EBOLA SCARE: FG shuts schools till October 13

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...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62218

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Enugu Dep Gov impeached; 20 killed as Fulani, threatens court action •Says "I am not surprised">>55

EBOLA SCARE:

Ikimi quits Eggon clash APC, again in blasts>>8 Nasarawa Tinubu >>8

FG shuts schools till October 13 •Summer coaching in both public and private schools affected •Adadevoh's sister Ebola-free; Nigeria records 61.5% survivors •Don't stigmatise discharged Ebola victims — Idris

Sola Ogundipe, Clifford Ndujihe, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Favour Nnabugwu, Chioma Obinna, Jimitota Onoyume, Laide Akinboade, Daud Olatunji, Monsur Olowoopejo & Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS — THE Fed eral Government, yesterday, took far-reaching decisions to curtail the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in the country as it postponed the resumpContinues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

•P.34 American BMW– And Killed!

Nuhu Ribadu, m.n.i.

•P.17

Ribadu's politics of defection and...•P.19

Mr & Mrs UDUAGHAN VISITS VANGUARD'S ASABA PLANT— Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (C); Mr. Chike Ogeah, Commissioner for Information (L) and Mr. Frank Okotie, Business Manager, Vanguard Asaba (R), during the governor's visit to Vanguard's ultra-modern press in Asaba, Delta State, yesterday. Inset: Governor Uduaghan goes through a copy of Vanguard. Photos: Nath Onojake. See story on Page 54.

Condolence register opened for Nigeria's oldest gospel preacher, Pa Sadela >>9

UNN:Zik’s flats now ghost land

See 8-page pull-out inside

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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POCKET CARTOON

NYSC—Members of NYSC Batch "B" leaving the orientation camp after their orientation programme in Kubwa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

FG shuts schools till October Continues from Page 1 tion of all primary and secondary schools till October 13, even as government cleared the air on the health status of a sister to the late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, confirming that she is Ebola-free.

Announcing the shift in resumption date in Abuja, Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, said the decision became necessary in view of the risk posed by the Ebola virus which could easily spread through schools.

His words: “All primary and secondary schools, both public and private are to remain closed until Monday October 13, 2014 which is the new school resumption date for all schools throughout the Federation”. The schools were originally scheduled to re-open in

the second week of September.

Shekarau, who briefed the press at the end of a meeting with state commissioners of education, added that all on-going summer schools were also affected with immediate effect.

Further, he said the change in the resumption date was also to enable the Federal and state governments, as well as school authorities put in place adequate preventive measures before the pupils returned to school.

“All state Ministries of Education are to immediately organise and ensure that at least two (2) staff in each school, both public and private, are trained by appropriate health workers on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola and also embark on immediate sensitization of all teach-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH Mother Teresa said: ‘The biggest disease today isn’t leprosy or cancer. It’s the feeling of being uncared for, unwanted-of being deserted and alone.’ As a result, she spent her life rescuing sick babies and giving dignity to the dying. Asked why she did it, she replied, ‘Because Jesus did.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

By choosing your thoughts, and by selecting which emotional currents you will release and which you will reinforce, you determine the quality of your Light. You determine the effects that you will have upon others, and the nature of the experiences of your life — Gary Zukav

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ACH of us carries within him the golden sparks that determine one’s destiny. Sometimes these causes may become twisted through fear, hate, bitterness, or resentment, no matter how deeply buried in the subconscious; one can overcome them through better understanding. This understanding may be arrived at by intellectual grasp, by challenges, or simply by humility, very often by all three, but once arrived at, it is a rebirth, new awakening of Soul. U.S. Anderson sums it beautifully: “That, which you fancy yourself to be, you never have really been, for it is a thing that changes with the seasons and alters with the tides. What you truly are is a permanent thing, changeless, with its foundations planted in eternity.” To let go of the old self and cleave to the new is the essence of spiritual growth.

ing and non-teaching staff in all schools on preventive measures. This training of staff must be concluded not later than September 15, 2014”.

He further directed states Ministries of Education to establish Working and Monitoring Teams for effective supervision of school activities before and after opening of schools.

