance either for a bank, or any other company, I will always wait for a couple of months to see if they will call us back and if they did during those period it means our last performance for them was good. If a promoter calls Psquare for a show now and wait for another two years before calling you it means the previous show was not good.

So there are several challenges. I could remember last year when I fell off-stage it wasn’t my fault and we were meant to perform for 1hr 30mins.

After I fell off-stage we couldn’t even perform up to 15mins because I was limping throughout and it took me like two and half months for the injury to heal.

The craziest thing you have ever done!

That was when we attended a night party some years ago. Some desperate girls were all over us and before we knew what was happening, they were kissing and romancing us openly. We had to run for our dear lives.

Most embarrassing moment It was when we were coming up.

Some of our kinsmen walked up to us and told us that it’s high time we join them in the village and stop roaming C M Y K

about the streets as if we are not conversant with the tradition of our people. We felt embarrassed. But unfortunately, we later adhered to their advice.

How often do you rehearse before going on stage?

Surprisingly, the only time we rehearse is when we are planning something new. For instance, the last time we rehearsed was in November, last year. And because we perform at shows all the time, so every show is rehearsal for the next.

I work with a 13-man band and I don’t need to tell them what to do again because they already know that when we go on stage we sing and dance, so they know the routine.

At times, we rehearse for two months that’s if we have something new we want to do and after that the next time we will rehearse will be after two years because rehearsing is very hectic and it hasn’t been easy. That’s why we haven’t seen anybody that can sing and dance even if you see them you will notice they are trying so hard because it requires breath control. So for us rehearsal is like food because we do it almost every day and we don’t joke with it because we give it our 100%.

What about fame?

The secret is that we prefer to perform outside the shores of the country regardless of the monetary rewards.

Today, Psquare has many fans across the world. In fact, I will tell you that Psquare is not popular in this country.

Another thing is that people always have this impression that we are intimidating on stage. But when you meet us in person, we always humble ourselves.

Do you believe you have competitors in the industry?

The only competitors we have are ourselves. This is because when it comes to playing instrument, P-square is very good at it and I don’t teach a learner how to play an instrument. We make sure that the person knows one or two things about the instrument. For instance, almost all our instrumentalists were trained by us. And that reminds me about the P-square saga. Sometime ago, people said, I was quarreling with my twin brother. We were not fighting each other or arguing for ourselves rather, it was for our fans.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Night Crawler : 12:00pm,2:20pm,4:40pm,7:00pm,9:20pm Son of a Gun : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm,8:40pm Love or Something Like That : 2:10pm,8:50pm Black Hat : 11:40am,2:10pm,4:45pm,9:30pm Chappie : 11:40am,4:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Night Crawler : 6:35pm,8:50pm Son of a Gun : 6:30pm,8:40pm Black Hat : 11:20am,1:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Night Crawler : 1:40pm,6:35pm,8:50pm Son of a Gun : 12:50pm,4:45pm,6:50pm Love or Something Like That : 1:45pm,8:40pm Black Hat : 11:10am,4:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Antique: 2:30pm,6:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Love or Somthing Like That 11:50am, 1:45pm, 3:50pm, 6:00pm, 8:10pm Chappie : 11:40am,2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm,8:10pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Night Crawler : 1:05pm,6:15pm,8:30pm Love or Something Like That : 1:05pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Night Crawler : 10:25am,3:45pm,8:00pm,9:40pm Love or Something Like That : 9:25am,4:40pm9:40pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Night Crawler : 12:50pm,7:20pm Love or Something like That : 1:55pm,9:30pm Chappie : 4:20pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, APAPA Night Crawler : 2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm Son of a Gun : 10:00am,4:30pm,6:25pm,8:40pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Night Crawler : 10:00am,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm Son of a Gun : 12:10pm,1:45pm,2:05pm,5:45pm Love or Something like That : 1:50pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS SAMONDA Night Crawler : 2:05pm,4:15pm,6:25pm,8:25pm Son of a Gun : 10:00am,12:00pm,4:45pm,6:45pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, LAGOS Night Crawler : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:35pm,6:45pm,10:10pm Son of a Gun : 12:00pm,2:35pm,4:20pm,8:10pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, KANO Night Crawler : 12:00pm,2:25pm,4:15pm,6:50pm,9:00pm Son of a Gun : 2:10pm,6:25pm,8:25pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, CALABAR Night Crawler : 12:05pm,4:20pm,6:30pm Love or Something Like That : 2:20pm,4:35pm,6:50pm VIVA CINEMAS,ILORIN Night Crawler : 1:30pm,9:40pm Son of a Gun : 3:45pm,9:30pm Love or something like That : 11:15am,3:40pm Chappie : 3:05pm,7:30pm Magic in the Moonlight : 11:45am,5:55pm Most Wanted Man : 1:30pm7:25pm Champagne : 11:30am, VIVA CINEMAS IBADAN Night Crawler : 10:45am,1o:05pm Son of a Gun : 2:25pm,8:05pm Love or Something Like That : 2:30pm,7:35pm Chappie : 2:10pm,4:30pm A most Wanted Man : 9:00pm Still Standing : 10:45am The 7th Dwarf : 10:20pm Reclaim : 4:25pm Champagne : 12:35pm

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

The Jonathan girls: How have they fared?

•As affirmative action comes under fire…

They conquered…

A

s global pop idol Beyonce said in her song: who runs the world- girls, the world appears to be in a frenzy over female participation in public life, and Nigeria has been no different.

It’s been said, in fact, that Nigeria at present is being run by women.

As the present administration draws to a close, a lot has been made of its fulfillment of the campaign promise, in 2011, to accommodate women into almost 35% of the ministerial slots, beating even the Obasanjo administration which actually gets the credit for starting the inclusion trend. In addition, it assigned them to some of the most critical ministries to the economy.

There are however two questions being asked: how much have these women fared in the improvement of the living conditions of the Nigerian woman and how much have they fared in showing women to be more transparent/ better administrators, as the myth goes?

They came…

Though the administration

•Johnson

•Dame Patience Jonathan and President Goodluck Jonathan

was inclusive at the beginning, a good number of the originally deployed women were unceremoniously sacked, including Ms Amal Pepple, who is from Rivers State and is believed to have lost her job for being unable to read the President’s mood on the crisis in the state.

Although Pepple was not nominated by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Pepple was said to have shown too much concern for her state, causing the presidency to be suspicious of her loyalty.

Amongst the casualties were erelu Olusola Obada who was

Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s number two in Osun; prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai (Education) and erstwhile Minister of Environment, Hadiza Mailafia, amongst others. Some of them were replaced by other women. Of the 8 most recently sworn-in ministers, only two are women (25%)

They saw…

Of those who were retained, some were in the eye of storms, while others recorded average performances, but at least have been able to hold on to their portfolios.

•Obada

Notable amongst the controversial was erstwhile Aviation minister Princess Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, who sacked in February 2014 for purchasing two BMW cars at a highly-inflated price. She tried to make a comeback purportedly with the help of some powerful Nigerians.

Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and

Arise Women takes preventive healthcare to schoolgirls

By Josephine Agbonkhese

A

huge mobile clinic, bus-load of drugs, an ambulance, doctors of different specialities, more than 100 volunteers and members announced the presence of Women Arise at Queens’ College, QC, Yaba, last Friday in Lagos for a health outreach programme.

At the end of the event, over 200 people ad been examined, treated and given drugs free-of-charge. The beneficiaries were mostly QC students as well as staff and residents in the neighbourhood.

Asked why the intimidating presence, Pastor (Mrs) Siju Iluyomade, Founder of Arise Women, a non-governmental organisation, and Convener of the outreach, said it was time everyone realized that health, especially for the girl C M Y K

child, was important for nation building.

Mrs Iluyomade, a lawyer and old girl of QC, said: “Our working principle is that preventive health management is cheaper than curative health care.

“So, with funding from members and well-meaning Nigerians, we take all-round health programmes to women and the less-privileged in places such as Makoko, Maroko and others.”

She added that the outreach to QC was particularly significant because the college is a message of unity across ethnic and religious divide, and humanity is the focus of Arise Women.

Dr. Okorie Emmanuel, a volunteer, works with Best Care Hospital, Ikoyi. But as he attended to persons after persons, monetary benefit was clearly far from his mind.

He said: “To serve humanity makes you feel good. It is not

new to me. During my National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, year, I was with the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship, NCCF. “We used to go to interior villages with Rural Rugged evangelism outreach and health care.”

For Omoniyi Timileyin, a senior student of QC, the programme and the Arise Women Founder were inspirational.

She said: “In my time, I will

Minister of Communication Technology of Nigeria, Omobola Johnson, have used their fathers’ contacts well.

They have not changed the game, but at least have managed to stay out of any sustained controversy. Mrs. Johnson has been referred to in some quarters as “the perfect female minister”

come back here and renovate the hall or the gymnasium.”

“We will never stop this outreach,” Mrs Iluyomade said, as she moves about, encouraging somebody hear and praying for another there.

And that is what Mrs Amao Oluwafunmilayo, another beneficiary, earnestly desires.

“They should not stop.

Every Nigerian woman needs this kind of outreach”, Amao said.

Pastor Iluyomade sensitizing girls at Queen College

To many Nigerians and the rest of the world, President Goodluck Jonathan is the one running the affairs of the country. But to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, there are five presidents in Nigeria. According to a controversial autobiography titled “My Watch” launched by the former Head of State, the four other presidents are first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Minister of Petroleum, Madueke Allison- Diezani; former aviation minister, Stella Oduah and Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The survivors, though, are at the top of their game. Mrs. Okonjo Iwealla (Finance) was educated at the International School Ibadan and Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude with an A.B. in 1977, and earned her Ph.D. in regional economic development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1981. Her moment in the sun however came when she achieved through a buy-back option, a write-off of between N18 to N20 billion for Nigeria, with the Paris Club.

On January 1, 2012, the Nigerian government removed the fuel subsidy. That action triggered a nationwide riot which had Dr. Iweala in the cross-fire. She got the blame more than any other public servant for the removal of subsidy. It’s been downhill from there with regard to her public perception, but she is unrelenting.

Arguably Nigeria’s most powerful woman, Diezani AlisonMadueke, has held three significant positions in the Nigerian federal government.

She was appointed Transport Minister in July 2007. On 23 December 2008, she was named as Minister of Mines and Steel Development. After VicePresident Goodluck Jonathan became acting President in February 2010, he dissolved the cabinet on 17 March 2010, and swore in a new cabinet on 6 April 2010 with Alison-Madueke as Minister for Petroleum Resources, making her the first woman to hold the position. She is also the first female President of OPEC, but the achievement that cannot be taken away from her is the signing into law of the Local Content bill.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 35

Essentials of smoothiology N

ot too long ago, smoothies were foods we only read about or saw in movies; these days they have become essentials. As our tastebuds become more diversified and sophisticated and we are exposed to a wider range of foods, there is increasing pressure to make the best of every food. Juicing and smoothing are good means of achieving this. There are five ingredients that every smoothie recipes needs. Go ahead, join the smoothie revolution and kick-start your healthy life.

1. A Base Pick your favorite: water, juice or a non-dairy beverage. If you’re trying to minimize your calories, stick to water. Juice is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. For an extra creamy texture, pick non-dairy milk. Want to get a little adventurous? Swap out traditional almond milk for something more exotic like hemp milk or quinoa milk.

2. Ice Who wants a lukewarm smoothie? Frozen banana in

place of ice cubes makes your smoothie extra smooth.

Frozen fruit is perfect.

3. Green is Good Search the fridge and throw whatever greens are lying around- spinach, kale, cucumber. You’ll find some combinations you love and others that you’d rather never taste again.

4. Protein Power To hold you over until your next meal, you’ll need to harness the power of satiating protein. Grab nut butters, nuts, or seeds. Or even better, scoop a serving of a multisource plant-based protein into your smoothie.

Look for powders that are minimally processed, and contain more than one plant-

based protein. Extra points if it also has Omega-3s, greens, fiber, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and digestive

enzymes.

5. Phat Fats Finally, finish your smoothie recipe with a healthy fat.

Think chia, flax, hemp, coconut oil, nuts or seeds. (If you’re watching calories, replace with fiber).

Now that your smoothie is properly layered, blend until silky smooth, pour into your favorite pint glass and enjoy.

Juice hints…

It is said that the daily consumption of nutrient dense juice can be a contributing factor in the recovery from illness and disease. It is also a very effective practice for maintaining health and vitality. Unfortunately, most individuals do not have the time to prepare fresh-pressed juice on a daily basis, so the solution lies in purchasing premade juices.

WAWA Celebrates International Women’s Day 2015

By Anino Aganbi

T

he observance of the first International women’s day has witnessed a transformation in women’s legal right, educational achievements and participation in public life. In all regions, countries have expanded women’s legal entitlements.

Although women have stepped up their game by exercising leadership in politics and business, surviving childbirth and

planning their families, educating the girl child; the low representation of women in leadership in public and private sector still persists.

Speaking at the event, Chief Mrs. Beatrice Ubeku said that the International women’s day is an important day to reflect on the many accomplishments of women.

She stated that “Today, we use the occasion to further the course of Nigerian women in our continued struggle for equal representation in Nigeria’s economic and socio-

Cross section at the international womens day, lagos.

C M Y K

political decision making processes. This informs our spotlight for this years’ event ‘Empowering women, Empowering humanity, picture it” to highlight the Beijing Declaration and platform for action, over twenty years ago a treaty on the roadmap sets the agenda for the realization of the women’s right. In no doubt, we can boldly note some of these achievements but the gaps remain. This is the time to uphold women’s achievement , celebrate it, recognize its

challenges and focus greater attention on women’s right and gender equality by ensuring all areas are jointly mobilized for inclusive leadership roles’ in Nigeria’s economic and socio political decision making processes.”

Mrs Ngcuka stated that “ At the fourth world conference on women in Beijing in 1995, world leaders committed to a future where women are equal.

Women left Beijing with high hope, with a well defined path towards equality, and a firm commitment at the highest

level. Their hope was that we would see this by 2005. Today, not one single country has achieved equality.

Dr. Angela Daniel, Program Director, Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (WEAN) stated that “Aligning with UN Women’s Theme for this year, “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it…” WAWA and partnering organisations are working out women empowerment programmes for the post-2015 years, and uses this opportunity to solicit the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the efforts to achieve gender equality in Nigeria. Gender equality refers to equality of rights and opportunities between women and men, a situation in which women and men enjoy equal rights and opportunities in a way that the potentials, aspirations, needs, and behavior’s of women and men are equally valued and favoured, can only be achieved through women’s full participation in political and public life to promote and protect the interests of women and girls.”

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

‘I hate being famous’

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

I’m not pregnant, Yvonne Nelson cries out

M

s Jaie broke into the music scene as an artiste under the defunct Storms record label and gained acceptance in the music circles through her song “Kilon poppin.” In a competitive industry, Ms Jaie believes she has what it takes to hold her own in the industry.

“Everyone is different .Everyone has a different flavour to their music and I just stay true to myself. Not everyone likes the same type of music, not everyone likes the same type of vibe. I just always want to be myself and that works for me” When asked if she is driven by fame, the charming singer revealed that she hates being famous.

“Fame doesn’t drive me. I hate being famous. It’s awkward. I love my fans and I wish I could just make music and talk to my fans on Twitter all day. You don’t have your privacy anymore, it comes with the territory. It’s not something that will ever drive me.”

Ms Jaie also mentioned that her lingerie line leverages on her music career to make her more money. “Shows are a good way of sustaining yourself ,but my brand, Dime pink leverages on my music. Dime pink is a lingerie line for women.”

G

hanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson has debunked the recent rumours making the rounds that she is pregnant.

The leggy actress took to her Instagram account to dispel the rumours, saying that she is not pregnant. She, however, traced the root of the rumour to a ‘funny chat” she had early in the week with a very close friend of hers, John on Instagram. Everyone who read the chat has every reason to believe that she’s pregnant for her friend.

A visibly disturbed Yvonne posted a screen shot of her chat with another friend of hers over the issue, with the caption: ‘I’m not pregnant.’ According to those in the know, her seemingly efforts at putting the record straight might not be unconnected with the recent delivery of twins by her fellow actress, Nadia Buari who kept her nine-months pregnancy away from the preying eyes of the media.

•Yvonne Nelson

My experience featuring in Damm ane’s ‘F aleela’ — Mz Dammyy Kr Krane’s ‘Faleela’ Kiss

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

T

•Mz Kiss

hough she’s yet to find her feet in the nation’s music landscape, Mz Kiss is already rubbing shoulders with showstoppers. The singer cum rapper who recently signed on to Capital Goretti, in a chat with WG , revealed her experience featuring on Dammy Krane’s highlife song, “Faleela.” “It was a great experience working with Dammy Krane.

He has a warm personality. The song is very good. I got inspired the moment I heard it. It took me five minutes to write my verse,”she said.

Speaking on how long it took her to get into the character while shooting the music video, the budding entertainer said, “Just as I express myself in my songs, I also do the same in my videos. I played the role effortlessly, coupled with the fact that I once acted as a Waka pass in a movie” Mz. Kiss is currently promoting her new single titled, “Owo Meta”, which she said is inspired by the happenings in our streets.

•Ms Jaie

Hard work has brought me this far — Ok Okot oteet e Enjit Enjite, ot e, Winner of Air t el TTrrace Music SStt ar

S

he threw her hands over her face, not knowing whether to scream or laugh.

And to think, not a minute before she’d been thanking her lucky stars. Winner of the maiden edition of Airtel Trace Music Star, which ended amidst pomp late last month, Okotete Enajite indeed has been thanking her lucky stars since she clinched the star prize.

Elated Enajite said recently: “I am so excited...truly hard work has brought me this far.

I wish to say a very big thank you to Airtel Nigeria and Trace Urban TV for this initiative C M Y K

and supporting Nigerian Youths. Also, I thank my family, friends and fans who have supported me all through the competition. I promise to keep the flag flying and hope for better things to come.

The Grand finale of the competition which held at the Ocean View, Lagos, saw Enjite smiling home with the cash prize of N4 million, a chance of a record deal with Universal records and also to represent Nigeria at the pan Africa grand finale with representative from 13 other African countries in Kenya.

