FULANI HERDSMEN: Attacks threaten Nigeria's existence - NASS

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63015

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

2016 Budget: At last, Presidency, NASS 11 reach truce Buhari to sign budget next week

FULANI HERDSMEN:

AGM — From left: Director, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Anil Dua; Company Secretary, Mr. Akinleye Olagbende; Chairman of the company, Mr. Femi Otedola, and Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, at the company’s 37th Annual General Meeting at the Imperial Coliseum, Lekki, Lagos.

Attacks threaten Nigeria's existence — NASS Six more bodies recovered in Enugu; death toll now 46 Ugwuanyi weeps, declares two-day fasting, prayers Refugees narrate ordeal; Ekweremadu, Bishop Chukwuma react Security threats will be smashed — Presidency COLUMNISTS:

This married man can make me happy •P.42

By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Joseph Erunke, Dapo

Akinrefon,

Ugochukwu Alaribe & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

A

BUJA—SIX more bodies were yesterday recovered from bushes in the attack spear-headed by over 500 Fulani herdsmen in Nimbo,Enugu State.

This came as the leadership of the National As sembly, NASS, expressed concern over the frequent herdsmen/ farmers' clashes across the

Continues on Page 4

Mr & Mrs The conscience of a First Lady •P.17

Slave War: Community cries out to Ugwuanyi for protection See Inside

C M Y K

TRUCE AT LAST—President Muhammadu Buhari (left) in handshake with Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara (right), while Senate President, Bukola Saraki (2nd right) and others watch, during a meeting with Principal Officers of Senate and House of Represnetatives in State House, Abuja, over the 2016 budget, yesterday. See story on Page 11.

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POCKET CARTOON

PROTEST: Protesters at the National Assembly Gate, yesterday decrying the lingering crisis over the 2016 Budget. Inset: Security men keep guard at the gate. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Attacks threaten Nigeria's existence — NASS Continues from Page 1 country, saying the development was capable of threatening the corporate existence of the country.

The lawmakers’ position came against the backdrop of Monday’s invasion of Uzo Uwani community in Enugu State by herdsmen who slaughtered over 40 persons and destroyed properties.

Many communities, particularly in the North Central and Southern states, have recently faced severe attacks allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen.

While Senate President, Bukola Saraki, sought an end to the spate of killings by the herdsmen to safeguard the country’s unity and security, Speaker of the House of

Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said there was need for deliberate and proactive actions to end the incessant farmers and herdsmen clashes spreading across the country, noting that it could divide Nigeria, if not properly checked.

Speaking at yesterday’s Senate plenary, Saraki urged the Senate Committee on Agriculture, chaired by Adamu Abdullahi, to fasttrack the execution of the report of the Senate public hearing aimed at addressing the herdsmen crisis.

After plenary, Saraki took to his official social media pages on Twitter and Facebook, to emphasise the imperative of curbing growing herdsmen violence to safeguard Nigeria’s unity.

“It is important that the

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

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EVER let the negative experiences of your past encroach your future. Take the lessons learnt and improve on it going forward.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Take ownership of your failures, question, learn, and acknowledge them. Use this process to eliminate weakness — Adam Bornstein

I

F you are like most people, you will admit that you dislike failing whatsoever, this is because failure is no fun, and it takes the wind right up one’s sail and leaves the ship stranded on the high seas.

To sail on the wind of fortune is to build on the weakness rather than ignoring them. One of the fastest ways to accomplish a goal is to look back at previous successes.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE If an old bachelor doesn't act like a mad man, his father will not marry a wife for him.

violence attributed to herdsmen is addressed and curbed to ensure the safety, well-being and unity of the people and the country,” Saraki wrote.

On his part, Dogara spoke at the opening of the public hearing on the motion on the ‘urgent need to address the incessant clashes among herdsmen, farmers and their host communities in Nigeria’ and introduction of micro irrigation (drip irrigation) for farmers in Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency in Adamawa State and other parts of Nigeria, held by House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services.

Dogara, represented by Onyema Chukwuka, urged the committee and stakeholders to make a p p r o p r i a t e recommendations that will “go a long way in guiding the House in the enactment of appropriate legislation to guarantee peaceful co-existence among the rural communities."

In his contribution, Audu Ogbe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who expressed concern over criticism trailing proposed importation of grasses for cattle, especially on social media, warned that the challenge might boomerang if no concrete action was taken in checkmating the menace.

He said: “I hear there is a bill in the Senate seeking to create grazing routes, where are they grazing to, to another man’s farm?

Creating grazing routes is not the solution as it is known worldwide that cows kept in ranches produce better than grazing cows.”

According to him, 12 states of the federation, out

of the 36 states, contacted

by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have already confirmed readiness to partner on the grazing and irrigation initiatives.

Consequently, the House of Representatives has summoned the Director-General of Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura. The House also mandated the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, to swing into action and conduct a thorough investigation, with a view to bringing justice to the perpetrators and providing succour to the victims and their families.

A member of the House of Representatives, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, also stated that all the factors that led to the civil war in the country had resurfaced and were capable of causing havoc in the polity, if not arrested immediately.

The invitation of the DSS Director-General was sequel to the motion on matter of urgent importance, titled, "the invasion and senseless slaughter of persons in Ukpabi, Nimbo community of UzoUwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by unknown herdsmen", sponsored by Chukwuemeka Ujam, representing Nkanu Federal Constituency of the state.

The motion, however, highlighted opposition to a proposed executive grazing Bill meant to provide hectares of land as grazing reserves for nomads.

Ujam had, while presenting the motion, lamented that invasion by herdsmen was becoming a recurring issue across the country, and was becoming a threat to the security of the nation.

The House in the resolution summoned the Director General of DSS to come and explain the rising cases of unidentified herdsmen causing mayhem in the country and why they were always described as unidentified herdsmen.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, also yesterday, called for an immediate resolution of the unending conflict between farmers and herdsmen, threatening to throw the entire nation into another round of crisis.

He condemned in strong terms, the killing of unarmed Nigerians in Uzo-Uwani Council of Enugu State, by persons suspected to be armed herdsmen.

Senator Ekweremadu said this during plenary when he relied on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Orders to make a personal explanation

over the mayhem in UzoUwani community, where he said over 50 lives were reportedly lost, while over 2000 persons were displaced and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

He insisted that the Senate must immediately conduct a public hearing to enable all stakeholders to state their feelings and experiences with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issue.

Enugu, especially the Hausa and Fulani are taking refuge in the Army barracks and it is not good for our country. These are people who didn’t know about those who attacked the ordinary people of Uzo-Uwani and today they are now refugees. It also implies that if any person dies in the process, there could also be reprisals in other parts of Nigeria and this can engulf the whole country.”

It's time to act — Ekweremadu

Ugwuanyi weeps, calls for fasting

He said: “Mr. President, remember I called your attention to a resolution of this Senate on Thursday, March 3, 2016. Recall that on that day, one of the issues we discussed was a motion titled ‘tackling the perennial conflicts between farmers and cattle herdsmen’.

"At the end of that debate, we took a number of resolutions. I recall that in my contribution I suggested that the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development as well as the Committee on National Security and Intelligence do conduct a public hearing on this matter with a view to articulating a lasting solution to the problem.

Up till now, that public hearing has not started.

“It is important for Nigerians to know that we are doing something about this perennial problem. It is not enough for us to be doing something; we must be seen to be doing something. I believe that it is time for the committees to come together and commence action on these resolutions namely, to start a public hearing on this problem between the farmers and the cattle herdsmen.

“I say this because it is getting too late. Just yesterday, we heard that over 50 persons were killed in Uzo-Uwani Local Government in Enugu State. We heard about 2000 people were displaced and over a hundred people were injured. Houses were burnt, including churches. As I speak, some people who live in

Meantime, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who visited the affected villages of Nimbo Ngwoko, Ugwuijoro, Ekwuru, Ebor, Enugu Nimbo, Umuome and Ugwuachara,doled out N5 million to the community to serve as immediate relief and declared two days of fasting and prayers for God’s intervention on the impasse.

The governor, who wept profusely on arriving at the scene,was greeted by decomposing bodies found in the bush even as he appealed to the Federal Government to quickly intervene and called on the community to embrace peace in the midst of the prevailing challenges.

The traditional ruler, Ukpabi, Nimbo, Igwe John Akor regretted that his subjects had in the past two years, been under constant siege unleashed by the herdsmen who raped, maimed, killed inhabitants and destroy farmland and livestock.

The monarch further regretted that the Nsukka-AdaniUmulokpa express road had been,”hell” following the activities of herdsmen who kidnap victims at will.

Vanguard's visit to Ukpabi, Nimbo, yesterday, showed that economic activities in the area have been shut down even as officials of the West African Examination Continues on Page 5

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 5

Attacks threaten Nigeria's existence — NASS Continues from Page 4 C o u n c i l , WA E C , involved in the conduct of exams in Ukpabi Secondary School have abandoned their duty post.

A visit to Royal Hospital Nsukka, Nsukka District Hospital and Bishop Shanahan Hospital Nsukka, showed that the 14 victims, who were hospitalized in the hospitals, are in critical conditions.

MASSOB warns herdsmen to leave

Following attacks by Fulani herdsmen in Enugu and other parts of

the federation, Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, has given a 30-day ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to end the attack on innocent Nigerians or face its wrath. MASSOB, which said it was worried by the inability of the federal government to stop the increasing destruction of farmlands, raping of women, robbery, kidnapping as well as killing of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen, accused President Buhari of protecting the attackers.

A statement made available to Vanguard by MASSOB, read in part: "We condemn attack on Biafrans by Fulani herdsmen at Uzo-Uwani council area of Enugu State. We wish to remind Ndigbo and Biafrans that this killing and destruction of property of our people by Fulani herdsmen is getting out of hands.

“The fact that MASSOB believes in non-violence does not mean that we cannot defend ourselves.

It is a pity that Amnesty International has never for one day writen a report against Nigerian Military and Fulani herdsmen over the killing of our people. The massacre of MASSOB, IPOB members in Aba, the EzuRiver killing of six Igbo traders in Abuja (the Apo six), the invasion of Igbo land by Fulani herdsmen, with all these things, Amnesty International has not and will never see reasons to indict the Nigerian Government because they are being controlled by the North.

“It is on record that the Nigerian Police received security report, last Friday, that over 500 Fulani herdsmen gathered in that community to attack them.

This ethnic cleansing was planned against Ndigbo in 2003.

Now that the power has C M Y K

gone to the Fulani man, they have begun to execute this evil agenda.

MASSOB is calling on all the pro-Biafra groups, Igbo youths to wake up and let us unite and face our enemies. We are warning the Fulani herdsmen to leave Biafra land or they will face our wrath."

How the attack happened —Refugees

Over 15 victims of the Fulani herdsmen attack in Enugu, taking refuge in Onitsha, Anambra State, yesterday, said that the attack would have been averted if the security agencies did not take the threat to attack them which came four days earlier with levity.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Onitsha, spokesman for the Nimbo villagers who ran to Onitsha, Elder Okeja Paul said their attackers had written them through the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe John Akor, who quickly summoned a meeting of the town and mobilized security agents to ward off the attack.

He regretted that the Police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and other security agents were guarding the community until Monday morning when they left, thinking that the threat was an empty one, only for their attackers to strike immediately they left, wondering why all of them had to leave at the same time, thereby creating opportunity for their attackers to strike.

Elder Okeja said that as early as 7am when their people went to their farms, over 11 people were already beheaded on their way to farm and then they entered the villages after they have killed those they met in their farms.

“The security agents were nowhere to be found when they started killing people in the town, and it was later when about 30 to 40 dead bodies littered the town that the police and other security agents arrived and they took off, without any of them being arrested.

“A youth who just concluded his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, who just returned to the town weekend was cut down in the attack. As I am peaking with you now, nobody is in the town. The herdsmen escaped through our boundary with Kogi State.

“There is a river called Eshi River where we have boundary with Kogi State, that is where we suspect our attackers came in from and it was from there that they escaped when the security agents arrived.

OBSEQUIES FOR LATE TUNJI BRAITHWAITE

Our worry is that the people were armed to the teeth with AK 47 assault rifles and we keep wondering what Fulani herdsmen will be doing with such sophisticated guns if they are not being sponsored by some wellplaced people in the country,” he said.

Security threats will be smashed —Presidency

Reacting to the development last night, the Presidency said

President Muhammadu Buhari, had given specific directives to the Defence Minister to smash security threats in the country.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, told Vanguard on phone, last night:“The Defence Minister has spoken this morning (yesterday) and he has said that the President has given specific directives on the issue.

"The President has given specific directives that the Defence Minister should go and smash those causing problem in

From left; Mrs Ebun Adeosun; Mrs Olaolu Branco-Rhodes; Dr Grace Braithwaite Wife to the late Dr Tunji Braithwaite; Dr Omowunmi Braithwaite and Yele Braithwaite during the Service of Songs for Late Dr Tunji Braithwaite held at Grace Dome,Yard 158 Oregun Ikeja Lagos yesterday.Photos by Akeem Salau.

the country. I think that is sufficient.”

Bishop Chukwuma blasts FG

Similarly, Archbishop of Anglican Communion, Enugu Archdiocese, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma has warned that if nothing was done to checkmate the Fulani herdsmen, he would personally ask the proBiafra groups to declare war on them.

The fiery clergy, who was visibly angry over the Monday attack by Fulani herdsmen on Enugu communities, said it was now clear that the federal government-controlled security agencies deliberately engage in select negligence.

Besides, the cleric called on the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in Igboland. The Archbishop expressed surprise that many hours after the attack, no arrest has been made.

He warned that if relevant authorities fail to curb the activities of Fulani herdsmen, they would ban the Fulani herdsmen from rearing their cattle in the zone, adding that apart from stopping them from rearing their cattle, they would mobilize Biafra agitators against the Fulani herdsmen in the zone.

•See Analysis on Page 20

From left; Mrs Yemi Anikulapo-Kuti; Farida Idao, granddaughter to Braithwaite; Otunba Shola Alao and Mr Femi Anikulapo-Kuti.

EFCC arrests Gov Dickson’s ex-aide over alleged N10m bribe

By Soni Daniel

A

BUJA—A former Senior Special Assistant on Media to Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The suspect, Abednego Don-Evarada, was arrested yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for allegedly offering a bribe of N10 million to the EFCC’s Zonal Head in Port Harcourt, Mr Ishaq Salihu.

Don-Evarada ran into trouble when he approached Salihu, over a case involving the Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa’s State governor on Millennium Development Goals, Apere Embelakpo and his wife, Fine Beauty.

Embelakpo is being investigated for alleged diversion of N800 million being funds meant for the Millennium Development Goals, MDG, while his wife is being investigated for alleged money

laundering, forgery and suspicious transactions to the tune of N200 million.

A statement by the Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Don-Evarada allegedly offered the bribe ostensibly to compromise the EFCC investigation but his overture was turned down

and was arrested.

He is being kept in the custody of the EFCC and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Below is the N10 million cash exhibit displayed by the EFCC and made available to Vanguard last night.

The N10m exhibit displayed by the EFCC.

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BAILOUT FUND: Ondo rejects ICPC report, demands retraction

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HE Ondo State government has rejected a report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on the bailout received by the state government to offset part of its workers salaries describing the report as misleading, In a statement by its Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, the state government said it added N50m to the bailout fund before it could meet the payment of outstanding salary arrears till June 2015.

Akinmade explained that the bailout fund it collected was N9.443.06 but was augmented with N50m which brought the total disbursement to N9.493.91.

Faulting the report, he said all relevant document and bank transfers on the disbursement of the fund were presented to ICPC officials that came to monitor the disbursement of the fund.

He said “each claim of payment was investigated and confirmed to be true by the ICPC team and at the end of its visit the government was commended for its effective operation and accurate disbursement of the said fund.”

Calling the anti-graft agency to correct the misrepresentation, Akinmade stated that Labour Union leaders in the state were dully briefed and approved of the disbursement process.

Condemning the report, he said “it is unimaginable that a government that is paying the highest minimum wage to its workers in the country against all odds, would divert loan given it to enable it fulfil its monthly obligation to the same workers following the near collapse of the nation’s economy which has made the obligation challenging.”

Nigerian breaks 187-yr-old record at University of London

By Monsur Olowoopeji

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Nigerian academic, Professor Abiodun Alao, will today deliver inaugural lecture at King’s College, University of London, making him the first black African scholar to deliver such lecture since the institution was established in 1829.

Alao, a professor of African Studies, was conferred with professorial title about two years ago alongside his Nigerian counterpart in the institution’s African Leadership Centre, Prof.

Funmi Olonisakin, making them first black Africans to attain professorial cadre at the institution since its establishment.

The appointments have been confirmed in a letter by the institution’s President and Principal, Prof. Edward Byrne AC, justifying their elevations based on their contributions to African peace and security.

According to a statement obtained by Vanguard yesterday, Alao had published several single-authored books, wellresearched journal articles and occasional papers, among others, which findings and recommendations “have largely helped establish peace and boost security in many African countries.”

In an institution that produced 12 Nobel Laureates among its professors, the statement said Alao had distinguished himself, citing about 100 widely recognized 100 academic articles and encyclopedia entries he had published, all of which were assessed to accord him professorial title.

As an academic tradition globally, the statement said the Nigerian academic would today deliver his inaugural lecture, titled, “Africa: A Voice to be Heard, Not a Problem to be Solved” at the Edward Safra Lecture Theatre at the college’s main campus.

The statement said the inaugural lecture, holding at the

Court dismisses Bi-Courtney's suit seeking to restrain FG LAGOS- IBADAN EXPRESSWAY:

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck the preliminary objection by the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, in a suit by BCourtney Services Ltd., seeking to prevent the Federal Government from rehabilitating or reconstructing the LagosIbadan expressway.

The AGF in the objection had urged the court to dismiss or strike out the suit for being statute barred.

It argued that Bi-Courtney

lacked the locus standi to prevent the Federal Government from rehabilitating or reconstructing the LagosIbadan expressway which is a public infrastructure.

Ruling on the preliminary objection, trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba held that the objection lacked merit.

The court held that having carefully read all the processes filed as well as arguments of counsel, it was clear that the action was begun to protect the “res” or reliefs in a sister case, numbered FHC/L/CS/103/13.

institution’s Edward Lecture Theatre on the Strand, “will be attended by many people from different parts of the world, including from the United States, Australia, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.”

Aside his academic contributions, Alao joined the long list of globally renowned academics the institution had produced and whose research works had produced answers to different challenges of humanity and society since its establishment.

The statement pointed diverse assignments Alao had undertaken for international institution, which include the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU), World Bank, ECOWAS and for many individual countries in Africa and beyond.

It added that Alao was part of the 4-person team that undertook “a comprehensive threat assessment for Rwanda immediately after the 1994 genocide and was on the team of academic experts that advised former UN SecretaryGeneral, Kofi Annan on the civil war in Sierra Leone.

“He also co-authored the Concept Note for the Common Defence and Security Policy for the Africa Union and was the coauthor of the first post-Civil War National Security Strategy Framework for Liberia. He was a member of the team that worked on the Development of Donor

Professor Abiodun Alao.

Countries Effectiveness in Fragile States, the statement said.

Ranking among the top 20 universities in the world, King’s College London holds a unique position in global scholarship, which the statement said, was evident in the landmark research works the institution’s professors and alumni had conducted since its establishment several decades ago.

Among its landmark research works, the statement cited the research that led to the discovery of the famous genetic testing, DNA undertaken at the College

by Prof. Maurice Wilkins, while another retired scholar of the institution, Prof. John Lister,

developed Antiseptic Surgery.

It cited the researches of Prof.

Charles Wheatstone, who “invented the first working telegraphs line and Prof. James Maxwell, who began humanity’s first steps towards a unified theory of physics by bringing magnetism and electricity together in a research that paved way for radio, television, radar and mobile phones.

“The College also has among its former Professors, Thomas Hodgkin, who discovered the Hodgkin disease that was named after him and John Danrell who invented the world’s first battery,” the statement added.

Synagogue engineers return to prison

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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AGOS—THE two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, alleged to be culpable in the construction of the collapsed guest house of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, were yesterday sent back to Kirikiri prisons as the court fixed date to rule on their bail applications.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo reserved ruling till May 3, 2016, after taking arguments for the bail from the counsel to the defendants.

The collapsed building claimed over 120 lives many of them foreigners after the church guest house collapsed September last year.

The engineers were last week sent to detention after they were arraigned for offences ranging from manslaughter and negligence, while the court fixed yesterday for the argument of their bail applications.

Their hope of regaining freedom yesterday was however dashed as the court adjourned ruling.

In her application dated April

19, 2016 brought pursuant to Section 115 of Section 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, counsel to Fatiregun, Titi Akinlawon (SAN) argued that the ''offences committed by the defendant were bailable offences.

He has been charged before for the same offences at the

magistrate court and did not jump bail. So, if granted bail now, he will also not jump bail,” she argued.

However, opposing the bail application, the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Idowu Alakija, urged the court not to grant the defendants bail.

Tarfa loses suit challenging court's jurisdiction

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—JUSTICE Aishat Opesanwo of a Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere, yesterday dismissed an application by Rickey Tarfa (SAN), challenging the jurisdiction of the court to the hear the case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC. Tarfa had filed an application before the court through his lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), praying the Court to quash the charge claiming the case was an abuse of the court process and that the court had

no jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Tarfa is facing a two count charge on obstructing officers of law from carrying out their official duties and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

At resumed hearing of the matter, Justice Opesanwo dismissed the application and asked the anti-graft agency to open its trial.

Owonikoko had argued among others that the authority of EFCC to prosecute was limited to only economic and financial crimes, which the alleged offences of obstructing officers of law and attempting to perverse the cause of justice were not.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 7

FULANI HERDSMEN CARNAGE: Afenifere slams FG

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—THE Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere yesterday, chided the Federal Government for maintaining indifference to the wanton killings by Fulani herdsmen across the country.

It, however, wondered why government, through the Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said it was working silently on the matter while killings were done openly by the herdsmen.

Rising from its monthly meeting in Akure, the group rejected the statement credited to the minister saying several killings “cannot be going on openly and government will be working silently.”

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, read by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere said: “We reject the statement of the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that the Federal Government is working silently on this matter. Several killings

E K I T I DOCTORS: The ambulances conveying the corpses of the dead doctors arriving AdoE k i t i , yesterday.

cannot be going on in the open and the government says it’s working silently. It is unfortunate that that statement is coming from the Federal Government.

“There can’t be any silent working over these killings; the action of the Federal Government must be opened.”

Calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to speak up on the matter, Afenifere said urgent action must be taken “to restore the peace of people of Nigeria, especially in the South and middle belt.”

Yesterday ’s meeting was attended by leaders of the group

PDP CHAIRMANSHIP: S’West chieftains threaten to dump party

By Dapo Akinrefon

S

TALWARTS of the Peoples Democratic Party,

LASU clears 2500 external students

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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AGOS—RESPITE came the way of students of Lagos State University External System, LASUES, yesterday as the Vice Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, said the Senate would tomorrow approve 2500 results of external students.

His statement came against the backdrop of complaints of accumulation of results by students, to the extent that students, who wrote examinations years ago were yet to have their results approved by the university.

The VC, who noted that the process of clearing all LASUES outstanding results would be an on-going one, also dismissed insinuations that the university was forcing its professors to resign, saying those concerned were only notified of their retirement.

Professor Fagbohun, however, urged students to make use of the complaint form on the school’s website for any issue that might arise following the updates.

PDP, in the South West have threatened to leave the party if the zone is not allowed to produce the next national chairman of the party.

This came as former National Deputy National chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George called on members of the party to conduct themselves peacefully during the PDP congresses scheduled to begin this weekend.

Former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Doyin Okupe, who made the position known after party leaders in the zone met in Ikoyi, Lagos, said the decision was taken on how to respond if the zone is not allowed to produce the chairman at the party’s national convention next month.

Okupe said “We took a firm position which was that we will dump the party en masse if we get robbed again at this year’s convention.”

PDP leaders present at the meeting included a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Olabode George; former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide; a former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Bode Olajumoke, governorship candidate of the party in Lagos in the 2015 election, Jimi Agbaje and a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel.

While he appealed to Governor Emmanuel Udom of

Akwa Ibom State to resist pressure from politicians and do the right thing by zoning the PDP chairmanship position to the Southwest, Okupe said Governor Udom’s final decision would determine if history would judge him kindly or as a villain.

He said “Governor Udom is a young gentleman whom I believe still has a long future in Nigerian politics ahead of him. It will be unfortunate if he allowed himself to be used to relegate Yoruba people within the affairs of the party once again. The PDP has done a lot of wrongs to the Yoruba people and our position now is that they should start making amends by allowing us to present the next chairman.”

across the states at the country home of its chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

According to the communiqué “The meeting is worried about recent spate of killings by Fulani herdsmen across the country as evident in Agatu killings, the murder of Olu Falae’s guard in his farm, the killings in Ibadan and the latest being the heinous murder of over 40 Nigerians in cold blood in Enugu. We are worried that Federal Government seems to have maintained indifference to the wanton killings going on across the country against the provisions of the constitution.

“That the Federal Government has a duty to protect the lives and properties of every citizens of Nigeria. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to speak up on this matter and to take urgent action to restore the sense of people of Nigeria, especially in the south and middle belt.

“We are also worried that the DSS which went to the press to say that they discovered a grave in the South East where they said they found the bodies of some Fulani herdsmen without any DNA has continued to maintain silence also over these killings across the country.

UI shut over students’ protest

By Ola Ajayi

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B A D A N — FOLLOWING a two-day protest by students of the University of Ibadan, the management of the institution has shut it indefinitely.

The students expressed their displeasure over the suspension of a union leader by the students’ disciplinary committee and nonavailability of some amenities needed on the campus.

In addition to their suspended leader, the students complained about lack of power and water which they said had made learning difficult for them.

The protesting students

disrupted lectures in lecture rooms when they used canes to chase their colleagues away.

Also, all entrances to the institution were locked by the angry students.

The protest denied both staff and other visitors to the institution access into the premises.

While explaining what led to the closure of the institution, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abel Olayinka said the decision was occasioned by violent protests which, he added, had led to “life-threatening acts and text messages” being sent and received around the campus with some students allegedly covering their faces during the protest.

Remains of dead doctors arrive Ekiti ...As Fayose promises to immortalise them

By Rotimi Owomoyela

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DO-EKITI—THE remains of the six medical doctors and their driver who died on Sunday along Kaduna/Abuja road arrived the state in seven ambulances yesterday evening.

The doctors lost their lives on their way to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Medical Association in Sokoto.

The six doctors were: Tunde Aladesanmi, former chairman of Ekiti NMA and Chief Surgeon at the FETHI; Ojo Taiwo: 1st Vice Chairman Ekiti NMA and Consultant Pathologist at EKSUTH; NMA Secretary, Akinyele Alex; NMA Secretary and Resident Doctor, FETHI, J. Ogunseye of the Health Management Board.

Others were, Olayiwola Olajide; President, EKSUTH Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr Adeniyi James of the FETHI and their driver, Mr. Moses Ajibola.

The governor, Ayodele Fayose, dressed in black attire with a black fez cap, in company with some government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, received the bodies at the popular Fajuyi Park from where the ambulances took the bodies to the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

The ambulances conveying their bodies was accompanied by a convoy of several vehicles and security men including policemen, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Civil Defense and Department of State Service.