“Each state Ministry of Education should appoint a designated Desk Officer not later than September 1, 2014, who should also receive appropriate training and who must report on daily basis to the Honourable Commissioner on situation in the schools. The names of such Desk Officers, their phone numbers and e-mail addresses should be communicated to the Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education not later than September 1, 2014.

“All primary and secondary schools, both public and private should be provided with a minimum of two (2) Blood Pressure Measuring Equipment by the State Ministries of Education. The State Ministries should determine the number of such equipment required and forward same to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than September 1, 2014. Ministry of Education will liaise with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that appropriate equipment are procured,” he added.

Summer schools closed

“All summer classes currently being conducted by some private schools should be suspended with immediate effect until October 13, 2014.

“All private primary and secondary schools must comply with the directives given under

these preventive measures. State governments are called upon to support their Ministries of Education with all necessary funds to ensure effective implementation of these preventive measures”, Shekarau said.

He warned that any private or public school that failed to comply with the directives would be sanctioned.

“Our concern is for the children and we would go to any length to ensure both private and public schools comply.

You can imagine if a child is infected in a boarding school of say about 600 children, it would be very dangerous. We are not saying there is Ebola in all states of the Federation but we are putting some preventive measures in place.”

He also advised all tertiary institutions to suspend exchange of staff and students programmes, visits and major international seminars and workshops until further notice. They are also to monitor the movement of foreign students in their campuses.

They are to liaise with appropriate government health institutions to organize and ensure effective sensitization programme for all their teaching and non-teaching staff.”

Adedavoh’s sister not positive — FG, LASG

Also, yesterday, cheering news came from both the Federal Government and Lagos State Governments as both have cleared the air over the health status of a sister to the late Dr. Stella, Ameyo Adadevoh.

Briefing the press in Abuja on the update of the EVD in the country, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, debunked rumours that a sister to the late Adadevoh tested positive to the virus.

Corroborating the minister in Lagos, State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who raised alarm over false stories being disseminated via social media, lamented that such rumours being circulated have been a critical and pervading challenge to the fight against the virus.

Idris said: “These rumours have the capacity to undermine the efforts being made to contain and manage the outbreak as those who ought to present themselves for treatment may get discouraged, malign government in the face of residents and fuel stigmatisation of individuals and businesses.

“I do not want to mention names because that

is part of what we are told not to do but I must say that the report on the woman is false. She was discharged yesterday (Monday) as negative.”

We have contained Ebola – Chukwu

Thirty eight days after importation of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, into the country by the late American-Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the threat of the disease may have been contained, following the survival of eight of the victims, seven of who have been discharged; screening of a total of 321 persons, even as additional 10 contacts were listed Monday in Lagos.

Disclosing this in Abuja, the Health Minister said two more patients with the Ebola virus disease have been discharged from the Isolation Ward in Lagos State, bringing to seven the number of patients that have been treated and declared free from the virus in the country even as the number of deaths from the killer disease scourge still remains five, including the index case, Patrick Sawyer.

Chukwu added that the nation has had 13 cases of EVD including the index case.

“Of these 13, five including the index case unfortunately did not survive the disease and are now late.

However, seven of the infected persons were successfully managed at the isolation ward in Lagos and have been discharged.

“Two of the treated patients, a male doctor and a female nurse were discharged yesterday, both of them primary contacts of Mr. Patrick Sawyer, having satisfied the criteria for discharge.

“As I speak to you, Nigeria has only one confirmed case of EVD, a secondary contact of Mr Patrick Sawyer. This is an indication that, thus far, Nigeria has contained the disease outbreak.

“I wish to reassure Nigerians and indeed the global community that

the government shall remain vigilant and will not relent as government continues to work with her partners to ensure that the disease is kept out of the country,” the Minister added.

Besides, the minister informed that 129 persons had been freed from surveillance, having passed through the 21 days incubation period for the virus without testing positive. Similarly, 128 persons are still on the radar of government for the virus, the minister stated.

“All those who are under our surveillance, only one person is symptomatic; we are investigating, the result is not out. All others are not symptomatic,” the Minister stated.

Speaking further, Dr Idris explained that the recovery of seven confirmed cases in the state have buttressed that Ebola infection is not a death sentence.

“The suspected case is awaiting confirmatory test result to inform the next line of action. Currently there are two cases, one confirmed and one suspected in the isolation centre at the facilities in Mainland Hospital, Yaba."