Airtel trace star is the first

African mobile phone completion; the initiative is for youths across the country to express music on phone without travelling around Nigeria. Airtel Nigeria, has given this opportunity to Nigerian youth by empowering them with its services to reach and participate in the contest, which has eventually produced a national championship among others like Tejiri Odigboro, Omotayo Otitiju; Pearl Awa Agwu and Yetunde Adeyanju who reached the final stage of the national

competition. The competition was organized in conjunction with Trace Urban TV. The Judges who oversaw the process of selecting the finalists and the winners are

Veteran Broadcast and entertainment expert Olisa Adibua; Ace producer and song writer Cobham Asuquo and Multi Award winning Artiste Lara George.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—37

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Naija4Win unveils new software

BY CHRIS ONUOHA

A

•Generator

new sports betting company Naija4Win has introduced into the Nigerian market a new dimension to the •Inverters betting business with its own software.

Unveiling the software to media in Ikeja recently, Naija Win limited, which holds the sole license to Naija4Win, used that opportunity to showcase and test run the new online bookmaking software with odds supplied from feeds that update 24/7 from around the world giving an average the best With the 2015 elections drawing prices in the market place. closer, many Nigerians are dreaming Naija4win claims its software can afford to have the highest of a better future for the country; one odds on average. where children’s chants of ‘UP NEPA’ Naija4win assures the aren’t heard or drowned by an teeming population of •Rechargeable onslaught of generator noises.

Nigerian sport betting lovers lamp & fan No doubt, some proper security, most competitive prices and technological comprehensive register of live innovations made matches, in addition to a great it so much easier and flexible platform which to live in this allows anyone over the age of country, but in a 18 to play easily.

Testing of the software has better Nigeria, they shown it uses the lowest would have no latency of bandwidth for the reason to exist at all. customers and claims to be the cheapest bookmaker to use.

Naija4win has three bonus systems for customers, which •Power banks include: sign up bonus, multiple bonuses on five folds are now a popular item all over the useful in the sense that it helps and a weekly competition. country and except the power charge the inverters.

Dr. Alban Nwapa who is the situation changes soon, they will be It goes without saying that the br and ambassador of for a long time. issue of epileptic power supply will Naija4Win while fielding be a thing of the past in a better questions from journalist Inverters Nigeria. Whether or not it will begin said, “The team is lthough inverters are quite with tomorrow’s elections remains to passionate to create a world high priced, they are also be seen. But one thing is for sure: class professional and becoming more and more popular these technologies in one way or the respected bookmaker that other, will help power tomorrow’s across the country. Power is at least Nigeria has long deserved elections. with software solely licensed to Naija Win limited and s p e c i f i c a l l y developed for the Nigeria market.”

He added: “The idea is that you can bet in our shops, top up and bet from home or on your mobile phones and can also bet, using our online payment systems with our available codes. Our shop software is designed, made simple to set up and use in suites being located in bars, L-R: Yinka Adejuwon, Marketing Manager, Ihuoma Iheanacho, Legal Adviser, Charles viewing centres.”

Oputa (Charly Boy), Dr. Alban (Brand Ambassador), Joe Etchie, Marketing Officer, Daniel Amechi, Operation Manager all of Naija4Win at a media briefing at Ikeja.

Tech devices that won’t exist in a better Nigeria

•Rechargeable lamp

BY LAJU IREN

Generators

A

ccording to a 2010 report, Nigerians spend 1.9trn annually, powering generators.

Another report published in 2013, put the figure at N 3.5trn. An estimated 60 million Nigerians use generators. This means more fuel consumption, noise pollution and skyrocketing expenditure.

Rechargeable lamps and fans

C

onsidering its relative cheapness and long battery life, the rechargeable lamp is a lifesaver from Nigeria’s epileptic power supply. Many families have more than one. Rechargeable fans, though much more expensive, are still gaining popularity because of the country’s hot climate. In a better Nigeria, all that would need recharging would be electricity bills.

Power banks

N

igerians love their gadgets, and power or no power, the gadgets must remain on.

Hence the reign of the power bank.

These easy to use battery chargers

A

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Tales of the unexpected at NNPC and CBN

By Atedo Peterside

A

FOREIGN correspondent first called my attention to it. We were at the same party in Lagos. He leaned forward and whispered in my ear, in a tone that suggested conspiracy and/or gossip, asking if I had heard about the missing $49.8bn at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). There was a glint in his eye. A knowing look and a half smile that said: “after all this is Nigeria and so we love to give headline coverage to the negative - theft, corruption, sleaze etc.” I pointed at the glass in his hand and asked him if he had been drinking a little too much.

I could understand $1bn or $2 bn going missing, but not $49.8 bn which was close to 75 per cent of our Federal Budget. Then he “hit” me with what I was least prepared for. The allegation came via a letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan by the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which alleged that up to $49.8bn might have gone missing at the NNPC. My head was spinning because I knew there was no way such a huge amount could be missing without the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister (CME) and her team being aware. Meanwhile, I knew the ex-CBN Governor to be largely patriotic, sincere, hardworking, intelligent, courageous and truthful. If I was to list his faults (and we all have ours), I would have listed a hot temper, mild arrogance, and being “louder ” than all his contemporaries around the globe.

It was impossible for me to reconcile the CME’s assurances and my own intuitive assessment that any missing funds could not be anywhere near $49.8 billion, with my knowledge of the exCBN Governor to be basically a truthful person. I shall return to this theme later.

I would like to confess that I have never trusted the NNPC. I always felt that it was conceived and structured, from the first day, as a perfect conduit for shady financial transactions by cronies

ATEDO PETERSIDE, CON

of any Government in power. At no time in its history has NNPC operated in the national interest for any length of time. Like many other agencies of the Government, who are supposed to remit funds to the Federation Account, NNPC has always been notorious for remitting the barest minimum that it could get away with. Those who love the NNPC

idea generally also believe that State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) can work in the national interest in Nigeria for sustained periods.

They simultaneously sing the praises of Petronas in Malaysia and Petrobras in Brazil as models that our own NNPC can emulate.

Suffice to say that we now know that Petrobras, which was hailed as a model oil and gas SOE, had long been inflicted by the exact same twin evils of political interference and corruption. It is now under investigation and some of its prominent officials will go to prison.

Wake up on any day of your choice and accuse NNPC of failing to remit 100 per cent of what is due to the Federation Account and you will be right the worst that can happen is that you may be incorrect on the scale/ magnitude. Therefore, do not blame the Ex-CBN Governor for hurling what we now know to be partially incorrect “shots” at them; instead blame those who created the monstrosity known as NNPC.

External financial expert We all “smelt a rat” when the ex-CBN Governor’s estimate of the missing sums at NNPC started fluctuating wildly. The figure went from $49.8 bn to $10 bn approx. and then suddenly leapt back up to $20 bn. As if that was not confusing enough, our overpaid senators who spent two years toying with a draft Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), jumped into the fray pretending that they could “resolve” this matter.

There was always only one way to resolve this imbroglio and that was to ask a credible external financial expert to audit NNPC. Interestingly, some misguided persons in the Government were initially resisting this. Thankfully, the President over-ruled them and endorsed the CME’s recommendation and so PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) were brought in to audit NNPC. The local and international media hastily linked the suspension of the ex-CBN Governor from office with the allegations that he made against NNPC. When his suspension was announced, I published a statement in which I pointed out that the “souring” of relations between the Presidency and the ex-Governor predated the NNPC whistle blowing saga. It was the accusations of financial impropriety levelled against CBN as far back as mid2013 by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) that prompted the President to query the ex-CBN Governor. In that advertorial I made it clear that, notwithstanding the machinations of conspiracy theorists, two things must happen:- CBN must answer the FRC’s query and NNPC must

answer to CBN’s allegations and be subjected to a forensic audit. The first item was taken care of when the exCBN Governor eventually sent a lengthy written rebuttal to Mr President after his suspension from CBN governor, Emefiele NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu office in the first half of 2014 and the second item has now been Account instead of beating their would however still need a strong and vigilant regulator for the Oil handled via a PWC audit of chests triumphantly.

NNPC which found that NNPC The CME and her team are the and Gas sector and a vigilant tax and NPDC (it’s subsidiary) failed only Government officials who man. By allowing NNPC and to remit $1.48 bn to the Federation came out of this imbroglio with NPDC to have an equity stake in Account. their heads held high. They have oil production, we effectively Ordinarily, the ex-CBN been maligned needlessly by the opened a Pandora’s box. They Governor should apologise for his local and international media for decide what their expenses action of significantly “failing” to corroborate the ex- should be and only declare a “exaggerating” the extent of CBN Governor’s overly inflated profit/surplus after meeting all NNPC’s misdeeds, but I don’t figures. When he started throwing manner of dubious expenses. expect him to. CBN staff that I in estimates of kerosene subsidy Naturally, the twin evils of political quizzed privately at the time all spending into the missing interference and corruption help dissociated themselves from his billions, I realised that he was determine how high these initial hasty figures. They said “clinging to straws” because the expenses should be. It happened they did not have sufficient facts ex-CBN Governor, the CME and with Petrobras in Brazil and it will and figures at their disposal to I were probably the three continue to happen with NNPC corroborate those computations. members of the National in Nigeria because our two large parties have Please let us remember that a Economic Management Team political missing sum of money is a that were most vocal during the kleptomaniacs in their midst who “balance sheet” item. Every media debates that followed the lick their lips at the prospect of second that you take a snapshot petrol subsidy removal in early infiltrating NNPC if/when they win elections at the centre. might, therefore, give you a 2012.

That brings me back to the different figure because various question of why the Ex-CBN sums are moving in and out of Petrol subsidy Governor ’s estimates of the the balance sheet several times removal missing NNPC funds were wildly in an hour and in multiple currencies. Please remember also We had lost the argument for inaccurate. This makes me think that NNPC has a tradition/culture the simultaneous removal of the he lost his temper when CBN of non-cooperation, arrogance kerosene subsidy which we all (under his watch) was accused of and misinformation when argued was fraud prone. financial improprieties by FRC quizzed. Indeed, they could Interestingly, neither of Nigeria’s and the President queried him on knowingly have lured the ex- two large political parties was/is account of that. This angered both CBN Governor into blowing a interested in advocating for the him and some of his close aides whistle on a very large amount removal of the kerosene subsidy at CBN and I believe this clouded so that they could later challenge because they are both their judgement subconsciously his figures and “discredit” him. intellectually fraudulent/ and so they decided that “attack If the ex-CBN Governor felt bankrupt. President Yar‘Adua’s was the best form of defence”. some money was missing, then directive to eliminate this subsidy he was “right” to have blown the was never gazetted and he was Financial whistle on NNPC. Meanwhile, too sick to know whether his improprieties there was absolutely no reason for directives were being NNPC to host a “celebratory” implemented or not and CBN They were gunning for the Press Conference (like they did) knew all this. “under belly” of the NNPC or after PWC found that the missing If I had my way, NNPC would seeking to tell the President that amount was much smaller. That be scrapped completely. The PIB “if you are really interested in action was in bad taste. NNPC does not go far enough. It seeks financial improprieties then we should be apologising to the to commercialise NNPC. All past will show you where to find them CME and the nation for holding efforts to commercialise SOEs in - NNPC.” They “went for broke”. back $1.48 bn from the Federation Nigeria have failed before and This might have informed the Exwill continue to fail because of the CBN Governor’s curious decision twin evils of corruption and not to work in concert with the political interference. Meanwhile, CME on this matter, but instead frequent and erratic top to “go it alone” to seek public management changes at NNPC acclaim and risk martyrdom via over the years have also bred quantifying missing figures cynicism amongst its employees. without having the wherewithal These “wounds” run deep and to properly call for files and/or cannot be rectified by a naive PIB. prior explanations from NNPC. I am among those who believe Little wonder that CBN had to that Nigeria should be seeking quickly revise the figures when to generate the bulk of its oil sector NNPC later accused them of revenues through:- 1) the peddling falsehood.

In my hey days as a bank auctioning of oil blocks; 2) the If I had my way, collection of sizeable royalties entrepreneur/CEO, I encouraged NNPC would be which should be a straight whistle blowing by employees by scrapped completely. percentage of crude oil sales and emphasising that it was their duty are therefore transparent and easy to point me in a direction that The PIB does not go to calculate; and 3) via a “top-up” could help unearth a fraud early far enough. It seeks coming from a petroleum profits and so there was absolutely no need for them to wait to correctly tax. to commercialise If this was our primary focus, ascertain the exact quantum of the NNPC we would not need NNPC. We fraud.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—39

he not give hope to the helpless on whose behalf he is accorded the giant status of a senator?

However, the people will forever be grateful to God-sent Bode Olajumoke, who came to solidarize with them, and made a case of the unfortunate disaster to the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.Most legendary in the political records of Senator Boroffice was his hasty hobnobbing with the opposition ACN and his eventual defection to the defunct party less than six months he was elected to the senate.

Then as a Labour Party senatorial candidate in 2011, Boroffice, while describing ACN as lacking in internal democracy and a party of unrepentant buccaneers, promised to help take the LP to its desired height.

The man for the job

By Samad Abd’Fatah Orijeminiyi

I

AM writing from the temple of absolute sincerity this time, which of course, is not uncustomary to my usual appearances and analyses. I feel seriously concerned about this issue because, when a people are being led by a leader whose political approach is anathema to the real concept of quality leadership, their silence in the face of such anomaly is tantamount to sheer hypocrisy, which may plunge them into wallowing in the hallucination of realities of genuine progress and development with no remedy in sight.

Undoubtedly, failure of Prof.

Robert Boroffice to secure a second term in the Nigerian senate is just an accident waiting to happen, for what stands at the core of his political world is undue sentiments and manipulations, which are evident through the length and breadth of his political undertakings.

However, I have clearly discerned from the works of various great political philosophers a common denominator that; political authority has its rule in the service of freedom, and its perfection in its movement away from mastership, from proud sovereignty, from idiotic egocentricity, from apathy and segregation, and all qualities of mediocrity and authoritarianism.

Qualities of mediocrity Authority in its actual sense, exists singularly for the service of the society and the governed subjects, and not a tool of oppression, not a tool of machination, not a tool of manipulation for capricious interests and whimsical desires.

Senator Robert Boroffice has been representing my senatorial district, Ondo North, since June 2011, but all our expectations that the revered Professor will create a science out of the study of governance have been visibly defeated.

He is better placed as a teacher in a Zoology class than a senator in the National Assembly, for he does not really understand the intricate tapestry of legislative business and cannot hide his apathy and segregation in the execution of constituency projects.

Every man by nature, is selfish. But when a man becomes extreme in his quest to cart away the larger share of a collective item, he is said to be unfairly selfish and greedy.

In view of this, I make bold to say justice, fairness and equity which are supposed to be major

Desired height

Sen. Bode Olajumoke pedestals upon which political culture is transmitted have been carelessly destroyed by Boroffice.

I bring an instance here for you out of many. As a senator representing six local governments of Ondo North, Boroffice has built six different three-classroom blocks through the people’s c o n s t i t u e n c y entitlements.

Going by simple logic, somebody would expect each local government to Map of Ondo State have one, but alas! apart from the one at Ikaro Primary he has executed projects that School, Ose local government, run into hundreds of millions the remaining five are situated of naira in his admiring in his own local government, hometown, notable towns in the Akoko South West. He built only senatorial district like Afin, Ighasi, Eriti, one six-classroom block, and as Ibaram, well, this is sited in his Gedegede, Okeluse, Auga, Uso, and Idashen have been hometown.

As if that is not enough, while completely ostracized from his list of consideration. I challenge anyone to walk through these beautiful towns and point out a single project executed by Boroffice! Just two weeks ago, a horrendous windstorm hit Sosan and Ifira communities in Akoko South East local government area, where 277 houses were affected.

Displaced victims

We need a representative who can move motions in the National Assembly and sponsor genuine bills.

One who will put a stop to visionless leadership and abolish this growing idea of segregation

I got there and saw buildings whose entire roofs were removed by the wind.

One could easily feel the heartbreaking pains of displaced victims. But when the people cried out to Boroffice for assistance, he told them he was not the Director General of NEMA, and as such, took no concrete steps to alleviate the people’s plights.

What an unprofessional way of treating constituency members! Would he have uttered such statement if he was a native of Ifira or Sosan community? How can he draw a complete map of Ondo North senatorial district without these two important towns? Why did

And with unrelenting efforts of the State Governor and committed members of the party, rookie politician like him was able to secure victory at the poll.

However, after he had repeatedly debunked all insinuations that he was going to betray the people’s trust and commitment, Robert Boroffice jumped fence to the said ACN in December 2011, leaving the Labour Party members feeling robbed and disappointed.

A man of no principle is a man of ridicule, he needs moral rectitude to reach a great

altitude. If our politics is to be 21st-century compliant, leaders must be made to give adequate account of their dealings and actions.

The message I got from here is that, someone who lives in glass house has thrown stones, I therefore urge pedestrians on the streets to avoid being hit again and again.

The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it. Now that another opportunity has come for us to change the mantle, we surely need to opt for a replacement.

We need a man of heavy presence, charisma and gravitas, in whose personal qualities we can reliably invest confidence. A man of tacit intelligence and political calculations. An evangelist of moral and financial probity. One with smooth unblemished records. A man who has adequate experience of law making and enviable political relevance.

We need a representative who can move motions in the National Assembly and sponsor genuine bills. One who will put a stop to visionless leadership and abolish this growing idea of segregation.

A leader who can help reduce the level of poverty and illiteracy in our land. Behold, people of this land, let us unite and put an end to this pervasive ethno-community demagogy, by voting Dr. Bode Olajumoke for Senator, Ondo North Senatorial District. He is the man for the job!

•Orijeminiyi writes from ObaAkoko, Ondo State.

Eve - of - poll appeal to political party leaders

by Emeka Anyaoku

H

AVING acted as Chairman and principal witness to the signing of the Abuja Accord by 12 presidential candidates and their party Chairmen on 14 January 14, 2015, I wish on the eve of the elections to remind all the signatories of their solemn commitment to the letter of the Accord.

While it may be admitted that the campaigns have not been entirely free of hate speeches and some fracas, I believe that there is a general relief that the incidence of ugly violence has so far been less than what was experienced in the 2011 elections. For this, the security agencies deserve to be commended.