Six survivors of the accident, including the state Chairman of the NMA, Dr. John Akinbote, dressed in black attires, accompanied the ambulances who came by road in a convoy of cars.

Fayose, who spoke to journalists after depositing the corpses in the morgue, promised to immortalise the doctors and assist their families.

The Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, said the corpses were being deposited at the morgue to enable their families be able to identify them for easy identification.

One of the victims, Dr Aladesanmi will be buried today.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

at press time.

For fear of breakdown of law and order, security operatives at the complex moved swiftly to shut down the giant gates in an attempt to prevent the protesters from gaining entry into the main premises, but they became helpless as legislators, aides, staff and visitors were stranded.

Earlier, the pro-Saraki group had addressed a motley crowd of supporters, saying the ongoing trial of the Senate president was an attempt to muzzle the Senate and urged Nigerians to stand up against it.

Protest against NASS, bad precedent — Senate

Some of the protesters at the National Assembly, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Youths occupy NASS, protest delay of 2016 budget passage Ask lawmakers to revisit grey areas in 2016 budget, return exotic cars Security operatives helpless as legislators, others stranded Trial attempt to muzzle Senate —Pro-Saraki supporters  Protest against NASS, bad precedent —Senate As DSS arrests, detains Saraki’s aide

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA— HUNDREDS of youths, under the aegis of Citizens United for Peace and Stability, CUPS, yesterday stormed the National Assembly calling for immediate resignation of Senate President, Saraki, on the allegations of corruption levelled against him and controversies surrounding the 2016 budget yet to be signed into law.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly leadership was, at press time, set to commence a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in a move aimed towards resolving the crisis arising from the passage of the 2016 budget.

This came as Senate Presiden’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Matters, Ikenga Ugochinyere, was yesterday, arrested and detained by the Department of State Service, DSS.

Youths occupy NASS, demand Saraki’s resignation

The National Assembly was literally sealed as hundreds of protesters, under the aegis of Citizens United for Peace and Stability, CUPS, stormed the complex calling for the immediate resignation of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on the allegations of corruption levelled against him.

However, another group of proSaraki protesters said the trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, was another attempt to muzzle the Senate and pleaded with C M Y K

Nigerians to stand against it.

The placard carrying anti-Saraki protesters accused the Senate President of acts of corruption, citing his alleged false assets declaration and alleged padding of the 2016 budget by legislators as well as the delay in the President’s assent to the budget as reasons he should resign.

The youths, made up of civil society organisations and students, also demanded that the federal lawmakers immediately revisit the grey areas identified in the 2016 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to them, the suffering Nigerians are passing through at the moment, due to the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the 2016 budget is partly the making of the National Assembly, which has been sympathetic to Saraki.

Deficient in integrity

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Sadiq Jidda alleged that the Senate President was deficient in integrity and that his inability to live above board as a National Assembly leader had disqualified him from the post.

They also condemned the purchase of exotic jeeps for senators at exorbitant price and asked them to return the vehicles immediately or face the wrath of Nigerians.

The protesters marched from the Unity Fountain, within the Central Area of the city, to the National Assembly, a journey of about two kilometres and forced their way to the main gate, defying all security network mounted by regular and riot police officers.

The protesters, who donned T-

shirts with inscription #Occupy National Assembly, had vowed to sustain the protest for Saraki’s ouster in office until he resigned.

They also barricaded the main entrance to the National Assembly complex.

The protesters, armed with placards containing various inscriptions, vowed to seal off the federal parliament for the initial three days to see whether their demands would be met, adding that they would resume a permanent protest that would paralyse all activities in the National Assembly until all their demands were fully met.

Security operatives helpless as legislators, others stranded

The youths, thereafter, forced the main gate closed, thus preventing staff, lawmakers and visitors from either entering or leaving the premises.

Following the blockage of the gate, lawmakers and staff in the National Assembly were forced to make do with the alternative entrance at the back of the complex to resume work, just as vehicular movement to and fro the complex was paralyzed.

Some of the placards carried by the protesters read: “Saraki your time is up resign", “Saraki must go to stop corruption in NASS”, "Enough is Enough, Occupy NASS to stop corruption”, “Legislation, Yet, Legislooting, No", ”To Keep Nigeria going, Nigerians Must Stand Up," among others.

The anti-Saraki group arrived the place some minutes to noon and started chanting antiSaraki’s songs and were still there

Addressing journalists on the protest after plenary, Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, who described the protest against the National Assembly and plans to occupy the complex as baseless, said the development was a very dangerous precedent for the nation’s democracy.

Ndume said: “That is why we are not trying to say anything about them because what is happening out there is a very dangerous precedent that we are trying to set.

"Nigerians and you too, press, will have to be able to help to define rights, know where your rights end and my own starts.

“I contested to be senator of Borno South, I did not force myself on my people and, therefore, somebody out there, especially the one that did not elect me, cannot force me out because I didn’t come in by force.

I came in by ballot, not by gun, not by placard. I had posters not placards."

Buhari, NASS leadership meet

The meeting of the National Assembly leadership follows a meeting between Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the President earlier in the day.

Dogara did not give reason for his visit to the president and there were speculations that it was meant to set the stage for last night’s meeting between the Presidency and the National Assembly leadership.

Before moving to the Presidential Villa, the presiding officers of the National Assembly met with the Appropriation Committee chairmen from both houses during which they resolved to present a common agenda to the President on the issue.

DSS arrests, detains Saraki’s aide

Ugochinyere was picked up by men of the DSS over alleged antigovernment posture and criticism of activities of the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalong.

Ugochinyere, who is also the current President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, was arrested barely two weeks after he conferred life patron of NYCN on the Senate President.

FG admits deplorable facilities in MDAs

By Favour Nnabugwu

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BUJA— THE Federal Government, yesterday, admitted that the deplorable state of facilities in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, dampened the morale and efficiency of civil servants in the country.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who visited the Civil Service Club after a meeting with the Joint Union Negotiation Council, JUNC, of the Head of Service chapter in Abuja, Monday, admitted that no civil servant would want to give his/her best under the pitiable state of the facilities available to them.

Oyo-Ita, however, assured civil servants of g o v e r n m e n t ’ s determination to the provision of a conducive environment for Nigerian workers to help drive the change agenda of the present administration with a view to providing effective and efficient services to Nigerians.

She said government was not unaware of the deplorable facilities at various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, which hinders workers from performing their duties diligently and that government will do everything humanly possible to provide a conducive working environment for workers in order to ensure optimum productivity.

She said: “The present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to the provision of better welfare services for workers to help ameliorate their sufferings, particularly in the area of provision of decent and affordable accommodation.

"Modalities are being worked out on how workers could earn their own home through the Federal Integrated Staff Housing, FISH, programme with little or no pains.”

On the issues of pension and other financial entitlements of workers, Oyo-Ita assured that she would leave no stone unturned to ensure that all matters relating to pensions and other financial entitlements of workers were resolved.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—9

World Bank MD meets Buhari, others on N-East rehabilitation

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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CONFERENCE: From left, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, at Nigeria Medical Association annual conference in Sokoto, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Fuel scarcity: N150bn debt hampering availability of products — Marketers Say no petrol to load in any depot

By Sebastine Obasi

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AGOS— MARKETERS of petroleum products said, yesterday, that non payment of N150 billion outstanding debt owed them by the Federal Government was also hampering the availability of products nationwide.

Their position came as the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) said the ongoing fuel scarcity might linger as marketers face the challenges of nonavailability of petrol in depots.

A major marketer, who chose to be anonymous, said with the non payment of the outstanding debt, coupled with the scarcity of foreign exchange, marketers were finding it difficult to import products.

“We have been told that the government included the outstanding debt in 2016 budget.

We are yet to see it as you and I know that the budget is yet to be passed,” he said.

No petrol to load in any depot Also speaking to Vanguard, Chairman, Western Zone of IPMAN, Ahmed Debo, said marketers were facing serious challenges because there was no petrol to load.

“There is no product to load to the hinterland. Most marketers depend on Lagos and they could not get product; so, it’s very difficult getting petrol in Ilorin, Kogi, Osun, Ekiti, Ibadan and other areas.

“We hope government would expedite action on petrol importation to salvage the situation as most marketers have been thrown out of business. We could not load petrol in major C M Y K

depots in Lagos as it is only NIPCO and Folawiyo that have products, which is strictly for NNPC retail outlets,” he said.

Debo explained that loading tickets given to marketers couldn’t work as “there is no petrol to load in any depot.”

He, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene in the lingering fuel scarcity issue and importation challenges to avoid hindering socio-economic growth of the nation.

He said: “We are still having the fuel problem because there is no supply. Even with the little we are rationing, if you look at the queues very well, they have returned to what they used to be.

And it is a very devastating situation now.

“Most of the depots are not loading well. Even the products they promised that they will soon pump to the depots are not in sight now.”

Vanguard gathered that the slight improvement in product availability seen in recent days has worsened as queues grew longer since weekend at the few petrol stations selling the product in Lagos.

It was also gathered that queues grow longer in Lagos metropolis, while loading at depots has not improved significantly, with many of them still attending to tickets issued in 2015. Consequently, many filling stations in Lagos do not have the product, while those who have sell between N120 and N180 per litre.

Some stations on Ikorodu Road such as NIPCO, Total, Conoil and Forte Oil are selling but experiencing long queues. At filling stations such as Techno, Oando, MRS within the Ojodu – Berger axis, motorists buy petrol between N150 and N200 per litre, as against the official price of N86.50k

S-African supermarket chain, Pick n Pay, to expand into Nigeria

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OUTH African supermarket operator, Pick n Pay, plans to expand into Nigeria next year through a partnership with a local conglomerate, as it seeks to reduce its reliance on its home market, it said yesterday.

Pick n Pay already operates in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia and plans to open new stores in Ghana next year.

Like many other South African companies, it wants to expand further across the continent amid sluggish economic growth at home.

The retailer, which reported a 26 percent jump in annual

earnings, yesterday, said it would take a 51 percent stake in a Nigerian joint venture with conglomerate A.G. Leventis, which runs a food business.

It did not disclose the size of the investment.

“We are not suddenly going to explode onto the scene in Nigeria next year but we are going to start the process of looking at all those things,” Pick n Pay’s CEO, Richard Brasher, told a results briefing, adding that he was aware of tough trading conditions in Nigeria and would not expand hastily.

BUJA — MANAGING Director of the World Bank, Mrs Sri Indrawati, arrived Abuja, yesterday, to discuss the assistance of the global body towards rebuilding the nation’s North-East Region.

Indrawati was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, and officials of the World Bank Country Office.

Although she refused to speak to the press, it was learned that the visit was to formally discuss the details of the assistance with President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government functionaries.

At press time, the MD had not met the President. However, sources said that protocol officers were still making arrangements for the meeting to take place last night or today's morning.

It was gathered that the World Bank assistance would focus on rebuilding infrastructure as well as humanitarian works on how to assist the over 1.9 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) spread across many camps and

host communities across the country to return home.

Sources said that rebuilding some of the schools destroyed by the Boko Haram sect and the provision of water and sanitation facilities would be part of the activities in which the World Bank would give attention.

In addition, Mrs. Indrawati’s mandate, as learned, would be to discuss with the president’s economic team on how to improve job creation.

This is with the understanding that unemployment fuels violence and other forms of criminality, as some of the terrorists were said to have been attracted to the sect’s destructive enterprise only for material gains.

Sources said the World Bank’s total commitment to the rehabilitation of the North-East could be in the region of $800 million and that the bank had to send a high profile official to discuss how the money must be tied to specific projects and programmes before it could be released.

GSM subscriber base hits 148.6m

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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AGOS — TOTAL number of GSM subscribers, which had peaked at almost 150 million in November last year, dropped to 148.6 million by end of the year.

However, on a year-on-year basis, the industry subscriber base rose by about 8.9 per cent from 136.6 million in December 2014 to 148.6 million in December 2015, while MTN still dominated market share.

A report from the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, indicated that the decline in the fourth quarter of the year, which represented a reversal of third quarter growth, was due to declines in MTN subscriber base from 62.4 million to 61.2 million and Etisalat from 23.4 million to 22.1 million. Globacom and Airtel witnessed increases in their number of subscribers.

The total number of subscribers has increased rapidly over the previous decade, but in recent years of the second decade in the life of the industry in Nigeria, a lower growth rate has been recorded, possibly as market penetration is already high, which leaves less room for large expansion.

The report also indicated that 2015 was a more active year for porting activities than 2014,

as total incoming porting increased by 42.88 per cent to 212,401 from 148,652. This was driven to a large extent by Etisalat, who gained 137,466 incoming porters in 2015 compared to 69,364 in 2014, an increase of 98.18 per cent.

On the other hand, outgoing porting activity increased by 50.38 per cent to 219,559 from 145,998 between 2014 and 2015. This increase was driven mainly by MTN which lost 125,515 porters in 2015 compared to 67,039 in 2014, an increase of 87.23 per cent.

Airtel also lost substantially more porters in 2015 at a total 41,527 compared to 25,883 in 2014, an increase of 60.44 per cent.

GSM internet subscriptions The report also indicated that GSM internet subscriptions followed similar trend as telephony, except that a real drop below previous quarter was recorded.

Internet subscription as at end of fourth quarter was 97.03 million as against 97.06 million in the third quarter. The figures had gone up to 97.5 million in November before dropping to 97.03 million in December 2015, again, due to a decline in subscriptions in MTN, though all other providers witnessed a rise in internet subscriptions.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Tenant docked for allegedly detaining female estate agent

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46-year old tenant, Larry Inibhunu, charged with allegedly detaining a female estate agent for five hours because she served him a quit notice, was yesterday arraigned in Lagos.

Inibhunu, a resident of No. 21, Adeogun St., Abule-Egba, Lagos, is being tried for unlawful detention at an Ikeja Magistrate's Court.

The prosecutor, Insp.

Essien Ndarake, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 16, at his residence.

Ndarake said that the accused unlawfully detained one Mrs. Favour Ofoegbu in his compound and deprived her of her personal liberty.

He said that Ofoegbu, a secretary in a law firm, who is also an estate agent, was sent by her boss to deliver a letter to the accused.

“The accused landlord had sought the services of the law firm to help him eject the accused from his house, over his refusal to pay house rent.

“When the complainant served the accused, he read the content and discovered it was a quit notice, he rejected it and asked the complainant to return it, that he would not accept it.

“The complainant refused to collect it and as she was leaving the compound towards the gate, the accused quickly ran to the gate and locked her inside, insisting she must return the letter,” he said.

The prosecutor said that the complainant called her boss, who in turn called the accused’s landlord, who came to rescue the complainant.

“The complainant was locked inside for five hours before the landlord later came and used his key to open the gate for the complainant,” he said.

Ndarake said that the offence contravened Section 270 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 270 provides that if convicted, the accused is liable to a two-year imprisonment.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offence and the Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubeinje, granted him N20, 000 bail, with one surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned till May 4.

C M Y K

Some University of Ibadan students at the main entrance to the campus, protesting on power outage and non-availability of potable water supply to their residential halls before the management shut the institution, yesterday. Photo: Dare Fasube

Police kill one, rescue kidnap victim after suspects demanded N30m ransom

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—A kidnap victim (name withheld), who was allegedly abducted in Umuoghara quarry site in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has been rescued by operatives of the state police

command .

The victim was allegedly whisked away from his shop by kidnappers in Police uniforms, who pretended they were looking for someone else, and demanded for N30million ransom.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP George

Okafor,confirming the kidnap, said the hoodlums took the victim whose name could not be immediately ascertained and demanded N30million ransom.

“The hoodlums kept the victim in a hide-out in Umuoghara and demanded N30m ransom which they later reduced.

“The ransom was taken to where the kidnappers said it should be dropped, unknown to them that Policemen had cordoned everywhere.

“So, the police opened fire on them and killed one of them. The victim was rescued unhurt."

3 bolt with cooperative society’s N8.8m in Kwara

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N OMU-ARAN Upper Area Court in Kwara State, yesterday, granted N1 million bail to three accused charged with theft of N8.8 million cooperative funds.

The accused — Sola Adewumi, Modupe Awotayo and Oyeyipo Sunday — were also granted two sureties each in like sum.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and theft.

The court also ordered them to report daily for one month at the office of the Omu-Aran Unit of the

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Adewumi and Awotayo had been remanded in prisons on their first arraignment on April 19 as their bail applications were refused.

The court then issued a warrant of arrest on the third accused, Sunday.

The judge, Mr. U.A. Abolarin, while ruling on the bail applications of the accused, said the court was constrained by the huge amount involved, but only tempered justice with mercy in

granting them bail.

“Although the court is constrained in exercising its discretion in granting bail to the accused persons due to huge amount involved.

“The court is, however, tempering justice with mercy as bail is not meant to be punitive.

“Each of the accused persons is hereby admitted to a bail in the sum N1 million with two sureties each in like sum,” Abolarin said.

He adjourned the case to May 17 for further hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor had told

the court that the accused stole the amount belonging to the Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society, CTCS, Irepodun Local Government Chapter in Kwara.

The offences contravened Sections 16, 17, 286, 311 and 320 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation.

The CTCS had petitioned, seeking the prosecution of Adewunmi and Oyeyipo, both staff of Irepodun Local Government and Awotayo an employee of the CTCS, for stealing the money.

Osun landlords protest non-payment of compensation on demolished buildings

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—ABOUT 300 landlords, yesterday, stormed the Osun State House of Assembly to protest nonpayment of compensation for their houses destroyed by the Rauf Aregbesola’s administration four years ago during the expansion of roads project in Osogbo, the state capital.

The protesters, who stormed the assembly as early as 8a.m. carrying placards with various inscriptions, alleged that they had lost tens of their members since the agitation to get their compensation started in 2012.

The landlords under the aegis of Association of Owners of Valued Demolished Buildings ambushed the Speaker, Najeem Salam, on his way to his office pleading that the House should

intervene on their behalf for the compensation to be paid.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the chairman of the association, Mr. Moshood Oladejo, told the Speaker that the delay in the payment of their compensation has rendered them homeless.

Oladejo said since the demolition of their buildings that they have lost their sources of livelihood as most of them earn income from the buildings.

“We are too old to struggle for other means of livelihood now and most of the affected landlords have serious health challenges as

a result of the demolition of their buildings,” he told the Speaker.

While sympathising with the landlords over their plights, the Speaker assured that the House would assist them in getting the compensation from the state government.

Court remands mechanic accused of defiling neighbour’s daughter

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N IKEJA Chief Magistrate's Court, yesterday, remanded a mechanic, Opeloyeru Yusuf, in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly defiling his neighbour’s 11year-old daughter.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, adjourned the case to May 16 for hearing on the accused’s bail application.

Yusuf, 25, who lives at No. 97 Amawo St., Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is standing trial on one-count of defilement.

The prosecutor, Insp.

Benedict Aigbokhan told the court that the offence was committed on April 17 at the accused’s residence.

Aigbokhan said that Yusuf sent

the girl to buy food for him and on her return, shut the door to his room and defiled her.

“The accused warned the girl not to tell anyone, but when she was having severe pain on her private part, she told her aunty,” the prosecutor said.

He said that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—11

Aftermath of Sheriff’s visit to Jigawa: APC supporter killed, 5 injured

By Aliyu Dangida

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UTSE—THE clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC,

and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after the visit of the National Chairman of PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to Jigawa State recently, has left one person dead

and five injured.

It was learnt that the deceased, one Samaila Isiyaku, a native of Zai quarters in Dutse metropolitan was allegedly killed by thugs of

the opposition party in the state.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the deceased and others were seen displaying the poster of the state governor, Muhammad

2016 Budget: Presidency, N/Assembly reach truce •set up 2 committees for both arms •Buhari to sign document into law next week

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—AT last, the executive arm of the government and the National Assembly have resolved their lingering face-off over the 2016 budget, giving hope that President Muhammadu Buhari would sign the document into law any time from now.

A truce was brokered between the two arms of government at a meeting among the President, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the leadership of the national Assembly, led by the senate

president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last night. Earlier in the day, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubo Dogara, had met behind closed doors with President Buhari on the same matter. Speaking after the nocturnal meeting, the Senate president, Saraki, told State House correspondents that the controversial issues about the budget had been laid to rest, assuring that in a matter of days, the Appropriation Bill would be given the backing of the law for

onward implementation by the federal government.

He said: “We just finished a meeting with the President and VP. We came to let them know some of the solutions that we found in moving the budget process forward and we are happy to say that we have agreed on the way forward and we believe that this process will be completed in matter of days rather than weeks.

So, it is goodnews to Nigerians and all of us. We have found a way forward and in a matter of days the budget will be ready for president’s assent. We have committees that have been set up on our side and also on the

executive side. We will engage over the next few days to just tidy up a few loose ends here and there and the outcome will be satisfactory to everybody. You heard what I have said. I said it is a matter of days and not weeks, so you can start counting the days which means that between now and Monday or Tuesday, I’m hopeful that the budget will be signed”.

Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, stated that every outstanding issues had been resolved, stressing that President Buhari would assent to the Bill in a matter of days.

Abubakar Badaru, chanting ‘Ba ma yi,’ Action! Action!

Their conduct, it was reported, did not go down well with the opposition party, who alleged that they were paid by the government, “before we knew what was happening there was confrontation between both parties."

The eyewitness added that the aftermath of the confrontation was the death of Samaila Isiyaku and the injuries sustained by others.

The Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abdul Jinjiri, confirmed that PDP supporters attacked and killed one Samaila Isiyaku, 22 years, of Zai quarters.

Abdul Jinjiri also disclosed that the "five others injured are currently receiving treatment at Rasheed Shekoni hospital." He added that the command has arrested one suspect, Bashir Yusif, who confessed that he was among the sponsored thugs.

But in a swift reaction, the Special Assistant Media and Publicity to Jigawa State Governor, Bello Zaki, called on the authority concerned to as a matter of urgency fish out the culprits.

Akwa Ibom royal father decries incessant cases of kidnapping

By Tom Moses

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K E T — PARAMOUNT ruler of Eket, Akwa-Ibom State, Obong E. Abia, has raised alarm over the emerging trend of kidnap activities and ritual killings in the area, including the recent alleged abduction of 34 years old Eunice Unanowo by one Chigozie Chinweuba.

The royal father, who spoke to Vanguard, at his palace in Eket, blamed the return of kidnapping and ritual killings on the value the Nigerian state placed on her citizens and the unseriousness of security agencies to protect lives and properties of the citizens.

Dr. Abia expressed worry that that “one Chigozie Chinweuba could go to the residence of Eunice Unanaowo on Idoro Road, Uyo and drive her in her vehicle on the pretext of going to introduce her to a prospective buyer of the vehicle she intended to dispose of, only to come back and park the vehicle without Eunice.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Okowa reads riot act to monarchs of feuding communities

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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A R R I — G OV E R N O R Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, yesterday, said he will hold the monarchs of Udu and Ogbe-Ijoh kingdoms responsible if further hostilities break out between Aladja and Obge-Ijoh, both entangled in recurring armed conflicts over the lingering boundary dispute.

Okowa read the riot act after a closed door meeting with representatives of Aladja, Udu Local Government Area, and Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South-West Local Government Area, following the March 24, hostilities in which several persons were displaced and a Police Division in Ogbe-Ijoh sacked and its armoury looted by suspected community youths.

The meeting, held at the Warri South-West council secretariat, progressed to a drive along the Aladja/OgbeIjoh Road by the governor and

his entourage, accompanied by representatives of both communities, to inspect some of the disputed flashpoints and a buffer zone designated by the previous administration in the state.

During the inspection, an altercation ensued between HRM Couple Oromoni, Amakosu, Monbene III, Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh and HRH, E.B.O. Delekpe, Ohworu I, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, amidst placard carrying protests by their respective subjects in a war of wits by both sides to gain the governor ’s sympathy on the crisis.

“You must be seen to be royal. Prevail on your subjects to maintain the peace and have respect for the peace agenda of the state government. I will hold you responsible for further breakdown of law and order,” Okowa told the quarrelling monarchs while also giving same matching orders to

Chief Solomon Kpoma and George Ekpemukpolo, Udu and Warri South-West council chairmen, respectively.

The governor further directed both communities to nominate two persons each to form a state government committee to be headed by the Delta State Surveyor

Ex-militants barricade A-Ibom Govt House

By Chioma Onuegbu

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YO—AGGRIEVED ex-militants in Akwa Ibom State, who were granted amnesty since 2012, yesterday, barricaded the entrance to Government House, Uyo, protesting their alleged neglect.

The protesters numbering over 200, arrived Wellington Bassey Road leading to Government House with six Toyota Hiace buses about 12 noon, chanting protest songs and obstructing free flow of traffic for hours.

The protesting exmilitants who prevented vehicles from entering or leaving Government House for four hours, insisted that they would not leave the place until the governor addressed them.

Speaking to newsmen, their leader, Mr Ebong Friday, said they were

angry because the state government had not done anything to ensure their inclusion in the Federal Government's amnesty programme.

He said: “Let the state government capture our names and send same to the Federal Government amnesty programme. All other states have been taken care of except Akwa Ibom ex-militants.

ELTA State governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has inaugurated Delta State Traffic Management Agency, DESTMA, with a charge to improve traffic compliance, ensure safe, reliable and accident free transportation on the state's roads.

Speaking at the end of an eight-day induction course for pioneer DESTMA Staff

Rivers judiciar y crisis: Wike members of the African blasts NBA Bar Association conferred

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HAR-COURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has decried the alleged failure of members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to rescue the judiciary in the state when it was crippled under the last administration.

Governor Wike, who spoke at Government House, yesterday, when C M Y K

on him life membership of its council, said it was sad that members of the Bar failed to speak in defence of what should be done while the crisis lasted.

Thanking the African Bar Association for the honour, the governor said that stability had returned to the judiciary with the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge for the state and appointment of President Customary Court of Appeal in the state.

constitute a committee along with others.

“In the next two weeks, we will constitute the committee to resolve the issue. The committee will do the proper delineation of the boundary of the two communities,” Okowa stated.

INAUGURATION: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State (middle) and officials of the state's Traffic Management Agency, DESTMA, at the inauguration of the agency in Asaba.

“Since we laid down our arms in 2012, we have been neglected. This is our fourth visit to Government House without government attending to our complaints.”

Addressing the agitators, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Murtala Mani, appealed to them to remain calm and be law abiding while pressing for their demands.

Okowa inaugurates traffic management agency

D

General towards resolving the age-long boundary dispute.

“I have taken note of the former report and the right thing to do is to ask both communities to nominate two persons and come up with their documents. They will meet with the Surveyor-General who has the maps of the state and

in Asaba, Governor Okowa said that the setting up of the agency was meant to check bad road behaviour and enhance free flow of traffic, safety level and security on the roads.

He said: "I want to congratulate the management and staff of DESTMA, for the successful completion of this induction programme.

It is a good starting point for a critical intervention agency that has this unenviable task of ensuring safe, reliable and accident free transportation on our roads.

"All over the world, the growth of urbanization has created overcrowded cities leading to increasing traffic congestions and other antisocial behaviour on the roads. DESTMA has the goal of checking bad behaviour and enhancing the overall level of safety and security on our roads."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—13

Delta HOSTCOM protests 2016 DESOPADEC ....The protest is premature —DTHA budget

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—DELTA State chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, yesterday, besieged the state House of Assembly complex, Asaba, protesting the 2016 budget of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, alledging the non-accountability of N16 billion in the 2015 budget of the commission.