He disclosed that the seven Ebola-free patients are being re-integrated successfully with their families and communities.

“The common thread amongst the recovered cases is their early presentation for supportive treatment. There is no need to hide friends and relations we suspect have come down with the disease. The earlier they are brought for screening and surveillance, the better the outcome.”

Idris explained that three bodies were cremated and two properly buried after full decontamination of bodies.

Nigeria records 61.5 percent survivors

Nigerian and the world at large yesterday received the cheery news that the country has con Continues on Page 57

6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, AUGUST 27, 2014

Mob attacks policemen for rescuing suspected ritualist in Bauchi

By Susan Edeh

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AUCHI—THREE p o l i c e m e n narrowly escaped death in Unguwar Kofar Dumi area of Bauchi metropolis when irate youths attacked them with sticks and stones for rescuing a suspected ritualist said to have charmed a 15-year-old girl.

It was gathered that the suspected ritualist came to the area around 11: 30 am y e s t e r d a y, l u r k i n g around w h e r e h e allegedly touched the victim who was a passer-by causing her to collapse instantly.

An eyewitness, Malam Bashiru, said when the suspect realised that the girl was unconscious, he attempted to flee but was grabbed by some youths who asked him to bring the girl back to normalcy or else they would kill him.

Bashiru further explained that when the ritualist refused to do what they demanded, more youths trooped to the scene with sticks and other weapons with which they started beating him before the community elders intervened.

He said: "When the elders came, they took him to the house of one of them for interrogation where he owned up to charming the girl and performed certain rituals that revived the girl.

"Instead of the elders handing him back to us, they called the police who came and took him away in their van.”

The ward head of the area, Malam Adamu Alin Bayi, who confirmed the incident, said they intervened to stop the rampaging youths from taking law into their hands even as he said the policemen and himself were injured by the mob.

I'm being victimised for stopping Chisco boss' love advances —Accused lady

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS — A 33-year-old applicant, Chineye Chinwuba, has alleged that her attempt to terminate the love affair she had with the Chief Executive Officer of Chisco Transport Limited, Chidi Anyaegbu, was what led to her being charged before an Igbosere magistrate’s court for threatening the transporter's life.

The defendant, who is facing a one-count charge preferred against her by the police, was docked before Magistrate Nike Olagbende.

The prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Agustine Onwuemene, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between November 2013 and August 20, 2014, at about 4pm, at 15 Ruxton road at Ikoyi area of Lagos.

He said that she sent a threat text message to one Chief Chidi Anyaegbu, Chief Executive Officer of Chisco Transport Limited, that she was going to eliminate him and his family and that they will go to hell fire for eternity.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under Section 230 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Earlier, the defendant had pleaded not guilty to the one count charge against her.

Her counsel, Amaka Nwafor, urged the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal term, adding that the matter is just an allegation until the suspect is proven guilty.

The prosecutor said he was not going to oppose the bail application, adding that he has two witnesses in court, saying although the complainant was not in court, there was a representative from his company.

Nwafor, however, told the magistrate that the matter could not be conducted in proxy, that the complaint has to be in court

too.

The defendant also told the open court that it was Anyaegbu who brought her to Lagos from Onitsha in Anambra State on August 5, 2012.

She said Anyaegbu was her lover and that they started dating immediately she got to Lagos, adding that their initial agreement was for him to help her get a job which he promised but failed to do.

According to her, the two started having an affair in 2012, which made the Chisco boss to give her a two-room apartment in one of his houses

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AUCHI—FOUR robbery suspects who specialised in blocking the Bauchi-DindimaAlkaleri highway and robbing motorists at night have been arrested by men of the Bauchi State Police Command.

This was revealed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Haruna Mohammed, in Bauchi, yesterday.

According to the PPRO, five fabricated rifles, one cutlass, some cartridges, four handsets, assorted charms, among others, were recovered from the suspects.

Mohammed gave the names of

compound were aware of the incident.

"He then said he had rented another apartment for me at Ikoyi, which is where I am currently living but I insisted the relationship could not continue. ‘’Last Sunday, while I was at home, a Police Inspector came in to my apartment and told me that I was under arrest. The case at the Tinubu court is still ongoing.’’