But the real test is yet to come on the days of the elections and, in particular, the days immediately after the elections. I, therefore, once more urge the political party leaders and workers to be more actively and more visibly engaged in advocating non-violence to their supporters. With the eyes of the international community on Nigeria through the myriad of international observers who have arrived in the country for the elections, supporters of the political parties must be persuaded not to do disservice to the image and standing of our •Chief Emeka Anyaoku country.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Unsolicited advice on running a ‘lean government'

By Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun

A

LTHOUGH it is only the APC candidate who has committed to running a “lean government” if he is elected president on March 28 (The Nation, February 16, 2015), this unsolicited advice is for whoever becomes president after the election. In my considered opinion, running a lean government will be a necessity not a choice for Nigeria’s next president. And he would need to announce a roadmap for achieving it as a priority action after assuming office.

Beyond cutting out “wastages” that APC presidential candidate is reported to have stressed, achieving a lean and efficient government that would free funds for “capital and development projects that will assure prosperity for all Nigerians” would require significant reductions in the cost of running both the executive and legislative arms of government.

The decline in revenue earnings from petroleum resources that is likely to remain permanent for the foreseeable future makes serious cost cutting inevitable. I would argue that an important dimension to the cost cutting that must be embraced is a sizeable reduction in the salaries and allowances of all political office holders.

After discussing the kinds of cost cutting that can be achieved in respect of the executive and legislative arms of government, I make some suggestions on reducing the salaries and allowances of political office holders. In closing, I consider the linkage of cost cutting to the problem of corruption.

of state must be appointed from each state. It only requires that the composition of the Government of the Federation shall ensure “that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government…” Therefore, I would recommend a cabinet of 12 members (two per each of the six geopolitical zones) and each would have a deputy (minister of state) who will not have cabinet rank. This contrasts with the current total of 27 ministers and 17 ministers of state.

Next, the current large number of special advisers/senior special assistants (SAs/SSAs) can be reduced by about 50 percent, at least. I would recommend twenty SAs/SSAs for the president, five for the vicepresident, two for each cabinet minister and one each for ministers of state.

Techno-professional competence

This would be close to a return to the modest numbers of SAs/ SSAs when they were first introduced in Nigeria in 197983. The opacity that surrounds the numbers, functions and accountabilities of SAs/SSAs must be replaced by transparent rules for their appointment and relations with the permanent civil service and ministers. In particular, only men and women with decent levels of technoprofessional competence (such as policy, political and media expertise) should be appointed into these positions.

The recommended reductions in the number of political office holders in the executive will result in significant cost savings. With a 12-member cabinet, the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will shrink and this, too, should result in c o s t savings. Furthermore, a president that works through 12 ministers is very likely to be more effective than one that works through 27 or 28 ministers.

(For comparison, current USA cabinet has fifteen members, called Secretaries).

For example, performance PROF. LADIPO ADAMOLEKUN contracting for Reducing a bloated federal ministers that has not been executive: A lean and smart meaningfully implemented to federal executive can be date is likely to become more achieved by reducing the size of effectively operational in respect the Federal Cabinet by about half of 12 ministers and the of its current size. Section 14 (3) functioning of the entire federal of the 1999 Constitution on bureaucracy is likely to improve.

“Federal Character” does not Reducing the cost of running require that a minister or minister the legislative arm of

President Jonathan

Map of Nigeria government: The burden of Nigeria’s National Assembly (NASS) on the budget is among the most onerous in the world.

The modest achievements recorded by successive legislatures to date in respect of law making and oversight functions constitute a strong argument for significant reduction in the cost of running the NASS. Two obvious areas for cost cutting are: reducing the number of committees in both Chambers by 50 percent (currently there are between 60 and 80 committees in each Chamber) and abolition of constituency projects.

Because constituency projects are ignored by state and local governments who are not consulted by the legislators who finance them, they are, with a few exceptions, white elephants that add no value to the lives of the citizens. It is also the case that a good number of projects are uncompleted while a significant number of legislators simply convert funds for constituency projects into additional allowances. This huge wastage must be eliminated. The bad idea of legislators’ constituency projects that was first introduced in Africa in Kenya in 2003 must

I would recommend a cabinet of 12 members (two per each of the six geopolitical zones) and each would have a deputy (minister of state) who will not have cabinet rank

Gen Buhari not be allowed to take root in Nigeria. The good news is that K e n y a parliamentarians’ Constituency Development Fund Act (2013) was declared unconstitutional by a high court last month.

Reducing the salaries and allowances of political office holders: Comparison of the salaries and allowances of Nigerian legislators with those of legislators across the continents has revealed that those of the Nigerians far exceed the average of the others. The minimum cost cutting that would make the earnings of Nigerian legislators close to those of the comparators would be a 50 per cent reduction. In 2009, the Federal Government inexplicably extended the definition of “political office holders” to include permanent secretaries in the civil service, vice-chancellors in universities, and several other chief executives of federal government agencies.

Salaries and allowance Then, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) approved huge increases in the salaries and allowances of all the political office holders with significant distortionary consequences within the civil service and the other agencies of the Federal Government. For example, arising from the increases that were not based on any job evaluation, there is a huge gap between the total emoluments of permanent secretaries and those of the immediate next rank of directors.

And this has unsurprisingly resulted in low morale among the directors with negative consequences for performance in the service.

Regarding the public officials who were reclassified as political appointees in 2009, adjusting the increases awarded to them in a fair and just manner would require a job evaluation involving the civil service, the universities, and the other concerned agencies.

The proposed job evaluation would be a much-delayed sequel to that undertaken by the Udoji Commission (1972-1974).

Although RMAFC acted within its constitutional mandate (Third Schedule of 1999 Constitution) “determine the remuneration appropriate for political office holders”. Significantly, President Jonathan announced on March

16th a salary reduction of 30 percent for himself, ministers and some political office holders in response to the prevailing austerity. This is the right thing to do. However, details of reductions for the different categories of political office holders concerned should be made public: salaries and allowances before the reductions and the new amounts to be earned by the officials concerned. And this is what whoever wins the presidential elections on March 28 should do.

Linkage of cost cutting to the problem of corruption: There is evidence to support the thesis that decent pay levels for political office holders and chief executives of government agencies and parastatals tend to discourage corrupt practices on the part of the concerned officials. For example, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, who led the transformation of the country from Third to First World has claimed that he combined a Head of Government remuneration that was one of the highest among his peers worldwide but with zero corruption.

Corruption perception He cascaded this down the country’s entire public sector and Singapore has been one of the world’s top five “clean” countries annually since Transparency International began to track corruption perception levels in the late 1990s.

The Nigerian case since 2009 has been a counter factual: the huge increases in the emoluments of our legislators and other public office holders has been accompanied with ever rising levels of corrupt practices.

Whilst the existing institutions, systems and processes for fighting corruption might not be robust enough as recently observed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, it is also true that political will to fight corruption in the country has been lacking. Because the fish rots from the head, the corrupt practices in all our public sector institutions would be significantly reduced if the heads of the different institutions were to demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption.

I would end by commending the recently reported commitment of APC presidential candidate to publicly declare his assets and those of his wife if he is elected president on March 28th as a commitment that all presidential aspirants and governorship candidates should make.

If Nigeria’s next president and the governors of all thirty-six states publicly declare their assets and those of their spouses and oblige all political office holders under them as well as the top executives in the civil services, government agencies and parastatals to follow suit, the level of corrupt practices in the country is almost certain to begin to fall drastically.

Prof. Adamolekun writes from Iju, Akure North, Ondo State

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—41

Arise, let's take our Sapele, out of comatose — Eyide BARRISTER Gabriel Otuedon Eyide is a man of many parts. He is an economist, management consultant and lawyer in Sapele, Delta State.

In this interview with Vanguard, he juxtaposes the earlier great fortune of the ancient town of Sapele and its current palpable willful abandonment by successive state and federal governments, especially its political class whom the people have consistently entrusted their mandates, leading to the declining fortunes of the area in recent times. He also spoke on major political issues in the state and the nation. Excerpts:

By Godwin Oghre

H

ISTORY has it that Sapele was once a bubbling town, a centre of social and commercial activities, can you confirm that?

There were so many companies operating in Sapele during the colonial and post colonial era, even up till the 1980s. The port, market, commercial vehicles garage, thermal hydro station, good net work of roads where all in Sapele, functioning very well.

There were companies like, AT&P, John Holt, MDS – a division of UAC, CNEINCO, and several rubber factories like, MGS, KB Rubber Company, D. O. Oghene Rubber Company, OTC, Osio Rubber Industry, JK Rubber Company, Tropical Rubber Company and many others. The Sapele Athletic club, the stadium and recreational sites where functioning optimally. So Sapele was a place to behold then.

What factors can you enumerate led to the rise and fall of the area?

Sapele has a nice river. The water is saltless. The environment is serene and the ambience and all the natural endowment attracted both black and white people here. Besides, the people were peaceful and friendly.

Ease of description They see themselves as one family and there were no ethnic rivalries. Every Sapele boy was a buma boy and everyone was known to his family root for ease of description. Sapele was a one family town. The present head of WAEC, Charles Akpoyibo Igburudu, Mrs Folake Soyinka nee Doherty, Mrs Titilola Adenuga nee Adewale, Uti Nwachuku’s maternal side, Blessing Okagbare and many others have their roots in Sapele.

So what led to the present decadence in Sapele?

It all started when Chief David Dafinone started personalizing Sapele. He added ethnic undertone to Sapele. He started referring to some people as strangers and others as free born.

When he could not succeed, Chief Monday Igbuya came to complete what Dafinone could

not do. Igbuya came, saw and destroyed every legacy of our forebears. It was he who rendered Sapele to the abysmal level of socio-economic and political decadence that we all found ourselves today. He has •Barr. Gabriel Otuedon Eyide never won any election but today he foists himself on the people as their representative in the member of the House of Delta State House of Assembly Representatives representing Sapele in Abuja. He was where he Map of Delta State instrumental to the award of currently several projects, including road holds sway projects, which were handle by as the Monday Igbutya and his cronies. majority The projects were not done but leader. He the government paid large sums imposes of monies to the contractors. candidates Up till now as we speak, the and a case in authorities from time to time point is my Joyce Overahis called upon to ward 2 explain why certain projects he where he influenced as constituency h a s projects were not executed but continually paid for. Sometimes he has to sell imposed persons on us as our councilors. this general election, the glory some of his properties to offset There is one Omene whom he of Sapele will bounce back to life. some of the monies. Eventually has imposed on us twice, now That's all we all need to do. For most of the roads are in against our collective wish to now he is the political god father deplorable conditions till date. have one Monday Egbrogun as in Sapele.

The government did not help as our councilor.

He is the first family and the they left every other sector of the Is there hope that Sapele can face of Delta government in economy of the town to decay. rise again?

The general elections are very Sapele. As we speak, his name My answer is yes, once the sends a negative sign in the area. close, who in your own opinion people take the bold step to vote The city is grounded under his among the three contestants in Monday Igbuya out of office in misrule, and this dates back to Delta State should govern the when he started as the local state and why?

For the sake of equity, let the government council chairman Delta North people have a taste sometime in year 2000.

In the last 16 years, Igbuya has of governance. Delta Central has remained the face of Delta had it twice; Delta South is government in different currently has it and by April 11th, capacities in Sapele. He was let Delta north have it. instrumental to three care taker committees of Godfrey Enita, Senatorial Williams and Julius Egbedi. district Ejaife Odebal was in the House of Assembly and stepped This is for the sake of equity downafter two tenures. and it is without any condition.

Delta state belongs to all of us and no section or senatorial Campaign of district should be deprived of experience having a taste of the Government Atose has been the council House.

As an individual, has chairman. Both of them left for others to come in and, as such Governor Uduaghan satisfied his campaign of “experience” you?

No, he has failed to satisfy not does not hold water. Those who In the last 16 were there and left have laid a only me but majority of Deltans. years, Igbuya good precedent for him to follow His relationship with his people, I mean the Itsekiri people, has suit. has remained At what point can you recall been a fiasco. They have not the face of Delta that the area began to witness benefitted from his government. the greatest deplorability and The Asaba airport, which is not government in what do you considered should of core importance to the core different Delta man, is the only be done for a solution?

First of all, when Joyce Overah achievement he has recorded, capacities in who was the secretary of the local even though I hear that it also Sapele education authority, became a has not been completed. He

discourse, mar 26

could not d e l i v e r properly in his three point agenda, save security where there is now relative peace.

At the national level, who do you think should govern the country?

President Goodluck Jonathan should have it again, as a second tenure.

He has tried so much and he should be given the opportunity to complete all the good things he started.

Jonathan is from the humblest background, and he has always tried to be humanistic which many people interpret to be laziness. Some even say he is acting out the script of Ijaw president. That is not true, he is not lazy. He is from the Niger Delta which account for the higher percentage of the GDP and GNI of this country. We are the hen that lays the golden egg.

In view of the security situation in the country, do you predict a successful general election?

Yes, the election would be successful. Jonathan has tried even though he has not used the instrument of government to rein in law breakers.

National discourse That is why his opponents see him as a weak president, but he is not weak. He is only using the humanity in him as a mortal man.

But there are claims in some quarters that the president has not been able to fight corruption, what do you have to say about that?

In the area of fight against corruption, he does not know where to draw the line. He has however brought sincerity into the national discourse in the sense that whoever is not corrupt should throw the first stone as written in the Bible. For that he is seen as corruption personified, whereas, there are institutions that are suppose to handle corruption in the country. No one is blaming them but all blames go to the president. Normally, such institutions should be blamed and not the president.

If you are opportune to meet with the president what advice do you have for him?

That he should not be a sectional president. He is perceived as an Ijaw president, but it ought not to be so. He should look at other ethnic groups in the Niger delta region, if he wants their votes. I will tell him, let’s all arise and take our Sapele, our Delta, our country out of comatose.

42—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

General elections: Should democracy involve much acrimony?

— Awa Kalu P

ERHAPS, a few days after you have read this piece, the Independent National Electoral Commission would have conducted the general elections with regard to the Presidency and the National Assembly.

For the avoidance of doubt, the office of the President as well as the Vice- President will become vacant by midnight on the 28 May, 2015. Similarly, the offices of the 109 Senators just as the 360 members of the House of Representatives will also become vacant on that date. Of course, the tenure of a majority of State Governors and members of the relevant State Houses of Assembly will abate on that very important date.

What the extant constitution requires is that to avoid a vacuum, and for the continuance of our nascent democracy, elections must be held within the time frame recognized by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, as amended. It is for this reason that the first leg of the general elections will be held on the 28 2015. The next leg will be the elections into the offices of Governors of the 36 States in the Country as well as their Houses of Assembly.

It is possible to forecast that this will be the most testy elections in the annals of democracy in this country. For that reason, the forthcoming elections have been foreshadowed by violence, vulgar abuse (including outright libel and slander accompanied by

massive ill – will on both sides) and wait a minute, unprecedented pre- election litigation involving all the silky legal gladiators in the land.

Silky legal gladiators Someone, that is, one of the regular “public affairs analysts”, posed a vital question a few days ago – Why must our brand of politics raise the political temperature almost to a level that cannot be measured with any thermometer known to mankind?

The other relevant question relates to why our well decorated lawyers would march to Court to microscopically examine the details concerning the eligibility for election of two out of fourteen or so presidential candidates.

There is yet another level of litigation, an inquisition into the right of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to introduce Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) which can only be deciphered by a card Reader.

What about the deployment of soldiers for the purpose of keeping the peace on the almighty election day?

Have we not all been worried stiff about multidimensional questions raised about multiple aspects of national security and whether elections can in fact be held in our present circumstances? We also ought to bear in mind that INEC has on

numerous occasions been pilloried by concerned citizens about its overall preparedness for the conduct of the presidential as well as the other level of elections.

These are all the vexed issues that have been on the boil as a prelude to the election.

For instance, a few of the Judges of the Federal High court are presently taking lengthy arguments on whether or not President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari are eligible to contest the Presidential election.

Presidential election

Politics in Nigeria should not be a "do or die affair,” the complaint then was against the police but on more recent elections, soldiers have been involved and many are worried about their presence

In the case of President Jonathan, his traducers have argued that having occupied the office of the president before being elected in his own right in 2011, his ineligibility stems ostensibly from the fact that if he wins the forthcoming election, he would over stay the eight years tenure contemplated by the Constitution.

The other version of the argument is that having been sworn into the office of the President on two previous occasions, a further Oath of office is not within the contemplation of the extant Constitution. I believe that the Court of Appeal has already debunked either version and has given the president the all – clear to contest.

On the other hand, the case against General Buhari as being canvassed in a legion of cases is that contrary to t h e Constitutional stipulation by which a contestant to a political office must present to INEC a minimum of a Secondary School Certificate as defined by the Constitution, the General does not have the qualification.

On that account, he is alleged to be ineligible to contest the election. As has clearly been noted, the matter is still before the Courts and prudence, as well as public policy, frowns against any further examination of that point.

The verdict of the Courts will inevitably, lay the controversy to rest. On the propriety of deploying the card reader for the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has also been dragged to different divisions of the Federal High Court for an intervention on the dispute by both sides of the divide. While some litigants want the Court to compel the INEC to use the magic machine as a bulwark against rigging, another set of litigants have complained that neither the Constitution nor the Electoral Act authorizes the use of the machine for the purpose of voting. Again, this huge ball is in the Courts and even as a football enthusiast, I will not kick it.

The only comment that is left is on the wisdom of deploying active soldiers for election purposes. In

Continues on page 43

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—43

General elections: Should democracy involve much acrimony?

Continues from page 36 this season of ardent disputation, there are many who are for, and many others who are against.

Perhaps, the fear of the antagonists to the idea of deploying soldiers on election duty stems from what transpired in previous elections. Pats Acholonu, JSC, of blessed memory had this to say in Buhari V. Obasanjo (2005) 13 NWLR (pt 941) 1 at 300- “it is scary to send policemen to election places when they have not been properly tutored that in the exercise of their duty to maintain law and order in election areas, their allegiance is to the Constitution. Some of the evidence elicited are so disquieting that one would wonder whether we have learnt or in fact can learn a lesson.”

Massive education His Lordship further added that “ to ensure the non-repeatal of what happened in some parts of the country in 2003, there must be massive education of the electoral officers who will take part in future elections. There must be statewide enlightenment programme educating the masses as to their rights as to how the citizen who are sovereign can exercise their franchaise freely, unmolested and undisturbed. There must be deemphasis on money. It is important to demonstrate to the citizenry what incalculable harm corruption has done in this country so that at election time they should learn to shun people who try to buy their votes. More importantly our security men should have a series of workshops to learn that their allegiance is to the Constitution and should learn to practice what police in developed Nations do. Politics in Nigeria should not be a do or die affair.” The complaint then was against the police but on more recent elections, soldiers have been involved and many are worried about their presence.