The protesters, led by their state Chairman, Dr Peter Egedegbe and National Coordinator, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, who stormed the Assembly complex in over six buses at 9.30 a.m., said that siting projects outside oil and gas producing communities should be discontinued.

The people, in a protest letter addressed to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, called for the “full implementation of the 2015 budget as passed, especially projects that have been designed and for which tender documents have been prepared and ready for distribution.”

Stressing the need for higher budgetary provision for capital expenditure than recurrent, the protesters told the lawmakers to stop deliberation on the 2016 budget until the anomalies were

attended to.

Alleging that the 2015 budget had not been fully implemented, they said: “All budget figures for 2015 were cleverly omitted to short change the host communities especially in capital project.”

Addressing the protesters, chairman, House Committee on DESOPADEC in the state

House of Assembly, Chief Denis Omovie, said that the protest was premature, adding that the House was yet to look into the budget sent to it last week for necessary legislative action.

Omovie said: “A budget is an instrument of law that passes through a process and the 2016 DESOPADEC budget

cannot be an exception,” adding that it was not the place of Host Communities to tell the House how to do its work.

It will be recalled that the Itsekiri Hostcom had last week protested against the provision of N600 million security vote in the 2016 budget of the commission.

BRIEFING: From left: President, Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr Otis Anyaeji; Vice President, Media and Corporate Resources, Engr Giadomenco Massari and Executive Secretary, NSE Head Quarters, Engr Olusola Obadimu, during a press conference by the Nigeria Society of Engineers, in Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Fulani herdsmen hold 8 hostage in Delta community

By Ochuko Akuopha

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B I A R U K U — APPREHENSION, yesterday, gripped residents of Obiaruku community, Ukwani Local Government Area, Delta State, as eight persons were held hostage for several hours by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Those held hostage, Vanguard gathered, were working in a farmland in the community when they were seized at 6 a.m., by the herdsmen who allegedly brutalised them.

Youth leader of the community, Chika Uwabuofu, told Vanguard that the captives were later released at 1 p.m., as tension was building in the community.

He disclosed that the herdsmen had told their victims that the reason they were held hostage and manhandled was that four of their cows were killed and butchered in the neighbourhood.

Speaking further, he said: “For some time now, Fulani herdsmen have been harassing our men and women in their farms, eating the food in their C M Y K

barns and using their cows to destroy their crops.

“On account of this, we have been reporting their activities

to the police and a meeting was held by the council chairman, some top government functionaries

and the state chairman of the Fulani herdsmen where they were given three days to leave the community."

Ban on 200HP outboard engines: N-Delta militant group threatens violence

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—NIGER Delta militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which claimed responsibility for the February 14, explosion that rocked a Forcados pipeline, is threatening to battle the Nigerian Navy over its ban on the use of 200 Horse Power outboard engines on speed boats in the region.

The group, in a statement by its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, described as inhuman, the ban on 200hp outboard engines being used in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta.

Questioning the rationale for the ban, Agbinibo said, “Fast cars have not been banned despite the high rate of robbery in the country neither has Toyota Hilux and motorcycles been banned in the North-East when it is a

documented fact that they are the operational vehicles of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

“We are hereby calling on the Nigerian Navy to rescind

the ban as refusal to heed this warning will propel us to declare a war on the Nigerian Naval force over its selective punishment of Niger Delta people."

Rivers PDP alleges plans by APC to bomb Ogoni communities

By Gbenga Oke

P

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, has alleged that some All Progressives Congress, APC, politicians of Ogoni extraction were planning to use military helicopters to bomb some parts of Ogoni communities suspected to be base for those perceived to be opposed to their political ambitions.

The PDP described the move as desperate and unfair to the citizens of Ogoni.

State Chairman of PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, in a statement by his media aide in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that the party has it on good authority that APC was trying to eliminate those perceived to be stumbling blocks in their political aspiration.

He said: “The information has it that the operation will be carried out in the guise of raiding criminal hideouts but the actual motive is to target and eliminate those perceived to be stumbling blocks to the realisation of their political aspiration and victory of the

We’re not against Catholic Bishop —Bomadi youths

By Innocent Onoja

B

OMADI—AMATEBE Youth Forum, Bomadi town, in Bomadi Local Government Area, Delta State, has reiterated its stand to resist any attempt by any individual to convert the only landing jetty and its waiting hall in Amatebe quarters of the community, to any purpose, other than its original use by the people of the community.

The position of the youths is sequel to a fracas between some youths in Amatebe quarters of the community and the Bishop of Bomadi Vicariate of the Catholic Church, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, over the latter’s plan to convert the waiting hall of the jetty, which is located at the waterfront of the church’s Cathedral, to a cafeteria, which the bishop also alleged was a haven for gambling and smoking.

Reacting to Bishop Egbebo’s account of the occurrence in the media, President, Amatebe Youth Forum, Mr Senator Ebikeme, said that the youths were not against Bishop Egbebo and his development efforts for the community, but were merely fighting for their rights.

Madam Ayutsede passes on

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RS Christiana Ayutsede of Bateren Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, is dead, aged 62.

She died on April 20, and is survived by husband, children, grand children, siblings, and an aged mother.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family later.

Late Mrs. Ayutsede

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

How Nigeria lost out in $1.2bn mining investment — ABU VC

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA—THE nation’s minerals sector lost out in the $1.2 billion invested by foreign companies in minerals exploration on the continent last year, by failing to attract the international big players in the industry.

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba, disclosed this at the National Workshop on the Role of Mining Sector in Diversifying the Nigerian Economy, in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him, “the Federal Government must play a role in the exploration stage of attempts to develop the sector. Mining is not developed in our country because many people are not ready to take the high risk of feasibility.”

He explained that exploration is a highly risky stage in the industry and, therefore, unattractive to most investors, adding “ what we need now is exploration investment.”

In his address, the Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Alhaji Bawa Bwari, said that it remained an irony that Nigeria, with massive minerals assets has one of the world’s largest population of poor people.

Footprint launches online biz TV

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O promote intra-African and foreign investments in the continent, Footprint to Africa, a business and financial news resource and investment bridge company, will on April 30, launch two new services, Africa in 10 Minutes and The Marketsquare Africa.

Mr. Osita Oparaugo, MD, Footprint to Africa, said Africa in 10 Minutes, an online television, will inform on happenings in Africa, while Marketsquare is a platform where businesses are originated, adding that the launch will change the face of global business, especially small and medium enterprises.

C M Y K

Ex-Finance Minister refunds N140m, surrenders 2 houses

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA—EMBAT TLED former Finance Minister, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, has returned N140 million out of the N2.5 billion she allegedly received from the office of the former National Security Adviser ahead of the 2015 Presidential elections.

In addition, the former Senator, who served as the Director of Finance for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organisation, has surrendered two of her houses to the Federal Government as a condition for her release from the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. A top source in the

commission, who confirmed the figures to Vanguard, hinted that the former Finance Minister might be released on bail on health grounds, given the amount of money and the property she has forfeited to the government in lieu of what she collected.

Although the source said the commission had obtained a court order to keep her

AWARD: Chairman, Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, winner of Lifetime Achievement Award recipient (left) and Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc, UK Eke, during the Silverbird Man of the Year Award in Lagos.

IGP orders arrest, prosecution of persons selling fuel in containers

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—THE InspectorGeneral of Police, Solomon Arase, has directed all Assistant InspectorsGeneral of Police and commissioners of police to arrest anybody found selling petroleum products in plastic containers.

The police boss, in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said: “Apart from the hardship the act was causing to fuel buyers, it had also rendered some innocent and lawabiding citizens homeless due to fire from petrol stored in jerry cans.”

He noted that fuel products such as petrol, were highly flammable and if not stored and handled properly, could seriously endanger people, property and the environment.

While warning fuel attendants at filling stations to desist from selling petrol in jerry cans and plastic containers, Arase said both buyers and sellers of the products would be arrested and prosecuted under the

law.

The IGP, while assuring Nigerians of police readiness

to fulfill its constitutional mandate, appealed for a more cordial relationship.

Assault on female Rep: C’ttee report recommends dismissal of prisons officer

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives Committee on Interior in its report, yesterday, has recommended the immediate dismissal of the prisons officer, SIP Idaa Odeh, who allegedly assaulted Joan Mrakpor last Thursday.

The committee also recommended that Corporal Esther Hassan, ASP Sunday Akoh of the Police Force and Adeboye I.0 of Department of State Service, DSS, be disciplined and redeployed.

In the report, it was also suggested that the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act should be amended as a matter of urgency to the effect that only

the President, Vice President and Chief Justice or a visiting President could come into the National Assembly premises with moderate convoy and recommended that penalties should be provided for offenders.

For refusing to show up at the public hearing held last Monday, the report recommended that DCG Umar Shehu Kangiwa be arrested and tried for violating Section 11 of Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act by the Attorney General of the Federation.

In a related development, a group, Anioma Youth Council, stormed the National Assembly yesterday demanding the sack of the prisons boss, Mr. Peter Ezenwa Ekpendu.

beyond the stipulated time to interrogate her further, it was learned that an undisclosed health challenge facing her had compelled the operatives to consider granting her administrative bail to seek medical attention.

When asked if the former minister had been released, the source said: “She is still with us, but we are considering granting her bail, even though we have a subsisting court order to keep her.

“The former minister and lawmaker has agreed to surrender two of her choice property in Abuja, in addition to refunding N140 million to the Federal Government.”

According to findings, the former minister is being quizzed over various sums of money, which were paid into her account, including the N2.5 billion which was transferred out of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, into her account.

In addition, N140 million cash was allegedly paid into her Zenith Bank Account in January 2015.

Usman is alleged to have had access to what EFCC sources described as “huge cash,” some of which the agency says came from the CBN.

Glo bags Beacon of ICT awards

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OR Nigeria’s next generation network, Globacom, it was another major award haul at this year ’s edition of the Beacon of ICT Awards, held in Lagos.

At the awards, Globacom emerged winner in three major categories: the company was named Internet Company of the Year, Best GSM Company of the Year and Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year.

The organisers of the award and publishers of Communications Week, Communications Week Media, said Globacom was voted best in the three award categories in an online voting conducted from November last year to March 15, 2016.

The ceremony was chaired by the Chairman of Open Media and former Executive Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 15

C M Y K

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Court grants Bianca’s prayer to re-open evidence

By Onozure Danai

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AGOS—THE wife of late Biafran war lord Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, Bianca Ojukwu’s application to re-open her evidence-in-chief, in a suit she instituted against her husband’s family, was yesterday, granted by Justice Abdulfattah Lawal of a Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere.

Bianca had on behalf of her two under-age children, Afamefuna and Nwachukwu (claimants) instituted the suit against Ojukwu Transport Limited, OTL, and seven others before the court over an alleged attempt to eject her sons from the company’s property located in Lagos.

The company (OTL) and its property belong to the father of the late Biafran warlord.

Other defendants in the suit are: Prof. Joseph Ojukwu, Engr. Emmanuel Ojukwu; Lotanna Putalora Ojukwu; Dr. Patrick Ojukwu; Arch. Edward Ojukwu; Lota Akajiora Ojukwu and Mrs. Massey Udegbe (doing business under Massey Udegbe & Company) The widow, who had earlier testified before the court, filed two separate applications, seeking for leave of the court, to allow her amend her writs of summon, statement of claims and also to re-open her evidence-in-chief.

All the respondents in the suit did not object to the applications.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, yesterday, Justice Lawal granted all the prayers of the applicants and ordered her to re-open her evidence-in-chief on June 3.

She had earlier in her evidence before the court, testified that she was the only wife that was legally married among Ojukwu’s wives, as she engaged in court, church and traditional marriage.

710 Nigerians killed by Fulani herdsmen in 10 months —Igbo Youth Movement

By Emeka Mamah & Clifford Ndujihe

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NUGU—THE Igbo Youths Movement, IYM, has lamented that Fulani herdsmen have killed 710 other Nigerians excluding the 48 Agatu people in Benue State in the last 10 months without the Federal Government addressing the issue.

IYM made this known while reacting to the Monday’s killing of about 40 indigenes of Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen last night.

The statement signed by the Founder of the IYM and Leader of the South East Democratic Coalition, Evangelist Elliot Uko, entitled, 'Ten Months of Carnage,' read: “Between June

2015 and April 2016, Fulani herdsmen have killed over 710 Nigerians (excluding Agatu incident) in 48 recorded incidents, the highest in recent years.

“For the first time, the nation’s Department of State Services, DSS, only interest in these avoidable blood baths, seems only to accuse one organization of killing five Fulani. That accusation is yet to be substantiated with photographs or at least a DSS invitation to media people to the graves in order to corroborate their allegations.

“Monday morning, seven communities in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State received it hot, as usual from the rampaging Fulani warriors. Two churches, over 100 houses,

dozens dead and hundreds injured with many still missing.

“Nigerians do not expect any positive reaction from the Federal Government and the DSS, for obvious reasons.This bloodletting which began since the new government took over power is interestingly redefining how much faith, large sections of Nigeria should have in the ability or willingness of the Federal Government to protect them from this Fulani warriors, who clearly act as if they know that the Federal Government cannot (or is it, will not) save the helpless victims from their attacks.

“But above all, the ongoing war by the Fulani herdsmen, have only confirmed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, a prophet

VISIT: From left, Financial Secretary, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN, Sheba Palana; Assistant Secretary, Wole Ogunsanya; Chairman, Bank Anthony Okoroafor; Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo, Bayo Ojulari; PETAN ex-officios, Ibe Chubby Ibe and Emmanuel Onyekwena, during a courtesy visit to SNEPCo offices in Lagos .

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WKA—ANAMBRA State government has taken delivery of 76 solar powered refrigerators worth N174.8 million donated to the state by the European Union, EU, for storage of drugs in some rural communities in the state.

Southern govs, monarchs must meet immediately—Ikokwu Second Republic politician and lawyer, Chief Guy Ikokwu, said the unceasing slaughtering of people by the Fulani herdsmen in most parts of the South demands immediate meeting of the 17 governors of the South and traditional rulers.

His words: ‘’The governors of the southern states must meet immediately with their traditional rulers to discuss the issues affecting the area. Northern governors have been meeting.

Southern governors must take a cue. The ethnic organisations of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Efik, like Ohanaeze, Afenifere, among others, must meet and take a common position on the issue."

Biafra: Court declines to stop Kanu, others trial ...as hearing resumes June 20

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—JUSTICE John Tsoho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Tuesday, declined to suspend further hearing on the six-count treason charge pending against the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice Tsoho dismissed an

application Kanu filed alongside two other pro-Biafran agitators, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu, praying the court to stay further proceeding on their trial, pending the outcome of a consolidated appeal they lodged before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

The trial judge held that the application lacked merit, even as he fixed June 20 to resume hearing on the case against the defendants.

He placed reliance on section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which prohibits courts from entertaining applications seeking to stay proceeding in criminal cases.

Besides, the court insisted that continuing hearing on the case against Kanu and his codefendants while their appeal is pending, would not amount to denying them fair hearing.

“Section 306 of ACJA removes hitches to speedy trial which is component of fair hearing,” the

EU donates N175m worth of solar refrigerator to Anambra for drug storage

By Vincent Ujumadu

and visionary, who saw tomorrow.

Mazi Kanu correctly predicted over the radio, what the Fulani would do to the Middle Belt, South East, South- South and the South West.

“The serial slaughter by the Fulani, the intimidation by the security agents and the disturbing silence of the President, who incidentally is also Fulani and life Patron of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, has put Mazi Kanu in the league of avatars, who correctly predicted events before they happened.

“This development has also greatly increased Kanu’s popularity, especially among the oppressed, suppressed and consistently attacked populations, who now see him as a hero and a legend. This has resulted in a huge sympathy towards the gospel of IPOB and its leader."

Local government areas to benefit from the exercise include Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, Ayamelum, Idemili North and Idemili South.

Others are Ihiala, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Orumba

North, Orumba South and Oyi. The rural cold stores would complement the Central Pharmaceutical Cold Store in Awka, the state capital.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, while receiving the refrigerators and their panels in Awka, said two more were being expected,

adding that the state is also expecting more donations, including vehicles, tricycles and training kits from the EU. While commending the EU for the gesture, the commissioner promised that the equipment would be put to proper use immediately in all the communities.

Judge held, saying it was not in doubt that the Federal High Court had the jurisdiction to hear criminal cases.

“It is more so, given that the application for stay of proceeding is not founded on lack of intrinsic jurisdiction of this court, but on mode of procedure to be adopted in the trial,” Justice Tsoho added.

Kanu, who was hitherto the Director of Radio Biafra and Television, has been in detention since October 14, 2015, when he was arrested by security operatives upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the United Kingdom.

The defendants were alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

FG alleged that they were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as “an unlawful society.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 —17

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lot was said last week about Aisha Buhari’s book launch, intended as a means to raise funds for the families of the Chibok girls, Buni Yadi boys and other victims of insurgency.

It is unfortunate there are still so many misunderstandings surrounding “change”, due to poor communication and a perceived lack of strategy, which led some observers to conflate Mrs Buhari’s efforts with the self-serving aggressiveness of a Patience Jonathan who many accused of using “federal might” to promote herself through the civil service ranks in Bayelsa state, to occupy a position as permanent secretary which she could not physically undertake from Abuja nor morally justify.

Nigerians are used to first ladies, or anyone in public office for that matter, using their position and influence in wrongful ways, therefore accruing huge benefits for themselves and their cronies. After all, the Better Life for Rural Women program seemingly produced less economically independent rural women than it did rich, urban “fashionistas”, some who allegedly walked away with our commonwealthorbecamefrontsfor successive governments.

So it really was no surprise that Mrs Buhari would be accused of using her current position to publicise herself, due to the narcissistic tendencies of past women in her situation.

Society’s morals and ethics However, what is difficult to conceive or accept, are the missed opportunities to once and for all correct false assumptions.

If Aisha Buhari becomes a strong voice championing the rights of Nigerianwomenandchildren,then she could claim a place in history as one of the first wives of a sitting President or head of state to truly do something great and meaningful.

The Wife of the President’s pedigree is known to all, by now.

But our society’s morals and ethics have not always been safeguarded by those with lofty names, ancestry and occupations so it is again both unfortunate and understandable that for most Nigerians, this is not reason enough to trust her.

However, the simple truth is that one cannot give what one doesn’t have. Despite the would-be ethnic based stereotypes used to vilify the First family, Mrs Buhari is very well

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

The conscience of a First Lady

Chibok girls educated, with degrees in public administration, international affairs and strategic studies. She also trained as a beauty therapist, obtaining certificates proving her mastery of her chosen craft and ran spa businesses in several locations before her husband came into office, so it is no surprise that her fund-

Opportunity for all Nigerians is the only real form of social justice we must aspire to

raising event was centred around what she knows and was successful at. It should have been someone’s job to point out that her spa served

Aisha Buhari as a centre for vocational training, where she encouraged and supported women interested in the beauty industry. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that her book, which she intended as a teaching instrument to be used by small and medium sized businesses as classified by the National Basic Technical Education (NBTE) program, should serve to update the vocational training curriculum for women.

It would certainly not have made sense for her to launch a book on a theme of which she has no experience. In truth, her fundraiser was a well-intentioned initiative, which was unfortunately miscommunicated. But for change to truly convince and resonate, things will have to go a bit further.

Undertaking “projects” has become a byword for corruption. No one is asking the President’s wife to become embroiled in dubious projects she couldn’t possibly oversee (after all, her office isn’t constitutional).

Having said that, there remains a need for a strong voice championing the rights of women, children and underserved communities. Mrs Obama’s

Dino Melaye

Initiation to bribery We can have a country where honour and dignity of labour matter again if we have the right champions supporting these causes, if we have someone celebrating real success stories, not the children of the rich who make it through bluster and grandstanding or worse, an initiation to bribery.

First ladies have the national and cultural influence to make people listen and opt for change.

The greatest social change we need right now is a level playing field. Our system is rigged to favour a few. Yet, opportunity for all Nigerians is the only real form of social justice we must aspire to.

It can and will come through the development of the girl child: if she is healthy and educated, generations after her will be too, contributing to national prosperity and growth. These should be the thoughts and ideas weighing on the First Lady’s conscience.

Don't doubt change

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HE Senator recently declared that despite the allegations of corruption surrounding the Senate President who is presently on trial, he must remain in office for four years. The only officials with a four year mandatory term (unless they are impeached, or recalled by their constituents) are those elected by the people, not those voted for in strange, secrete, anti-party and anti-people ways.

Melaye’s declaration of undying love or support is one thing but the laws of the land are another affair all together. The Senate President allegedly transferred a total of $3.47 million to US bank accounts during his tenure as Governor of Kwara state, which is only one of the 13 count

initiatives as First Lady are sponsored by the US government but then again, her office is legally recognised and has a budget, which isn’t an issue as corrupt, money-grasping first ladies are virtually unheard of in America. The Nigerian experience has proven different but regaining public confidence in government and change is part of Mrs Buhari’s supportive role.

Her experience with vocational training would make her an ideal champion for small and medium sized businesses but beyond this we must begin to hear her speaking about Nigerian women and the problems they face in our society.

She doesn’t need to undertake projects herself so there are no baseless accusations or allegations of misappropriated funds but what she can do is publicly raise awareness of issues based on a defined agenda and start conversations by getting us to think about change in ways only she can.

She alone can fully boast of knowing her husbands’ mindset, his stance on issues, his

aspirations for Nigeria, his dreams for this country’s young people. The problems relating to Nigeria’s value-system and ethics have been over analysed, it is now time for real initiatives to convince our people to change the way we think and behave: it is her duty to be the patron of such activities.

Nobody is saying Mrs Buhari should act alone, as if she too were a minister or an elected official. “Change” shuns the dictatorial tendencies of past first ladies and should bring in something we haven’t seen in a long time or perhaps ever, that is real analysis and facts for all our benefit.

The truth is that Michelle Obama isn’t an expert on everything she champions, she didn’t study nutrition in order to combat obesity, a real issue in America nor was she in the armed forces which didn’t stop her commitment to bettering veterans’ lives post-deployment.

However, she has policy and strategy aides (they work within the Presidency so she is in sync with its objectives) who put together meaningful events, which reach out to the man on the street. There is an immense opportunity here for a breakthrough in terms of our national orientation.

I

Dino Melaye charges levelled against him.

Love and friendship in the time of stupendous graft allegations—that’s a story fit for Hollywood.

N May 2016, Nigeria and 59 other countries will sign an agreement on the sanctions to be imposed on corrupt government officials and politicians, so no one can escape abroad with public funds.

This is a result of Buhari’s pro-Nigeria foreign policy (and travels) which will deny corrupt, suspects from Nigeria the ability to create shell companies abroad to hide their loot or operate bank accounts or even travel as their visa or asylum

requests will be denied by 60 countries. Change is truly here whether the morally void anti-change cabal wants it or not.

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

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

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TOTAL of 1, 934, 765 displaced persons are currently living in formal camps, and satellite camps in liberated communities as a result of the insurgency in the north eastern state. According to Saad Bello, the Yola Camp Coordinator in Adamawa State, Borno has 19 camps with 150, 858 IDPs; Yobe has nine camps with 31, 988 IDPs and Adamawa four camps with 6, 937 IDPs. The Camp Coordinator who spoke on behalf of the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) when the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, visited also added that there were 14 satellite camps in liberated communities, mainly in Borno State with 216, 184 IDPs. Our main source of worr y, however, is the information that the authorities are considering closing some of the camps in the light of the claim that the IDPs are

Before returning IDPs to their homes safe to return home since the military have succeeded in liberating and securing their communities from the Boko Haram insurgents. Indeed, a relocation and resettlement programme is reportedly already in progress with the Senate even approving N10 billion for it.

The Senate fund approval was sequel to a motion titled, “Interim Financial and Material Support/ Assistance To IDP Returnees In Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States� sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) and

eight others. Ndume had argued that most of the local government areas and towns hitherto occupied by the insurgents had been recaptured and secured by the Nigerian security forces. On his part, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West) anchored his support for the return of the IDPs to their liberated communities on the need for them to participate in the current farming season.

While appreciating the necessity of allowing the IDPs to return home when it is considered safe to do so, we will also advise that caution

OPINION 2016 Budget:Presidency vs NASS fiasco (2) Continues from yesterday

By Godwin Oghenede ZBB Requirements HE starting point in the preparation of Zero Based Budget is for the government to clearly define its key policy thrust. They are the pillars and foundation for any budget preparation and interpretation. These policy thrust must be well articulated and understood by all the people involved in the budget process including the NASS. The question that must be asked in this regard is how well stated and communicated to all concerned are the government policy thrusts. From available facts, it would appear that while the government has indeed articulated Six cardinal Key Policy Thrusts which include Economy and Social Development, Infrastructure, Governance, Environment, State and Regional Development, it has or appear to have failed to educate, train and communicated these key policy thrust well enough to all participants in the budget process and hence the fiascos.

The second key element of Zero Based Budgeting is the requirements for all items proposed in the budget to be justified, stating vision, mission, mandate, strategic objectives, challenges, strength, opportunities, threat, key performance indicators and deliverables and hence the need for Head of Departments to defend their budget before a budget committee of

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such at the Ministries or Agencies level prior to consolidation and for Ministers to defend the consolidated Ministry budget before the NASS. It is at this preconsolidation level where departmental heads defend their departmental budgets that items are either eliminated or added to the budget based on set guidelines, available funds and priorities of government.

Under the new system, ZBB, the NASS cannot add items that has not been budgeted or planned for in the budget. To do so will be a deviation from the three cardinal requirements of ZBB The third element is the assignment of a realistic cost figure to every element and project included in the budget. These cost elements must be thoroughly reviewed and prioritised in line with government stated objectives and available funding.

Such review must include cost benefit analysis, alternative solutions and minimum set cost for achieving the stated objectives below which the project

becomes unviable or unachievable and deselected.

The 2016 budget has been characterised by twists and turns as it makes its passage through the NASS. At the budget preparatory and subsequent submission to NASS levels, there were daily reports of strange happenings alien and unknown in any civilised budget circles. There were reports of missing budget copies, existence of fake and original copies of the same budget that requires a forensic analysis of such to differentiate the fake from the original. There were reports of budget padding and of missing headings that were initially included but later found to be missing from the final version of the budget. There were reports of items that were not in the budget originally but smuggled in through the back in the final version. Such reports include the: *N4 billion that was removed from Ministry of Health Budget and added to Code of Conduct Tribunal *Cost of 80 illegal roads added to Works Budget. *73 Illegal projects added to Education Budget with no project design or costing *50% slashed from Educational Budget for poor students and added to state constituencies. *N60 billion for Calabar- Lagos that was rumoured to be included but later removed.

These are kindergartens stuff that makes us a world laughing stock and exposes our weaknesses to govern as a

should be the watch-word, especially in the light of continued reports of our troops repelling attacks by the terrorists. There have been reports of liberated communities being attacked after the security forces left the scene.

We caution that if the IDPs must be returned to their communities, adequate security should be provided until the threat of further attack is completely eliminated. We do not want a return to square one after hastily resettling the displaced persons.

The military and other security agencies should also properly screen all returning IDPs so as to fish out possible terrorists among them. They should also investigate reports of Boko Haram wooing young, impressible persons with money and other incentives as part of its recruitment strategy.

Returnees should immediately be assisted with gainful eemployment to avoid the dangers of prolonged idleness.

nation. They are counterproductive and a negation of the proclaimed Change Agenda of the current administration. A change that is not well articulated or thought through. A change that failed to adequately train and build capacity of staff responsible for the budget preparation. A change that is not well understood by all concerned. A change that is resisted by the old guides within the Ministries, Agencies and Department of government.