Magistrate Olagbende granted the defendant bail in the sum of N25,000 and one responsible surety in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till September 8, 2014 for trial.

Mr. Koka Aladejobi arrested with 248 bags of Indian hemp concealed with cheese balls in a truck in Maiduguri. Photo: Ndahi Marama.

Protest in Bayelsa as policeman molests pregnant woman

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA —Commercial tricycle operators in Bayelsa State, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, yesterday protested against the alleged excessive use of

4 robbers nabbed in Bauchi

By Susan Edeh

in Lekki.

She said: "I told him I was quitting the relationship and ever since then, he has been harassing me. Last December, he took me to Tinubu magistrate’s court, alleging that I stole hisN1.5 million.

"He told me that the only way he could forget about the matter was for me to continue with the relationship.

"I only sent him an insulting text message, I never sent him a death threat.

“On March 15, he sent at least eight thugs to my house and they threw my things and my little boy out. The people in the

the suspects as Idi Bala, alias Mallam Baba, 40; Abubakar Usman, 35; Iliyasu Mal Yusuf, 28 and 20-year-old Bappa Abubakar.

He added that all the suspects were from Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

DSP Mohammed said: “In accordance with the command’s avowed commitment in combating crime within the state, during the week under review, four robbery suspects who specialised in blocking BauchiDindima-Alkaleri highway and robbing motorists were arrested.”

force and extortion by policemen on the roads following the hitting of a pregnant woman by a policeman along Azikoro Road, Ekeki in Yenagoa.

The policeman, said to be an Inspector, was said to have hit the pregnant woman while trying to hit a KEKE NAPEP driver with his gunbutt for refusing to part with a N50 bribe.

Though some security operatives described the action of the inspector as “careless” and denied the alleged use of the rifle butt, the irate protesters claimed the action of the police led to excessive bleeding by the pregnant women from the mouth.

The victim, according to the protesters, was rushed to Glory Land Hospital.

Attempts by the protesters to barricade the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian

Television Authority (NTA) along the Azikoro Road was thwarted by armed policemen who fired tear gas.

The incident attracted the attention of newsmen who had gone to the NUJ to cover an assignment.

One of the protesting KEKE NAPEP drivers described as unbecoming the activities of policemen at check points in the state capital.

He said: “This is a small state but the amount paid as bribe to policemen is exorbitant and fearful. Can you imagine we pay as much as N600 daily?

“It is wrong and criminal.

Most of our passengers are embarrassed by these policemen at night. They extort us and some of the passengers. They call everyone criminal. This is wrong.”

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said he was not aware of the incident.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—7

Man drowns saving son in Abeokuta

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA —TRAGEDY struck in Abeokuta when a middle-aged commercial bus driver, Oluwagbeminija Rhodes, allegedly drowned in

Ogun River on Sunday while trying to save his drowning son, Gbeminiyi.

Vanguard gathered that the tragedy occurred when the late driver, who was the pioneer chairman of

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Shuttle Bus Association, reportedly took his bus for washing at the Ogun river bank at Lafenwa end.

It was further gathered that

the deceased was accompanied by his eightyear-old son, Gbeminiyi.

The boy was reportedly playing at the river bank but suddenly missed his steps and fell inside the river, this

How guard, 2 others sold stolen N23m jewellery for N1m •I used the procceeds for my siblings WAEC fees—Suspect

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS — OPERATIVES of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,SARS, have arrested three persons alleged to have burgled a store in Ikeja area of Lagos last December and carted away gold jewellery worth N23 million and over N100,000 cash.

One of the suspects was discovered to be a private guard to owner of the shop, one Mrs Ekong.

Preliminary investigation, according to the operatives, showed that the suspected mastermind, Moses Obande, allegedly applied as a guard with a fake house address and unregistered SIM card which made it difficult for him to be trailed after the crime.

Information at Vanguard’s disposal revealed that Obande was once charged for kidnap and murder. He was alleged to have kidnapped an unnamed woman alongside members of a kidnap syndicate some years ago in Sagamu area of Ogun State, collected ransom and later murdered the victim.

He was said to have worked for Mrs Ekong between October and December last year. Along the line, he reportedly contacted two other guards, Ogbulaja Ogaba and Izechukwu Ezeobi, to assist him in breaking into the jewellery store located on Unity Road, off Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.