Why should democracy involve so much acrimony, at least in this clime? What infact is democracy?

Webster’s Dictionary defines it

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

Nigerians queueing to vote as “Government by the people, usually through elected representatives; a state so governed; social equality”. There are so many nuances of democracy and I will place them squarely in your court. In a speech delivered in 1854, the well known USstatesman and President said that ‘No man is good to govern another without that other’s consent”.

The Irish dramatist and critic, George BernardShaw, in John Bull’s Other Islandargued that “ we must be thoroughly democratic and patronize everybody without distinction of class”. Again, Eleanor Roosevelt, US writer and Lecturer, in Ladies’ Home Journalargued that “…if the people of the country can be reached with the truth, their judgment will be in favour of the many, as against the privileged few”.

Reference has already been made to Abraham Lincoln. In his th first Inaugural Address, 4 March 1861, he said of the United States of America: “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it”. For Clement Attlee(1863 – 1963), British statesman and former Labour Prime Minister, ‘Democracy means government by discussion but it is only effective if you can stop people talking!‘Lyndon B.

Johnson(1908 – 73) US statesman, in his Address on signing Voting Rights Bill, Washington, DC, 6 August 1965, said that ‘the vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by man for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison men because they are different from other men!

Of course, Lyndon Johnson’s reference to the vote as the most powerful instrument was simply a recognition of the fact that in a real democracy, it is the vote that is recognized as the ultimate tool for determining who rules, governs, and who follows.

Without the vote, democracy is impossible. Not everyone agrees.

Mikhail Gorbachev, former

Why should democracy involve so much acrimony, at least in this clime? What infact is democracy

communist leader of the defunct USSR, noted that “some comradesapparently find it hard to understand that democracy is justa slogan”(The observer, ‘sayings of the week’, 1 Feb. 1987). At least, it is easy to understand why Mr. Gorbachev, made the statement – the winds of democracy were blowing seriously in the communist bloc at that time leading inevitably to the disintegration of the USSR and the iron curtain countries suffering the melt down from dictatorship to representational government.

But Garbachev was not alone.

Dean Inge(1860 – 1964) had argued that “Democracy is only an experiment in government, and it has the obvious disadvantage of merely counting votes instead of weighing them”.

However, there is a reason identified by one Reinhold Niebuhrthat makes democracy compelling. His view is that “man’s capacity for evil makes democracy necessary and man’s capacity for good makes democracy possible”. A critical look at Nigeria’s history makes it clear that Niebuhr is not wrong.

For several years, Nigeria was a colony of Great Britain just like so many other countries in Africa and beyond. The quest for freedom made the process of decolonization inevitable leading to the grant of political independence to our great country on October 1, 1960. You may note at this stage that those who fought very hard, through deprivations and even imprisonment, for our independence were young men and women – Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mazi Mbonu Ojike, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, Sir Dennis Osadebe, Chief (Mrs) Margaret Ekpo, Olufumilayo Ransome-Kuti, Dr Michael Okpara, J.S. Tarka, etc to mention but a few. Our first attempt at parliamentary democracy (1960 – 1966)failed woefully on account of reasons

that have been well documented.

We witnessed the first military intervention in government, through a coup d’etat, in January 1966and the first crop of military leaders who took over the reins of political power were all young men falling into our category of youth.

Even the five majors who spearheaded the coup were young men! Following events that have similarly been well documented, another countercoup took place in the middle of 1966.

The then Lt. Col Yakubu Gowonwho became the Military Head of State together with his Governors in the four regions at the time, were all in their early thirties. After years of turmoil including a bitter civil war championed and fought by our youth, our military leaders concluded that it was time for another attempt at civilians and democratic rule.

Recent history Thus, in 1979, this country returned to constitutional government – executive, legislative and judicial. Again, things did not go very well for us resulting in another military putsch early in 1983.

The Abacha era as well as that of General Abdulsalami Abubakar constitute part of our recent history but this is not about history but the present.

In sum, this Country is massively blessed in human and material resources including an abundance of able bodied, well qualified and patriotic men and women who can make the difference in our national life.

If we are forthright and dedicated to the cause of democracy, there is no reason that regular elections cannot be clearly organized as to make the result credible and acceptable to all and sundry. I trust that the elections will come and go and that with our collective efforts, our democratic experience may be deepened by the outcome.

•Awa U. Kalu Esq., SAN, FNIALS Pp: Awa U. Kalu (SAN) & Associates.

44—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Lawyers protest continued strike by judicial workers in Benin

Eket NBA holds law week The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Eket branch, has called on the National Assembly on how to make the oversight functions effective, the NBA gave the advise during their 2015, Annual Law Week.

By Gabriel Enogholase

dicial arm of government cannot be undermined.

The Benin NBA, according to her, ENIN — MEMBERS of the Be condemns the continued refusal of the nin Branch of the Nigerian Bar AsEdo State Government to comply with sociation, NBA, early in the week the court judgment reaffirming the conmatched through some major streets in Benin City, protesting against the stitutional provision granting financial three-month-old strike action by the autonomy to the judicial arm government.

Edo State judicial workers.

She said the continued refusal of the The protesting lawyers also demanded the immediate resignation of the governor to comply with the order of state Attorney General and Commis- the court and meet the judicial worksioner for Justice, Permanent Secretary ers’ demand, the threat to sack them and Solicitor General of the state and even without meeting their demand all lawyers appointed to political po- were a violation of the international sitions in the state for failing to prop- labour organisation’s convention of which Nigeria was a erly advise signatory. the state govThe governor’s acernor to comtion is also a violaply with the tion of the workers The governor’s rule of law. right to life, having The lawyers, action is also a denied them their who carried means of livelihood, violation of the placards with for which an action offensive inworkers right to will be brought scriptions, against the goverlife, having desaid the linnor of the state begering strike nied them their fore the Internationaction by the al Court of Justice means of livelijudicial workand the Internationers in the hood al Criminal Court state had adfor crime against versely affecthumanity and gross ed their ecoviolation of human nomic wellright,” the lawyers being, noting that there cannot be a said. true democracy without an impartial Reacting to the Benin NBA’s protest, and independent judiciary.

Addressing journalists at the Edo the state Attorney General, Mr Henry State Nigeria Union of Journalists, Idahagbon refuted the lawyer’s claim, NUJ, Secretariat in Benin, state chair- saying the administration of Adams man of the branch, Princess Patience Oshiomhole has since complied with Iyomon, stressed that the need to com- the court order, adding that financial ply with the constitutional provision autonomy to the judiciary had since granting financial autonomy to the ju- been granted.

B

Anambra NBA branches advocates credible, violence-free elections

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

L

ess than two weeks to the March 28 Prsediential and national assembly elections, seven branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA in Anambra state, including Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Aguata, Ihiala, Idemili and Anaocha have advocated for a credible and violence-free elections.

In his opening remark at a one-day sensitization seminar organized by the bar in Onitsha, chairmen of the various branches, Chris Adimora, advised the electorate to vote for any candidate of their choice, remain non-violent and hang around to ensure the votes are properly counted and result announced on the spot.

Also speaking, the chairman of Idemili branch, Ben Okoko and chairman of the occasion, Anthony Anaenugwu SAN, said members of the bar were interested in seeing a peaceful conduct of the election.

Okoko and Anaenugwu condemned fragrant apathy, rigging, violence, disenfranchisement of voters and imposition of candidates, adding that the essence of the seminar was to

sensitize the electorate on the need to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the voting exercises.

Two guest speakers, Philip Umeadi a former Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commissioner, INEC and Prof. Jerry Nwagbogu, a professor of Law, identified disenfranchisement of voters, lack of internal party democracy and restrained exercise of freewill as some of the issues that give rise to apathy and lack of democratic ethos.

According to them, “we need to start thinking of democracy as people by saying no to naira politics and at the same time, imbibe stomach infrastructure. When you vote for a wrong person because he gave you money, it is naira politics and if the person goes into office, he will not remember you again because he thinks he does not owe you, having given you money before the election. But if you vote the right person in without minding that he did not give money, obviously, he will be indebted to you as the electorate and he will be struggling to give you dividend of democracy.”

From left: Justice Okon A. Okon, Chairman NBA Eket branch; Ebitu Akpadiaha, Adminnistrative Judge, Eket Division; Justice Charles Ikpe and Eric Ekare who represented Paul Erokoro (SAN).

From left: Justice Iniabasi Udobong; former President of NBA, Okey Wali (SAN) and Justice Ita Mbaba.

From left: Justice John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court, Senator Effiong Bob and his wife, Comfort.

From left: Justice Joy Uwana, Rt. Hon. Nse Ikanam and Hon. Onofiok

From left: His Worships Mojisola Iyani, Nkechi Uduma, Ebi Ikhunmman and Yetunde Oni.

7, 2015—45 Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27

POLLS: Uduaghan calls on Deltans to be peaceful A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—AHEAD of tomorrow’s presidential and National Assembly elections, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has urged Deltans to conduct themselves lawfully and avoid any action capable of leading to a breach of the peace.

He said that there was the need for the people to conduct themselves orderly to avoid the wrath of the law and security agents that will be on duty on election days.

Uduaghan reiterated that the PDP in the state has no agreement with any other political party and urged members of the PDP to vote only for PDP candidates in the elections.

Speaking at a PDP stakeholders meeting in Asaba, he said that everybody must conduct themselves orderly as the government will not tolerate anything that will lead to a breach of the peace in the state.

“The Police has a firm

POLLS: Dickson declares today public holiday

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has declared today (Friday) a work-free day to enable eligible voters travel to their communities in the remote riverine areas and other distant parts of the state in readiness for tomorrow's presidential and National Assembly elections.

Dickson, who made the declaration in a live broadcast to the people of the state, said the decision was to enable voters participate in the accreditation exercise at their registered polling centres, given the peculiar terrain of the state. He appealed to the people to turn out en mass to cast their votes for their preferred candidates.

He explained that the directive affects all offices in the state aside from financial institutions, stating that government has constituted a special committee to ensure compliance.

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directive from their headquarters that anybody seen around the vicinity of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, apart from accredited party agents, should be arrested as electoral materials will be moved from the CBN office to the local government areas and from 8 a.m., tomorrow, materials will be at the polling units where

accreditation will start by 8a.m.

“I don’t want any of you to fall victim of this security arrangement. It is necessary we conduct ourselves orderly and peacefully.

“The presidential election is coming up tomorrow and I want to brief you so that we will not make mistakes. The Independent National

Electoral Commission, INEC, is using the card reader to identify the owners of the permanent voters cards, PVCs. There will be three boxes at the polling points, and three ballot papers. Please get it right for us not to get confused because, if you put the vote for the Senate in the presidential ballot box, it may be declared invalid,” he stated.

MEETING: Comrade Gloria Okolugbo, Delta State Commissioner for Energy (middle); Mr. Onopke, Permanent Secretary (4th right), and officials of Skypower Canada, during a consultative meeting on power purchase agreement to facilitate the generation of 1000mw by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration, in Canada.

Army pledges commitment to democracy

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—OFFICERS and men of the Nigerian Army, 222 Battalion, AgbarhaOtor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, marched through the streets of Ughelli and its environs to reassure residents of the area of the readiness of the military to protect lives and property during and after the

general elections.

The soldiers in their hundreds, carried banners with inscriptions such as; “Nigerian Army is nonpartisan,” “Nigerian Army is guided by the constitution,” “We say no to economic violence,” “We say no to economic sabotage,” among others.

Speaking on the rationale for the exercise, the Commanding Officer, 222 Battalion, Lt. Col. Mathew

Oyekola, said it was a route march to complement the show of force exercise recently conducted across the country.

Addressing the soldiers, Lt. Col Oyekola, said: “This is one of the times Nigeria needs us most, come March 28 and April 11, Nigerians should come out to vote for candidates of their choice as the Nigerian Army is ready to secure lives and property during and after the elections.”

Power Minister commissions NDDC substation in Delta

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HE multi-billion naira 132KV Transmission Line and two 30MVA, 132/33KV substation with associated 33KV overhead lines built by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, has been inaugurated.

Performing the commissioning, the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said that the project was a big boost to the efforts of the Federal Government to expand electrification network across the country.

He gave kudos to the Board and Management of NDDC for working in tandem with the transformation agenda of

President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “This is what happens when you have a good team working for the people of the Niger Delta. The leadership in NDDC has shown that it is passionate about providing power to the people and I commend them for conceiving this worthy project.”

Prof. Nebo said that it was heart-warming to learn that many more of such electricity projects were being constructed by the NDDC in different parts of the Niger Delta, adding, “Mr. President is delivering essential amenities through the NDDC and he has shown through this project that he cares for

the rural communities.”

In his address at the commissioning, NDDC Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, said that the Oghara substation was among a cluster of electrification projects initiated by the Delta State Government but taken over by the NDDC in 2011 at the request of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. He said: “This underscores the synergy and collaboration that exists between the commission and the member state governments. As at when the take-over happened, the project was yet to take off, and the NDDC executed it from scratch to completion.”

More kudos for Ikuru on defection

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ORE commendations have continued to trail the recent defection of Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr.

Tele Ikuru, from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The latest commendation came from a top member of Association of Female Aspirants of the PDP, Celia Otubu, who described same as a “ welcomed development which has sealed the fate of the APC and enhanced the chances of the PDP in Rivers State and nationally in the forthcoming elections.”

According to Otubu, who contested for the House of Representatives seat of the PDP for Emohua/Ikwerre federal constituency Rivers State, “Many people did not expect what has happened but it is very important for the PDP to consolidate on this and conclude the elections in its favour.”

Otubu, a lawyer, said: “Many Nigerians and Rivers people knew before now that the APC is foreign to us and our character. So, what Tele Ikuru has done is to revolt from the seeming bondage we had all been enslaved to and get freedom."

Emerhor alleges PDP's plan to rig poll in Delta

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, has raised alarm over alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State to compromise the handlers of the card readers, so that the card readers will malfunction and allow the PDP to allegedly rig the elections.

In a statement, Emerhor warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, leadership that the Delta State APC will not participate in any election unless the card readers were used.

He described the PDP as desperate people who want to cling to power at all cost even though the people have rejected them.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

ELECTIONS: Imo CP reads riot act to security men

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU State Police Command has arrested a seven-man notorious kidnap gang that had been terrorizing motorists plying Ugwogo-Opi Road, 9th Mile-Nsukka Road and Enugu-Onitsha Road.

State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Beer Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrest yesterday, gave their names as Bello Musa Shehu,

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—PLANS by the security outfits established by Imo State government to play active roles during elections have been thwarted, as the state Police Command said it would not hesitate to arrest unauthorized or illegal uniformed men during elections.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Evbakhavbokun, read the riot act during his maiden interaction with the press at the state police headquarters in Owerri.

He said: “I am assuring you that my men will arrest unauthorized or illegal uniformed men, who may parade themselves on election day.

“They include Imo Security Network, Vigilante, Imo Civil Guards and other illegal security outfits owned by the state government.”

alias Baba Osama; Bello Mohammed, alias Yellow; Abubakar Abdullah, alias Old Soldier; Sunday Mamven, alias Sammy; Haruna Ibrahim; Onyedika Okafor, alias Nwa Onitsha/Nwa-Otu and Laiwa Suleiman.

He said: “They are all pleading for forgiveness as they blamed their involvement in crime to hunger and poverty.

“They further revealed that

they normally emerge from bush along the road and pick up their victim and collect ransoms ranging from N200,000, N100,000 as the case maybe, depending on the amount victims relations were able to afford.

Amaraizu added: “They were nabbed by operatives of the Anti-Kidnap Unit.

This kidnap gang have been a thorn in the flesh of motorists.”

By Innocent Anaba

W

ITH the election starting this weekend, Ebonyi Patriots Coalition has called on security agencies in Ebonyi State to investigate claims and counter-claims of alleged arms found at Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The coalition, in an open letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Services, DSS, National Security Adviser and Chief of Army Staff, said: “In a few days, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect their representatives into various positions.

“The 2015 general elections have been like no other, because the nation’s democratic experience is maturing after 16 years of unbroken civil rule.

“The usual apprehension and indifference by many qualified persons to participate in the electoral process have begun to wear thin. Consequently, the political space is becoming a lot more competitive and engaging. The electorate are becoming wiser too.

“However, given this new

T

HE Gods Kingdom Society, GKS, “Church of the Living God,” will hold her maiden doctrinal service next Sunday, at her service hall, Liasu Road, Egbe, Lagos, by 12 noon.

The Lagos State Resident Minister, Brother Kingsley Iriferi, said the service would be presided over by Vice Chairman of the Executive board of the church, Bro. Felix Adedokun.

drive towards greater participation, some desperate elements in the polity seem to insist on employing intimidation and violence as their strategy for electoral victory.

“The fact that the desperation by some politicians has reached alarming proportion calls for the vigilance of patriotic citizens.

“It is, therefore, against this critical need for vigilance and patriotism that when evil men conspire, good men should combine; that we make this urgent call on the nation’s security agencies to undertake urgent and comprehensive investigation into the recent discovery of large cache of arms and ammunition in the home of a retired army officer in Uburu Community of Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.

“Some of our members from Uburu alerted us on how the cache of arms and ammunition were discovered at the country home of the retired officer and the frantic attempts to sweep the matter under the carpet.

“We learned that around January 31, a detachment of soldiers, led by a major, arrived the country home of

the retired officer.

“We also learned that the retired soldier was being investigated for his alleged involvement in illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

“After the search in his country home, a large cache of arms, ammunition and sums of money were carted away by the visiting soldiers.

“While we have confidence in the Nigerian military to carry out its investigations thoroughly, we are alarmed that there has been no formal statement by the relevant authorities over the matter.

“The police team from Zone 6 Police Command after visiting a hotel owned by a brother of the retired officer, also removed a cache of arms and ammunition.

“We were appalled that shortly after a local newspaper ran a report on these ugly developments, nothing has been done about the matter.

“We hereby call on Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and the nation’s security services to conduct an investigation into these serial discoveries of caches of arms in the state.”

PEOPLE SPEAK

believe that Indepen dent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is ready for the battle ahead. Though some people have said there will be violence, but for me, it will be successful.

It will be free and fair and there will be no problem.—Mr. Abitoka Akinobi, Worker.