A change that is equally resisted by the legislative arm.

Under the new system, ZBB, the NASS cannot add items that has not been budgeted or planned for in the budget. To do so will be a deviation from the three cardinal requirements of Zero Based Budgeting as earlier stated. In the same vain the NASS cannot remove projects that has been included in the budget as a reflection of the key government policy thrust nor can they reduce a project cost below a minimum set level necessary to carry out the project if we are to move away from the era of abandoned projects.

In this regard, President Buhari is right and clearly justified in withholding assent to the budget and returning it to NASS for NASS to do the right thing. If this is done the Executive and the Legislative arms of government would have learn some lessons while embracing a change for the better as part of our democratic learning process.

Concluded *Mr. Oghenede, an accountant, wrote from Lagos.

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

Where are Nigerians in the fight over the 2016 budget?

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T is pertinent to ask where ordinary Nigerians who have no millions kept away as egg nests and have nowhere to go but live out the nightmare that being a citizen seems to have become in today’s Nigeria – it is indeed important to ask if such Nigerians have been considered in the struggle that has led to the failure or refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the budget sent to him by the National Assembly several weeks ago. It is useless now denying there is a tug of war currently going on between the President and the leaders of the National Assembly. It is a war of will that both parties involved in have been shy to take into the public arena. They would rather do their battle indirectly, through proxies or by making oblique remarks that are neither here nor there.

In this struggle the presidency or in fact the president whose administration bears responsibility for the success or failure of the budget has failed to demonstrate how it wants the struggle resolved quickly in the overall interest of ordinary

Nigerians. It’s one thing to claim to be working in the interest of Nigerians but quite another to be seen actually to be doing that.

This does not mean going out in the street in a populist demonstration of how hardworking the president has been. All the situation demands is proper and timely communication of what has and is being done to meet the everyday expectations of the people. Or the administration would be hard put denying the charge of cluelessness critics desperately want to foist on it.

With the year nearly half way gone a supposed 2016 budget is yet to finally see the light of day, even when the executive had been late in sending the appropriation bill to the National Assembly. The government was indeed very slow in taking the steps that could have fast tracked the appropriation process. We need not detain ourselves with the details of how this delay came about beyond saying that the president was not quick to constitute his team, especially his ministers. But when he eventually did and with that

stage finally over and done with, he sent to the National Assembly an appropriation bill that was riddled with errors. But not before the bill had first been declared missing.

The kind of drama that followed this discovery is unbecoming of a country that has leaders. It would turn out that what looked like errors were deliberate alterations of details of the budget by civil servants who must have spent most of their years in the civil service perpetrating all kinds of criminal activities. Padding as this unauthorised bloating of appropriation estimates is now

Yet Nigerians continue to suffer in different ways for the delays with the budget widely known as was done for corrupt purposes. The executive was responsible for this and should be blamed for that sordid affair even if it initially wanted to absolve itself of any blame as minister after minister disowned their supposed input into the budget. The National Assembly tried to look dignified and cooperative by declaring its readiness to work on the so-called missing budget and to help clear up the errors. This it promised to do expeditiously so the budget could begin its implementation journey.

As things have since turned out the budget returned by the National Assembly to the presidency is one the president said he couldn’t sign into law. His reason? The law makers went beyond their brief in tampering

The time for genuine electoral reform is NOW!

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HE spate of surprisingly unanimous yet lamentable 2015 governorship election petition decisions handed down by the Justice Mahmud Mohammed-led Supreme Court has made the case for genuine and lasting electoral reform a matter of national urgency, bordering on an emergency. The urgency has always been there since the Verdict ’83 fiasco supervised by the defunct Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). Yet, so scandalous was the extent of the rigging and total discrediting of the 2007 elections that the late President Ya’Adua was embarrassed by the taint on his electoral mandate and set up the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Committee. Its terms of reference point to the arching need for sweeping reforms: to undertake a review of Nigeria’s history with general elections and identify factors which affect the quality and credibility of the elections and their impact on the democratic process; to examine relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and other legislation that have bearing on the electoral process and assess their impact on the quality and credibility of general elections; and to examine the roles of institutions, agencies and stakeholders in shaping and impacting on the quality and credibility of the electoral process, including government, electoral commissions, security agencies, political parties, nongovernmental organisations, the media, the general public and the international community.

The phrase “quality and credibility of the elections” recurs in all three terms of reference. The Uwais committee duly delivered a catalogue of reforms aimed at instilling sanity in our politics. Its report

has achieved canonical status for the weak-kneed and self-interested refusal of former President Goodluck Jonathan to implement it in full. Jonathan rejected the recommendation aimed at assuring the independence of the Independent

If anyone knows the cost of rigged elections, it is President Buhari. He, like his predecessor Yar’Adua, must make electoral reform an urgent national issue Electoral Commission through the appointment of its chairman and national commissioners upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Institute and confirmation by the Senate. He also scorned the recommendation for the creation of three new bodies from INEC — an Electoral Offences Commission, a Political Parties and Registration Regulatory Commission, and a Constituency Delimitation Commission — aimed at relieving INEC of, and insulating it from, its more burdensome and contentious duties.

From bad to worse, the Supreme Court has now hammered home the last nail on the coffin of free, fair and credible elections.

It will remain a matter of speculation why the court has been so eager to depart from the commonsense, democracy-affirming, principle in the 1974 English case of

with the budget in a way not acceptable to the presidency. Not much was done by way of explanation of the president’s refusal to give his assent to the bill before he jetted out of the country in one of his many trips.

The news just filtered out in the media that the president would not give his assent to the returned bill until he has studied every aspect of it. For days thereafter Nigerians speculated on what could have again gone wrong with the budget. It was left for the president’s media handlers, the duo of Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, to explain to Nigerians what the problem was.

Nigerians would gradually get to know that the committees of the National Assembly that looked at the budget had padded it. They had not simply approved, rejected or cut down the amount appropriated by the executive. Rather they had introduced their own heads into the budget. In other words, the law makers had decided to take on the executive-arm's job of budget appropriation even when heads of the committees that worked on the budget denied doing anything to alter what the executive had sent to it. One of the most contentious issues with the budget was the alleged removal of the proposed appropriation for the LagosCalabar rail project and transferring it to the constituency of one of the leaders of these committees.

This didn’t sound like something unheard of in a country where the first thing socalled elected leaders of the people do is approve huge allowances for themselves before any consideration of public good.

Morgan v Simpson, which was followed for a while: sheer intellectual laziness (how else to put it?) or a crippling inability to resist the siren call of technicalities to do substantial justice? As it is, from the laudable principle which says that “If the election was conducted so badly that it was not substantially in accordance with the law as to elections, the election is vitiated, irrespective of whether the result was affected, or not,” the court stipulates the exact opposite: non-compliance (rigging, violence, ballot box-snatching and stuffing, etc) must not only be proved beyond every iota of doubt by the petitioner but, also, to have affected the result. And the petitioner must tender evidence from every ward and polling booth. Imagine the task before a petitioner, especially an aggrieved governorship or presidential election candidate!

Effectively, elections are no longer civil cases decided on a balance of probability, with he who asserts the affirmative position having the burden of discharging the onus of proof once prima facie evidence of the negative, that is non-compliance, has been given. A petitioner is now saddled with an unconscionable, impossible to meet, standard of proof, even higher than required in a criminal case. Victory is assured, ab initio, for incorrigible riggers and exponents of the doctrine of elections as warfare. They can soak every ballot in blood, harass and intimidate opponents, electoral officers and security agents to emerge the “winners” and mock their vanquished competitors by saying to them, “Go to court!” All in the knowledge that they stand to profit handsomely from their own wrongs.

This present National Assembly that spent the first few months after its inauguration on recess while approving huge allowances for its members is very guilty of this misdemeanour. While the committee leaders that worked on the 2016 budget deny the charge that they tampered with the budget inappropriately, other members of the National Assembly defended the right of the legislators to appropriate in this unauthorised manner. For speaking in such ambiguous terms as this Nigerians rightly concluded that the Danjuma Goje-led joint appropriation committees of the National Assembly went well beyond their brief and normal legislative practice by trying to create their own heads and make appropriation for projects not proposed by the executive.

But the bottom-line of the foregoing discourse is to highlight how the President in particular and his administration as a whole has signally failed to communicate the President’s concerns on the vicissitudes of the so-called 2016 budget to Nigerians, nearly six months after it was first sent to the National Assembly. In the wake of the latest padding all Nigerians have heard has come from the president’s media assistants. President Buhari has not himself addressed the matter of the alterations in the budget frontally by telling Nigerians in clear terms what his objections are to the job done first by the ‘rats’ in the Budget Ministry or members of the National Assembly. Yet Nigerians continue to suffer in different ways for the delays with the budget.

And then there is the matter of the court’s astonishing interpretation of the role of biometrically-encoded permanent voters' cards and smart card readers in pre-voting accreditation. Without first determining that INEC lacked the power to make them complementary to the voters register and integral to the electoral process, the Supreme Court unanimously adopted the view that a smart card reader somehow violates the electoral law by “dethroning” or “deposing” the register.

It is as if the learned justices of the Supreme Court are confirmed Luddites, implacable enemies of technology, and only manual voter verification, no matter its widely acknowledged propensity to perpetuate widespread voter impersonation and vote inflation, would do for them!

It would be a benevolence if the Supreme Court could, suo moto, reverse itself and return to the unimpeachable principle of Morgan v Simpson. Alas, that is procedurally impossible. Yet, we cannot wait for the uncertain day in the future when a petition presents the opportunity to correct the grievous error (if the justices even acknowledges their error). Only urgent legislative action can save the country from the incalculable harm of judicial sanctification for electoral brigandage. If anyone knows the cost of rigged elections, it is President Buhari. He, like his predecessor Yar’Adua, must make electoral reform an urgent national issue that must be tackled NOW and not six months to the next general elections.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Another herdsmen invasion of Enugu community:

Stop the killings now!

NEWS ANALYSIS

By Mike Ebonugwo, with reports from Chinenyeh Ozor, Nsukka GAINST every expectation, Enugu State has lately been featuring consistently in the news bordering on the invasion of its communities by suspected herdsmen leading to wanton loss of lives and the destruction of farm lands and other properties.

Monday’s invasion of Ukpabi, Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by over 500 herdsmen which left about 50 persons dead has once again brought to the fore the tragic reality that death lurks in all farming communities in the state as long as sporadic and sometimes sustained attacks by herdsmen remain unchecked.

Incidentally this is not the first time that a community in UzoUwani would be invaded by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Farming communities within the local government which shares boundary with Benue State have in recent years become scenes of bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers. Indeed as far back as October 2012 there had been reports of herdsmen launching unprovoked attacks against farmers and residents which sometimes resulted into retaliatory attacks.

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Dead in a pool of blood A particular case in point was a certain 23-year-old Ogbonna Eze, a commercial motorcyclist from Opi Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state, who was allegedly attacked

by Fulani herdsmen and left for dead in a pool of blood. He survived but lost an ear in the process. It was another case of blood, tears and sorrow when some herdsmen had on August 1, 2015 reportedly hacked one Ozo Samuel Okoro after they invaded Eziugwobi village in Abbi community of Nsukka in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area. He was said to have been murdered in the presence of his two wives at his hut in the farm around 2pm on the fateful day.

The development had prompted a prominent son of Abbi community, Dr. Mike Ajougwu (SAN), to organise a delegation which he led to visit cattle owners living at Odoru community in Igala-Mela Local Government Area, Kogi State to complain about the repeated atrocities committed by the herdsmen. Obviously the Dr Ajougwu-led delegation did not achieve its desired objective for

a cessation of hostilities by the herdsmen as the attacks reportedly continued. For instance, last February, people of Abbi community in UzoUwani Local Government Area were once again thrown into mourning following the killing of their loved ones and the destruction of their property after the community was invaded by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Brutally killed during the attack were a brother and sister, Fidelis and Mercy Okeja, while 19 members of the community were declared missing.

The Fulani herdsmen reportedly invaded the peaceloving Abbi community in the wee hours of the fateful day, attacked and killed 45-year-old Fidelis, a polygamist and father of many children, and 50-yearold Mercy, a widow and mother of four children. They also burnt down seven houses and some motorcycles parked there, and looted provision shops.

This is the fourth time Fulani herdsmen invaded our community in a period of three years. The losses, including the buildings and other things destroyed, are too much for us to bear Irked by the tragic development, Dr Ajougwu had risen to the occasion by immediately dispatching a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State on the killing dated August 3, 2015. In the petition, he made copious reference to a meeting which he initiated in the search for peace which held at Olu-Odoru Haruna Opala palace before the recent attack. The meeting had in attendance the Olu, the DPO Odoru, and all owners of cattle.

He pointed out in the petition that the Fulani herdsmen had in all their previous attacks raped women and girls, in addition to

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, (left) sympathizing with one of the victims of herdsmen’s Monday attack in Nimbo, admitted at Holy Cross Hospital, Nsukka, Enugu State, yesterday. stealing yams, grains and other crops from farms with impunity.

He informed that a case of murder was reported to Adani Police Station and Uzo-Uwani local government council. He prayed the Police Commissioner to summon the Enugu State chairman of the association of cattle rearers, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, together with his Odoru counterparts, Alhaji Aruto Daura and Alhaji Haruna, to assist the Police in its investigations of major crimes.

Dr Ajougwu had appealed to the Police boss to use his good offices to properly investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book in the interest of justice and peace, and to avoid break down of law and order in the community and beyond.

During the said June 30, 2015 meeting at Onu-Odoru palace, the Fulani heads had pledged to co-operate with Abbi farmers by not allowing their cattle to destroy farms. But days after, the farmers had reason to complain that rather than abate, the spate of murders, rape, destruction of farms, looting and burning of houses and property allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen intensified.

It was also reported that Dr Ajougwu had proposed then that as a last resort to finding peace and averting further violence, that the Area commander, Nsukka Police Command, should as a matter of utmost urgency convene a meeting of the traditional rulers of Nimbo, Abbi, Nrobo, Okpuje, Nkpunano, Anuka and Okutu communities together with DPOs of Adani,Nsukka, Okpuje and Odoru in Kogi State. Also to attend the meeting were the paramount chief of Odoru, the Onu Odoru, sub-heads and chiefs of Avurugo, Nokwo,

Ekwuloko and the Fulani heads along Abbi and Odoru borders.

Reports showed that both the meetings and proposals came to nought, while Fulani herdsmen continued their attacks, killings and destruction in the localities of Abbi, Nimbo, Nrobo, Adani and Nkpologwu communites. Dr Ajougwu in his letter for a security meeting dated October 2, 2015 and addressed to the Area Commander noted that the people and country would hold the police inaction responsible in the event of escalation of avoidable calamity.

Robbing and kidnapping Unfortunately, efforts of Dr Ajougwu to broker peace between the communities and Fulani herdsmen were in futility.

Instead he was said to have received several threatening phone calls to produce within a day a Fulani allegedly held hostage by Anuka people.

The traditional ruler of Abbi community reacts: Reacting to the development, the traditional ruler of Abbi community, Eze Fidelis Igwe, complained that his community had over the years suffered untold hardship in the hands of Fulani herdsmen who he accused of maiming and gang-raping “our women at farmlands” in addition to robbing and kidnapping his people or stealing and destroying cash crops in the community. He said, “The killing of Fidelis and Mercy, including the 19 people that are still missing, was one of the worst and most tragic things to happen to us in the recent past.”

This is the fourth time Fulani herdsmen invaded our community in a period of three years. The losses, including the

buildings and other things destroyed, are too much for us to bear. The remaining people of the community have now taken refuge in neigbouring communities due to fear of another invasion by the Fulani herdsmen who do not give signs before striking. They have fled their ancestral home because of repeated attacks of the Fulani herdsmen. We have made several appeals to the Nigeria Police Force, the Uzo-Uwani local government council and Enugu State government for the Fulani herdsmen to leave our community but nothing has happened to that effect. We are still appealing to the appropriate authorities to address the issues of Fulani herdsmen in Abbi community.

Excesses of herdsmen The community cannot continue to watch Fulani herdsmen take over their ancestral home, rape women, kidnap and rob people of cash and other valuables.”

Nimbo traditional ruler Igwe John Akoh reacts: The traditional of Nimbo autonomous community in Uzo-Uwani local government area, Igwe John Akoh, a veteran journalist and one time chief press secretary to the then Anambra State military governor also condemned the unwarranted attacks and killings by the Fulani herdsmen. The traditional ruler said that the case of Abbi community was most worrisome.

He noted that communities in the locality cannot continue to watch while their brothers and sisters are being murdered or maimed by Fulani herdsmen.

“We are appealing to the appropriate authorities in the country to promulgate a law to check the excesses of herdsmen in Uzo-Uwani in particular and the South East in general,” he pleaded.

If the scale of destruction, especially the death toll, of the recent attack by a 500-strong herdsmen anything to go by, then the appeal by the traditional to the appropriate authorities to act may have fallen on deaf ears. And with the Federal Government yet to take a forthright decision on how to contain the dangerous trend, it remains to be seen whether the appropriate authorities will act in good time before the situation gets completely out of control.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Oil price now $45, but battle for market share caps gains O

IL prices rose yesterday, boosted by a weaker dollar and by expectations that demand could grow quickly enough to match supply this year, although concern over a potential battle for market share between Saudi Arabia and Iran limited gains.

Front-month Brent crude futures were up by 59 cents to $45.04 a barrel. U.S. crude futures rose 54 cents to $43.18 a barrel.

“Market fundamentals continue to suggest that the combination of robust demand and weak supply growth will move global oil markets closer into balance by the end of the year,” BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley said in a statement after the firm reported stronger-than-expected results.

Aramco’s storage in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture and shipped to China’s eastern province of Shandong, Reuters reported.

Citi said it was likely that Saudi Arabia was targeting 500,000

barrels per day (bpd) in new sales to bring its production up to at least 11 million bpd.

BMI Research said it had upgraded its Saudi crude production forecast, “reflecting

AWARD: Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase (left), presenting a souvenir to DirectorGeneral, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mounir Gwarzo, when the SEC DG visited him in his office, in Abuja.

Largest monthly gain Helping prices were a weaker dollar. The oil price has risen by nearly 14 per cent in April, putting it on track for its largest monthly gain in a year. However, some analysts warned it was too early to call an end to the crude glut as Saudi Arabia and Iran could ramp up output further in a race for customers.

“The biggest bear risk to the oil market right now is that Iran’s ramp-up accelerates and then that Saudi Arabia does the same,” Citi said in a note to clients.

“If anyone had a doubt about Saudi Aramco’s ability to use its logistical system and spot sales to increase market share, its recent 730,000-barrel sale of a cargo to a Chinese teapot refiner in Shandong should lay any doubts to rest,” it said. The cargo will be lifted in June from

FBN Holdings’ gross earnings rises 4.9% to N505bn in 2015

By Babajide Komolafe

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BN Holdings Plc, the parent company of First Bank Limited yesterday announced a 4.9 percent increase in gross earnings to N505.2 billion for the financial year ended December 2015.

However, the audited financial results for the year ended 2015 and the unaudited results for the first quarter 2016 released yesterday showed $ 124.25 1.15 significant decline in major performance indi$3,158.00 45.00 ces.

The results showed that $ 15.57 -0.06 the company ’s gross earnings rose from N481.8 billion for the full year 2014 to N505.2 bil$ 44.86 0.38 lion in 2015. The growth in gross earnings was $ 43.01 0.37 driven by 8.7 percent increase in net interest inCURRENCY BUYING SELLING come which rose to N265 196.5 197 US DOLLAR 196 billion in 2015 from 282.0048 282.7242 283.4436 POUNDS N243.9 billion in 2015.

220.794 221.3573 221.9205 EURO 200.758 201.2701 201.7822 FRANC The impact of the im1.7691 1.7736 1.7781 YEN provement in gross earn0.3202 0.3302 0.3402 CFA ings on the overall per275.3302 276.0325 276.7349 WAUA formance of the compa30.1669 30.2443 30.3217 RENMINBI 52.2597 52.393 52.5263 ny was however underRIYAL 29.6673 29.743 29.8187 KRONA mined by losses to bad 275.4976 276.2004 276.9032 SDR loans, which jumped by 360 percent to N119.3 bilCBN Exchange rate as at 26/04/2016

C M Y K

the failure of the meeting at Doha, planned increases in output capacity and the creeping politicisation of oil under Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman”.

lion from N25.9 billion in 2014.

Hence the company’s profitability plummeted, with profit before tax falling by 77.1 percent to N21.5 billion from N94.1 billion in 2014, while profit after tax also fell by 82 percent to N15.1 billion from N84 billion in 2014.

The company’s unaudited results for first quarter 2016 showed that gross earnings fell by 15.2 percent to N107.5 billion from N126.8 billion in March 2015. Losses to bad loans rose by 212 percent to N12.8 billion from N4.1 billion.

History of our institution Profit before tax dropped by 18.2 percent to N22.1 billion, from N26.9 billion, while profit after tax also dropped by 8.3 percent to N20.7 billion, from N22.6 billion in March 2015.

Similarly, total assets dropped marginally by 0.6 percent to N4.1 trillion, from N4.2 trillion as at December 31st 2015.

Commenting on the results for year ended December 2015, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive, FBN Holdings Plc, Mr. U.K Eke said, “This has

been a very difficult time in the history of our institution. Despite the tough macroeconomic and regulatory backdrop during the year, our underlying business remains strong as reflected in the gross earnings growth of 4.9 percent to N505.2 billion.

On the results for first quarter 2016, Eke said, “The operating environment remains challenging, as shown by the 15.2 percent decrease in gross earnings to N107.5billion in Q1 2016. However, we are confident that the changes that we have implemented, along with those we plan to implement, will strengthen our business model, and ultimately enable us restore value to our shareholders whilst building long-term sustainability into our businesses.

“Building on the improvement recorded at the end of FY 2015, in our core efficiency ratio (cost to income) we are focused on driving further efficiency gains and entrenching operational excellence across all our operating companies.

“We will continue to streamline our business and focus on improving our risk management practices and containing costs.”

— 21

Harris joins Africa Finance Corporation as Independent Director

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FRICA Finance Corpo ration (AFC) has announced the appointment of Grant T. Harris as an independent Director. Mr. Harris joins AFC after serving four years at the U.S. National Security Council at the White House in Washington, D.C. As Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for African Affairs, he was the primary lead in crafting U.S. policy toward subSaharan Africa.

Mr. Harris was particularly instrumental in institutionalising trade and investment as a key pillar of U.S. policy toward Africa, including by launching and coordinating the ‘Doing Business in Africa’ campaign to increase U.S. trade and investment.

Mr. Harris was also the primary architect of the highly successful U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, which President Obama hosted in Washington, D.C., in August 2014, and which generated $37 billion in commitments to increase investment, trade, and development throughout Africa.

Before his work at the White House, Mr. Harris served in a variety of roles advising senior officials on issues related to Africa, including former U.S. Ambassadors to the United Nations Susan Rice and Richard Holbrooke. He also previously served on the staff of the White House under President Bill Clinton. Mr. Harris draws on private sector experience, having practiced law at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, where he counselled and assisted Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies on international business transactions.

Since leaving the White House, Mr. Harris established Harris Africa Partners LLC and advises private sector clients on investing and doing business in Africa. Dr. Sarah Alade, Chair of the Board of Africa Finance Corporation, said: “We are delighted that Grant is joining Africa Finance Corporation as an Independent Director. He has extensive experience and contacts in Africa, having worked in a variety of senior roles advising on continental affairs. He also brings a strong business and legal background as well as a network of contacts with entities interested in doing business with the continent. He will be a great asset to Africa Finance.

22 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

If you put pension fund in a project that does not regenerate itself, the money is gone and in many cases, as we have found, the project was not delivered because it was not properly conceived

,

Performance, track records top FG criteria for selection of 2016/2017 group life

By Favour Nnabugwu

S

TRONG indications have emerged that insurance companies and brokers with credible performance and track records will grab the federal government's group life scheme for 2016/2017.

The Group Life Insurance Scheme is a form of compensation for officers who lost their lives in the course of duty so that their next of kins will not be left stranded.

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita explained to the 9-man committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary Common Services Office, OHCSF Mr. Yemi Adelakun that for the selection of insurance companies and brokers, such insurers/brokers must meet the requirement in accordance with the Procurement Act 2007 and the advertisement.

According to her, “The committee is to submit its report within four weeks to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Oyo-Ita said the areas which needed to be improved upon for a better service include proper documentation and timely payment of claims.

Payment of claims A top government official who spoke to Vanguard on anonymity said that the federal government business is no longer for grabs by every insurance company , rather government wants value for every kobo it spends.

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) had said that it would no longer tolerate inadequate financial disclosure and all other forms of unethical practices from any operator. Though, NAICOM had in the past taken firm measures against abuse of market rules and regulations but this time around the Commission meant serious business.

The Commission has more than ever before put in place appropriate enforcement or sanctions where its rules and regulations are broken. Some of the sanctions include restricting business activities; stopping the

writing of new business; withholding approval for new activities or acquisitions; directing affected companies to stop practices that are unsafe and unsound; removing directors and managers and even revoking the license of an insurer.

Members of the committee include: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs Mrs. Bene Asifieka: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport Alh. Sabiu Zakari; Director Employee Relation & Welfare Mr. Alayaki; OHCSF, Director Procurement OHCSF Mr. Oyefeso, Director Planning, Analytical and Monitoring OHCSF Dr. Famous Eseduwor, Director Legal OHCSF Mr. E.O Omonowa, SA (Technical HOS) Dr. Gideon, SA (PSCSO) OHCSF Mr. Babatunde Aina.

NAICOM, in a notice, requested for details of all insurance policies in respect of all government assets and liabilities as at February.

According to the notice, the Act mandates the Commission to ensure adequate protection of government assets as well as advise the government on all insurance related matters.

It stated that the Commission had put in place necessary machinery to effectively discharge the function, to ensure proper protection of public assets and value added transactions for the government. “Pursuant to the exercise of the powers conferred on it by extant laws, NAICOM hereby requests all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to furnish it with details of their insurances.” The required information will enable the Commission to keep accurate data for effective tracking of insurances of government property and assets and assist in ensuring their conformity with appropriate insurance principles.”

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

INSURANC

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Govt should develop infrastructure bond for access to pension asset — PenOp

By Rosemary Onuoha

P

ENSION Fund Operators of Nigeria (PenOp) which is an association of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) has urged the federal government to develop viable infrastructure bonds or infrastructure fund to enable investment of part of the pension assets into infrastructure.

At a seminar for insurance and pension correspondents in Lagos, PenOp said that they are ready to assist the Federal government to improve the infrastructure across the country if only the federal government will abide by the National Pension Commission, (PenCom) investment guideline.

Investment guideline According to PenOp, if the federal government has the desire to access part of the N5.3 trillion pension assets, it must abide by the investment guideline.

The operators said that they are not running away from financing infrastructure; however there is currently no single infrastructure bond in the country.

Chairman of PenOp, Mr. Eguarekhide Longe, said his

members are ready to invest in infrastructure bonds whenever the government decides to float them to finance key developmental projects, adding that pension fund managers are ready to engage with government to expand the economy, even though it is not their primary objective.