Why I operated alone

Obande, however, told Vanguard that he ended up carrying out the operation alone in order to get the largest share of the loot.

According to the 32-year- old father of two who hails from Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, “I found it difficult to secure a job because I am a secondary school drop-out. So, I decided to use a fake address to apply for security job last October, where I was paid N17,000 per month. But the money was not enough to fend for my wife and two children.

"At a point, a devilish thought came into my mind to burgle my boss’ shop. I contacted two of my friends to assist and we went to buy chemicals which we poured on the wall. We left with the intention of coming back at midnight. By then the portion we poured the chemical would have weakened, thereby allowing us easy passage.

"But I did not wait for them to

The suspects arrive before I broke into the shop. I went alone for two reasons: to get the largest share of the loot and to prevent a situation whereby their movement would attract people.

"I also decided to do it alone because I had earlier carried out similar burglary where I was a guard. I made away with gold chains and a cash of N108,000.

I kept the cash to myself and gave 35 neck chains (gold) to Ogaba while I took the remaining to Yaba market where I sold them for N1,105,000.

"The original price was more than that. The person that bought it from me cheated me by cutting off the price tags on them. Some of them had price tags between N250,000 and N350,000. The least was N75,000.

"Ogaba told me he sold the 35 pieces I gave to him for N80,000 to one Jubril Garba. But I know he lied. But I did not argue with

A n overloaded vehicle at Ado -Awaye village on I s e y i n Abeokuta R o a d , y e s t e r d a y.

Photo: NAN.

him. I told him that was his share.

"After the sales, I immediately moved my family to Benue State.

I opened a hair dressing saloon for my wife and invested the rest in plank business. When my wife asked where I got the money from, I told her I was paid off at my place of work.

"Immediately, I destroyed the unregistered SIM card my boss was used to and started life afresh with a promise never to delve into crime again.”

I paid my siblings' WAEC fees with the proceeds

However, eight months after the crime was committed, Obande was arrested in his home town. His arrest followed the confessional statement of one of his alleged partners in crime, Ogbulaja Ogaba.

Ogaba said: “I only got

N80,000 but did not partake in the operation. Obande initially invited me to assist him burgle the gold supermarket.

"On the day in question, December 22, 2013, he later called me to meet him in a hotel where he gave me 35 pieces of jewellery to sell. I was yet to finish selling it when he called me on the phone that he was leaving Lagos for his home town.

"When I asked him about the money with me , he said I should have fun with it. I ended up using it to pay for my siblings West Africa Examinations Council ,WAEC examination fees.”

On his part, 36-year-old Izuchukwu Ezeobi also claimed not to have joined Obande in the operation but said: “My job was just to provide a buyer. I did not even collect a kobo at the end.”

The suspects, according to the Police, would be charged to court soon.

prompted his father to jump in in ordet to rescue him.

An eye witness told our correspondent that the deceased could not rescue his son but drowned while the son was later rescued by some people living near the river bank.

The source said Gbeminiyi was rushed to the hospital where he regained consciousness.

His father’s floating corpse surfaced at Oriyanrin area, about three kilometres from the scene of the incident the following day and was recovered by fishermen contracted to search for it.

The current chairman, MAPOLY Shuttle Bus Association, Mr. Adedolapo Adekunle, yesterday, said Rhodes' corpse could not be recovered immediately because the river was full.

He said: “We heard about the incident on Sunday and we consulted the fishermen and other experts immediately but they told us that the river was full and that they had to wait for the body to float the third day or make attempt if there was sufficient sun on Monday.

“Luckily yesterday (Monday), it was sunny and his body was later recovered at Oriyanrin. We later paid for some rituals before his body was released."

His remains were later interred at his yet to be completed building in Ikolaba community, Olomoore, in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state.

The deceased was described as a complete gentleman, humble and honest who led his association for nine years.

Gunmen kill policeman in Kaduna

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ADUNA — UNKNOWN gunmen have killed Sergeant Sanusi Adamu Musa, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command's driver, in Kaduna, yesterday.

The gunmen, numbering about four, came in a car around 9 pm to their victim’s home at Hayin Mallan Bello, in Rigasa area, Kaduna metropolis and demanded to see him.

When he came out of his house they shot him three times.