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By Tare Youdeowei

T

RADERS in Lagos, under the auspices of Shop Owners Welfare Forum, SOWF, has warned politicians not to sideline them again after casting their votes in the forthcoming polls billed for March 28 and April 11.

Speaking at the Nigerian Union of Teachers Hall in Lagos, Chairman of the group, Mr. Chidi Onu, said the forum sought to know the plans of various candidates vying for political positions for the development of the nation, state and members of the group.

Onu said: “As shop owners, we suffer so much in the hands of micro-finance banks just to secure a loan to enhance our businesses.

We pay 50 percent interest; how do we then pay tax and fend for ourselves?

“We are faced with security challenges in the course of our business and constant harassment from area boys.

“How can we be part of the process that will elect people that will not remember us again until the next election when they will bring 10 naira biro and few cups of rice?

“Our votes are more valuable that those things; our lives are more valuable than those items.”

Patriots raise alarm over alleged arms proliferation in Ebonyi

GKS holds doctrinal service

I

POLLS: We 'll not be sidelined again — SHOP OWNERS

7 suspected kidnappers nabbed in Enugu

I

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

On the presidential election

do not know much about the card reader introduced in these elections. Let us hope it all turn out well. According to the information I have, the card readers will serve better next Saturday, being its first major test. So let us just pray.— Miss Nana Esupofo, Student.

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believe we are going to achieve something wonderful on Saturday. I advise that security men should be provided for each polling unit to help the INEC officials on that day. Some bad egss might want to do something silly on that day.— Mr. Jonathan Pwol, Civil Servant.

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VERYTHING is fine so far. INEC has made all the general preparations for the elections. I think the commission is going to perform very well in Saturday's election. Nigerians should just go out and vote peacefully.—Mrs Helen Lawrence, Businesswoman.

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ELL, what I can say is that next Saturday’s presidential election should be approached with extreme care, because that is where the destiny of Nigeria lies. At leats, for another four years. And it will determine the direction of other elections— Miss Rose Okont, Student.

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Y view on next Sat urday’s presidential election is that it is going to be peaceful, free and fair. However, I just want to urge all political parties and politicians not to see it as a do-ordie affair. Whoever loses should take it in good faith.—Mrs Mabel Mgbemena, Graduate.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—47

Fear grips Kaduna residents over tomorrow's elections K

ADUNA — AMID fear of violence and possible imposition of curfew over Kaduna State, residents are now stockpiling food stuff at home, as well as making huge cash withdrawals from banks ahead of Saturday’s poll.

However, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, who is the state’s governorship candidate of the All Progressives, Congress, APC, said at a news conference in Kaduna that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government in the state planned to instigate violence on election day, so that curfew could be imposed, to make manipulation of results in favour of the PDP possible.

Investigations by Vanguard showed that more residents were buying food stuff and meat that could last for several days in anticipation of election violence in the state.

This was even as some youths believed to be APC supporters had been pulling down or vandalising PDP bill boards in the metropolis.

Mallam Aminu Danmanir, Chairman, Meat Sellers Association, at the Kaduna Central Market, who spoke on the issue, said his members have recorded huge increase in sales over the past few days.

Danmanir said: “It came to us as surprise when people started buying meat in large quantities.

It was later that we knew that it was not because of the forthcoming Easter celebrations.

Because even Muslims were buying.

"Before now, I used to sell about 60 kilogrammes of meat in a day.

But it the past four days, I have been selling between 90 and 110 kilogrammes daily. We have not increased the price of meat. A kilogramme of beef is still N900.

But, if we keep getting this pressure, the price may go up.”

At Sabo Main Market, Mrs. Agnes Sati, told Vanguard that she had noticed some increase in the sale of her grains.

She said: “There are times in this market that I can hardly sell 10 measures of rice and beans or

CAMPAIGN: Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, during his campaign, at Mapo Hall, yesterday.

ATTACK: Zamfara gov escapes death

By Salisu Maradun

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OVERNOR ABDULAZIZ Yari of Zamfara State, yesterday, narrowly escaped death in the the hands of some

aggrieved youths suspected to be supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Sources said that some members of the governor ’s entourage dismantled some

8 Adamawa APC members decamp to PDP

By Umar Yusuf

Y

OLA — BARELY few hours to the presidential election, All Progressives Congress, APC, in Adamawa State, has suffered a set-back as eight members of the party’s state working committee

decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with thousands of their supporters and associates.

Those, who decamped included the state publicity secretary, the assistant secretary, women leader and zonal youth leader, central;

Uduaghan, Oshiomhole call for national integration

By Emma Amaize

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ARRI—GOVERNORS Emmanuel Uduaghan and Adams Oshiomhole of Delta and Edo states, respectively, have advocated peaceful coexistence, national integration and true federalism to ensure a stable polity.

They made the call at the Third National Integration Roundtable, entitled, 'National Integration: Panacea to Peaceful Coexistence,' organised by the Integration Summit Group of Nigeria, in Abuja.

Participants included delegates from all states of the federation, civil society groups and representatives of political parties, ethnic nationalities, religious bodies, foreign diplomats, academia and C M Y K

garri. But, now when people come to buy, they buy in large quantities.

"There was a day I sold three bags of rice, one bag of beans and almost three bags of Ijebu garri.

It is the same for palm oil and vegetable oil. People are afraid of tomorrow.”

government officials.

The two governors underlined the need to chart a positive course for the youths to shun ethnic, religious and political differences, and to build a strong Nigeria.

the financial secretary, state auditor and the state youth leader.

The defectors said they had resigned membership of APC as well as the position they occupied in the party and embraced the PDP to work for the actualisation of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s governorship ambition.

The spokesman for the eight APC leaders, Mr. Phineas Padio, alleged that instead of the APC addressing issues of development, the leadership had been enmeshed in primordial and personal matters, which they said had affected the fortunes of the party.

PDP’s candidates' billboards in the area, prompting the angry reaction from the youths.

Yari was in Anka town in the state in continuation of his governorship campaigns with his entourage when the angry mobs blocked his motorcade and started stoning them.

The youths pelted their vehicles with stones and other missiles resulting in the damage of many of the vehicles.

Sources from Anka town told Vanguard that the governor and his entourage were moving out from Anka town when the youths, started chanting war songs as well as hurling stones at the convoy from different directions at Anka - Four- Joint area, in Anka metropolis.

Eyewitnesses told the Vanguard that stones were thrown at the Toyota Coaster vehicle in which the governor and his top aides including state APC leaders were seated.

CSCGG denounces deployment of military, use of ethnic militia

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ROUP, CIVIL Society Coalition for Good Governance, CSCGG, has called on the Federal Government to put an end to deployment of the military in subsequent elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, yesterday, the group led

by Okechukwu Nwanguma, Declan Ihekaire and Mohammed Kudu, said the police should rather be equipped and supported to remain professional and neutral.

To disabuse the minds of people who think that intimidating presence of soldiers can prevent mischief makers and thugs from causing mayhem, the group said using the military is unconstitutional and against the Armed Forces Act, which the courts had repeatedly upheld.

“At the last count, three successive court orders in recent times have unequivocally barred

the use of the military in elections,” the group said.

The group also condemned the use of ethnic militia, "like OPC and MASSOB," by politicians, saying, “we hereby condemn the situation whereby any of the political parties and their candidates would resort to hiring, empowering and using ethnic militia for campaign rallies to intimidate and constitute nuisance to the citizens.”

Jonathan lays College of Health Science, Oturkpo foundation

By Peter Duru

P

RESIDENT GOODLUCK Jonathan, yesterday, performed the ground breaking ceremony of the College of Health Sciences and University Teaching Hospital, Akwete-Akpa in Otukpo, Benue State.

Jonathan was represented on the occasion, at the home town of the Senate President, Senator David Mark by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo.

Jonathan said, the project, which was the 21st in the country, was the ‘’baby of the Senate President, David Mark."

He said it would provide the country with manpower in the health sector, and also bring world class healthcare delivery services to the people, as “healthy citizens translate to higher life expectancy, more productivity and greater development.

Nze Ugwanyi is dead

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ZE CHUMA Ugwanyi, former journalist and banker is dead. The deceased worked briefly with the Radio Nigeria, Enugu before joining the defunct Satellite Newspaers.

He later worked with the former Lobi Bank before joining the Umu Ozzi Community Bank, Enugu Ezike, as manager until his death.

Left to mourn him are his wife, Hon. Ethel Oyibo Ugwanyi, PDP candidate for Igboeze North 1 Constituency for April 14 House of Assembly election; aged mother, son and seven daughters.

Burial arrangements would be announced later.

Late Ugwanyi

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

CONVOCATION: From left: Oluwatoyosi Lawal, beneficiary of MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship for the Blind, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education, Lawal Tolulope, another beneficiary, and Dr. Emmanuel Adeniyi, Provost, Federal College of Education, Special, Oyo, at the 16th convocation of FCE, Special, Oyo town, Oyo State.

GRADUATION: From left: Managing Director, Osun State Investment Company Ltd, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, former Speaker, House of Representatives and graduate of Law, Buckingham University, UK, Mrs Patricia Etteh, and Dr. Sekinah Oyebanji during Patricia Etteh's graduation in London.

CONSUMER BAROMETER: From left: Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, Google Nigeria Country Manager, Gur Biron, Google Sub Saharan Africa Lead, and Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communication & Public Affairs Manager, Google West Africa, during the release of Google’s consumer Barometer on the use of internet tools in Lagos. Photo: Emeka Aginam BRIEFING: From left: Mrs. Hamda Ambah, Executive Director, FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd, Mr Rilwan Belo-Osagie, MD/CEO, and Ms. Funsho Olusanya, Executive Director, at a briefing on post annual general meeting in Lagos.

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MEETING: From left: Mrs Gladys Anene, Deputy Rector, Academic, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Prof. Godwin Onu, Rector, and Sir Ejike Nwabuona, Deputy Rector, Administration, during the reconciliatory meeting of the polytechnic community, at Oko, Anambra State.

SESSION: From Left: Otunba Gani Adams, Convener, Coalition of Concerned Nigerians, CCN, Chief Anselm Njoku, National Coordinator, National Traders and Markets Leaders Council of Nigeria, and Mr. Razaq Oladosu, Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Communication, during the interactive session on the 2015 general elections in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

RALLY: From right: Comrade Adewale Adeoye, Coordinator, Oodua Nationalist Coalition, ONAC, Comrade Gbenga Awosode, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Afenifere Leader, Comarde Popoola Ajayi, and others, during a rally for Yoruba self determination, organised by ONAC in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

ORAL HEALTH WALK: Adeniba Bunmi, Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nig (3rd left), and members of the Nigerian Dental Association, at an oral health walk in commemoration of the World Oral Health Day in Lagos.

49 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 27, 2015

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50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

IPAC calls for transfer of some INEC staff in Abia

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA — BARELY 24 hours to tomorrow’s election, Abia State chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has petitioned the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, asking him to transfer six of his staff for allegedly offering themselves to be used as tools to pervert elections in the state.

Consequently, the group threatened to reject the election results in the state, if the officers were transferred.

ENUGU: Court strikes out suit against

PDP Gov candidate

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA —-THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, struck out a suit that sought to disqualify the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, from participating in the forthcoming gubernatorial poll in the state.

Justice Evoh Chukwu terminated further hearing on the matter, following a notice of discontinuance filed by the plaintiff, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi, who is a chieftain of the PDP in the state and owner of Peace Mass Transit Limited.

Onyishi had in his suit marked

FHC/ABJ/CS/1003/2014, prayed the Court to nullify the December 8, 2014, PDP governorship primary in Enugu State, citing alleged irregularities, especially with regards to the list of ad-hoc delegates used for the exercise.

He prayed the court to void the primary election for being in breach of sections 87(4) (b) (I) of the Electoral Act and for non compliance with the electoral guidelines for primary elections 2014 of the PDP and its constitution.

The plaintiff alleged that Enugu State Electoral Panel of the PDP, in breach of a subsisting court judgment, discarded a list of duly elected delegates approved by a court of competent jurisdiction, and brought out a totally different

list of delegates which they claimed was handed over to them by the leadership of the party.

He told the court that no valid gubernatorial primary election of the PDP took place in Enugu State on December 8, as no votes or results could have been recorded from the flawed delegates list.

More so, Dr. Onyishi, averred that upon realizing the illegality of using a different list from the one sanctioned by the court, some delegates conducted different primaries leading to a situation where the state now paraded three persons laying claim to being winners of the governoship primary election of the PDP in the state.

Consequently, he prayed the

...police urge security personnel to be tough

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MUAHIA— AHEAD of tomorrow’s presidential elections, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Habila Joshak, has called on security agencies in the state to be tough and fair in their decisions to ensure the maintenance of law and order during the elections.

According to him, their role is crucial to the peaceful conduct of the elections tomorrow and April 11.

He warned that the integrity of the election should not be compromised by any misdemeanor of security personnel.

CJ demands judicial independence

By Enyim Enyim

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NITSHA — THE Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi, yesterday called for judiciary independence through financial autonomy to ensure quick dispensation of justice in the country..

Addressing reporters in his office in Awka, Umeadi reasoned that judicial independence would enable the judicial arm to adjudicate on issues without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

According to him, the judiciary, as a component of government, occupies a peculiar position where it is expected to act as an arbiter between the executive and legislative arms.

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PROGRAMME: Former Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports,Zubairu Bashir presenting a key of Volkswagen Golf car to one of the beneficiaries of the Umar Sani Foundation 2nd youth empowerment programme, in Kaduna, yesterday. With them is the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, to the Vice President, Umar Sani.

PRESIDENTIAL POLL: INEC fails to accredit

Enugu journalists

By Francis Igata

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LTHOUGH THE Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC, in Enugu State has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the 17 local government areas in the state, the commission is yet to accredit journalists covering the election.

As at 9.00AM yesterday, journalists who thronged INEC office situated at Independence layout were disappointed with the stories emanating from the Deputy Director, Voter Education,Publicity,Gender and Civil Society,Mrs. Antonia Egwo, who indicated that accreditation materials for journalists were incomplete.

She, however, tossed

journalists around, scheduling three appointments at 1.00pm, 3.00pm and 5.00pm for the accreditation but to no avail.

On the issue of distribution of sensitive materials, Egwo confirmed that the materials were being moved to various council areas.

She maintained that INEC was ready for the exercise in the state.

Foundation makes case for peaceful polls

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GWASHI-UKU—The leadership of Aniocha Progressive Assembly, under the platform of Dr. Fidelis Ify Efunwa Foundation, has called on the people of the area as well as Deltans to shun violence, before, during and after the general elections.

The founder and initiator of Aniocha Progressive Assembly, Dr. Fidelis Efunwa, who is also the President of Fidelis Ify Efunwa Foundation, a non governortal organization, made the call while

speaking at a grand finale rally held at the Ogweshi-Uku township field to sensitize the people of the area on the need not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble.

Efunwa stated that though his foundation was non political, he, however, remarked that he had support for the ruling PDP administration.

Efunwa, while addressing members of the Assembly drawn from all the communities of Aniocha-South Local

Government Area, stated that the decision to throw their weight behind the candidates of PDP, including House of Assembly candidate for Aniocha-South constituency, Chief Angela Nwaka, was to bring good governance and leadership to the people.

Some speakers on the occasion, including representative of Youths in Diaspora, Mr. Chinedu Enujekor, said there was need for youths to remain focussed and committed.

court to, among other things, determine whether having regard to the subsisting judgment of this honourable court in Suit No: FHC,/ABJ/CS/830/2014- Barrister Orji Chinenye Godwin & 2 Ors. (suing for themselves and on behalf of all the delegates elected on November 1, 2014 at the Ward Congress held for Enugu State) vs. Peoples Democratic Party & 4 Ors, the PDP could lawfully and validly conduct her governorship primary election 2014 on December 8, 2015, for the forthcoming 2015 Enugu State governorship election, using a doctored list of delegated at variance with the list of delegates already sanctioned, endorsed and validated in the said Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/830/2014 by this honourable court.

Meanwhile, at the resumed sitting on the matter yesterday, the plaintiff, through his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, notified the court of his decision to discontinue with the matter, adding that he had already lodged a Notice of Discontinuation to that effect pursuant to Order 50, Rule 2 (1) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules), 2009.

The Notice dated March 24, 2014 and signed by his lawyer, Chief Uche, SAN, read: “Take Notice that the Plaintiff herein intends and do hereby discontinue wholly his suit against the Defendants”.

However, the PDP, through its lawyer Mr. Obiora Onya, argued that in the circumstance, the appropriate order for the court to make would be to dismiss the matter instead of just striking it out.

The position of the PDP was also adopted by its governorship flag-bearer in the state, Ugwuanyi, who was also a defendant in the matter.

Arguing through his counsel, Chief Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, the plaintiff equally relied on Order 50 of the Federal High Court Rule, and insisted that the matter ought to be dismissed, an argument opposed by the plaintiff’s lawyer who stressed that there was no need for dismissal of the case since his client had formally and unconditionally discontinued it.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Chukwu said he minded to strike out the suit with a caveat that the plaintiff would have to seek the leave of the Court before he could file a fresh case on the same subject matter.

It will be recalled that the same court had on March 2, 2015, dismissed a similar suit filed before it by another governorship aspirant of the PDP in the state, Senator Ayogu Eze, who also laid claims to the party’s ticket, having emerged from a parallel primary election that held in the state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 51

SOLDIERS’ DEPLOYMENT: Court verdict divides

lawyers, others

Comply with court decisions, APC asks FG Meanwhile, the APC, Tuesday, aligned with those endorsing the ruling and said it would sue the Federal Government for contempt of court if it failed to abide by the judgement that restrained it from deploying troops for elections.

In a statement by the National Vice-Chairman (South-West), Chief Pius Akinyelure, the party also asked the government to also obey the decisions of two courts predicated on the judgement of a Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin in a suit between APC and Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

“The 1999 constitution does not make provision for the military to be involved in civil activities. If soldiers must vote, it must be in their barracks. On this note, armed forces have no role in elections.

•Sagay, Ozekhome, Oblah, Agbaje, others speak •APC threatens to sue FG if...

•Mixed feelings trail deployment of soldiers to Lagos streets

By Innocent Anaba, Samuel Oyadongha, Abdulwahab Abdulah, Luka Binniyat, Dapo Akinrefon, Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Bartholomew Madukwe LEADING LAWYERS and pressure groups were clearly divided, yesterday, over the judgement of a Federal High Court stopping the Federal Government from deploying soldiers for the forthcoming general elections.