Longe stated that care must be taken not to invest pension fund in a project that is not profitable, saying, “If you put pension fund in a project that does not regenerate itself, the

Infrastructure bonds remain the easiest way to introduce majority of pension funds into infrastructure investments, as it is similar to traditional bond investments money is gone and in many cases, as we have found, the project was not delivered because it was not properly

conceived.

“The fact is that there are ample provisions in the investment guidelines that allows for investment in projects, such as infrastructure, private equities and real estates, bonds, among others.

But what has happened is not that the money is idle in the PFAs or that the fund managers have not looked for those projects. It is not their jobs to go and create projects, but we have actively sort the investment banking community to develop products that we can invest in,” Head, Investments of Pensions Alliance Limited (PAL), Mrs. Abimbola Sulaiman, said lack of investment options, bankable projects, transparency; shortage of data as well as high risk related to green field investment among others, are challenges limiting investment of pension funds especially in infrastructure.

In a paper titled, “Investment of Pensions Funds, ProcessesChallenges, Risks and Rewards”, she suggested some consideration and review of existing engagement rule to create opportunities for investment in critical areas in the economy, adding that infrastructure bonds remain the easiest way to introduce majority of pension funds into

VISIT: Lagos Brewery Manager, Nigerian Brewery Plc, Mr. Peter Ani (left); Customs Area Comptroller, Lagos Industrial, Mrs Adeyanju Aremu (right) and Public Affairs Manager, NB Plc, Mr. Thompson Owoka during a visit to the NB Plc by the Customs Area Comptroller.

VOL. 1 NO 65 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARYWEDNESDAY, 20, 2016 Vanguard, APRIL 27, 2016

•Wreckage of the ‘war’ by the two communities over slavery.

Slave War: Community cries out to Ugwuanyi for protection

By Emeka Mamah

E

NUGU — The people of Ugbene in Alor-Uno, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have lamented over what they described as “man’s inhumanity to man” in the area and appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to protect them from their neighbours, the people of Ejuona.

They said that the people of Ejuona had been treating them as slaves because they had more access to political positions than them and asked Ugwuanyi to rescue them from the situation which they had inadvertently found themselves.

Addressing a news conference in Enugu, weekend, the people gave an example of how an Ugbene man who passed through a track road preserved for those said to be non-slaves was beaten to a state of stupor by Ejuona youths who later invited a female student of a tertiary institution to urinate on him as a sign of conquest over Ugbene people.

The Chairman of Ohanaeze Ugbene Leaders of Thought, Nelson Ogbonna who spoke, told newsmen that Ejuona youths had unleashed mayhem against their youths, after branding them as “settlers.”

Ogbonna, further said that although Governor Ugwuanyi had ordered truce by asking the belligerents to maintain peace as his government had concluded plans to set up an administrative panel of enquiry into the matter, some policemen, accompanied by Ejuona people came from the state police headquarters to arrest Ugbene people based on C M Y K

trumped up charges of arson, robbery and attempted murder and have since been detained without giving them access to their lawyers or relations.

He said that those detained were arrested on Monday, which was same day of the peace meeting between the governor and both the Ejuona and Ugbene people at Government House in Enugu.

His words, “as I speak, six of those people are still in detention five days after their arrest. Two of them were released because of their age and health conditions.

“We are calling on the governor to intervene again. We did not know that when we were meeting with him, policemen were arresting our people

from their homes.

“We are peace-loving people and we will not like this violence to escalate.

The people of Ejuona want to decimate our people because they don’t want to see any meaningful person rise from our place.”

Ogbonna further accused the people of Ejuona of striving to decimate the Ugbene people through spontaneous but unprovoked attacks reportedly sponsored by a member of the state House of Assembly and a traditional ruler among other leaders adding that many Ugbene people had been violently attacked for passing through a major track road designated by Ejuona people for themselves who were now regarded as “the

indigenes.”

According to him, the alleged sponsors of the attacks against Ugbene people were responsible for had bought over the Police who were now arresting and detaining Ugbene people indiscriminately.

Officers at the Nsukka Police Area Command declined comments on the matter saying that the state Department of State Security, DSS, had taken over the matter from the Police.

•Parts of erosion ravage

Professionals tackle environment challenges in S’ East

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI — Igbo people are known for embarking on self-

help projects to develop themselves and their communities.

The self-help projects however became popular after the 30 months NigeriaBiafra civil war in 1970 when the people

•Dr Alex Obiogbolu used the Otu- Olu Obodo, introduced by the administration of the late Administrator of the defunct East Central State, Dr Continues on page 24

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Effective Policing and Security: IGP, PAC inaugurate Anambra branch

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI — The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase and the Director General of Police Assistance Committee, PAC, Dr Martin Oni have inaugurated the Anambra State branch of the Committee in a bid to eradicate crime in the area.

Arase, who was represented by the state Police Commissioner Mr. Hosea Karma, also represented by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Central Police Station, CPS Onitsha Mr. Mark Ijarafu during the ceremony urged over 30 members of the committee show good examples to the residents in the state who looked up to them for direction.

“As members of PAC you stand to benefit a lot of things, just as you are an eye of the Police to the public and should not be people of questionable characters, but people who will show good example that is worthy of emulation by the public,” he said.

In his speech the Director General of PAC, Dr Martin Oni who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator PAC, Mr. Tony Nwabeke told the

Chief Vincent Ifeme, Chairman Police Assistance Committee, PAC, Anambra State branch and his members being inaugurated by the Zonal Coordinator of PAC, Mr. Tony Nwabeke, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase and the Director General of PAC, Dr Martin Oni. inductees that the organisation was non-profit making but security conscious.

“PAC is a voluntary organization that sponsors its activities with its own funds; we build security networks for

easy flow of security information to the security operatives who will use such information to fight crimes,” Oni added.

Earlier in his address, the state Chairman of PAC who doubles also as the Chairman

Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association AMATAS, Chief Vincent Ifeme said that PAC’s formation was in response to IGP’s call some years ago for individuals and private organizations to provide their

Professionals tackle environment challenges in S’ East Continues from Page 23 Ukpabi Asika, to develop and rehabilitate their war- torn areas even the face of the Federal Government's 3 Rs progamme of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the then East Central State, which now forms the five Igbo states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. It is based on this reason that a group of professionals from all fields of human endeavour, under the aegis of Igbo Improvement Union, IIU, have come together to take the ethnic group known for developing, itself through self-help, have come together to take their people to the next level of development.

Speaking with South East Voice, a renowned physician and one of those behind the birth of IIU, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, said they had swung into action to address the problems of gully erosion which is the most disturbing environmental challenges facing some communities in South East.

C M Y K

“We have targeted projects to carry out, but there is one that is still kept under wraps which Nigerians will hear about very soon. For some months now we have been talking about ecological degradation in some parts of South East.

“We have set up a committee that identified the erosion spots, and what we are trying to do now is to find out those intervention strategies to deal with the issues, we brainstormed to intervene on to enable us control the immediate and the future ones.

“Our plan is to bring national and international attention to the environmental issues that are affecting our people… We are also working to get the private sector and international organizations involved, in the proposed projects. We hope to partner with educational institutions, professional institutions, the federal and state governments, to ensure that we begin to address these issues ourselves.

“It is not only in the Niger Delta that you have pollution.

There is also severe environmental pollution and degradation going on in the South-East: the flooding and erosion ravaging some parts of South-East.

“Yearly, you see erosion swallowing a lot of homes, ravaging people and communities, and even occasioning loss of lives and properties at the same time,” he said.

Reminded that the magnitude of the erosion in the South East was beyond individual or personal intervention, except with Federal Government’s assistance, he said, “we are not saying we will bring the money, we will be the catalyst for the control of the erosion by bringing partners to finance the execution of work at the erosion and other pollution sites, that is what the Federal Government ought to have done, but we cannot sit down and wait for them till eternity.”

According Obiogbolu, IIU, was basically set up as socioeconomic, cultural and political organization, whose members

are mostly professionals of Igbo extraction who want to contribute their quota to develop and address issues affecting the Igbo race.

“What we aimed to do is not to dislodge the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, or any other group that is working for the advancement of Igbo land. We came in to fill the yawning gaps that need to be filled …

Igbo are known for self-help projects.

“If Nigeria say they do not want us, we will show them that we love ourselves; that we can develop, ourselves. We do not believe that anybody or group is capable of denying us what belongs to us.

“When you look at our advancements in the post-civil war era or from 1970 to 2016, you will see that we have improved tremendously…

“We all, irrespective of age have our roles to play, all we are saying is that we are going to ensure we collaborate with all the multifaceted groups to ensure the advancement of the Igbo man on political map of Nigeria,” he said.

own input towards crime fighting.

He said the slogan Police is your friend, no make am your enemy had not been realized because of the uneasy relationship between the Police and the average Nigerian.

“The cat and dog relationship between the Police and Nigerians has continued to create bottlenecks for the Police in their duty of crime fighting/prevention…,” adding that, despite their best efforts, they have not been able to fight crimes because of lack of information, which can only be supplied by members of the public.

“Accessing the needed information from wary or openly hostile common man is difficult, if not impossible.

The need therefore, arises for a bridge to be built to bring the Police and the general public closer to form a mutually beneficial relationship.

“Many of us being naugurated today are chairmen of various markets in the state, and the reason is that we feel that traders; artisans under their leaders are in a better position to furnish the police with right information that will enable them carry out their duties more effectively and efficiently and to allay fears… which the average Nigerian seems to harbour about the Police,” he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 25

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26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State (middle), his deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, 3rd left, with some Catholic priests after a special thanksgiving service organised in his honour by Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association at Christ the King Cathedral, Aba. ABOVE/BELOW: Friends and family members at the survival party of General Ezugwu Bona Eze Victor, GOC Commanding 7 Mechanised Division of the Nigeria Army, Maiduguri, Borno State, at Odenigbo, Nsukka, Enugu State.

Governor Ikpeazu (left) receiving a souvenir from Chief Leo Okoye during the special thanksgiving service.

PHOTO NEWS The traditional ruler of Umudara community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Eze D’Arah, Chief T. I. Nwadialor (2nd right) during the conferment of a chieftaincy title on Chief Kingsley Ekwunife (2nd left), as the Ebekuo Dike I of Umudara. With them is his wife (middle) and two other guests.

A cross section of members of Police Assistance Committee, PAC, Anambra State, listening to the address by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, during the inauguration of the the state branch of PAC.

From left— State Chairman, Igbo Vision in APC, Chief Uche Babatata; Eze Nwaeze Ekwuruke; Executive Secretary, Local Council Development Area, Ojokoro, Mrs. Fausat Olajoku; National Leader/Founder, Igbo Vision in APC, Eze Uche I. Dimgba, and Mayor, Non-Yoruba-Speaking People in Lagos, HRM Eze (Dr.) Ngozi Israel Ibekwe, during the inauguration of Igbo Vision in APC in Ojokoro, Lagos State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 —

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CE & YOU

It is not their jobs to go and create projects, but we have actively sort the investment banking community to develop products that we can invest in

27

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Insurance industry can generate trillions through marketing communication — Soyinka

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REWARD: From left, Executive Director, Business Development & Investment, Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Kayode Akande; Miss Kofoworola George-Taylor, winner; Mr. Ogbonna Kingsley, winner; MD/CEO, Mr. Wilson Ideva; Mr. Idris Abubakar Sadiq, winner; Olanike Oyediran, winner; and Executive Director, Operations & Services, Mr. Adamu Mele during the Premium Pension Limited’s #Reward4dhustle campaign. infrastructure investments, as it is similar to traditional bond investments.

Sulaiman noted that when considered that an estimated $3 trillion is required over a period of 30 years to cover infrastructure deficit according

to the National Integrated Infrastructure, the limit of spending is grossly inadequate.

She said government should consider the introduction of infrastructure bond as the surest way to introduce majority of pension funds with

infrastructure investment.

Bonds, she said, should be tied to specific projects issued with government guarantees and issued at project completion or close to cash flow generation.

ANAGING Director/CEO of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka has said that the insurance industry is capable of generating trillions of Naira through marketing communuication but that can only happen if operators collectively approach the business from the standpoint of each-one-tell-one in spreading the gospel.

Soyinka who said this at a marketing parley with members of the sales team of the organisation in Lagos, noted that the place of marketing communications in promoting and entrenching an unforced culture of insurance in Nigeria can never be

NCRIB tasks govt on diversification of economy

P

RESIDENT of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, (NCRIB), Mr. Kayode Okunoren has said that the present situation serves as a good avenue for government to begin to pay more emphasis to diversification of the nation’s economic mainstay from oil.

Okunoren also said that there must be a re-tuning of the minds of Nigerians from rabid consumption of foreign goods and services at the expense of those produced locally.

Okunoren who stated this in Lagos said, “The penchant for luxuries has to be curtailed so as to preserve the nation’s available meager foreign monetary reserve for the essentials, rather than fritter them on irrelevances.

It is definitely a period that calls for sacrifice on the part of all Nigerians, including the leadership, if the present crusade would achieve long lasting positive results. I whole heartedly align myself with the timeless wisdom that ‘to be

successful as an individual or a nation, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, and then resolve to pay the price.”

According to Okunoren, tthe monetary value of the naira has continued to take a downward plunge against the dollar, pound sterling and other currencies, to the detriment of the nation’s economy.

He said, “Aside from the possibility of stagnating industrial development and favourable trade, the situation

TOP INSURANCE GAINERS & LOSERS

is already causing increasing inflationary rate that is affecting the common man in the street.

The mono economy has left the country helpless.

Definitely, the insurance industry is not insulated from these grievous indices of economic recession. It is a tough time we must all admit.”

National assets Okunoren added that there could not have been a better time to raise the issue of insurance of national assets than now, in view of the present administration’s disposition to prudence in management of the nation’s resources.

He said, “It is our take that inputs should be solicited from the insurance industry in the government’s economic policies.

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

We must not forget that aside from providing investible funds, insurance is one of the financial management strategies that must be factored into genuine economic revival development initiatives.

undermined and should be given a place of priority by practitioners especially with those at the decision-making levels in winning more customers for the industry.

Soyinka said, “We can never go wrong in investing in marketing communications either at individual companies’ level or as an industry. The time to act is now; a stitch in time saves nine. “ He argued that the role of marketing communications is very crucial to the growth of the insurance industry in Nigeria, stating, “The role of marketing communications cannot be undermined in the scheme of insurance business or any business at that, if the business must outlive generations upon generations. We must take advantage of every money invested in marketing communications as sales executives whenever we are on the field.”

Financial and economic space He further said that if the insurance industry is to grow beyond what it is today in the country, “Managers of the business, especially at the helms of affairs must make conscious effort at promoting their products and services for patronage in the marketplace in finding a voice and place of recognition in the financial and economic space in Nigeria.”

Head of Corporate Communications and Brand Management of the company, Mr. Segun Bankole said “Until we begin to have deliberate and conscious provision for marketing communications in our annual budgets across board, we might still be far away from getting to the promise land.

Heads of insurance companies should begin to see the bigger picture and drive it down the line in their individual companies in ensuring meaningful impact in promoting their brands and products.

The principle of AIDA, (Attention, Interest, Desire and Action) is premised on consistent investment in marketing communications which does not happen gratuitously. There must be a commitment and the will to do”.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Three points possible at Enyimba – Efugh

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eartland captain and centre back, Chinedu Efugh has said his side will end their search for three points on the road at champions and neighbours, Enyimba.

The Naze Millionaires will be the guests of the People’s Elephant in today ’s rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 6 oriental derby at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Efugh said the derby clash is predictably going to be tough but his side are prepared for the banters the Aba outfit will throw at them in the clash.

“Of course, it’s going to be tight and tough given the existing rivalry between both familiar sides.

“We are prepared just waiting patiently for the match to unleash our whole weight on Enyimba.

“We are quite hopeful that the clash will be different in term of result compared with past away results so far in the ongoing league.

“Of course, we appreciate the fact that we are yet to claim three points on the road so far in the season but something tells me the search will end at Enyimba.

CAF C/League:

Azeez expects tough draw for Enyimba E

NYIMBA’s Abu Azeez believes that the last eight teams in the CAF Champions League are good for the title and hopes his side continues to improve.

The former African champions made the group stage of the competition but will have to wait for the draw next month to know their foes.

“We expect a favourable draw at this stage.

Every team that made the last eight is a good team so all we just pray for is to do better than we have done in previous games,” Azeez said.

The two-time African champions have

instilled confidence in the heart of their fans especially after the neck breaking final qualifier against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.

“Anything is possible, most people didn’t give us a chance to make it to the group stage ahead of Etoile du Sahel but now we are there already. It’s not a fluke, we just have to stay focused and play to our very best,” he added.

The draws for the group stage of the 2016 CAF Champions League has been scheduled for May 24, 2016.

FIBA backs suspension of 14 countries over unsanctioned Euroleague

BY PATRICK OMORODION

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•Obi

Obi eyes return to Eagles

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FTER missing his side’s 3-1 home defeat to Sassuolo in the league at the weekend, following an injury in the team’s warm-up just before the match, Eagles and Torino of Italy midfielder, Joel Obi has lamented his lack of game time due to injury.

The 24 year-old has only featured 9 times for Turin based team since joining from Internazionale in the summer of 2015.

The midfielder revealed that his main target is to recover fully and get stronger so as to be available for selection in the team as well as make a return to Eagles.

C M Y K

IKE it supported its African affiliate over an un-sanctioned basketball league in Nigeria, world basketball governing body, FIBA has backed its Europe affiliate, FIBA Europe’s decision to ban 14 teams and warn their various countries for their association with an un-sanctioned Euroleague.

Among the countries likely to miss the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro because their leagues or clubs have entered into an agreement with the Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) are Olympic Basketball silver medallists, Spain.

The other countries are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Slovenia

while six other countries among the 14 Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and Turkey - have received letters drawing their attention to “recent reports and public statements” which suggest that one or more of their clubs may have entered into an agreement with ECA. According to FIBA, any Federation that backed the Euroleague - run by Euroleague Commercial Assets (ECA) - would automatically lose the right to participate in senior men’s national team competitions, including the Olympic Games.

“After receiving a report by FIBA Europe on the latest developments in European club competitions, the FIBA Executive Committee decided to fully support FIBA Europe’s decision,” a statement said.

IfeanyiUbah partners Yobo Centenary Game W

•Ubah

•Yobo

ith barely one month to the befitting testimonial match planned to mark the retirement of former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo from football slated for May 27 in Port Harcourt, one of Nigeria’s top businessmen, Dr Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, has thrown his weight behind the project.

The Capital Oil chairman at the weekend endorsed the Yobo Centennial Game and promised to use two of his companies, FC IfeanyiUbah and the Authority Newspaper to be brand ambassadors of the testimonial match.

Coordinator of the Yobo Centennial Game who is also a former Super Eagles player, Waidi Akanni, confirmed Ubah’s magnanimity and his involvement in the plan to give the Ogoni-born former Nigerian captain a befitting send-forth from the beautiful game.

“Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has endorsed the Yobo Centennial Game. He has promised to use two of his companies, FC IfeanyiUbah and the Authority Newspaper to be brand ambassadors for the testimonial match,” revealed Akanni yesterday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 29

Juventus fear losing Morata , Cuadrado

Atletico’s tough defense meets Bayern’s top offense in semis

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UVENTUS general director Giuseppe Marotta has admitted the Serie A champions face a tough task to keep hold of Alvaro Morata and Juan Cuadrado, while he has made it clear they are ready to move for Edinson Cavani if the Paris Saint-Germain striker were to become available.

Morata joined Juve from Real Madrid in 2014, but the Santiago Bernabeu side have an option to re-sign the 23-year-old for a set fee.

Cuadrado, meanwhile, is on loan at the Turin side until the end of the season and is due to return to Chelsea come June.

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EP Guardiola’s compelling offense and Diego Simeone’s tough defense will be put to the test when Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid meet in the Champions League semifinals today.

Atletico would appear to have the edge, because the first leg is in Madrid.

At Vicente Calderon Stadium, it has lost only twice in 29 games in European competitions, and only once in the Spanish league this season.

Atletico’s fierce defensive scheme has let in only five goals, the least along with Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, Bayern arrives with 28 goals from 10 games, the most among all teams this season.

“It’s going to be an evenly balanced match,” Bayern midfielder Xabi Alonso said.

“The defense is clearly one of their strengths, but it’s not only that. Atletico know how to play football and are very dangerous in attack. They win possession by aggressive pressing and then play very directly, quickly, and vertically towards goal. We have to be clever.”

Vardy gets additional one-game ban by FA

J

Haye: Joshua would beat Fury now D

•Joshua

AVID Haye is in the belief that IBF heavyweight belt holder Anthony Joshua (25-0, 18 KOs) can already face IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) right now and beat him. Haye notes that Fury is slow is on his feet and not agile to escape someone like Joshua. Haye says that Joshua beat Fury up in sparring in the past when Joshua was still an amateur.

“Joshua has already beaten him up in sparring.

You’ve only got to go on YouTube and look at the comments of Fury talking about getting beaten up by a young Joshua. That was when Joshua was an amateur; a novice. If you can beat a seasoned professional up then, now that Joshua himself is a professional I don’t think Fury has a shot in hell.”

•Vardy

C

•Wise King & Energy

to fight fellow GOtv Boxing NextGen Search alumnus, Ganiyu “Energy” Kolawole, May 1, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, venue of GOtv Boxing Night 7.

The Anambra State-born boxer said he understands that the claim is a huge one to make, but that he has the ability and determination to match it.

“I am a debutant, no doubt. But my faith in my ability to be king of boxing in Nigeria is very strong.

I know I am good and sadly for my opponents, I will get better. I will be the king of Nigerian boxing and then conquer the world,” he said.

On his impending clash with Kolawole aka Energy, Chukuwebuka said he was told that his opponent has been boasting, a fact that surprised him.

AMIE Vardy will miss Premier League leaders Leicester City ’s trip to Manchester United on Sunday after receiving an extra one-game ban.

Vardy sat out Sunday’s 4-0 rout of Swansea City after being sent off during Leicester’s 2-2 draw at home to West Ham earlier this month.

And the England international who has scored 22 league goals this season - will also serve an additional suspension after having accepted an FA charge of improper conduct for verbally abusing referee Jon Moss following the red card.

Bolt to run at Ostrava in May

J

amaican sprint star Usain Bolt will run the 100 metres at the Golden Spike meet in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava on May 20, the event’s organisers said yesterday.

This will be Bolt’s second race in the run-up to the Rio Olympics in August, where he will defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m titles from 2012.

In his first race this year, he is due to run the 100m at the Cayman Invitational Meet on May 14.

“I am pleased to return to the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava on May 20 for the eighth time in my career,” Bolt said in a statement provided by Golden Spike spokesman Karel Tejkal.

GOtv Boxing Night 7: I’ll match my word against Kolawale, boasts Ezewudo Boxing NextGen Search, is billed hukwuebuka “Wise King” Ezewudo, a middleweight boxer billed to make his professional debut at GOtv Boxing Night 7 on 1 May, has proclaimed himself the new king of Nigerian boxing.

Ezewudo, one of the finds at GOtv

•Cuadrado Morata

Alli charged with violent co nduct idfielder Dele Alli could mi ss

M

the res t of To tte nh am ’s season after being ch arged with violent conduct by the Football Association.

Television footage appe ared to show Alli punching Cla udio Yacob during his side’s draw wit Brom on Monday. The inc h West ident was not in the referee’s rep ort on the match, which ended 1-1 .

Violent conduct usually incurs a three-game ban, so a gu ilty verdict

would mean the Engla nd misses all of Spurs’ remain player, 20, ing All i, na me d as the Pro fixtures. fes sio na l Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year on Sunday, has BST today, 27 April to res until 18:00 pond.

To tte nh am ma na ge r M au ric io Pochettino said he had not seen the incident, which occurr ed in the 26th minute, but added: “S ometimes the opponents find him and try to provoke, they know he has a strong character and may react.”

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

By Prince Osuagwu

who would now act like a middleman between the VAS operators and the network operators. In their views, that license has no value to the entire ecosystem and by structure, would impoverish the local service providers the more.

Recall that the VAS operators have been battling with the network operators to have the current revenue sharing formula reviewed upwards to better their lot, therefore, in their own estimation, unless the project is being sponsored by enemies of local content, the license currently in use by VAS operators is in order, to stimulate more growth in the industry.

For instance, in the new, provisions and guidelines for the provision of valued added services in Nigeria, published by the NCC, the regulators proposed that Developers would be placed under a class license to be issued by NCC.

P

LANS by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC to regulate the Value Added Service, VAS industry is generating anxiety, suspicion and fears of foreign invasion of the sector.

This is coming particularly from people whose professions are in that genre of telecommunications business, if the NCC did not tilt its regulation towards the protection of local businesses in the sector, foreigners would swoop in and hijack the industry.

But the commission says that the traditional network-centric and facilities-based business model is fast being overtaken by over-the-top, OTT services in terms of volume and turnover and therefore, it was time to coordinate its activities with regulation.

The NCC said it deliberately allowed the value added services industry to develop without any encumbrance or significant regulatory interference.

However, it believes that though the VAS industry in Nigeria has grown to a multibillion Naira industry, as well as also becoming enabling tool for facilitating efficient operations in other sectors of the economy, there is also a dark side to the success story.

Menace of unsolicited text messages The dark side of the story, according to the commission included several complaints from the public against perpetuating frauds through short codes assigned for Value Added Services, the menace of unsolicited text messages that flood customers’ phones, fake bank credit alerts, anticompetitive activities etc.

Consequent upon this and the fact that the Value Added Services industry is beginning to approach maturity, the Commission says the sector is ripe for regulation, in order to protect, balance and reconcile stakeholders’ interests.

In doing this, the commission has developed a market structure with three pronged value chain which it believes will help it easily perform regulatory oversight functions. They include VAS and content developers, VAS hosting service providers and Network operators VAS Developers are owners of a unique content or application who would also have additional responsibilities for registration of copyright for their VAS /content and its protection against copyright violations and all other related legal issues; obtaining third party authorization for their content/VAS where required and register with Corporate Affairs

Businesses and individuals

NCC moves to regulate value added service market •Stakeholders kick, fear invasion from foreign operators •Demand respect for local content Commission as a corporate body because the commission would place them under a class license.

The VAS service hosting providers are to be providers of software and hardware platforms for hosting VAS and providing transmission links to network operators.

They will also need to acquire software platform for receiving and processing requests for service via SMS messages and other methods, traffic metering, message logs, transaction accounting, traffic and security management; obtain operating

license from NCC; acquire and pay for block allocation of short codes from NCC; manage the

Meanwhile, mobile network operators will provide two-way termination services to VAS Hosting Service Providers (VHSP’s)

assignment of short codes to content/ VAS products being hosted on behalf of developers, among other responsibilities.

Meanwhile, mobile network operators will provide two-way termination services to VAS Hosting Service Providers (VHSP’s).

However, some stakeholders, particularly those the new order will affect, have said that the NCC action would impoverish their economy if modalities to the licensing did not take some progressive steps. Of particular concern to them is the licensing of a VAS service hosting provider,

But Wireless Application Service Providers’ Association of Nigeria, WASPAN, contend that a VAS Developer does not need licence. “WASPAN does not subscribe to VAS Developers, businesses and individuals, who strictly create, develop and provide content and applications to be licensed by the NCC. A good number of them have procured licences for their respective areas of primary business. Licensing those who are core technical service providers will ultimately stifle innovation from that part of the value chain and consequently, their growth”.

The association rather tasked the NCC to ensure that the strict adherence to contractual terms between and among parties is maintained as much as strict adherence to anti-competition and anti-trust rules and regulations. For them, “NCC must ensure the protection of the Nigerian VAS ecosystem from foreign invasion.”

FG plans big for SMART Nigeria

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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INISTER of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, says the present administration is leveraging on the benefits of the digital revolution, innovation and convergence of technology to kick-start a new digitally SMART Nigeria.

The Minister also said that the Federal Government is partnering with South Korea on e-Government on the Smart Nigeria initiative, adding that the collaboration would enhance Nigeria’s capability for efficiency, transparency and accountability in governance, with its attendant benefits trickling down to the citizens.

He stated that with this initiative, IT outsourcing, e-Commerce can be used to create over 40 million jobs for unemployed Nigerians.

He expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a policy and regulatory environment that would attract the massive private sector investment via the Smart Nigeria plan required to continue accelerating the creation of a robust, pervasive and ubiquitous ICT infrastructure across the country in the next few years.

That, according to him, necessitated the recalibration of the existing policies and institutional configurations as well as the values that underpin these initiatives, to meet

the present day realities.

As part of measures to promote local content policy, the minister said the Federal Government would continue to draw attention of Nigerians to support local content policy, which demands that organisations and industries in Nigeria, including government agencies, patronize locally developed products from Nigeria.

Shittu also said that the government is also fast-tracking initiatives to expedite the penetration of reliable and affordable broadband plan for robust internet services availability in the country, adding that it would increase economic development and several business growths.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 31

Scale up your solutions for global market, Microsoft tells students

By Emeka Aginam

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HE Director, Developer Evangelism, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Shina Oyetosho has said that unless tech start-ups scale up their software solutions for global market, they may not be globally competitive in the digital economy.

Oyetosho who stated this while giving tutorial to Nigerian technology students who competed at the national finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup software competition held in Lagos recently said that the software code warriors must make a difference in the world with innovative solution.

This year ’s national finals competition had twelve participating teams drawn from various tertiary institutions within the country.

Meanwhile, Team Humane from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife emerged

winners of nationals finals in this year’s competition.

The winning team, Team Humane, which comprised of Otaru Babatunde, Oyatope Blessing, Shoaga Victor, and Ayodele Obasegun, competed in the World Citizenship Category.

With this development, Team Humane will compete in the Middle East and Africa semi-finals, for a place at the world finals scheduled to hold in Seattle, Washington in July this year.

Their solution, Humane is a solution for the visually impaired, which enables them to interact and navigate freely on their mobile phones.

The solution comes with an accompanying hardware known as the Humane handle, which interacts with apps installed on a device using Bluetooth.

A visually impaired person would be able to navigate through various apps installed on his/her mobile phone using the handle and an

integrated voice navigation system.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, the team spokesperson, Ayodele Obasegun said they were concerned about solving a major challenge leveraging technology hence, embarked on this project.

“We have been developing solutions for various organizations, and we felt a need to impact our community and the world as a whole, hereafter this solution for the visually impaired. It was initially targeted at gaming for the visually impaired, but later we felt we can do more than gaming.” , he said.

Giving more tutorial to the students, Oyetosho explained that, “Apply the experience you have.

Don’t throw away your solution after today. Make a difference with your solution. Use the feedback from the judges and work and refine your solution. Scale and monetize your product. What matters is what happens after the competition”.

IMAGINE CUP: From left: Developer, Experience and Evangelism Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Shina Oyetosho; Developer, Humane Handle, Victor Shoaga; Team Lead and Business Developer, Humane, Obasegun Ayodele; Chief Information Officer, Sterling Bank, Olayinka Oni; Developer, Humane Home Appliance Controller, Blessing Oyatope and Architect, Humane Software, Babatunde Otaru shortly after wining nationals finals of the Nigerian Imagine cup competition in Lagos, recently . Photo By Emeka Aginam.

N a bid to remain on top as the pioneer platform where people can earn extra cash simply by posting items that are no longer in use and even those still in use, thereby giving buyers the opportunity to find value to the items at affordable deals in Nigeria, OLX has taken their business to a new level by launching a platform known as the OLX Champs.

Speaking at the event in Victoria Island, Lagos, OLX’s Chief Executive Officer in charge of the Middle East and Africa, Daan Sanders, said that the new OLX Champs will help their customers appreciate their services more because it intends to make online buying and selling easier.

He said the Champs aims among other things to help in connecting their potential sellers

getting things sold-and they are here to help you. Whether tou have got just one thing to sell, or a whole lot of things, we have got a service that is right for you. All our Champs are verified and experienced, so you can trust them to do a great job for you by subscribing to our Do It For Me Service” Sanders said that the OLX Champs are hassle free and will do everything for the customer; it is 100% safe; and sells your items in one go.

Reacting to the issue of theft which has been a major challenge in the online buying and selling business in Nigeria, OLX’s country managing director, Lola Marshal, said that OLX is aware of the many challenges encountered in the course of selling items online and have put adequate measures in place to ensure that the menace is constantly checkmated.

She stated that with the OLX champs, OLX can easily connect

V

By Richard Udofia

ODACOM Business Nigeria at the weekend scooped two industry awards at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards ceremony. One was the Enterprise Solution Provider of the Year, an award the company has won thrice; in 2013, 2014 and 2016.

The second was Cloud Service Provider of the Year, another award the company has also won before in 2013 and 2014.

This year over 1.3million readers of Nigeria CommunicationsWeek voted in the different categories with Vodacom Business Nigeria emerging as the clear winner in Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year and Cloud Services Provider of the Year categories.

Brimming with pride on the back of this accolade, the company’s Managing Director Lanre Kolade said, “We are extremely proud and honored to receive these excellent awards that recognize our leadership in total communication solutions and cloud services. We were up against some of the most accomplished global players in the industry, winning the awards is a very proud moment for the Vodacom Business Nigeria team. We will continue to deliver services that raise the bar in the market.”

Naija FM Lagos now on GOtv

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Otv has introduced a new audio channel, Naija FM 102.7, on its platform.

The Lagos-based Pidgin English audio channel, which was launched 14 April on GOtv, is available on channel 301 to all subscribers.

Naija FM Lagos is the second audio channel to launch on GOtv in Nigeria.

John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the channel addition will further boost local programming on the GOtv platform.

“We regularly assess the quality and relevance of our content to ensure that it caters to the different tastes and preferences of our subscribers. The launch of Naija FM Lagos on GOtv is driven by our understanding that local content is important to our subscribers,” he said.

He also noted that no other digital terrestrial television (DTT) operator in Nigeria has shown more commitment and support for local content than GOtv.

Huawei shifts focus to cloud technology at congress

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UAWEI has said that it will shift focus to cloud technology at this year's congress. It also disclosed that it intends to drive the conversation at its second ‘Huawei Cloud Congress West Africa’ by engaging with industry leaders and Information Technology vendors on cloud technology and new innovations in big data.

In doing this, the company said it would be promoting buyers for sellers even when at the “more open, more efficient, and more structured busisnap of the finger. She noted that ness growth for enterprises and government.”

OLX have over 100 champs who The Huawei Cloud Congress, which is one of the top attend to their online selling IT events in the year, combusiness. menced in 2011, and was held across the globe in China, Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and South East Asia. The HCC, as it is now known, was designed to highlight Huawei’s latest innovations in Information and Communications Technology, specifically in cloud technology.

“With the theme, ‘Building an Open, Collaborative and WinWin Ecosystem for Industry Transformation’, HCC Nigeria 2016 will bring together hundreds of industry elite ranging from telecoms carriers, the finance sector, the different tiers of government, to energy comFrom left, Daan Sanders, CEO Middle East & Africa, OLX, panies and other partners and Lola Masha, Country Manager, OLX and Uzoma Dozie, stakeholders across the West AfCEO Diamond Bank at the launch of OLX do it for me on rican sub-continent,” a statement Diamond’s TV Tech Turks in Lagos. from Huawei read.

OLX introduces new techniques for easy in getting things sold. online trading and“Ourbuyers OLX Champs are experts at

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Vodacom business Nigeria wins two awards@ BOICT

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star . That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

By Richard Eromosele

GEMINI: THE Moon makes an ingress into your star sign and INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

F you are very observant you will see that the back of the onion is always peeling off,why is it so?The truth is that onions recognise that in order to

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

LEO: THE moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

the time.Therefore, we must let go of some things in order to get other things.The point is, the greater part of its we win some and body can live.This is loose some.Life is all a lesson to about give and take. humans.We can’t have it our way all Think about it.

Lessons of the Onions

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survive it must let go of some things.In its overall interest , the onion gave out its outer layer so that

TERROR MUDA

in “Never say goodbye”

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody-morning period especially along your career/business lines.

SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before mid-morning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you.

Your love life is favoured.

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging. Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be fully stretched tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed.

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

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

How do I succeed?

Dear Joshua, KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck. I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them. Would my own be like them too?

Rose, Kaduna Dear Rose, You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/ rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for you.

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you. Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities. Once again women can be helpful here If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-selfhood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success. And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

The same Saturn will reward you with RECOGNITION WOMEN, children and younger people can enhance your prospects. Colours RED, WHITE and pink are good for you. Sleeping North/South axes with your head to the North is good for you.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—33

Wike pledges support for Buhari’s programmes

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said that he will support any policy of the Federal Government that will promote the good of the state.

The governor spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt, when the local study group from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, paid him a courtesy visit.

The governor said he will not play politics with matters that have to do with the wellbeing of the state, stressing that he was not in office as governor for unnecessary politicking.

He said: “I will support any policy of the Federal Government that will enhance the living standard of the people of Rivers State. It doesn’t matter who initiated such policy, as long as it will favour our people.”

Promising that his government will support

NIPPS in its research into the alleviation of poverty, Wike also enjoined the Federal Government to implement recommendations of the body

so far on poverty alleviation.

Director of Studies and Leader of Delegation of the Study Group of NIPPS, Prof Celestine Bassey, said they

were in the state to assess the impact of poverty alleviation programmes in the state.

VISIT: Mr. Roland Osakwe, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State (left) and Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, UNIBEN, Prof.Osasere Orumwense, when NUJ leadership paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor in Benin, yesterday.

Edo ALGON to FG: Take over primary school teachers' salaries

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—MEMBERS of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in Edo State, whose three-year tenure expired on April 22, have appealed to the Federal Government to take up the responsibility of payment of primary school teachers' salaries, saying that the burden of payment was one of the major problems militating against development at the grassroots.

The members, led by their chairman, Mrs Itohan Ogbeide, commended Governor Adams Oshiomhole for giving them the opportunity to conclude their tenure in office, noting that “the governor deserves more praises because unlike others, he never tampered with the allocations coming to the

councils.”

Addressing journalists in Benin City, yesterday, Mrs Ogbeide lamented that the councils were finding it difficult to cope with the high number of primary school teachers on their pay rolls,

saying that unless the Federal Government comes to the aid of the councils, they will continue to suffer under-development.

The ALGON boss, who urged other state governors to emulate Governor

Leadership crisis rocks Delta ASUSS

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE leadership crisis rocking Delta State chapter of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, has taken a worrisome dimension, following the alleged removal of Uti Chuks as its state Chairman, and the appointment of Stephen Imasua in his place.

Briefing newsmen, the new state Chairman, Imasua, accused his predecessor in office

of alleged high handedness and gross misconduct.

He alleged that Chuks took key decisions by fiat without due consultation with members.

He cited the co-joining of the union in a law suit against the Trade Union Congress, TUC, of which ASUSS is an affiliate member, without prior knowledge or consent of all the decision making organs of the union.

According to him,

Bayelsa govt, Labour in talk over salary payment

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

Y

E N A G OA — B AY E L S A State Government has assured workers in the state that it was working assiduously to pay off the backlog of salaries owed the workers and pensioners in the state.

In a communique after a meeting between top government officials and labour leaders, presided over by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd), stated that organised labour was in support of the ongoing C M Y K

Oshiomhole who allowed the council chairmen to complete their tenure without dissolution, attributed the successes recorded in the councils to the conducive environment provided by the governor.

verification exercise, but it should be done in a way that will not affect genuine civil servants.

While labour appreciated the challenges of the government in meeting the salary obligations to its workers, it was resolved that, the government should call Town Hall meetings with various ministries and agencies, with a view to explaining the current economic situation to the workers directly.

The meeting further resolved that the government should liaise with the local

governments and pay up outstanding salaries with the available funds, without further delay and hasten up the submission of LGA verification reports by the various committees.

insubordination, high handedness and disrespect for constituted authorities would not do the union any good, alleging that its former chairman was adamant on issues, including those affecting the well being of members, saying that such acts would no longer be tolerated.

Flanked by the Secretary, Augustine Ohwofaria and other members of the Union comprising local government Chairmen and executives drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state, Imasua commended the state government for its ability to pay the monthly salaries of its members despite the present economic crunch in the country.

Groups laud FIRS Executive Coordinator

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ELTA Renaissance Movement and Ithihikpebe Campaign Organisation have lauded the political prowess of Chief Joel Onowakpo, immediate past chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue and Executive Coordinator of Federal Inland Revenue Service, for Edo, Delta and Rivers States, describing him as a man who has touched the lives of many.

In a statement by Ambby Okuhor, Director General, Ithihikpebe Campaign Organisation and national coordinator of Delta Renaissance Movement and Elohor Edivri, they expressed confidence and support for Onowakpo on account of his humanitarian and meritorious services to Delta State in particular and the nation in general.

It will be recalled that Onowakpo was recently appointed Executive Coordinator of FIRS for Edo, Delta and Rivers States on account of his vision, pro-activity and execution of tax dynamics, which has been one of the major problems of democratic governance in Nigeria for a long time.

Austine Oghor passes on

M

R. Augustine Oghor of Idumeni, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, is dead, aged 65.

He was chairman and later life patron of Tyre Dealers and Allied Products Association, Benin City, Edo State.

He is survived by a widow, children, grand children, sisters and brothers among who is Mr. Sam Oghor of Vanguard Media Limited.

A statement by the family said burial arrangements will be announced later.

Garden of Life holds crusade

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ARDEN of Life Assembly organises three nights of spiritual battle, with the theme: This witch must die (Exodus 22), from April 27-28.

A super power night holds 10 p.m., April 29, at the

church premises, 7, All Saint Lane, off Okere, Ugborikoko Road, Effurun, Delta State.

Bishop Edward Orovwuje and other appointed men of God will minister at the event.

Late Augustine Oghor

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 , 2016

20 injured, 13 houses, 5 cars torched as rival youths clash in Obosi

MIPAN elects new officials

M

E D I A INDEPENTDENT Practioner Association of Nigeria, MIPAN, has elected new officials to run its affair for the next two years.

The election, which took place at the MIPAN new secretariat, saw Dr. Ken Ikpe of the Allseasons Media Limited, who was the acting president, emerged the association’s president.

Mr. Olufemi Adenusi, of the BrandEye Media, emerged as the vice president.

Other prositions include Mr. Seyi Iwayemi, Maximedia, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Dipo Awopeju, Allseason Media Limited, Financial Secretary; Mr. Yinka Adebayo, from MediaReach OMD, Publicity Secretary, and the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Violet Nath-Okoduwa, from FCBBrandfirst.

Speaking, the new chairman expressed his appreciation to all, and urged members to be committed to the ideals of the assosiation.

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—NO fewer than 20 persons were seriously injured and 13 houses torched when a rival youth group attacked

YAAFIN Ademosu

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—ABOUT five fillings stations in Owerri municipality and Nekede, Owerri West local council area of Imo State, were yesterday sealed, while many others were forced to

dispense the premium motor spirit, PMS, to motorists at the government approved pump price of N86.50 per litre.

The DPR officials also discovered that Oando, which was one of the stations sealed yesterday, had over 61,000 litres

Soldiers rescue kidnap victim in Aba

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—SOLDIERS from 144 Battalion, Ukwa West Local Government Area, under 14 Brigade Ohafia, Abia State have rescued the son of a retired civil servant, Mrs. Evan Adieze from a kidnappers' den located at Umuojima village in Osisioma Ngwa council area of Abia State.

The soldiers also stopped Adieze’s mother, who was earlier kidnapped, but released by the kidnappers to source ransom from handing over about N300, 000 for

JANET

(nee Fatungase), who died on February 18, 2016, aged 90, will be buried on April 30, 2016, at Old Cemetery, near Holy Trinity Anglican Church Aiyepe Ijebu, Ogun State, where funeral service will hold.

Her Service of Songs will hold on April 28 at her residence, 28, Idoluwo Street, Isale Eko Lagos, to be followed by Commendation Service at Kings Anglican Church

Among the houses torched was that of the president –general of Obosi, Chief Dan Igbokwubili.

Some of the injured persons are still recuperating in hospitals in and around Obosi.

DPR seals 5 filling stations in Imo

Iyaafin Ademosu for burial

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another one in Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Five cars were also damaged during the fracas that left many residents of the area scampering to safety.

the release of her son.

Vanguard gathered that the soldiers, who were engaged in a shoot-out with the gang after rescuing the victim, set the house where the boy was kept ablaze.

A source at 144 Battalion, who described the release of the victim and eventual stopping of the mother from paying the ransom to the kidnappers as “divine intervention,” disclosed that the kidnappers had abducted Mrs. Adieze, a retired civil servant, married to Mr. Adieze of Umueteghe village in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South council area and her only son in front of their residence on her way back from a traditional marriage.

of PMS but could not sell because of faulty generating set.

Apparently angered by what he called “puerile explanation”, the DPR Zonal Controller, Ogbuefi Morrison Nwokedi, who led the team of officials, not only ordered the sealing of the station but also asked the dealer to report to the office when he finally fixes the generator.

The situation was different at Ebere Links where the product was selling at N170 before the arrival of DPR officials, who immediately forced them to revert to the official pump price.

Fielding questions from newsmen after the monitoring exercise, Ogbuefi Nwokedi said the major interest was the full compliance of government directive on the sale of PMS. “No marketer has so far given us any lead to justify the outrageous price tag they placed on the petroleum product. Until they do this, we will continue to insist on the government approved pump price”, Nwokedi said.

Among the people who sustained injuries were Nonso Nwangwu, Chijioke Ejindu, Chukwuebuka Osadebe and Anene Maduka, who had machete cuts on their bodies.

It was gathered that members of Obosi Youths Movement, OYM, were allegedly protesting the introduction of another youth movement named Obiano Youth Vanguard, with OYM members saying they did not want another youth association in the area.

While calling on the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano to disband the Obiano Youth Vanguard headed by one Chimezie Chukwurah with immediate effect in the interest of peace in Obosi, the OYM insisted that it is not possible that the two groups should exist side by side in the area.

An eye-witness said that members of OYM swooped on the rival group during a meeting to celebrate the appointment of Chimezie Chukwurah as the chairman of Obiano Youth Vanguard with dangerous weapons, including guns, machetes and axes and thereafter moved to their homes to continue the assault.

The President -General said: “They used machetes to destroy my gate, my wife’s shop, the security lights and part of my residential building."

AGF, Ahmed Idris, appointed member of IPSASB consultative advisory group

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Late Iyaafin Ademosu Enuowa, Isale Eko, Lagos. and Wake-keep/Lying in State at her residence on April 29, 2016.

HE ACCOUNTANTGENERAL of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, FCNA, has been appointed into the membership panel of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board Consultative Advisory Group, IPSASB

CAG. A letter confirming the appointment sent by James Gunn, the Managing Director, Professional Standards, IPSASB, to the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the appointment, which is for

an initial term of two years, is subject to reappointment up to an aggregate of nine years.

The IPSAS Consultative Advisory Group is charged with the responsibility of providing advice on IPSASSB’s strategy work programme and agenda,

including project priorities; advice on projects, views on key technical issues or matters that may impede the adoption or effective implementation of IPSAS and advice on matters of relevance on the standards -setting activities of IPSASB, among others.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Fulani herdsmen killing 40 in Enugu

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oes it mean the lives that have been lost to these Fulani Herdsmen are not worth the President’s time? When will lives begin to matter in this nation?

These herdsmen are armed with sophisticated arms and ammunition. Miss Chimezie Ezembu, Broadcaster C M Y K

I

wonder why President Buhari kept quiet until bloodshed started. I wonder why all the SouthEast people in government, both governors and those in the National Assembly are acting as if nothing is happening? Mr. Obiajulu Michael, Self Employed

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fter the reports that Fulani herdsmen were assembling to attack Nimbo, what action did the Nimbo people take to ensure that the planned attack was averted? Perhaps they didn't take it serious. -Mr. Stanley Olisa, Graduate

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ur problem in this country is that whenever something happens, we give it an ethnic colouration. What colouration is it when 100 per cent Fulani invaders slaughter 100 per cent Ndigbo in 100 per cent Igboland? -Mr. Uche Mabia, Student

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t is difficult for ordinary villagers to chase them away. In my view, this particular massacre happened because the security operatives, who were informed about the impending attack, chose to look the other way. -Miss Blessing Ubah, Worker

W

hy is the government very silent about these herdsmen. Are they waiting for things to get out of hand before they will start doing something?

Can’t this government just address it now? -Mr. Osinachi George, Worker

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 35

Nigeria'll boil if Jonathan is arrested, Northern CAN warns ...Urges Buhari to arrest murderous herdsmen, sliding economy.

By Luka Binniyat VISIT: From left; Dr. Tunde A y e n i , Chairman NatCom; Mr A d e b a y o Shittu, Minister o f Communications and Kamar Abass, CEO NTEL at NTEL’s Marina Office in Lagos when the Minister paid a courtesy visit and registered his SIM on the n e t w o r k , yesterday.

K

ADUNA—THE Northern branch of Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday advised President Muhammadu Buhari against purported moves to arrest former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying Nigeria would boil should the man regarded as the “hero of democracy” be arrested by the government.

The body urged President Buhari to focus on arresting the menace of marauding and murderous herdsmen, erratic power supply and an economy that was getting weaker since his assumption of office.

CAN, in a statement in Kaduna by its Public Relation Officer, PRO, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, one-time Adviser on Religious Affairs (Christians) to both late Governor Ibrahim Yakowa and former Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State said: “Every honest Nigeria knows that the feelers on the ground are that this administration’s popularity is dwindling rapidly among the Nigerian people. It is therefore not advisable to think or plan to arrest former president Goodluck Jonathan. Let me warn that such a misadventure will set a wrong precedent and only open door for mischievous people to set this nation into confusion. What Nigerians need urgently is availability of fuel, electricity, prompt salary, security of lives and properties etc.

“If the purported plan to arrest Jonathan is to please the international community and prove to them that we are fighting corruption, then let us know that these same international community are busy celebrating him as hero of democracy and even those who seriously wanted

him to go for a change to happen are now singing a new song about him. Former President Jonathan is deservedly seen in Nigeria and beyond as a hero of democracy because of his actions before, during and after the 2015 elections. As such, it will be curious for the Buhari administration to initiate the arrest of such a statesman. ''Government must know that there are individuals serving today that have also been accused of corruption, but since there are

A

B U J A — T H E Nigerian Army yesterday alerted the nation that members of the Boko Haram terrorist’s sect had resorted to wearing local government or community uniforms to deceive security agencies.

A statement from Army headquarters said, “Troops of 22 Brigade Garrison and elements of 3 Battalion that went out on long range fighting patrol on Monday, to Gima village in Ngala Local Government Area made a startling discovery; Boko Haram terrorists now have new means of identification. The patrol came in contact with some elements of the Boko Haram that started escaping in disarray on sighting the team. However, they were able to apprehend 2 C M Y K

“If our President wants to arrest anything for now then he should arrest the incessant spate of herdsmen attacks in Nigeria which has led to the deaths of almost a thousand innocent Nigerians under his watch. He should arrest the dangerous slide in the power sector; he should arrest the slide in the economy.

We believe at this time and with the current realities our former president must not be denigrated but honoured, because honour must be given to whom it is due.”

Activities of herdsmen, threat to Nigeria's unity, says Emir of Ilorin activities of herdsmen across the herdsmen as Fulani herdsmen.

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—CHAIRMAN, Kwara State council of traditional rulers and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim SuluGambari, yesterday warned the federal government to take serious steps to curtail the rising

Boko Haram insurgents have new uniforms — ARMY terrorists in their new styled

By Kingsley Omonobi

claims that nothing has been established against them, they are walking and speaking like saints.

While ignoring all these people, government now wants to arrest a man of peace like Jonathan?

According to the statement: “CAN Northern states wishes to advice that such an action, if actualized, has the capacity to lead to serious confusion that will affect Nigeria economically and otherwise. We are afraid that such an action may spark chain reaction.

uniform of green colour and use of ropes on their legs and necks.

This is a new development in the ongoing clearance operations of the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists in the north east.”

country, saying their activities were threatening existence of Nigeria as an entity.

Speaking when the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, visited him in his palace, during the foundation laying ceremony of KAM integrated steel project, the Emir insisted that the government should be serious in dealing with the incessant security issue.

The emir, who spoke on the increasing cases of herdsmen attacks in most parts of the country, said it was imperative for government to deal with the menace before it degenerated to a repeat of Boko Haram menace.

According to him, “People get it wrong when they describe the rampaging and destructive

They are not Fulani. They are wanders and migrants, people moving from place to place and going everywhere. They are here to destroy Nigeria entity. So, it behooves on the government to be more serious on the issue so that it does not become another Boko Haram on our hands.”

Earlier, Professor Osibajo said coming to Ilorin was homecoming for him and commended the support received in Kwara State during the campaigns that brought in the present administration.

He added that the present administration would not relent in its efforts until all the electioneering campaigns were delivered to the people.

DPR arrests NNPC truck, another for diverting 56,000 litres of petrol Diversion, be it from Oyo or residents of the state.

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—DEPARTMENT of Petroleum Resources, DPR, yesterday nabbed two trucks including an NNPC truck for alleged diversion of over 56, 800 litres of petrol in Ilorin.

The state controller of DPR, Mr. Phillip Salvation disclosed this in Ilorin while dispensing the diverted fuel at official price of N86.50 per liter to the

Vanguard gathered that the product was being dispensed at N150 per litre before the trucks were discovered.

Vanguard learned that the NNPC truck with registration number KMC 836 XA was owned by a transporter known as Prolific.

Mr. Salvation described cases of diversion as economic crime, saying that it went beyond economic sabotage.

“They want to create anarchy and it won’t be condoned.

Osun to Kwara State is diversion”, he said.

He also said the second truck was meant for one of the major marketers in the state.

The Controller, who said the owner of the independent marketer ’s filling station where the NNPC truck was found failed to provide document to exonerate himself from allegation of diversion, added that the filling stations involved would be sealed up.

Despite shrunken revenues, Kaduna vows to keep paying salary

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ADUNA State Government yesterday announced that its stringent approach to salary payments would continue in the face of dwindling revenues, saying its latest federal allocation had fallen to N2.4 billion, amount slightly above its monthly payroll.

It also disclosed that while it had reduced the monthly wage bill to N2.2 billion from the N2.7 billion inherited in May 2015, it had maintained a vigorous approach to ensuring that the wage bill did not exceed its revenues.

Finance Commissioner, Sulaiman Abdu Kwari, explained that the government paid its workers every month, even though few workers have had their payments delayed by verification issues.

He noted that the government had enough money to meet its salary obligations, but warned that the continued slide in revenues posed challenges.