While some of them hailed the judgement as a lucid interpretation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, others argued that there is a distinction between deploying soldiers to monitor elections and deploying them to provide security, which they said is ancillary to the conduct of the election itself.

The division came as the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, vowed to sue the Federal Government if it did not obey the court judgement.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday said no part of the 1999 Constitution empowered the Federal Government and the President to deploy soldiers for election purposes.

Verdict in order –Sagay Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) said the ruling barring soldiers at polling stations is in order.

Sagay, who spoke in favour of the judgement, said: “I have gone through the judgement and I think the judgement is in order.

This is because a Court of Appeal had ruled that soldiers should not be deployed anywhere near polling stations.

"In the first place, soldiers are not expected to be deployed on election days but in the event that there is an outbreak of crisis, which cannot be contained by the Police, then, INEC can call on the soldiers to restore law and order.

So, I am in support of the judgement.”

President has powers to deploy soldiers –Ozekhome Constitutional lawyer and human right activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, argued that the President has powers to deploy soldiers during elections and urged that military personnel should be deployed to patrol the

C M Y K

streets, escort sensitive electoral materials safely to their various destinations and man all borders, whether air, land and sea.

He said: “It is beyond doubt that constitutionally, legally and morally, the President has the power to deploy the military during elections where he perceives that there will likely be a threat to public security and safety for reasons already adumbrated. The deployment can help to nip in the bud, cases of insurrection, to restore law and order, to maintain Nigeria’s territorial integrity and secure Nigeria’s borders from violation, land, sea and air. These are the exact words of Section 217 of the Constitution.’’

FG must respect rule of law —Hon His argument was, however, punctured by another constitutional lawyer, Mr. Sebastian Hon, SAN, who cautioned the Federal Government to show its respect for the rule of law by refraining from deploying soldiers to undertake any form of assignment during the election, in line with two concurring verdicts of the Federal High Court and the obiter dictum (observations) of the Court of Appeal in the election petition matter involving Ekiti State.

His words: “Sections 214 and 215 of the constitution have established the Nigerian police force and imbued it with constitutional duties, including ensuring free and fair conduct of elections.

"Section 217 which established the Nigerian Armed Forces has limited their operational powers.

They are not supposed to participate in seeing that elections are free and fair except as I said above, where there are instances of civil disturbance or complete breakdown of the law, such that is far beyond the powers of the regular police. And even in such situation, it is only the Commander-in-Chief that has the powers to order such deployment.

Govt must not wait for disturbances before acting —Oblah Meanwhile, another SAN, Mr. Godwin Oblah, argued that it would not be proper for the Federal Government to wait until there is a civil disturbance or break-down of law and order during or after the elections

TOUR: Dr. Alex Otti, Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, and President Goodluck Jonathan, at the facility tour of Geometric Power Project, in Umu Ojima, Osisioma Local Government Area, Abia State. before deploying soldiers to man flashpoints across the federation.

He argued that the prevailing security situation in the country had made it imperative that the government must take precautionary measures, an action he said was in tune with the constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government to protect lives and property of Nigerians at all times.

His words: “There is need for the deployment of soldiers, especially in view of the security situation in the nation. They (soldiers) are not going to participate actively in the electoral process, but as long they provide security that is ancillary to the conduct of the election, there is nothing wrong with it.

"They are not deployed for war.

Is it in everything that the permission of the National Assembly must be secured first?

Supposing on the day of election crisis arises and you then ask the President to deploy, where will the National Assembly sit to give such approval? The damage would have been done before such deployment is done.’’

It ‘ll amount to executive lawlessness —Owonikoko On his part, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, said: “Under Section 150 of the constitution, there are certain bodies that are meant to be independent of the Presidency. INEC is one of them.

For obvious reasons, Mr. President is one of the contestants in the election for whom INEC must provide a level ground.

“For the body to conduct free and fair election, it cannot give any role to the INEC in the conduct of

election. It is only reserved for him to appoint the INEC chairman and the commissioners, apart from that he has no other role except for some logistics.

"In the situation where the Presidency has to deploy troops, that means there is no conducive environment to conduct the poll.

That is why the constitution says whenever the environment is not conducive, the state shall be under the state of emergency. So what the courts have done is to put clarification into what have been a confusion on the position of the law on deployment of military in election. This has not been the first time, this happened when Alhaji M.D Yusuf took President Obasanjo to court over the deployment of soldiers and the court held such was unconstitutional.”

FG must obey or appeal – Agbaje To another lawyer, Fred Agbaje: “The judgement of the courts cannot be a judgement in vain. What the Ekiti Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court have done is to uphold the constitution in line with the separation of powers. The executive cannot afford to go head-long, neither can the executive go in contravention of the decisions of courts under a democratic constitutional government. The only option left for the executive is to lodge an appeal against such judgement, failure to do this, any attempt to use the military will amount to executive lawlessness.’’

Jonathan exercises discretional powers to deploy soldiers anywhere – Jacob However, former National Legal Adviser to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mark Nzamah Jacob, said the judgement did not remove the powers invested on President Jonathan Goodluck as the Commander-in-Chief, C-in-C , of Nigerian Arm forces, to deploy troops anywhere and any time as the situation demands.

Jacob, also former Kaduna State Attorney General and Commissioner Justice, said that the judgement was declaratory and had no binding powers on both the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the President.

He said: “It is a pity that some people don’t just understand the workings of the judiciary. The President is the C-in-C of the Nigeria Armed Forces and he does not need to seek the consent of anyone to deploy troops. He exercises discretional powers over the Armed Forces. The Air Force, for example, has been used in almost all elections to move sensitive materials to some difficult terrains. Likewise the Navy, for tough riverine areas.

Are they not part of the Armed Forces? Are you saying they have been doing illegality?

Afenifere, LP, others speak Other eminent persons and groups that spoke on the issue included Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Tani A Molajo SAN, Chief Morah Ekwunoh, Monday Ubani, Olalekan Ojo, Carol Ajie, Tony Uranta, Prof Beke Sese (Chairman Academic Staff Union of Universities, Niger Delta University, ASUU-NDU chapter), Afenifere, Labour Party and Ijaw Youth Council, IYC. While Uranta said the judgement is laying grounds for further postponement of the polls, Afenifere described it as judicial anarchy.

52 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

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ENSION, emotion, sentiments have heightened in the last few weeks preparatory to the general elections. We have never had it so bad.

Inflammatory statements, attacks on personalities have become the order. While some politicians are ready to spill the milk if the election did not go their way, some youths have vowed to go up in arms against Nigeria, our beloved country and cut down anybody that dared challenge their exuberance.

In places of worship, market places, commercial buses, motor parks, the discussion has been nothing but who should get the baton at the center, and so, you could see sentiments, interest, biases laced with careless and unguided utterances, abuses and anger.

Unguided utterances People become offended, relationships are damaged, and ethnic and religious bigotry have beclouded our judgments. Instead of hope, we despair, instead of trust, we fear and instead of love, we hate. It takes just a little to know how Nigerians feel about the development. Just take a commercial bus and throw up a debate on politics, you will be amazed. A few days ago, after the Monday OPC rally, an argument which started like a storm in a tea-cup snowballed into a big squabbles and then throwing of punches. The social media is no different as curses and vituperation characterized comments and remarks on issues about politics especially having to do with the two

Jumada Al-Akhir 7, 1436 A.H.

Polls: Let there be peace major parties. Politicians themselves are not helping the situation as attacks and counter attacks become the hallmark of campaigns.

At this time of our lives, we must not allow ourselves to be used as tools for violence.

In this age where several cultures come into contact with each other, where inter-tribal marriages have entwined us together and where nature has refused to separate us and has become vital necessities to continue to be indivisible nation, then, we must maintain social cohesion; we must rise against all the temptation and cajolery of violence during and after this election. There should be peaceful coexistence between our ideas of democracy and religious diversity.

The Holy Quran says: And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.

And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.

And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved

you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.

(Q3:103) During the time of Jahiliyyah, the Aws and Khazraj were at war and had great hatred, enmity and ill feelings towards each other, causing long

Election will come, go and Nigeria will remain. Value your life, if you are still alive, you can be better than anyone of them who is standing for elective position today

conflicts and battles between them. This verse was revealed and the Prophet brought them together. Like we always teach in this column, Islam enjoins Al-Ma‘ ruf (all that is good Islam orders) and forbidding Al-Munkar (all that Islam has forbidden). Anything that will divide us as a people should not be encouraged.

Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Respect the feeling of others so that the same will be done unto you. It is only a good Muslim that will not hurt anyone by his words or actions. If he does erroneously, it is incumbent upon him to apologize immediately. Let us have a spirit of mutual tolerance.

Terror can never be used in the name of Islam or for the sake of any Islamic ends. A terrorist cannot be a Muslim and a Muslim cannot be a terrorist. A Muslim can only be the representative and symbol of peace, welfare, and prosperity.

A Muslim is he who avoids every kind of terrorist or violent activity and who has no malice or hatred for anyone or anything. To the good Muslim, respect for diversity is a religious obligation. This is a

true representative and advocate of peace.

You don’t need to kill, maim or cause pain to others for any politician to win the polls. You do not owe anyone a duty to die for anyone to be victorious.

Politicians who are sworn enemies today may become friends tomorrow. There are copious examples in our polity today that prove the axiom of ‘No permanent enemy in politics but permanent interest’ A President, governors and others will emerge. Election will come, go and Nigeria will remain. Value your life, if you are still alive, you can be better than anyone of them who is standing for elective position today.

Appropriate authorities like the governments, political parties, the umpire, stakeholders must comply with the moral principles of Justice.

That is the only ultimate weapon against violence.

Again, those who are driven by the impulse to hold-on to power at all cost must remember that power is as fleeting as life itself. It was not the wish of Sanni Abacha to quit the stage at the time he did, even when Kalu and other politicians sang to high heavens ...‘the cap fits’ amidst the ‘“five fingers of a leprous hand....” We must learn to submit to God as the giver and source of power. We must be gallant and courteous in defeat.

In a wrap, peaceful coexistence is possible if we have good moral values, justice, acceptance of the verdict of election and mutual respect.

Every Muslim must say no to violence, every individual must say no to bloodletting.

Eti-Osa Muslim elders sue for peace

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The Putra Mosque built on water, or Masjid Putra in Malay language, is the principal mosque of Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Construction of the mosque began in 1997 and was completed two years later. It is located next to Perdana Putra which houses the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office and man-made Putrajaya Lake. In front of the mosque is a large square with flagpoles flying Malaysian states’ flags.

HE Eti-Osa Muslim Elders Forum have called on citizens to eschew all forms of violence during and after the general elections beginning tomorrow.

The elders made the call yesterday after a meeting convened by Baba Adini of Eti-Osa, Alhaji Abdul Yekeen Olawale Bakare just as they prayed for a peaceful conduct of the election.

We gathered that the meeting became necessary following incessant attacks and violence during political rallies in the area.

The Chairman, Eti-Osa Council of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Abdul-Bari Yossuf Afini in a release sent to Facing the Kaaba said: “All Muslim leaders and Imams in Eti-Osa Muslim Community hereby urged all citizens of Nigeria especially the youths to remain calm and law abiding, to cast their votes and return back to their various homes to avoid any act that can trigger violence. It is important to note that previous electoral violence in Nigeria history served no good to the Nation and mostly to its perpetrators.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 53

Muslims offer special prayers for peaceful elections in Ibadan

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Jumada Al-Akhir 7, 1436 A.H.

Muslim families failed to entrench Shura principles — Abdul-Barri •Muyideen Bello, others speak

By Aderonke Adeyeri

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OLLOWING our last week edition on Shura and democratic process in the lives of Muslims, other notable scholars have also added their views on the topic.

Sheikh Muyideen Bello, Chairman of all Imams in the Northern States and also Chief Imam of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria said Shura process is the best way to create a governing body in any organization as created by Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w). It cannotbecomparedwithdemocracy.

Shura process entails seeking the true consent of the trustworthy members especially the elders. It is usually based on truth and competency. Even the family and neighboursofwhoeverisnominated will also have a contribution unlike democracy where only the majority carries the vote.

Islamic organisations in Nigeria may not be able to practice Shura system fully due to adopted legal system or constitution.

Shura can be best practiced just likethetimeofProphetMuhammed (s.a.w) in Saudi and in the Muslim Caliphate system (Khulafau Raashideen) and it is only when we practice Shura will members of Islamic organisations become enlightened.

Successful Shura practice However,Shuramustbepracticed without any form of partiality to set example and encourage Muslims.

AllIslamicleadersmustworktogain the trust of their followers to have a successful Shura practice.

Also, Sheikh Musa Olomu, Chief Imam of Ijaiye, Ogun state opined that Allah has enjoined all Muslims to clinch unto Shura as the only panacea to the misdemeanor of emergence of leaders who direct the affairs of men. (Qu’ran 43 v 28). The rationale for Shura is to pave the way for the rich and poor to have a voice in their leadership and governance. Also, to encourage Muslims express their opinions in matters affecting their community.

The Holy prophet gave credence to the decisions of his followers during his time. At one battle, they said the battle should be outside Makkah at Badrut against his own decision.

This set an example of respecting theopinionofthemajority.Members of Shura are constituted through selection based on their loyalty, sincerity and obedience to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w) and not through democratic process. However, Muslim leaders

•Abdul-Barri Afini need to enlighten followers on the importance of Shuraintheirdailylives through seminars, workshops, public lecturesetc.Shuramustbeimplemented inallIslamiccommunitytoenjoypeaceful co-existence.

However, the Chairman, Council of Imams and Alfas, Eti-Osa, Imam Yoosuf Abdul-Barri in his view said Shura is the Islamic political system ordained by Allah and practiced by the holy Prophet and his successors.

Its principals are based on mutual

•Muyideen Bello consultation. According to him, “the bases of Shura are uprightness in faith, virtues and trust overtime, required knowledge, experience, sound physical and mental health among others. It is wrong for anyone to seek or lobby for any office or position.

Most Muslim organisations and families have failed to entrench the principles of Shura in their affairs,” Abdul-Barri said.

Spread true teachings of Islam, Ahmad tells Muslim journalists

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HE World Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Masroor Ahmad has urged media practitioners of the Ahmadiyya Islamic community and Muslims in general to spread the peaceful message to the world.

While addressing participants at the concluding session of the international broadcast conference and workshop at the Muslim Television Ahmadiyya headquarters in Merton, London, Hazrat Masroor Ahmad said the message of peace was important as some group of Muslims had been engaging in acts antithetical to the true teachings of Islam.

He noted that the growing suicide attacks, killings and hate speeches by those who do not

understand fully the teachings of Islam orwho do not care about humanity, and other evil machinations by ISIS in the Middle East and Boko Haram in Nigeria have been a source of worry to Muslims globally .

The Ahmadiyya leader said, the Islamic community is fully committed to the spread of Islam through peaceful means and establishment of social economic facilities such as schools, hospitals and other community development projects.

The international broadcast conference and training reviewed developments in international broadcasting and the latest skills needed for the broadcast industry in the 21st century.

Cross section of participants at the 3rd International Broadcast Conference by the Muslim Television Ahmadiyya in London.

Sitting:Hazrat Masroor Ahmad, Global Head, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (middle) among others.

HE Muslim Ummah of South-West (MUSWEN) has offered special prayers for a peaceful general elections.

The special prayers which was held in Ibadan, Oyo State recently, was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Suara Haruna Speaking with newsmen at the end of the special prayer, the Secretary of MUSWEN, Prof.

Dawud Noibi, said the association organised the prayer to ensure peaceful elections in the country.

“The only resort Nigeria has is to call on Allah to guide us and give us peaceful elections” he said.

He said that the way out in solving any problems should be through negotiation and not through crisis. “As Muslim faithful we believe that through prayer there will be peace in Nigeria and all will be well.”

Noibi advised those that were eligible to vote to go out en masse, cast their votes according

to their conscience.

The Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, said that Muslims believed the elections would be credible, free and fair.

“As the election is drawing near, there has been apprehension by Nigerians that the election may be marred with violence and may lead to anarchy” He urged all the ethnic militias not to attach to any political party in other to ensure free and fair elections.

Alhaja Sururah Oyero, the National Public Relations Officer, Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria, (FOMWAN), empahsised the role of women in the forthcoming elections.

According to her, the role of women is to come out en masse in order to fulfill their civic obligations. “FOMWAN is calling on women to take care of their children and must not send them out to hawk at the polling units.”

SURE-P: Hope rises as GIS orientation training holds for Lagos interns

A

S part of the ongoing graduate internship training programme put together by the Office of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Graduate Intensive Scheme (GIS) began a three-day orientation training for the interns in Lagos State, which was held in PSSDC, Magodo Phase II, Ikeja, in the Centre of Excellence. The programme, organised in collaboration with Axiom Learning Solutions Limited, consulting firm for the training, was attended by over 100 interns and representatives of some of their firms of attachment.

In line with the Transformation of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, SURE-P office, by this training programme, have intends to ensure specific objectives which include provision of 50,000 graduates with quality work experience, improvement of job placement options by providing opportunity to acquire professional skills, high prospect of being retained after the completion of internship, graduates having a golden opportunity to prove their worth and ability to add value to place of attachment, aim of providing the enhancement unemployed and opportunity underemployed As a towards building graduate youths with government i n t e r n s h i p manpower base for national opportunities that will we can development and expose them to skills boldly say enhancement of and experiences the attainment of relevant to the current that the Vision 20:2020. labour market and purpose of The three-day enhance their mentoring employability. setting up programme is He said: “As a the i n t e n d e d government we can particularly by boldly say that the Graduate the government purpose of setting up Internship to make the Graduate otherwise Scheme is Internship Scheme unemployable which is for them to being graduate to fit acquire employability achieved into the skills is being employment achieved. Figures sector.

The from the GIS portal government of indicate that 12,493 the federation is responsible for training cost firms across the country have and N30,000 monthly salary registered, to participate in the paid to each intern for the one scheme, whie 248,104 graduate have registered. This year internship period.

In a speech delivered by is encouraging as it shows Miss Kemi Fatoki, on behalf of great confidence in the the Director of Graduate programme from both firms Internship Scheme (GIS), Mr. and graduates. Our vision is Peter Pakpa, during the that the GIS will be yet another opening ceremony of the example that Nigeria will sell event, GIS was described as a to the world as a way out of component of SURE-P with the graduate unemployment.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Foundation takes sensitization on heart diseases to Ekiti

COURT ON FIRE:

Parts of the High Court of Abuja (main and inset) were gutted by fire after close of work, yesterday.

PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

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HE Babatunde Femi Owolabi Memorial Heart Foundation recently held a public lecture on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, while conducting free medical screening for participants and various residents in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.

Speaking at the event, which took place at the Cathy Bee Event Centre, the President of the foundation, Mr. Tope Owolabi, enlightened participants on the importance of periodic medical check-up.

He said ignorance on the part of citizens and the lack of access to medical facilities in many parts of the country are major factors contributing to the rising cases of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Explaining the rationale behind the establishment of the foundation, Owolabi stated that his desire to stem the tide of increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes was the motivating factor behind the free medical screening and public lecture.

Public Health Consultant and Guest Speaker at the event, Dr. Omowunmi Bakare, who spoke on Taking Charge of Your Life, enlightened the participants on how to effectively prevent, manage and control diabetes and hypertension.

Seek clearance before returning home, FG advises IDPs A

BUJA—FEDERAL Government has advised Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, to seek proper advice and clearance from security and relevant environmental agency before returning home.

Mr. Mike Omeri, Coordinator, National Information Centre, gave the advice yesterday in Abuja, while giving update on the security situation in the NorthEast, at a news conference.

“The returnees are advised to wait for proper security and environmental clearance from appropriate government organs before returning to their homes,” Omeri said.

He said aside from other initiatives, government had on Tuesday inaugurated another special committee on resettlement of IDPs with a clear mandate.

The coordinator said

members of the committee were drawn from relevant government agencies including the National Orientation Agency, NOA; National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA; the Red Cross and Victims Support Fund.

Omeri said the mandate of the committee was to assess the status of liberated communities for occupation; assess and determine the needs of IDPs and implement modalities for their return, among others.

Election in North-East

On election security in the North-East, he said activities of rthe emaining elements of Boko Haram and disposition of some youth wings of political parties still posed serious challenge in the area.

He said: “It is, therefore, in this regard that security forces

20 parties restate opposition to card readers

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HERE seems to be no letup in the opposition to the use of card readers for the elections, beginning tomorrow with the presidential poll, as 20 political parties in the country have restated their opposition to the use of card readers.

This followed a stakeholders’ meeting of parties last Tuesday.

The meeting had in attendance over 20 political parties, with only Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, and All Progressives Congress, APC, raising objection to the recommendations made by other political parties.

The 20 parties wondered why

the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, was bent on using smart card readers for the elections “despite very glaring inadequacies and shortcoming that came to light during the recent mock verification exercise in selected states.”

Jega had said he had no regrets insisting on deploying the card readers for the conduct of the general election, as it will ensure credible elections.

But Jega had also previously stated categorically that he did not want to experiment with

the card readers in the governorship elections in Osun and Ekitit states.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the 20 parties said: “It baffles us that he now wants to experiment with the smart card readers in a presidential election, which is the most important election in the country with far reaching consequences.

“What has fundamentally changed between Osun and Ekiti governorship elections and now to warrant Jega’s insistence on experimenting with smart card readers in the presidential election?”

have put in place a number of measures to ensure hitchfree elections.

“Citizens are, therefore, advised to conduct themselves responsibly and also abide by whatever measures put in place by the military and other relevant government agencies to achieve maximum success.”

According to Omeri, the measures were adopted for the participation of internally displaced persons, IDPs, at locations properly designated by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘No fresh abduction’

On the reported abduction of women and children in Damasak, Borno State, Omeri described the report as false.

He said: “The centre wishes to clarify that there is no fresh abduction in Damasak, Borno, as has been reported.

“Additionally, the centre does not have information on the number of those missing after the liberation of the community.

“Damasak was under the control of Boko Haram for several months before being liberated last week by the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, troops.

“During their occupation of Damasak, Boko Haram moved the community members from their homes to an Islamiyya school.

“However, on hearing of the impending military attack, the insurgents released women, the elderly and children before retreating from Damasak.”

Minister allegedly escapes assassination attempt in Gokhana

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ORT HARCOURT : Minister of State for Industry, Mr Kenneth Kobani, last night allegedly escaped assassination attempt on his life in his Gokhana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a statement by its state Chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, accused a member of the APC of allegedly being behind the alleged incident.

He said “The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Kenneth Kobani was this evening of Thursday attacked by armed thugs led by an All Progressives Congress, APC, member of the House of Representatives.

Police avert community, hoodlums clash

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HE traditional ruler of Sango Ota, Ogun state, Chief Wasiu Olawole Akilo has commended Sango Ota police command and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Adisa Muyideen for restoring peace to Araromi community when hoodlums attempted to cause confusion in the area.

The hoodlums were said to have stormed the community during the week armed with dangerous weapons such as cutlass, broken bottles and machetes and tried to prevent Muslims from worshipping at a mosque in the community.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 55

Lagos firm launches online platform for election

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DISCOURSE: Cross section of the discussants at the 'Take A Stand Discourse' held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja, recently.

Five killed as robbers raid three banks in Owo

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—SEVEN armed robbers yesterday in quick succession, invaded three commercial banks in Owo area of Ondo State, killing no fewer than five persons, including the bank manager of one of the banks and

his assistant.

An unconfirmed source alleged that some policemen and bank officials were injured in the shoot out with the robbers.

The driver of the bus of a Nursery Primary School in Owo and one other man were shot dead at Rainbow junction in the ancient town.

The robbery reportedly took place at about 4pm yesterday.

They succeeded in carting away an unspecified amount of money from the bank.

Vanguard learned that the Manager and his assistant were reportedly shot for not cooperating with them when they requested for the keys to the strong room of their bank.

On arrival in the town, the hoodlums reportedly shot sporadically into the air until they

Customs seizes N4.9m worth of used tyres

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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HE Nigeria Customs monitoring team, Idiroko Axis, has intercepted a large quantity of prohibited goods, most of which are used vehicles tyres, along the Lagos/Shagamu expressway.

The seizure included a total of 626 units used tyres with a duty paid value (DPV) of about N4.9 million.

The comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Turaki Usman Adamu, who disclosed this yesterday, said the feat became possible following the renewed commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to confront the nefarious activities of smugglers.

He disclosed that the monitoring team headed by an assistant comptroller, Yahaya Usman Biri, while acting on a tip-off, intercepted a diesel truck with registration No. AGB 106 ZD along the Lagos/

Shagamu expressway.

In line with the practice of ensuring physical examination on such suspected vehicles, the truck was taken to the Customs headquarters, Federal Operations Unit Ikeja where examination was conducted and

Phase3 expands backbone infrastructure to Niger Republic

P

HASE3 Telecom has announced plans to commence the deployment of aerial fiber optic infrastructure from Kano to Gazaoua in the Republic of Niger.

The network, which will run from Kano State through Katsina State before arriving at Gazaoua will be 228 km long and is expected to be completed in the coming months.

Dell unveils new business region

D

ELL has announced it has combined its business in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa to create one new business region: META (Middle East, Turkey and Africa), which will be led by Driss Elougmani. In bringing together people, capabilities and strengths into one business, Dell has created a more scalable organization where its specialist resources can operate across the entire region. Ultimately this will provide a richer experience for customers and partners.

Dell has seen significant growth across the burgeoning economies of the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. Dell recognises that many

the prohibited items were uncovered.

The items seized include pieces of used tyres, 152 cartons of ceramic tiles, 11 pieces of plastic bowls, 266 pieces of flower pots, and 86 bundles of plastic containers among other items.

organizations throughout the region face similar challenges and demand greater levels of advice and support as they expand their businesses. The enhanced organisational structure will enable Dell to be even more focused on the needs of customers and partners, making best use of its regional hub and product centre in Dubai.

Michael Collins, VP and general manager, EMEA Emerging Markets said that “At Dell we continuously strive to develop new and innovative ways to better meet the needs of our customers and partners.

The Republic of Niger is a landlocked country that borders seven countries; Algeria, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. The lack of backbone infrastructure between the Republic of Niger and its neighbours makes the country to be unable to fully enjoy the broadband advantage to its fullest.

With one of the lowest internet penetration rates in West Africa, Republic of Niger will now have the opportunity to leverage on the huge bandwidth capacity which is available at the Nigerian coast in Lagos through the Phase3 telecom aerial fiber network. This development will also widen the market for under-sea cable owners in Nigeria while enhancing broadband development in the Republic of Niger.

This project will further enhance and solidify the objectives behind the Nigeria - Niger Joint Commission (NNJC) and the partnership between the two countries.

Speaking on the development, Minister of Communications Technology, Dr Omobola Johnson said the project will help unlock the hidden potential of the sub-region.

got to their destination.

It was gathered from unconfirmed sources that some residents of the town were hit by stray bullets.

News of the robbery caused pandemonium in the town as many residents of the town took to their heels and within a short period, the streets were deserted.

Vanguard gathered that the robbers entered the town through Owo-Abuja express road and drove to where the major commercial banks are located within the town.

Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the robbery incident when contacted last night, pointing out that policemen had been deployed to the town.

Ogodo pleaded for time to get details of the incident.

According to him “Details of the incident are still sketchy. I can only give you more information of the robbery incident when our men that were deployed to the town return and communicate with me.’’

Meanwhile, the town has been deserted, while police patrol vehicles have been positioned at major streets of the ancient town.

Lagos-based company, Vision Web Technologies has unfolded an online platform where Nigerians across the country can monitor and report proceedings during the forthcoming general elections scheduled to commence next Saturday.

Unfolding the platform to newsmen in Lagos, the Managing Director of the firm, Marvin Ikenwude said the move was a proactive measure to enlist mass participation of Nigerians in the electioneering process.

He said the platform will assist in putting into proper perspective, proceedings across all the polling units across the country and that it was its own way of ensuring credibility of the forthcoming poll.

According to him, the move is aimed at complement the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whom he praised has put in place all the needed safeguards that will guarantee credible polls.

Ikenwude said the essence of the application when downloaded is to ensure that all the polling units across the country are effectively monitored by voting population across the country whom he said would be made to supply real-time information to the web application.

“The aim (as will be demonstrated to you) is to ensure that the country is covered information wise during the poll. What we hope to do is to bring into place Nigerians across the country that would play the role Citizen reporters before/during and after the polls,” he said.

Mallam-Obi tasks Isoko students on peaceful polls

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SABA—STUDENTS in Delta State University under the umbrella of Nation Association of Isoko Students, NAIS, Abraka chapter, have been enjoined to re-dedicate themselves and join hands to ensure peaceful, free and credible general elections in the state.

Political Adviser to Delta State Governor, (Delta South) Charles Mallam-Obi, gave the charge at a sensitisation forum held with Isoko undergraduate students of the state-owned university.

Mallam-obi decried “the use of students and youths as thugs by never-do-well

politicians, saying. “The time has come for the students to reject such deadly offer and let them use their colleagues and other relations as thugs.”

The political adviser, accompanied by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Akpodhoma Mike and others, advised the students, especially the NUIS members, to note that the society has to be built on good morals and not destroyed through evil deeds.

He encouraged the students to “go out on election days, as rescheduled, and exercise your franchise by voting for candidates of your choice, especially Dr.Okowa Ifeanyi, Delta State PDP governorship candidate, and other PDP candidates.

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27 15 27,, 20 2015

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Germanwings Flight 9525 co-pilot deliberately crashed plane, officials say T HE co-pilot of Ger manwings Flight 9525 purposely crashed the plane into the French Alps on Tuesday, killing all 150 people on board, officials said Thursday.

“We at Lufthansa are speechless that this aircraft has been deliberately crashed by the co-pilot,” said Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa, which owns Germanwings.

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin said the copilot, 28-year-old German national Andreas Lubitz, apparently “ wanted to destroy the aircraft.” It’s unknown whether Lubitz planned his actions in advance, Robin said. But he “took advantage” of a moment in which the pilot left the cockpit and “activated the descent,” which can only be done deliberately.

It’s also unclear whether the pilot entered a code to try to get back into the cockpit, or whether Lubitz “put the lever on lock,” which would have

prevented the code from working, Spohr said.

What is known is that screaming could be heard on an audio recording for just the final few minutes of the flight.

Death was instantaneous for those on board when the plane plunged into the mountains, Robin said.

*Investigators searching for the second of the two 'black box' flight data recorders.

Saudi Arabia launches air strikes in Yemen

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coalition led by Saudi Arabia has launched air strikes against Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen, saying it is “defending the legitimate government” of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Saudi jets targeted Houthi positions in the capital Sanaa overnight, along with missile batteries and warplanes.

Mr Hadi fled to an undisclosed location after rebel forces neared his refuge in the southern city of Aden on Wednes-

day.

A Houthi official warned the coalition that it risked provoking a wider war.

Shia power Iran, which Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia accuses of backing the rebels, also demanded an immediate halt to the strikes, which it said violated Yemen’s sovereignty.

“We will make all efforts to control [the] crisis in Yemen,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, according to the Isna news agency.

*A building has partially collapsed and another is on fire in New York City after an apparent explosion.

New York building collapses after explosion in Manhattan

A

N explosion rocked a heavily traveled section of Manhattan’s East Village on Thursday, injuring at least a dozen people and leveling parts of a building, authorities said.

No blacks’ Chinese restaurant shut down in Kenya parently racist policy of

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Chinese restaurant in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has been shut down and its owners summoned by authorities after it emerged it was barring black patrons, reports said Wednesday.

The restaurant became the focus of city authorities after furious residents took to social media to denounce an ap-

not allowing African patrons to eat there after 5pm — pushing #RacistRestaurant, #NoBlacksHere and #TheChineseInvasion to be top trending topics.

The owners of the restaurant said the measure had been put in place following a robbery in 2013, and have apologised for causing any offence, the Daily Nation reported.

But it said the Chong-

quing Chinese restaurant, situated in Nairobi’s bustling commercial and residential district of Kilimani, had been shut down anyway for not having the proper licences.

“We have established that the restaurant did not have the licences and I have ordered it closed until the management complies,” Nairobi governor Evans Kidero said in a statement.

At least three of the injured in the seven-alarm fire were critical, a fire department spokesman said. Some people may be trapped in the blaze, a law enforcement source said. The first two floors of a red-brick building at the scene appear to have crumbled, images from the scene showed.

The cause of the blast was unknown.

It comes just over a year after two buildings in Harlem collapsed after a gas leak last March, killing eight people and injuring dozens. The buildings were served by a 127-year-old gas main.

The collapsed first floor appeared to house a Japanese restaurant; the building next door, with a shop specializing in French fries on the street

level, was ablaze.

Towering flames and plumes of black smoke were rising from the building, which includes both apartments and businesses. Emergency personnel could be seen taking the injured away on stretchers.

At least 200 firefighters were on the scene. The official FDNY Twitter account described it as a “major building collapse.”

After the 2014 Harlem explosion, experts warned that many U.S. utilities were struggling to maintain or replace antiquated, hard-toreach and leaky gas mains in older urban areas, according to experts. The most vulnerable mains are made of cast iron or steel.

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, MARCH 27, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015—59

full support to the ruling party at the centre. The old sophistication of the Yoruba voters is also being undermined by the doctrine of ‘infrastructure of the stomach‘, manifesting in various gifts to induce voters during elections.

At present, it seems as if the halcyon days of Obasanjo era are facing serious changes in many parts of the country. The 2011 elections still portray the PDP as the emblem of a strong national party, and its presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan as the man to beat. The ruling party won in 2011, four of the six political zones with comfortable ease (with the full support of Chief Obasanjo).

It is commonly believed that in any election, eighty per cent of the voters would have made up their minds on which party to vote for either on sentimental or religious motives. However, it was Moshood Abiola‘s annulled election that created a new dimension in voting pattern, Abiola (Yoruba Muslim) of SDP chose Kingibe, a Kanuri (Muslim) as his running mate (Muslim/Muslim ticket) to defeat Tofa (a Northern Muslim) and his running mate Ugoh (a Southern Christian). He had widespread support from different parts of the country (though he lost narrowly to Tofa (NRC) in South-East) but managed to beat his challenger in Kano (Tofa home state). Thus, the annulment of the election by Babangida would support the theory that the best candidate may not win or allowed to win.

Why the candidates may not win 2015 ELECTIONS:

I

N any contest under a set of rules, one candidate must emerge as a winner.

In the Presidential contest with many contenders, one of them will be announced a winner, even if the person is not regarded by many people as being the best.

Many analysts believe that the 2015 elections may not be a notable exception to the rule because of the typical Nigerian factors.

The former Biafran warlord, General Ojukwu in his civilian mentality, perhaps was right when he was reported to have said that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the best President Nigeria never had. In one of his moments of sacarcism and unguarded statements, Chief Obasanjo lamented that Chief Awolowo, inspite of his industry and administrative ability, could only end his political career as “Leader of the Yoruba”. He advised Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe during his lifetime not to end his political life as “Owelle of Onitsha”. Against the duo of Chief Awolowo and Dr. Azikiwe, the simple teacher and a former Minister in Tafawa Balewa`s government, Shehu Shagari was elected the President of Nigeria in 1979. Nobody gave Shagari a chance against his more intellectually endowed and politically experienced opponents – both Azikiwe and Awolowo had been Premiers in the Eastern and Western Regions in the First Republic. Dr. Azikiwe had been the ceremonial President of Nigeria between 1960 and 1966 while Chief Awolowo was Leader of Opposition in the Federal House of Representatives between 1960 and 1962 when he was jailed.

Structural changes In 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (a former military Head of State) emerged from Abacha prison to become the President by defeating other contenders that included an Economist/Banker, Chief Falae – a candidate of formidable parties, ANPA and AD. The victory became more remarkable because of the fact that Obasanjo did not receive the ‘block votes‘ of his people (Yoruba).

The 1979 presidential election and that of 1999 portrayed structural changes in the familiar pattern of voting, i.e. religious and ethnic block voting. For example, in 1979, the candidate of the NPN (supposedly a Northern Party) and Alhaji Shagari (a Northern Muslim) its candidate was able to score more votes in Ibo areas than Awolowo (Yoruba/Christian) and was also able to beat Azikiwe (Ibo/Christian) in Yoruba areas of the West. Up to the time of Obasanjo, the Northern candidacy was always the preferred choice in any electoral contest.