Siemens explains management restructuring

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IEMENS Nigeria Limited, has denied publications that it was unfair in the streamlining of management and administrative structures and the modernisation of the Siemens, Dresser-Rand’s fleet in the country.

The firm said in a statement that changes in the global energy market following the plunge in the global prices of crude oil resulted in the reassessment of DresserRand’s global operations footprint.

It said the impact of right sizing decisions was always difficult and Dresser-Rand had been fair and circumspect in the preparation and delivery of employee severance packages.

The statement noted that the right sizing decisions were taken wholly by Dresser-Rand and no Siemens Nigeria employees were affected in the process, stressing that the recent publications referring to workers protesting the move to sack employees of Dresser-Rand in Nigeria were not correct.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

MAIGIDA TENNIS: Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State (middle), government officials and lawn tennis players at the flag-off of the maiden edition of Maigida Closed Tennis competition at the Government HouseTennis Court.

DONATION: Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (right) presenting the keys to one of 50 motorcycles to the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Ibrahim.

AINABE @ 70: From left—Mrs

Rebecca Aikhomu, Chief Ezekiel Ainabe, celebrant, and his wife, Racheal, at the communion service in honour of Chief Ainabe on his 70th birthday anniversary in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

GLO: Former Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe (left), presenting the Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year award to Globacom’s Head, Prepaid Products, Sola Arowagbadamu, at the Beacon of ICT awards. The Best GSM Company of the Year and Internet Company of the Year awards also went to Globacom.

PAU/ETISALAT MARKET FORUM: From left— DirectorGeneral, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Radda; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar; Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan Atlantic University, Mr. Peter Bamkole, and Head, Enterprise Marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, Bidemi Ladipo, at the Market Access Forum organised by the Centre in partnership with Etisalat Nigeria, in Abuja.

MARITIME EXCO: From left— Assistant Secretary, Mr. Tunde Orofin; Secretary, Mr. Owolabi Omotayo; Vice Chairman, Mr. Steven Zokro, and Chairman, Mr. Paul Gwan, all of the newly-inaugurated executives of the new district of the Water Transport Branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.

DONATION:

Gover nor, Rotary Club District 9110, Otunba Bola O n a b a d e j o commissioning a 12room toilet facility, borehole and a power generating set donated to Opebi Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos. With him is Mr. Tosin Kadri, President, Rotary Club of Ikeja (right).

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 37

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

My thoughts on the aspirants — OGBEMUDIA •Speaks on Obaseki, Imasuagbon, Ize-Iyamu, Edebiri

•Ogbemudia: I will support anybody Oshiomhole puts forward

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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HAT is your assessment of the present line up of aspirants in the race to succeed Governor Adams OShiomhole?

First and foremost, there are many political parties in Edo State and two prominent ones are the APC that forms the government of the day and PDP that is acting as opposition. The PDP is struggling to retake Edo State and the APC is working hard to ensure it retains its leadership. I stand between the two. And the stand is that Edo State deserves the best candidate available who can continue to develop Edo State because the people of Edo State want development and not quarrel.

Therefore, any of the parties with a credible candidate will receive my support. However, I have my own candidate so that if the ones produced by the parties are not credible, then I will then have to get my candidate out and sell our candidate to the public.

Involvement in politics There are certain criteria that we are using to determine what is good and what is not good. The first is the track record of the individual. The second is to look beyond the person’s involvement in politics and see whether the person’s present stance in politics is in agreement with what he stood for all along.

So, in that way we will be able to know whether he is somebody that can be relied upon or is just one of those boys and girls who want to please the interviewer.

This is because many people after they have wonderfully prepared and successfully performed at the interview become a disaster at the job. So,

this is one. Then when we go through our criteria and the individual fits in, then we can support.

But if he doesn’t then we will turn to the other party.

The other party?

Yes, there will be many aspirants coming up in many parties. Like we did before, we had to interview them and at the interview we were able to make up our mind as to who we will support.

Are you saying you have scrutinised or interviewed the present aspirants?

Not all of them.

How many have you

Any of the parties with a credible candidate will receive my support, however, I have my own candidate scrutinised or interviewed?

The ones we are studying right now are Obaseki, Ogienwonyi, Edebiri, Ken Immasuagbon, IzeIyamu and this young man who came in few days ago, Osaro Onaiwu.

What of Pedro Obaseki?

That one we don’t have him yet in our notebook?

Of all of them that you have scrutinised, is any of them worthy of the governorship?

Facially and structurally, they are all good candidates. But what concerns us more is knowledge

ERSTWHILE governor of the defunct Bendel State and governor of defunct Midwest Region, Brig-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia is one of the leading voices in Edo State. In the approach to the 2016 governorship election, Ogbemudia is leading a campaign through the Edo Mass Movement, EMM to enthrone what he calls a veritable succession plan for the outgoing governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

In this interview, the respected former soldier, politician, statesman and pro-chancellor of the University of Abuja speaks on the present campaign.

Excerpts: of the terrain, knowledge of the people and understanding of the essence of democracy.

In what way does this assessment fit in with your previous claim that you will support whosoever Oshiomhole supports?

The word whosoever is not so much in consonance with my own idea. I will support anybody Oshiomhole puts forward provided he meets our criteria.

That is the situation. I have had discussion with Godwin Obaseki and I have not finalised it.

The little time I spent with him I was convinced of his knowledge, his understanding, but how much he knows of the Edo problem is what we are still looking at and how much he can take Edo people with him is another area we are also looking at. The fact that the governor is

said to be behind him gives him two steps ahead of other people, but that does not mean that they cannot catch up.

Some had looked up to you to produce your candidate from the EMM. Won’t your followers be disappointed that you are now looking at the two major parties?

No, no, no. The EMM has a committee working on a viable candidate and that one will be announced in the very near future and if that one is announced and we compare him or her with what is on the ground, then people will know that we have taken pains to really search for somebody.

You spoke of sitting down with Godwin Obaseki. What of the other aspirants, have you sat down with them?

Imasuagbon I know well and I

am quiet convinced in my mind that he has capacity to move Edo forward. But his own is again not finalised because each time we discuss with somebody we look round for what we are looking for to see whether the person has equal capacity and in many cases, we have found that the man that we have in mind has a better credential. So, the EMM will sometime come into conclusion and announce what it wants to do. That will be very soon.

Will the EMM candidate be running on the platform of any of the two major parties?

Not yet. There are many parties in Edo State and there are some that have already consulted with us and we have already assured them that we are looking into their suggestions. One of them is APGA and another is SDP. Would you fight Oshiomhole if he endorses Obaseki and you discover you have a better candidate? (laughs) first and foremost I will want to have a chat with the governor if I do not agree with what he is doing, but if I agree, I will keep quiet and then go ahead with what I am doing. But the major issue today is that we are taking a more critical look at all of them including the one that is supposedly supported by the governor.

The EMM is working round the clock and although it is not a registered political party, it has enough human resources to sell itself to any registered party that will support its candidate.

Before this time we had a group called ENUNUEDO and that group has a trustee group that contains very responsible citizens of Edo State and we are trying all we can to fuse all the groups together so that Edo State will

Ambode, LASIEC working to make LG poll credible — IDRIS MR Segun Idris, who seeks to govern Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in this interview says the delay in conducting local government election in Lagos State, is in the interest of the state. Idris is confident that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, would conduct a credible exercise given its preparedness.

By Charles Kumolu

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OW do you feel that the local government election is taking this long to hold in spite of public expectation?

As a chairmanship aspirant in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area , I have been on ground to make sure that the needed information regarding the election gets to the people.

We are all aware that the party is making a lot effort to create awareness and give all parties a

level playing field which is critical to the successful conduct of the exercise.

Because of the nature of politics in Nigeria, you find so many people reading interpretations to most political exercises like we currently have in Lagos as regards the local government election.

But the truth is that in order to give Lagosians a free and fair exercise, the state government, I believe, is taking its time to put every necessary ingredient of a

successful election in place. As an aspirant, it feels good that the Lagos State government is working to make sure that every one is carried along. I will tell say authoritatively that the House of Assembly in its supervisory capacity is doing its best to make sure that the election is successful.

So, people should relax and expect the best from the government. Already, they are working on the LASIEC law to make sure that the agency is supported to supervise a credible electoral process. The governor is committed, that, he has done by sending the names of LASIEC commissioners.

Are saying that your party members are not agitated over Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—39

Ambode, LASIEC working to make LG poll credible — IDRIS Continues on page 39 the delay ?

Even though we are expecting the election to hold any time, we will appreciate an election that is held when all necessary things are put in place.

That is what I have been telling my supporters at the grassroots and they are fully in support of what the government is doing.

So, we are not worried because we know that LASIEC and the state government are working for a credible exercise. All we need do is to support them to succeed.

Without our support, the success of the poll will be relative that is why it is incumbent on everyone across party boundaries to support LASIEC in giving us a commendable exercise.

The government is a responsive government and is aware of the feeling of the people, but they are making sure •Idris: LASIEC, Lagos govt working for a that the election is credible that credible exercise is why the House is working on it. We have been telling our supporters it from that angle, it will be better for the that it is better to have a credible election process. than to have an election which its But that the agitation should not be aftermath will be subject to much litigation. unmindful of the economic situation of the Among us, mobilisation and sensitization country, because creating more wards are taking place. means having extra financial A section of the public has called on responsibilities.

LASIEC to create more wards ahead of Nevertheless, we have to consider the the election, do you think the calls are financial situation of the government but really necessary at this time and do you if the government feels it is buoyant think the state needs more wards? enough to do so, that will be fine for the The state process. does even need more Increase in w a r d s population alone, it needs more So, increase in population demands l o c a l increase in the number of local governments. governments.

That is why we are also It is known We also have clamouring for a special status for Lagos that the State, to be able to govern its growing one of the population population better. of Lagos is largest markets Considering the prevailing economic growing challenges in the country which has in Africa which everyday negatively impacted on service delivery, and it is is the Trade do you have plans of making Amuwo important Odofin self sufficient in order to reduce Fair Complex t h a t dependence on federal allocations? government and we have There are so many ways that the local c o m e s plans to make government can be self sufficient apart closer to this from collecting rates and that was captured e v e r it contributory in my blue print for Amuwo Odofin. g r o w i n g to what comes Amuwo Odofin hosts so many people of population. ideas who have contributed in making the into the local How can local government distinct in Lagos. that be government So, I capitalised on the strategic nature achieved? It of the local government when preparing is only by creating more wards, more lo0cal my blue print, which will make Amuwo a governments so that these people can feel reference point in Lagos and Nigeria.

We also have one of the largest markets the impact of governance. The primary essence of local government is for in Africa which is the Trade Fair Complex and we have plans to make it contributory government to be closer to the people.

If local government is far from the to what comes into the local government. grassroots, whatever the state of federal We have arable land in the local government is doing, will not connect government which can be used for properly with the people. If more wards commercial farming.

Having carried out a proper study of the are created, more developmental project possible areas of developing the council, will go to that area because the councillors will agitate for the development of those I came up with a feasible blue print which I hope to implement when elected. And areas.

The truth is that we need to expand and it is my hope that my dreams for Amuwo wards are created government will have Odofin will come true.

Nice and tidy. further presence in those places. I believe that if the government can look at

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

•Akinwumi Ambode, Lagos State Governor

•Okada riders in Lagos traffic...They are soon to be banned

Total ban on Okada in Lagos:

The gathering storm •Expect more criminals—Okada riders •Why we want them off Lagos roads Govt

By Mike Ebonugwo, Theodore Opara, Olasunkanmi Akoni&Bose Adelaja

T

IME was 6pm at the trafficbusy, indeed chaotic, Mile 2 area of Lagos. A mammoth horde of fuel tankers and other articulated trucks has as usual taken over every inch of driving space, thus impeding the flow of traffic along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway from the Second Rainbow Bus-stop all the way to Berger and beyond. As expected, many motorists were trapped in the stand-still gridlock and in their helplessness could only give vent to their frustration and impotent rage.

But this was not the case across the road where the Ijesha, Cele to Oshodi-bound traffic was flowing relatively smoothly. It was also business as usual for commercial motorcycle riders popularly known as Okada.

Facing the opposite direction of the road, what would appear as a swarm of Okada riders was at this time busy hailing prospective passengers most of whom had alighted from commercial buses trapped in the traffic jam.

Their destinations ranged from C M Y K

Berger Underbridge to Coconut, Tin Can and even Wharf. To get to these destinations from that side of the road, the Okadas had to ride against the traffic or doing what is popularly known as OneWay. But suddenly, there was an alarming, ear-piercing screech from a vehicle breaking at top speed followed by a thud as of a heavy object falling on the tarred road. But this certainly was no ordinary object as the accompanying screams of alarm suggested.

Underestimating the speed of the car Indeed, an Okada rider and his passengers had just been knocked down by a fast moving car. It happened as the Okada man tried to meander between the car and a commercial bus whose driver had stopped to pick some passengers. He obviously underestimated the speed of the car whose driver immediately sped off either because he did not care about what happened to his victims or was afraid of being lynched by an irate mob Okada riders which quickly gave him a hot chase.

As the accident victims were taken away to a nearby hospital, an impromptu debate arose among those present as to who was to blame for the near-tragic accident. Although many condemned the driver of the car for zooming off and not waiting

They have not been adhering to the law; they find a way to circumvent the law and government has a duty to safeguard innocent lives to find out whether the Okada rider and his passengers survived the accident, majority blamed the now common resort to driving against the traffic for the many accidents recorded in

the area in recent time.

In fact, according to one of the discussants, an average of at least two Okada-related accidents are recorded in that area everyday on account of one-way driving by commercial motorcycle and bus operators who readily cite the near-total truck blockade of the road as their excuse.

Another contributor, a motorist, who simply identified himself as George, said he did not blame the car driver for escaping from the scene of the accident as he related a personal experience to buttress his position. According to him: “One evening one bastard of an Okada rider who was driving one-way hit may car and fell down.

His colleagues all saw what happened, but instead of them to blame him, they rushed me and started banging on my car and almost smashed the wind screen.

If not for some police men who came to my rescue, maybe they would have lynched me”.

Similar scenarios continue to play out in different parts of Lagos, including the Mile Two to Iyana Iba/Badagry route, Mile 12 to Ikorodu, the LagosAbeokuta expressway, Mushin, Ogba/Ijaiye, Aja/Badore, some parts of Surulere and Mafoluku/ Oshodi, Ikeja, Isolo, Apapa, Agege, Shomolu/ Bariga, Ifako Ijaiye/ Ojokoro, Ketu, Ojota, Ojodu and Ikotun-Ejigbo road.

But happily for those who are opposed to the Okada operators for recklessness and other excesses, things are about to change for the better. Indeed, the days of Okada riders in Lagos appear numbered if a recent declaration of the state governor,

Akinwumi Ambode, to impose a total ban on their operation is anything to go by.

Plan to ban Okada: Governor Ambode is said to have taken into view recent criminal activities in the state as well as security reports to arrive at the decision to impose a total ban on commercial motorcycles in the state. According to an informed source, the move is not unconnected with the recent clash in Ketu-Mile 12 area of the state, allegedly triggered by a dispute between an Okada operator and a passer-by which led to loss of lives and property worth millions of naira.

Also, the use of Okada was said to have facilitated the recent kidnap of three female students of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School in Ikorodu area of the state by gunmen.

Total ban on Okada operations Ambode is said to be presently under pressure to act and may soon approach the state House of Assembly to amend the law restricting Okada to some routes to total ban of their operations in the state.

Ambode, it was gathered, was not comfortable with the flagrant abuse of the law by Okada riders, coupled with reports of robbery incidents in recent times allegedly perpetrated with the use of Okada. “Don’t forget that there is a law on ground that restricts them to certain routes in the state but they have not been adhering to the law.

“They find a way to circumvent Continues on page 41

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 41

The reason, rage, outrage Continues from page 40 the law and government has a duty to safeguard innocent lives.

Most of them drive against traffic during the day and at night; so, government is weighing the option strongly that the best thing is to ban Okada outrightly and it is in the interest of the state to do so,” the source added.

“The Okada riders are gradually becoming a menace in Lagos and it is evident in the way they ply restricted routes at any time of the day. You are also aware of the recent bloody clash in Ketu-Mile 12 and the increasing threat to lives and property by terrorists in the country; it has, therefore, become expedient and imperative for government to ponder on this option.

“The governor is seriously considering this move because he feels that a mega-city like Lagos cannot harbour Okada.

He feels that the Lagos economy and most especially the transport sector cannot be driven by Okada,” the source further added.

Responsible government Indeed, while confirming the plan to ban Okada, Ambode during a recent world press conference at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, said: “Lagos is a cosmopolitan city and we have to start thinking on how to take Lagos to the next level; so you just think about it whether it is good or not for Lagos.” He did not stop there.

“The duty of a responsible government is to protect life and property, and this we shall continue to do through the Road Traffic Law,” Ambode affirmed.

It would be recalled that former Governor Babatunde Fashola had on August 2, 2012 signed the Lagos State Road Traffic Bill into law. Fashola said then that the law was a holistic review of the state’s traffic law of 2003, adding that it was designed to ensure safety on the roads.

He noted that the growth of Lagos into a mega-city with large migration into the state had resulted in traffic congestion, saying that the law was one of government‘s strategies to manage the situation.

According to Fashola: “This new law is also the state government`s intervention to the alarming statistics of road accidents, especially those caused by reckless driving and activities of commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders).”

The law sought to promote the life expectancy of residents as it would significantly reduce congestion. It would address the safety and security issues associated with operations of Okada and illegal use of vehicles in the state.

Schedule II as well as

regulation 16 Sub – sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, restricts Okada, tricycle (Keke Marwa), carts and wheel barrows on at least 475 of the 9,200 roads across the state.

Section 3 Sub-section I of the Law stipulates that “no person shall ride, drive or propel a cart, wheel barrow, motorcycle or tricycle on any of the routes specified in Schedule II”.

Alarming accident statistics

Statistics released in 2012 by records at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, showed 722 accidents were reported, comprising 568 males and 154 females between January and July 2012. At the old Toll Gate Trauma Centre, 254 accidents, which resulted in 35 deaths, were recorded during the same period. Fifty per cent of the cases were caused by Okada riders, 27 per cent of the victims were passengers and 23 per cent pedestrians.

“These are alarming figures and we cannot afford to allow this to continue, hence our intervention with this law,” Fashola said.

Then Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, in the run up to the 2015 general elections lamented that the number of Okada-related accidents which had reduced previously by 81 percent began to witness an upsurge.

It witnessed an increase from January 2015, both in reported death cases and injuries.

*One of several Okada-related accidents recorded on Lagos roads Opeifa stated.

Yes, they should be banned— LASTMA For the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the proposed law banning Okada should come into effect immediately. This is because, according to the Authority’s boss, Chris Olakpe, motorcycle riders are the major problem in Lagos and indeed constitute a serious hinderance to managing traffic in the state.

Describing them as a troublesome lot, he said: ‘’It is very tasking to work with them.

In a sociological balance, we call them criminal citizens because they have been worrisome on Lagos roads.

Wheel of progress

If Lagos State bans Okada, does it have the capacity to employ the army of individuals that will be rendered jobless?

Or is it interested in worsening the already alarming unemployment rate in Lagos and in the country?

Specifically, injuries in Okadarelated accidents increased by 34 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. “This is largely due to the resurgence of Okada as public transportation on our roads with impunity,”

For instance, if you apprehend them on an offence, before the end of same day, they will still commit more. They keep doing the wrong thing; they are a clog on the wheel of progress.

“It has been very hectic managing them though we have been curbing their excesses. As I speak with you, I have just recommended that enforcement should be dispatched at some of them for contravening the law.

Many of them no longer wear protective helmet. Also, they are seen on restricted routes and they carry more than a passenger at a time. In essence, they are endangering their lives as well as that of road users.”

FRSC concurs, decries reckless driving by Okada operators: Meantime, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has thrown its weight behind the Lagos State government’s full restriction on motorbikes plying the highways within the state.

Mr. Hyginus Omeje, FRSC Lagos Commander who spoke to Vanguard Features over the telephone said that the State is

implementing what the Law demands because Okada, by law are, not allowed to ply highways within the state.

According to him, it is not only the state law that forbids Okada riders from plying the highways, even the Federal Road Safety Traffic Code forbids motorbikes below 100CC from plying the expressways because of the dangers it constitutes.

He said it was against this backdrop that the Corps had impounded many bikes and is still clamping down on those who refused to abide by the law.

The FRSC Lagos Command boss, however, advised Okada riders to abide by the law by plying only feeder roads, rather than exposing themselves to danger by plying the expressways. ‘’The restriction is to avoid incessant road traffic accidents along the highways involving okada riders who expose road users and should not be found on expressways,” he said, adding that they should maintain the status quo of plying the feeder roads pending when the law on total ban comes into effect.

He commended the Lagos State government for setting up a task force to enforce the restriction, adding that it was complementing FRSC efforts in this regard.

He regretted a situation whereby Okada riders block most roads under flyovers, especially when it is raining, as is the case under the Mile Two bridge which affects traffic flow negatively.

Okada operators react, describe ban as unfair: But for obvious reasons the plan to ban Okada in Lagos has not gone down well with the operators many of whom described it as unfair, especially coming from a government they claimed to have voted for.

A representative of Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State MOALS, Tijani Pekis, said

outright ban of the riders will further impoverish them and increase crime rate in the country.

He said: “I believe the recent crisis in Mile 12 is responsible for government’s decision to want to ban commercial motorcycles in the state. As soon as we heard about this, we wrote the Governor, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the House Committee on Transportation and the Commissioner for Transport about the development.

Commercial motorcycle “Our advice to the government is to compel all commercial motorcycle riders to wear rider’s badges and be well screened by both the government and the association. If this is done, it will be difficult for every Dick, Tom and Harry to ride a commercial motorcycle on Lagos roads”.

On the effect of possible ban on the riders, he said: “Government should have a rethink on the planned outright ban and this will help them (government) from investing in ammunition to curb the crime that may arise as a result of the ban.

Many of our members were formerly employees of companies that folded up or they were retrenched from their places of employment due to one reason or the other.

“So we’re only using Okada to makeendsmeet.IfLagosStatebans Okada, does it have the capacity to employ the army of individuals that will be rendered jobless? Or is it interestedinworsening thealready alarming unemployment rate in Lagos and in the country.Okada is the only means of livelihood for many since unemployment is on the increase. The primary objective of the government is to provide for its citizens but this is lacking in our own case.”

To be concluded

42— VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, APRIL 27, 2016 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Is her sex drive normal?

Dear Bunmi, Y 25-YEAR-OLD girlfriend is 10 years younger than me. I have noticed

M

Is he using me?

This married man can make me happy Dear Bunmi, ’M A secretary in love with her married boss. I’ve worked with him a couple of years now and he’s 21 years older than me. This might sound like a cliche, but I have these gut feelings we have a real connection. Apart from the official lunches we attend together, he also takes me to lunch from time to time. Once or thrice, he’s even taken me to his club for drinks. I don’t want to be responsible for breaking up a marriage, but this looks like my one chance to be happy. I feel more for this man than I have for anyone else in a long time. Do you think I should take the risk and take things further?

Annie, by e-mail

I

Dear Annie, Why do you believe this is your one chance of being happy? Are you under the impression there’s a massive shortage of men? It’s true some men do leave their wives for women with whom they live happier lives. But a majority have the affair with their hot, young and eager secretaries, stay married and when the secretary starts to

make too much noise about them leaving, fire her and get a new one. This man hasn’t even said a thing yet about getting it on with you, leaving his wife or even making you a second wife! He isn’t your

‘one chance’ for happiness but a ‘one-way ticket to misery.’ If working with this man is too much temptation, you might be better off looking for another job.

What does an orgasm feel like?

Dear Bunmi, ’M A 26-year-old secondary school teacher in love with this wonderful man. He is my second serious boyfriend. Although I really enjoy sex with him, I’m not sure if I’ve had an orgasm.

Whenever we make love, he’s always asking me to tell him if I’m ‘coming.’ Well, I don’t really know, I sometimes have a feeling where I tensed up and my body quivered, but was that actually an orgasm?

Can you explain to me how it should feel like?

Arit, by e-mail

I

Dear Arit, There is no way an orgasm would ‘feel’ because everyone is different.

Generally, there are three things you’re advised to look out for. First, do you experience some kind of spasm in your vagina, your clitoris or your whole body?

Second, do the sensations build to a climax, but once they’re peaked, you relax and feel fulfilled? And third, are you enjoying yourself? Say yes to all three and you’re definitely describing an orgasm! As for your man constantly asking if you were ‘coming,’ most men are under the illusion that both partners should climax together - it seldom happens. The more you are in tune with your man, the more relaxed you’ll be enough to know what gives both of you the maximum pleasure.

My jealous streak is ruining my relationship Dear Bunmi, VER SINCE I first started going out on dates, my jealousy has sent my men packaging. I’m always accusing them of twotiming me and I’ve even stalked one or two. I’ve oneeyed monster that is ruining my life. I have two children from two men I’d driven into other women’s arms because of my anger. In my late 30s, I’ve now met a wonderful man and I want our relationship to work. Help!

Titilope, by e-mail

E

Dear Titilope, Admitting to your excessive jealousy is a step in the right direction. Once you’ve done that, you can start solving the problem. You need to pinpoint your fear. All jealousy is due to anxiety that the person you love is going to fall for someone else. When you experience jealous feelings, try to understand exactly what triggered them. Don’t imagine the worst as jealousy often makes you imagine problems. If you find yourself

making up stories in your head of how your partner is going to leave, get a grip.

Relax and stop thinking negatively. If you think you’ve got something to be jealous of, however, ask your partner about it not in an accusing way, just to get reality check.

Hopefully, your partner will reassure you at this stage.

You also need to raise your self-esteem. Often, you are jealous because you don’t feel

good enough - you’re sure your partner can find someone better. Build confidence in yourself and you’ll build trust in your partner. Lastly, work on your love and the intimacy you share. The stronger your relationship, the less reason you’ll have to feeljealous.

Forget about threat to your love, instead, channel that energy into strengthening the bond you have.

If you think you’ve got something to be jealous of, however, ask your partner about it not in an accusing way, just to get reality check. Hopefully, your partner will reassure you at this stage. You also need to raise your self-esteem. Often, you are jealous because you don’t feel good enough - you’re sure your partner can find someone better. Build confidence in yourself

Dear Bunmi, ’M NOT really happy at home as my parents are not that happy with each other and take it out on us children. I am 18 and I have a boyfriend who seems to be sympathetic to my plight. He listens with sympathy, hugs and kisses me, then have sex with me. I’m furious that it’s happening, but I also find some comfort in it. I just don’t know what to do. My boyfriend is 24 and has a good job.

Falifat, by e-mail

I

Dear Falifat, I can see why you’re confused.

You’re mistaking affliction for passion. As you’re going through such a traumatic time, you’re turning more and more to him for comfort. When he steps over the line between sympathy and sex, you don’t stop him and this leaves you feeling bad. This isn’t your fault as you’re currently vulnerable, so any physical contact seems good. But you need to tell this man clearly that sex isn’t what you want, then ensure you steer clear of physical contact with him. You could get pregnant or contract a nasty disease. All you want now is more support from someone who doesn’t want anything physical from you. I suggest you interact with more female friends and talk to any counsellor or an older relative.

that her sex drive is stronger than mine, but I’m a bit concerned about how much she masturbates. We live together and I caught her recently masturbating when I came home earlier than expected in the night. She admitted she masturbates at least once a day.

This is on top of the sex she has with me (about four times a week). Is this normal? Does it mean I’m not satisfying her? She says I am and she just likes doing it, but I’m not sure I believe her.

Dejo, by e-mail Dear Dejo, She’s right and you’re better off believing her! In one major survey nine out of 10 women over 18 admitted to masturbating. It’s natural- so natural that it is believed humans are not the only females of the animal kingdom who do it. Female horses, cows, dolphins, cats, monkeys and baboons have all been seen to play with their clitorises or rub their genitals against things, especially when in heat. It’s penfectly normal for your girlfriend to masturbate everyday or even several times a day, and it's also fine to masturbate less or not at all! Your girlfriend seems honest enough to say th~ truth and I believe if she wasn’t satisfied by the sex you were having she would have told you.

So, assuming she’s not doing anything abnonnal like staying off-work to do it or has an array of vibrators, relax and be proud of a girlfriend who enjoys sex and is not scared to let you know she does!

Baffled my 9-yr-old is diabetic Dear Bunmi, HEN MY nine-year-old suddenly started wetting the bed years after he had stopped, I noticed he drank water all of the time. When I mentioned this to a close friend who is a nurse, she said I should bring him to the teaching hospital where she worked, she suspected he must have symptoms of diabetes. I was skeptical until a blood test confirmed it; my son had an insulin-dependent diabetes. He was placed on admission straightaway and I was told it was lucky I brought him as the glucose levels in his blood were too high. At the level he was, he could have fallen into a coma.

The puzzling thing is that there’d been no history of diabetes in my family or my husband’s, so, why would my son develop it now at such a tender age? He’s since been treated and placed on daily insulin injection.

Karen, by e-mail.

W

Dear Karen,

Diabetes isn’t necessarily hereditary, anybody can get it.

According to medical findings, it can appear suddenly, especially in children or young people. Your son’s body obviously wasn’t producing enough insulin, the hormone that turns glucose into energy. So, to try to give him the energy he needed, his body was producing even more glucose, but it wasn’t being used - it was building up in his blood and urine instead. That’s why he’d been weeing so much during the night - to get rid of the excess. Juvenile diabetes, also known as Type 1 or insulindependent diabetes, usually develops from birth to age 30. It is not very common and the cause is not known. Symptoms include drinking lots of water and urinating more, especially at night, wetting the bed, weight loss, headaches, tiredness, vomiting and problems with vision. There is no cure, but juvenile diabetes can be managed with a strict diet, blood tests and daily insulin injections.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—43

S/Sudan’s Machar sworn in as first vice president

S

Family members and supporters of Hillsborough disaster victims jubilating after the verdict that said the fans were unlawfully killed.

HILLSBOROUGH INQUESTS: Fans unlawfully killed, jury concludes

N

INETY-six football fans who died as a result of a crush in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, the inquests have concluded.

The jury found match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield was “ responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence” due to a breach of his duty of care.

Police errors also added to a dangerous situation at the FA Cup semi-final.

The prime minister said the inquests had provided “official confirmation” fans were “utterly blameless”.

After a 27-year campaign by victims’ families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated.

The jury found they did not contribute to the danger unfolding at the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground on 15 April 1989.

Nine jurors reached unanimous decisions on

all but one of the 14 questions at the inquests into Britain’s worst sporting disaster.

The coroner Sir John Goldring said he would accept a majority decision about whether the fans were unlawfully killed seven jurors agreed they were.

When the conclusion of the unlawful killing was revealed, families were seen hugging each other in the public gallery and

Sweden’s Green Party ‘infiltrated’ by Islamists

T

HE behaviour of some Muslim members of Sweden’s Green Party - part of a coalition government has sparked concerns among the Swedish that the small environmentalist group may have been infiltrated by “Islamists”.

“In our eagerness to embrace a diverse and multicultural society, we have turned a blind eye to undemocratic views,” said

Prince didn’t leave will, sister tells court

P

OP star Prince did not leave a will, his sister has revealed in court documents.

The papers, filed in state court in Minnesota, show Tyka Nelson has petitioned for a special administrator to oversee the star’s estate.

The rock legend was found dead in an elevator at his Paisley Park Studios compound in a suburb of the American city last Thursday at the age of 57.

The size of Prince’s fortune is unclear but includes $27m (£18m) in property.

Nelson is Prince’s only surviving full sibling and stated in the papers that immediate action was necessary to manage her brother ’s business interests. Prince is on course to dominate the C M Y K

some punched the air.

When considering how each of the 96 victims died the jury concluded many died well after 15:15 on the day of the match.

The coroner at the original inquest in 1991, Dr Stefan Popper, said he would not hear any evidence relating to deaths beyond that time because he believed all the victims had died, or suffered fatal injuries, by then.

UK charts this week, as mourning fans rush to buy his music, while the Hollywood Reporter claimed over three million of his songs and albums had been bought in the US since his death.

Gulan Avci, a politician for the Liberals, a centre-right opposition party.

The party’s problems started when one member refused to shake hands with a female journalist.

Another compared Israel to Nazi Germany. A third was seen doing hand signs associated with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood in the background of a live TV broadcast.

Green Party leaders said on Monday there was no evidence of Islamists influencing party policies.

Housing Minister Mehmet Kaplan, a Green Party member and former leader of a Swedish Muslim youth group, resigned last week after media reports that he had contacts with ultranationalists and Islamists in his native Turkey.

Trump, Clinton set to sweep Northeastern primaries

D

ONALD Trump is seeking to win all five Northeastern states holding primaries, including Pennsylvania, with his rivals pinning their hopes of stopping the Republican front-runner on a fragile coordination strategy in the next rounds of voting.

For Democratic leader Hillary Clinton, wins in most of Tuesday’s contests would leave little doubt that she will be her party’s

nominee.

Rival Bernie Sanders’ team has sent mixed signals about his standing in the race, with one top adviser suggesting a tough night would push the Vermont senator to reassess his bid and another vowing to fight “all the way to the convention”.

Clinton was already looking past Sanders, barely mentioning him during recent campaign events.

OUTH Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar has been sworn in as first vice president after arriving in the capital Juba in a long awaited UN brokered peace deal.

The swearing ceremony came on Tuesday afternoon after Machar touched down at Juba airport on a UN plane after repeated delays to implement a peace agreement.

“I am very committed to implement this agreement so that the process of national reconciliation and healing is started as soon as possible,” he said during the ceremony at the presidential palace.

Machar resumes a post

he held before the conflict erupted in December 2013.

The development ends his 28-month military conflict with President Salva Kiir, which has killed tens of thousands of people.

Machar had been accused of trying to organise a coup, which he denied.

The United States and the United Nations had mounted pressure on Machar to return to Juba without delay.

“The scope of future US engagement in helping South Sudan confront the country ’s security, economic and development challenges ... will depend

on the parties demonstrating commitment to work together to implement the agreement,” the US State Department said in a statement.

The much awaited inauguration was delayed by a week, due to disagreements about the number of troops and weapons that would accompany him.

He was preceded by the rebels’ top commander Simon Gatwech Dual, who arrived in Juba on Monday.

The rebels said he was accompanied by nearly 200 troops who were due to provide security for Machar.

•Members of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Nigerian Air Force Officers pose for a group photo at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Mar. 11, 2016. (U.S. Army Photo by SPC Trevor E. Wiegel/Released)

Kenya’s former first lady Lucy Kibaki dies in London

K

ENYA’S controversial former first lady, Lucy Kibaki, has died in a London hospital of an undisclosed illness.

She gained notoriety for slapping a cameraman in 2005 when she stormed the offices of a private media group in anger at the way a story about her had been reported.

In a tribute to Mrs Kibaki, President Uhuru Kenyatta praised her for her role in

fighting HIV/Aids in Kenya.

Mr Kenyatta succeeded her husband Mwai Kibaki, who governed from 2002 to 2013.

Mrs Kibaki, who was born in 1940, had withdrawn from public life during the latter part of her husband’s rule.

She was last seen at a public function in August 2010, when she seemed excited about the adoption

of a new constitution, dancing to a famous gospel song, Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper reports.

Pilots at Kenya Airways plan to strike tomorrow Airways,” the association with a strike notice and that

T

HE Kenya Airline Pilots Association (KALPA) issued a two day strike notice to Kenya Airways on Tuesday, demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Executive Mbuvi Ngunze and criticising his turnaround strategy.

The carrier, which is 26.7 percent owned by Air France KLM, has been selling assets, including planes, and plans to lay off 600 people as it battles deep losses. [nL5N16J18W] KALPA called the turnaround measures “questionable” and said Ngunze had to go.

“This will be the first step towards recovery of Kenya

said in a statement.

Kenya Airways said it had not formally been served

unions were required by law to give a minimum notice period of seven days.

Be patient with Buhari, Malaysian group tells Nigerians

M

ALAYSIAN based O f u o b i Nwaneamaka International Social Club, has appealed to Nigerians to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

A statement by its president, Messrs Chukwuka Onwuepe, Ikechukwu Nnadozie and Eze Martins said: “It is not always easy to correct the damage of the past.

Change usually comes gradually. So there is hope that Nigeria would be great under Buhari. We must acknowledge that this hardship was not a creation of this regime rather a backlog of ineptitude of the previous administrations.

And for those who understand better how good governance manifests, you would know that you cannot build on a weak foundation.

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Lassa fever is a national tragedy — Prof Oyewale Tomori, Chairman, Lassa Fever Control Committee in Nigeria

By Gabriel Olawale

H

EALTH experts in Nigeria have said that the recurrent Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria is akin to a national embarrassment and that it will be no exagerration to describe it as a national tragedy.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the Chairman, Lassa Fever Control Committee in Nigeria, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, who is President of the Nigeria Academic of Science, NAS, observed that Lassa fever that has been claiming lives over the past 47 years without concrete strategies to bring it under control, can only be referred to as a continuous national tragedy.

Tomori, who spoke on Monday at a symposium on Lassa fever organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba, Lagos, said the break down in disease surveillance did not make the country notice that Lassa fever has consistently brought sorrow, pains and agony to several homes.

"If you are not hearing of new cases, it is not that the disease is not occurring, but because our disease surveillance is not up to par.

“We deceive ourselves that it's a seasonal disease, but the fact remains that it occurs throughout the year. At least three people are diagnosed of Lassa fever daily somewhere in the country.”

Further, Tomori said: "We have little value for life, until more than 100 people die, it is not an emergency, For many years Lassa fever has been with us but we don't take it serious. In other parts of the world, when a single person dies of a disease, it is a national emergency.

For how long are we going to continue to call tragedy an embarrassment?

Surveillance

"We abandon disease surveillance and control activities; there was a time people worked together, the laboratories at Ibadan, the Ministry of Health, NIMR, joined forces to protect the country. In the 60's to 80's at Ibadan, we produced every reagent we needed in the country.

We did not depend on importation. But now we are lazy and everybody wants to make money from importation."

In his explanation, he said six to seven laboratories in the country cannot give proper results. "This is due to lack of support. The only few that function in the country have the support of partner agencies and backing from abroad," he noted.

On his part, President, Bioresources Development Group, Prof. Maurice Iwu, said that the Lassa fever issue was

WHO Fact Sheet on Malaria

S

INCE 2000, malaria mortality rates have declined by 60 percent globally, by 66 percent among all age groups and by 71 percent among children under 5 years. But reaching the next level-elimination-will not be easy. Nearly half of the world's population, 3.2 billion people, remain at risk of malaria.

In 2015 alone, 214 million new cases of the disease were reported in 95 countries and more than 400, 000 people died of malaria.

more than an embarrassment because the country has the personnel required, knowledge of the Lassa fever and how to prevent it, but the disease still claims lives.

Iwu said unless the country adopts the approach used during the Ebola outbreak,

are all vulnerable.

"The only thing we can do is keep track of the virus, and from time to time do research.

Our universities should make sure that 80 percent of their research is localized to treat our own diseases, issues and viruses we live with," he said.

In his contribution, the Director Gen-eral, NIMR, Prof.

Innocent Ujah,

• Prof. Oyewale Tomori many more people would fall victim.

"As long as Lassa fever is anywhere in the country, as long as we have restaurants that don't keep good hygiene, as long as we have houses that are co-infested with rat and horse, as long as we have dirty environment, we

We deceive ourselves that it's a seasonal disease, but the fact remains that it occurs throughout the year. At least three people are diagnosed of Lassa fever daily somewhere in the country

said the national response to the 47year-old epidemic in Nigeria has remained largely poor and there appears to be no strategic plan to allocate fund for Lassa and other viral Haemorrhagic fevers research, surveillance and appropriation response.

Ujah mentioned lack of manpower and well equipped laboratories as part of challenges hindering the institution from recording success.

"Public health education and awareness are usually far in between and there are no comprehensive preventive measures to contain the disease.

"NIMR has only one medical virologist and the laboratories are not well equipped for Lassa fever and other Haemorrhagic fever research," he remarked.

What scientists say about garlic and sex

S

OME men love eating garlic.

They also love having sex. But they may not have imagined that eating garlic could help their sex life.

In one study from Prague, women rated the odour of guys who ate garlic as more attractive and pleasant and less intense than that of men who did not eat garlic.

The key ingredient in the romantic recipe is apparently the smell that later leaches out of the pores, according to researcher Jitka Fialova, who had garlic-eating guys wear absorbent armpit pads for the sake of science.

Women sniffed the body odour both with and without garlic and found the garlic-tinged aroma more alluring. Fialova says garlic’s sulfuric compounds have potent antioxidant powers and may reduce hypertension, improve cholesterol, and fight cancer. Plus, garlic may help your heart.

The bulbs contain four compounds with antioxidant capabilities that could lower total cholesterol and improve systolic blood pressure.

And women who are searching for stronger men may subconsciously pick up on that. With just one pungent dose, the cloves would work their magic within three days.

Garlic

How to prevent kidney failure K

IDNEYS are essential to our health and one of the most important organs in the body. They get rid of excess water and toxins, regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells and keep bones strong.

The kidneys are normally very efficient and it can be a long time before there

are signs that something is wrong.

When kidneys are damaged or lose function over time, this is known as chronic kidney disease, CKD. There are several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

Some small changes in behaviour and lifestyle can have enormous health

benefits.

Monitor your Blood Pressure – High blood pressure accelerates kidney damage. To protect yourself from kidney disease you should also maintain a diet low in salt and saturated fats.

Keep fit and active – This helps reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of kidney disease.

Don’t smoke – Smoking slows blood flow to the kidneys, decreasing their ability to function properly.

Eat healthily and keep your weight in check – This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with kidney disease.

Get your kidney function tested – If anyone in your family has suffered from kidney disease, you are diabetic or have high blood pressure.

Keep well hydrated – This helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body which can significantly lower the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. (Dialysis patients however may need to restrict their fluid intake.)

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 — 45

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

LMC, La Liga sign five-year collaborative deal

By Jude Opara

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IGERIAN football recorded another plus yesterday when the League Management Company of Nigeria (LMC) and their Spanish counterparts La Liga signed a five year collaborative agreement.

Chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko signed on behalf of the Nigerian league while the LaLiga president, Javier Tebas signed on behalf of the Spanish league.

The agreement, accord-

ing to Dikko, will benefit the two leagues especially in the areas of training, capacity development, commercial and marketing activities.

“We have a lot to learn from the La Liga and they too have much to learn from us at least from the mistakes we have made and how to avoid them as well as the positives we have equally achieved. We are signing a collaborative agreement with La Liga which, in the first instance, will last for five years which is quite a long time to examine how we are moving forward.

Sports reform c'ttee for second retreat

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HE Sports Reform Committee set up by the minister of Youth and Sports to restructure Nigerian sports for effective development will begin a second retreat in Abuja starting Wednesday.

The Abuja retreat is coming on the heels of the maiden edition in Lagos which featured presentations from the private sector led by the president and Chairman in Council of the Nigeria - British Chamber of Commerce, Prince Dapo Adelegan.

According to a release from the committee, the Abuja retreat will have an open house on Thursday April 28, featuring a presentation from a public sec-

tor individual and a parley with Abuja-based sports editors. The Committee has seven terms of reference which are: i) Design a new architecture that will restructure Nigerian sports from a service oriented model to a development oriented one that will enhance effective and enduring sports development in Nigeria. ii) Identify the major obstacles to sports development in Nigeria iii) Develop a sustainable framework for sports development which will build a strong base for the systematic discovery, identification, training and deployment of athletes into sporting activities.

Adaora Elonu scored 17 points and grabbed 5 rebounds to lead Nigeria to a 75-64 victory over Senegal during the 2015 AfroBasket championship.

ORMER acting president of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Mike Umeh has tasked new Anambra state sports commissioner, Dr (Mrs) Uju Nwogu to call a meeting of football stakeholders in the state as a way of resolving the lingering crisis rocking the state FA. Anambra it would be noted is yet to conduct its FA election over one year after all other states of the federation did so.

Umeh said yesterday that the new sports commissioner should convene a parley of stakeholders where all the issues holding down football in the state can be resolved.

•As USA want African champions too

A

Continues from BP Portuguese star.

A cagey first half saw neither goalkeeper troubled although City were forced to make a change with David Silva hobbling off just before halftime and being replaced

by Kelechi Iheanacho.

Zinedine Zidane opted to replace the ineffective Karim Benzema for

Jese at half-time and the substitute went close on 70 minutes, heading Dani Caravajal’s cross just over the bar.

Real grew stronger as the game wore on, needing Joe Hart to save from Pepe at point-blank range late on as the visitors pressed but ultimately had to settle for a draw.

Omeruo

ing at the Games, especially after the Super Eagles’ failure to quali fy for the 2015 and 2017 African Cup of Nations.

“It is disappointing and frustrating to say the least. I’d be lying if I said I would not want to be out there playing,” he said.

"But at the same time I need to be fully fit to be at my best and I have no doubt that the squad will do great in Brazil.

“I would also like to

thank the coach [Samson Siasia] for even considering me in the first place.” A firm fixture in the Kasimpasa side, such has been Omeruo’s impact that the Turkish club are now exploring the option to buy him at the end of his loan spell.

He joined Chelsea from Belgian side Standard Liege in 2012 and developed on loan at ADO Den Haag in Netherlands in an 18-month spell from 2012 to 2013.

Continues from BP my country,” Omeruo told BBC Sport. “The doctor insists I need rest to start next season without injury.” Omeruo was first called up by Nigeria in January 2013 and he went on to play at that year’s Africa Cup of Nations and Confederations Cup - and at the 2014 World Cup. He admitted he was looking forward to play-

F

“It was celebration galore in the state when Gov. Obianor appointed the new sports commissioner. She has to make that count by wading into the football crisis and getting it resolved. She should call a meeting of all genuine stakeholders. Anambra is blessed with the largest pool of businessmen who are ready to invest in the game. If the government partners with this businessmen, the state will bounce back as Nigeria’s Mecca of football. We want to see a return to the era when Anambra had three premier league sides.

Basketball: D’Tigress, Turkey, Argentina in warm-up games S the national female basketball team, D’Tigress get set to begin camping in preparation for the Women Olympic Qualifying Tournament, WOQT scheduled for June 13-19, 2016 in France, the team are expected to play two warm up matches, the Chief Coach Scott Nnaji has disclosed.

The first of the two matches will be against Turkey in Istanbul on May 27-28, which comes up about three weeks after they resume camp in Abuja while the second will be a week to the Olympic qualifier against Argentina on June 8-9 in France.

Coach Nnaji told FIBA.com that the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF is doing its best to meet the needs of the team and put it in a position to succeed.

The Nigerian girls have been drawn in Group C of

Champions League:

Umeh tasks new Anambra Sports commissioner

the qualifiers along with Belarus and South Korea and they will open their WOQT campaign on June 13 against Belarus.

He described the warmup games against Turkey and Argentina are also playing in the 12-team qualifier in France as “highly important” to measure the team’s potential. Nnaji is expected to reveal the team’s preliminary squad in early May and admits he is leaning towards making changes from the team that went 62 in Yaounde, Cameroon last October.

“We expect the players to come to camp ready to face the challenge ahead,” he noted, adding, “We have a list [of players] that have shown interest to be part of the team, and we hope they will make it to the camp”.

Meanwhile the USA has listed Nigeria’s male team and African Champions, D’Tigers among the teams its team will play warm-up games with in preparation for the Olympics. Their last warm-up game is against Nigeria on August 1, 2016 in Houston and they have dubbed it “the USA Basketball Showcase”.

Enyeama

French champions Paris Saint Germain in Saturday’s League Cup final.

Factors considered in the ranking included number of goals conceded per match, number of minutes per goal, number of passes per match, number of saves per match, number of saves per goal conceded and the percentage of saves.

Enyeama brought an end to his illustrious international career last year after abust-up with former Super Eagles coach Sunday Olisehat a camp in Belgium.

He became Nigeria’s most-capped player after making 101 appearances with the national team, including three World Cup appearances and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title.

Continues from BP based CIES Football Observatory.

The Lille shot-stopper finished in sixth place behind decorated goalkeepers like Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich, Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid, Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus, Kevin Trapp of PSG and Claudio Bravo of Barcelona.

Coming behind the former Enyimba goalie are Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola of Villareal, Keylor Navas of Real Madrid and Pepe Reina of Napoli to round up the top 10.

Enyeama, 33, missed out on winning silverware with LOSC Lille this season after their 2-1 defeat to

•Umeh

FIFA Continues from BP the court verdict takes effect.

“The EFA asks that all involved parties involved not to discuss this issue until it is resolved to ensure that the Egyptian national teams and clubs keep playing in the c o n t i n e n t a l competitions,” the association said.

EFA Chairman Gamal Allam said he was ready to resign to spare Egypt any such problems.

“My resignation is ready. In case the board’s appeal [against the court ruling] is rejected, I will not embarrass the Ministry of Sports and I will resign immediately,” Allam was quoted as saying on Egyptian sports website Filgoal minutes after the EFA statement.

The appeal is set to be ruled on by the Administrative Court on 8 May. Sports Minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz has expressed respect for FIFA regulations, insisting he has solutions for any possible legal issues possibly resulting from an appeal rejection, without revealing details.

The current board is set to remain in charge until September 2016.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016—47

Arsenal fans plan protest during Norwich game

Maradona to Napoli: Sell Higuain, buy Kane

RSENAL fans are planning a coordinated protest during Saturday’s home game against Norwich City to demand changes in the way the club is run.

Fan discontent has been steadily rising at Arsenal this season as their title challenge faltered during the second half of 2015-16.

The Gunners’ theoretical chances of winning the Premier League ended after Sunday ’s draw at Sunderland was followed by Leicester’s win over Swansea, and they now have to hold off Manchester United just to finish in the Champions League places.

Arsenal fan groups Red Action Gooners and the Black Scarf Movement are now urging supporters to show their frustration by holding up signs saying “Time for change.

Arsenal is stale — Fresh

APOLI legend Diego Maradona has said the club should sell striker Gonzalo Higuain and buy Tottenham Hotspur ’s Harry Kane as his replacement.

Higuain, 28, has been in outstanding form for second-placed Napoli this season, scoring 30 Serie A goals in 32 appearances.

But former Argentina international Maradona, who won two Serie A titles and the UEFA Cup at Napoli, thinks club president Aurelio De Laurentiis should part ways with Higuain in the summer and target Kane, who has scored 24 Premier League goals this campaign.

“I think ‘Pipita’ [Higuain] has already done the best he can for Napoli and he’s not

A

C M Y K

•Wenger approach needed” during the Norwich game. The groups say the protest is not specifically aimed at manager Arsene Wenger but also at owner Stan Kroenke and the board.

N

Hillsborough fans unlawfully killed

N

INETY-SIX football fans who died as a result of a crush in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster were unlawfully killed, the inquests have con-

cluded. The jury found match commander Ch Supt David Duckenfield was “responsible for manslaughter by gross negligence” due to a breach of

his duty of care.

Police errors also added to a dangerous situation at the FA Cup semifinal.

The prime minister said

going to have another season like this one,” Maradona told Naples TV channel Piuenne.

“We saw it also with [Ezequiel] Lavezzi. They need new faces and they need to sell Higuain for as much money as possible.

Instead of Higuain, I would go for [Harry] Kane of Tottenham.

Harry Kane has been vital for Tottenham this season.

•Higuain the inquests had provided “official confirmation” fans were “utterly blameless”.

After a 27-year campaign by victims’ families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016

Enyeama’s 6th best Goalkeeper in Europe

V

INCENT Enyeama has been recognised as one of the top 10 goalkeepers in Europe for the 2015/16 season by the SwissContinues on Page 47

Omeruo out of Rio Olympics

N

Man City's Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho (L) tangles with Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (R) during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match last night at the Etihad Stadium. The match ended 0-0. Photo: AFP

Champions League: N

Champions League first leg semi final match against Real Madrid at the Etihad last night as City held Real Ma-

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

drid to a goalless draw in a game of few chances.

The visitors were handed a blow before the game with Cristiano Ro-

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

FIFA threatens Egypt over court ruling

WORLD governing body FIFA has threatened to suspend the Egyptian Football Association following a court ruling to dissolve the elected board of the EFA. Last month’s ruling citnaldo ruled out after fail- ed violations in the 2012 ing to shake off a thigh electoral process but is strain and Lucas Vazq- yet to be implemented. uez replaced the Continues on Page 46

City

hold Madrid IGERIA won derkid, Kelechi Iheanacho could not help Manchester City win the European

IGERIA interna tional defender Kenneth Omeruo has been declared unavailable to play at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio because of a groin problem.

The 22-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at Turkish side Kasimpasa from Chelsea, has been told by the team doctor he needs time to recover.

“I feel sad about it as it was another good opportunity for me to represent

Continues on Page 46

Continues on Page 46

Today’s Champions League match Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich 7:45pm

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 3 Adhesive (5) 9 Calm (6) 10 Sufficient (6) 11 Pulled (5) 12 Exclude (4) 15 Team (4) 17 Ebbed (7) 20 Noise (3 21 Quilt (5) 23 Girdle (4) 25 Method (4) 26 Sea-duck (5) 28 Fixed (3) 30 Illness (7) 33 Employed (4) 35 Regretted (4) 36 Forbidden (5) 38 Deadly (6) 39 Uncertain (6) 40 Class (5)

DOWN 1 Track (5) 2 Confusion (5) 3 Mine (3) 4 Worshipped (6) 5 Pour (4) 6 Finish (3) 7 Eros (5) 8 Lustre (5) 13 Infection (7) 14 Taut (5) 16 Varied (7) 18 Cheated (5) 19 Jewel (3) 22 Soar (5) 24 Strike (3 27 Austerity (6) 28 Stain (5) 29 Cogs (5) 31 Presage (5) 32 Bordered (5 34 Auction (4) 36 Label (3) 37 Individual (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS 3, About 9, Devise 10, Solace 11, Steer 12, Edit 15, Bane 17, Relaxed 20, Lad 21, Rival 23, Ibis 25, Beau 26, Token 28, Web 30, Display 33, Idle 35, Tale 36, Mumps 38, Cancel 39, Easier 40, Needy.

DOWN: 1, Adder 2, Avail 3, Ass 4, Better 5, User 6, Tor 7, Canal 8, Hewed 13, Desired 14, Tacit 16, Natural 18, Dived 19, Tab 22, Leapt 24, Son 27, Nipped 28, Wince 29, Bland 31, Latin 32, Yeam 34, Rule 36, Men 37, Say.

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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