The post 1999 era has witnessed the political rise of Chief Obasanjo, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) his party, has become the dominant party on the political scene. There is no doubt that under Obasanjo, the PDP as a national party, has grown in size and stature to the extent of winning all federal elections since 1999 and controlling many state governments in the country. Chief Obasanjo broke the solidarity of Yoruba voters by his tactics of bringing his people into the mainstream of national politics by giving

Risky political adventure The relevant question is what will happen on Saturday, 28th March 2015? Among the many contestants for the post of President are the two prominent ones – the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan and the main challenger, General Buhari rtd (for the fourth time). To some analysts, this appears to be a case of risky political adventure and characterization of ‘sit-tightism‘ in African politics. Both contenders are not new to power which, many agree, is sweet and financially rewarding.

Going by the 2011 results, President Jonathan appears home and dry in SouthSouth and South-East (APGA is not fielding any Presidential candidate and Onitsha declaration which enjoins all Ibos to support Jonathan). Buhari is expected to remain strong in North-West and NorthEast zones and also the support of those who always want power to return to the North. It is unknown until Saturday (28th) what effect the new political alignments would have on voting in Adamawa and Taraba (North-East); Kwara, Benue and Niger in North-Central and Edo and Rivers in South-South zones As for the South-West where PDP is still strong, the real battle is not between Jonathan and Buhari, but a supremacy battle between Bola Tinubu and the Afenifere and those Yoruba leaders and Obas who recently endorsed Jonathan for the second term.

If Bola Tinubu wins South-West for his party, it would mean a new re-alignment in the political history of the country.

It is deliberate that I have excluded the big issues of Power, Security and Economy in the present comment, even the ardent supporter of the ruling PDP would agree that not much of new things have been achieved in the last 16 years, but is pleading for Time – the magical second term. On the question of Security, it is welcome news that the Boko Haram insurgency is coming to an end through the gallant efforts of our security outfits (aided by our neighbours), and that sooner, all the displaced people would return to their homes.

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 61

Shakes: Nigeria want payback B

AFANA Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba believes Nigeria feel it will be payback time when they meet in an international friendly at the Mbombela Stadium this Sunday.

The Super Eagles go into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss to Uganda in a midweek friendly, while South Africa beat Swaziland 31.

But of more importance is the fact Bafana qualified for the 2015 African Cup of Nations earlier this year at the expense of the Nigerians, who finished third in the qualifying group, behind South Africa and Congo.

Its for this reason that Mashaba feels the west Africans will come out all guns blazing in Nelspruit.

“Of course the Nigerians are still feeling bitter after knocking them out,” said the tactician.

“To them, it’s payback time. Of course they still want to show us that they are still the best when comes to football in Africa.”

N

IGERIAN international Emmanuel Emenike has been linked with a Fenerbahçe exit following the incidents at the Istanbul derby against Besiktas on the weekend according to Africa Football.

The report claims to have spoke with a friend of Emenike who said: “Emenike is not happy with what he is going through with the Fenerbahce fans.

“He is preparing his mind to be fit for a possible summer move.

“He has lots of options which include teams from Italy, but England looks like his next destination.”

Ogenyi Onazi (l) in a midfield contest with a South African players in an earlier contest.

Pinnick Continues from BP Uyo’s Hotel Le Meridien.

It was the first time in recent memory that a sitting NFF boss and his deputies would tell players of their senior team straight to their faces to buckle up or be bundled out.

“When next you receive an invitation letter to come represent Nigeria, you have a critical decision to make: accept it only if you believe you are in the frame of mind to give your everything or decline if you do not feel that way. The camp of the National Team would no longer welcome average players or good players with poor attitude.

“Today, we are supposed to be celebrating with Vincent Enyeama on his 100th cap, but your poor performance has ruined the party and Nigerians are very angry,” Pinnick said.

Disclosing that the new NF has great plans for the welfare of players of the National Teams and emphasizing that only good C M Y K

Emenike set to quit Turkey

results will encourage Corporate Nigeria to pump in the needed funds, Pinnick challenged the players to go to Nelspruit and beat South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Sunday to somewhat redeem their image.

1st vice president Seyi Akinwunmi, Technical Committee chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu and LMC boss Shehu Dikko spoke in similar vein.

Akinwunmi stated that the problem is certainly not ability, but attitude, and advocated positive attitude when representing Nigeria, while AnyansiAgwu talked of the need to “build a new Super Eagles of our collective dream.” Dikko urged that players be ready to transfer club form to the international front.

Responding, stand-in Coach Daniel Amokachi admitted giving the players a similar message in the dressing room and said invited players must now be ready to give 120 per cent on the pitch.

NFF Board ratifies Sanusi’s appointment

T

HE Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday formally ratified the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Sanusi as the General Secretary of the Federation.

At a meeting in Uyo, NFF President Amaju Pinnick presented Sanusi before the executive board for formal endorsement. The former NFF Director of Competitions, who had been appointed following the resignation of Barrister Musa Amadu on March 18, was unanimously endorsed.

Also the sitting president of Nigeria Colleges of Education Games Association and a member of several local and

not lose hope of the team doing well in the future.

“We all know that our football has been going down over the years but Nigerians have always been behind us. Some have lost faith but then they came back and started supporting us when we won the 2013 Afcon and some have left Nigeria’s Eagles after not qualifying for the

•Emenike

Star introduces reward platform for PR Manager said football fans passion of football fans. Brand this of Star Football

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OOTBALL fans in Nigeria are anxiously awaiting the debut of a new football platform called Star Football Superfans, which is set to recognize, celebrate and reward the

Amokachi Continues from BP

international bodies on sports management, Sanusi has tremendous experience in sports administration through active roles in FIFA.

2015 Afcon again.

“It is football but Nigeria is our country and our blood is green and white. We should come out and keep supporting the team because there is a bright future ahead of the team,” Amokachi said in Uyo. He added that the coaches will continue to scout for talents from home and abroad to build a perfect team.

Sponsored by Nigeria’s premier beer, Star Lager, the campaign is set to run for 14 weeks, and will reward football fans across Nigeria with over N28m in cash and other consolation prizes.

Some fans are excited at the prospect of winning the attractive prizes, Edem Vindah, Nigerian Breweries Corporate Media and

Super Fans: “The love that the fans deserve to be rewarded and it has also presented us with a good brand synergy as we have always been regular and passionate supporters of football in Nigeria as exemplified by our #ShineOnNigeria campaign during last year ’s World Cup in Brazil.''

Enyeama Continues from BP And in his place, stand-in coach, Daniel Amokachi has called up Warri Wolves’ Daniel Akpeyi.

Enyeama has been Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper since 2002, after he replaced present goalkeeper

trainer, Ike Shorunmu as Nigeria’s number 1.

Although, he temporarily lost his place to friend and rival, Austin Ejide in 2008, as the Hapoel Be’er Sheva of Israel ‘keeper was preferred

by German coach, Berti Vogts.

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Ide ants rule against fforeign oreign star Ideyye w wants starss re visit ed revisit visited W EST Brom striker Brown Ideye has urged the England FA boss to reconsider his decision to amend the rules that govern the number of non-EU players in each of the Premier League teams.

The Nigeria international is of the opinion that the Premier League must maintain a healthy balance between homegrown players and foreign stars as the league is the toast of many players outside the UK. Speaking at a Kick It Out workshop at Bristnall Hall Academy in Oldbury, Ideye said: “I feel bad about it because there are a lot of talented players outside the UK who want to come to the Premier League to play football “The Premier League is where people want to play and want to be so it’s a bit sad that things like this come up.

But I guess they know what is good and they are doing the right thing for them.

*CELEBRATION... West Brom's Brown Ideye celebrates after scoring.

Van Gaal re revveals secre secrett behind Man Utd’s ne w fform orm new

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ANCHESTER United manager Louis Van Gaal has revealed that the addition of triangles was key in his team setup as it has provided players with options wherever they are on the pitch.

Van Gaal said that he prefers the 4-3-3 forma-

tion with quality midfielders in the holding midfielder’s position and the attacking position, “It’s always dependent on the players involved, but everybody knows the system I prefer is 1-4-3-3 with a No.10 or No.6. A holding midfielder or a

No.10 player behind the strikers.

“It’s dependable of the quality of the players, but also of the opponent.

“But I prefer it because that’s the easiest system to dominate the game because it is over the whole pitch triangles and that gives the players always two options at least.

From left Dan Ngerem former president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Mitchell Obi president of AIPS AFRICA and Christian Lagnide, president of LC2 at the AIPS 90th anniversary party at the Louvre in Paris recently.

C M Y K

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UIS Suárez has once again described the ban which he received for biting Chiellini in the World Cup as “excessive”.

“A suspension is one thing. But not even being able to train, like at the start; I was treated worse than a hooligan”, he said in an interview published today in German sports magazine, Kicker.

FIFA banned the 28year-old striker for nine official games with Uruguay - meaning he misses out on this year’s Copa America - for biting the defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay’s 1-0 win over Italy in the Brazil World Cup. He was also banned from all football-related activity for four months.

“During the holidays, I was even afraid to go and watch my nephews play in the lower leagues in Uruguay”, he explained in the interview.

“According to the ban, I couldn’t even step onto a football pitch. I still don’t understand it, even today.”

As for his time so far at Barcelona, the Uruguayan stressed that he gets on very well with

I was treated worse than a hooligan — Suarez his teammates, including the Argentinean star Lionel Messi. “We usually apologise to each other when we don’t pass the ball”, he revealed.

*Suárez

Terry extends Chelsea stay J

OHN Terry has signed a one-year contract extension at Chelsea, committing to the Premier League leaders until the end of next season.

The Blues announced the skipper’s new deal on Thursday, three weeks after manager Jose Mourinho guaranteed Terry would be at Stamford Bridge next term. The 34-year-old’s existing deal was set to expire at the end of this season and the new contract is in line with Chelsea’s policy of offering those over the age of 30 only one-year deals.

Terry’s new contract runs until the end of the 2015-16 season. The central defender, who has retired from England duty, lifted the Capital One Cup with Chelsea on March 1 - his 13th major honour with the Blues - and hopes to add the Premier League title.

Chelsea entered the international break with

a six-point advantage over nearest rivals Manchester City and with a game in-hand.

Terry has made 661 appearances for the Blues, scoring 63 goals, and winning the Cham-

*Terry

pions League, Europa League, three Premier League titles and five FA Cups. He said on chelseafc.com: “I’m delighted to have signed an extension to my contract with Chelsea.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015 — 63

NFF should’ve sent Dream Team to South Africa — Chukwu

By Jacob Ajom

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HE Bafana Bafana will be hosting the Super Eagles in an international friendly this Sunday in Nelspruit. But former handler of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu is not happy about the fixture.

Angered by the shock 0-1 loss the Eagles suffered to Uganda at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Wednesday, Chukwu said the NFF should have sent the Nigeria Olympic team to South Africa instead of the Eagles.

“We don’t have a team.

Left to me, I would have suggested the Dream Team should go and take on South Africa. They will play a better match than what we saw the Eagles play in Uyo against Uganda.”

He said the rebuilding process of the Super Eagles should be

centred around the home based players. He said they should be the nucleus of the new look national team.

“We need a strong Eagles with home-based players forming the core members of the team.”

Chukwu suggested that the current experiment which has seen all manner of foreign based players invited to the national

team was bound to fail, unless the team handlers resort to looking inwards. “It is the home-based players that can stay together in camp for long. When they play together for long periods they will blend and become a solid team. Even if they travel abroad, they won’t be strange bedfellows again.”

Super Falcons get election break

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IGERIA Football Federation has given the Super Falcons a four-day break to enable them participate in the March 28 elections.

Coach of the team.

Edwin Okon who announced the break while briefing the players said the camp will close with effect from Thursday March 26 and the girls will return to camp on Monday March 30.

He warned that any

player who fails to report back at the stipulated time will be sanctioned or sent back adding that full training will begin Tuesday morning at the Goal Project Technical Centre pitch in Abuja.

“We are allowing you to go and perform your civil responsibilities by casting your votes in your respective residents. You are expected to report back to camp without failing

by Monday next week."

WINGLESS.... Super Eagles players, Victor Moses, Onazi Ogenyi and Emmanuel Emenike celebrating in one of their outings. The team has been without a wing in three matches.

Nigerians react to Eagles loss to Uganda

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HE Nigeria senior men football team, the Super Eagles played Uganda in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom Int’l stadium on Wednesday March 26, 2015but, the result of that match has compelled Nigerians to react.

The Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama who was playing his 100th game in the Green and White shirt of Nigeria, saw his team lose at home to Uganda but this is how Nigerians have chosen to react to that loss.

Jamiu Badmus — Kano The Nigeria football Federation are the reason our Super Eagles will do well at international meet.

The result and the way they played last was a reflection of what the NFF looks like at the moment.

Since after the World Cup it has been a problem motivated by greed. The

elections also wasn’t a good story at all. The way the NFF is handling the hiring of national team coach has shown that all is not well behind the scene. Burkina Faso got a coach within three weeks but the NFF have spent how many months hiring a coach. Don’t worry, we won’t qualify for any tournament this year, tell Nigerians that the Super Eagles will not qualify for any international tournament. Congo beat us at home, South Africa drew us at home, and Uganda beat us at home so very soon smaller nations will beat us in the qualifiers.

Mathew MayanaAbuja.

They played well, in building a team we don’t expect the boys to start playing tiki-taka kind of football, they need time together. I must confess they did well. It’s bad that the Super Eagles lost to

Uganda, the other time during the AFCON qualifier they played a 22 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa. So far the three competitive matches played by the Super Eagles at the Nest of champions ended in a win, a draw and a lose. I guess the stadium isn’t good for the Eagles. I want to use this medium to plead with the fans to bear with the Eagles and remain focus. The administrators should keep up the good job, better days are ahead, the NFF tried their best to get the Eagles engage during the FIFA free date. Before now it was Brazil then Bolivia but even when Bolivia chose not to honour the invitation they got us Uganda Osewa Beauty- Akure.

Oh good God what happened to the Super Eagles in our Land, “ Oo maa se oo” Ridwan Isah-Kano

Eagles are still a team to reckon with — Micho

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GANDAN coach Micho Sredojevic said that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are still one of best in the continent despite losing 1-0 to the Cranes Wednesday night in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Nigeria will play against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Sunday and Micho stated that the Eagles could prove that they did not become African champions for nothing. He submitted that his team was able to beat the Eagles because they did a study of the all the Nigerian players.

“I don’t want to be over excited with the result. It was not an easy match for both teams. The Eagles C M Y K

are true Champions not because they say so but because they ’re

deserving of the honor and has proved it over the years,”said coach Micho.

ITF/CAT U-18 C’ship: Russian-born teenager to debut for Nigeria

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IGERIA is set for the 2015 ITF/CAT African U-18 Tennis Championship holding from April 5-10 in Cairo, Egypt with Melissia Ifidzen, a Russian-born player included in Nigeria’s five-man team.

The 16-year-old, who lives in Moscow, agreed to play for Nigeria following talks between the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engr.

Sani Ndanusa and the

Nigerian father of the teenager. Melissia is born of a Russian mother.

“I’m happy to tell you that we will be going to the tournament in Egypt with lots of promising players notably of which is the 16year-old Melissia Ifidzen,” Mohammed Ubale, Nigeria junior tennis coach said adding, “I have seen some of the tapes of her matches and she has what it takes to be a champion.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Our football is down — Amokachi confesses

S

Pinnick spits fire on Eagles

UPER Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi has stated that Nigeria’s football is down, but was confident the future of the game remains bright in the country.

Amokachi who like every other Nigerian football enthusiast was left reeling with shock

•Amokachi

after the Super Eagles slumped to a defeat in the hands of visiting Cranes of Uganda stated that Nigeria’s football will overcome the setbacks adding that winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations somehow restored faith and Nigerians should

Continues on Page 61

Buckle up or be bundled out!

P

ATRIOTIC fervour, defined by hard – fighting spirit, positive attitude and pride in wearing the greenwhite-green, was the underlying message on Wednesday night as chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation held a frank-talk session with players and officials of the Super Eagles, following the shock 0-1 loss to Uganda in Uyo. NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Executive Committee members held nothing back as they gave the team a piece of their minds an hour before midnight at Continues on Page 61

•Enyeama

Enyeama doubtful for Bafana clash S

SAD••• Super Eagles players lament after another loss.

UPER Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama has been sidelined by a back injury and could miss the South Africa, Nigeria friendly in Nelspruit on Sunday.

Enyeama failed to st handle a 81 minute shot by Faruka Miya

during their game against Ugandan on Wednesday and that th ruined his 100 cap appearance for the Super Eagles. According to camp sources the Lile of France will now be replaced by Warri Wolves Daniel Akpeyi.

Continues on Page 61

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Flat (5) 5 Method (6) 8 Evade (5) 10 Rehearse (6) 11 Discharge (4) 14 Spite (6) 15 Tumbler (7) 18 Lair (3) 19 Golf-peg (3) 21 Adroit (4) 23 Reimburse (5) 24 Close (4) 27 Delve (3) 29 Ocean (3) 31 Ousted (7) 32 Stink (6) 34 Facts (4) 35 Chopped (6) 38 Kingly (5) 39 Rebelled (6) 40 Prompt (5)

DOWN 2 Sheep (3) 3 Reviser (6) 4 Fate (3) 5 Appear (4) 6 Dirty (6) 7 Demure (6) 9 Discussed (7) 12 Frenzied (3) 13 Prong (4) 16 Bludgeon (4) 17 Lukewarm (5) 20 Keenly (7) 22 Liberate (4) 24 Relative (6) 25 Employed (4) 26 Occupant (6) 28 Pair (6) 30 Deed (3) 33 Difficult (4) 36 Scull (3) 37 Finish (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Reject 5, Sham 8, Voice 9, Cur 10, Main 11, Raid 12, After 13, Debris 16, Tear 18, Eden 20, Pat 22, Aim 23, Dam 24, Army 25, Flea 28, Dragon 30, Wharf 32, Trio 33, Iota 34, Ill 35, Doing 36, Glen 37, Dagger.

DOWN: 1, Recede 2, Jeroboam 3, Commit 4, Confirmed 5, screwed 6, Hear 7, Made 8, Via 14, Seafaring 15, Hem 17, Ail 19, Dangling 20, Pry 21, Typhoon 26, Armada 27, Angler 29, Stay 30, Wide 31, Fog.

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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