An eye witnesses said the late policeman was in the habit of travelling to Kaduna every weekend to see his family members that reside at Hayin Mallan Bello community.

The issue has been reported to the Police, it was learnt

8—Vanguard, WEDNSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

NASARAWA BOILS:

20 die as Fulani, Eggon clash again

Ikimi quits APC, blasts Tinubu •flays Tinubu for doctoring APC constitution to exert influence

By Abel Daniel

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AFIA— A RENEWED clash between Eggon and the Fulani in Nasarawa State, yesterday, claimed more than 20 lives with scores wounded and 20 houses burnt.

Eye witnesses said Fulani mercenaries, wielding sophisticated weapons attacked Eggon settlements of Gidan Gambo, Logobi at Assakio and Ikposogye, randomly killing any person on sight and razing houses, unchallenged from security agents.

The witness told Vanguard in Lafia that the crisis broke out at Alogani when herdsmen grazed on Eggon farmland and when the farmer asked the nomad to drive the cattle out of his farm, the nomad inflicted machete cuts on the farmer.

The development, according to the witness, provoked the Eggon kinsmen who swiftly regrouped and chased the Fulani herdsmen in the bush resulting to violent clash on Saturday.

Fulani herdsmen It was gathered that the Fulani herdsmen who learnt of what happened mobilized themselves and launched surprise attacks on Eggon settlements of Gidan Gambo, Logobi and Ikposogye, killing, maiming and burning down houses.

Unconfirmed reports said about 20 persons died from both sides. Vanguard gathered that the crisis, however, escalated on Tuesday morning when two Fulani herdsmen were allegedly killed by the Eggon at Agyaragu Tofa on the outskirt of Lafia, the state capital.

The development, provoked the Fulani mercenaries to go on a killing spree.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Nasarawa State Police Command, Ismaila Numan, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the incident, however, said that policemen have been mobilized to the trouble area to restore normalcy.

Numan who confirmed that two persons were killed in the crisis also said that the police was on top of the situation and would do everything necessary to restore peace in the areas.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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ITING his inability to co exist with those he described as petty-minded people or condone what he claimed to be the domineering influence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Tom Ikimi, yesterday, withdrew his membership of the All Progressives Congress, APC. While expressing pain in pulling away from a party he played a crucial role in forming, Ikimi said the “recklessness demonstrated” by Tinubu who he claimed gave himself the national leader of the party and forced a weak leadership on the party made his exit from the party inevitable.

Ikimi who was national chairman of the National Republican Convention, NRC in the Third Republic, alleged a conspiracy against fellow conservatives that has led to the exit of several party leaders. Among those he claimed to have been hounded out of the party were former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, and former military governor of Lagos and Borno States, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.).

Ikimi’s assertions contained in a treatise entitled, ‘My Reflections’ followed the cleavage in his relationship with the party leadership following his observations on internal wrangling ahead of the party’s June national convention where he aimed to vie for the office of national chairman.

However, former APC chieftain, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode welcomed the development in a tweet, yesterday, where he said: “I congratulate my leader and my chairman Chief Tom Ikimi on his historic decision to leave the APC. He has shown immense courage.”

While noting his role as chairman of the merger committee of the four political parties that collapsed into the APC, Ikimi said that his problems with Tinubu were despite entreaties from stakeholders on Tinubu’s goodwill to the APC. He said,“I was always told that the man was the overwhelming financier of the party. While I disagree stoutly with this bluff it is true that the particular individual constantly boasted of his wealth and of his funding of the party.

I on the other hand could recall that this was a man I knew who was an easily forgettable character in the 1990s when I was national party chairman and

when my candidate Sir Michael Otedola of blessed memory, won the Governorship of Lagos State.

“To further bolster his image it was also frequently said that Tinubu has control of all the votes from South Western Nigeria which, as has been currently touted, when added to the votes of North Western Nigeria would guarantee victory for the APC in the upcoming Presidential election. This reckless and arrogant self-aggrandizement paved the way for the imposition of a strange leadership on the APC in July 2013 when the party obtained registration from INEC. Those of us who had worked so hard towards the successful merger and creation of the APC were manipulated out of the scheme of things. In the bizarre struggle to seize control of the party we were even openly accused by the self-proclaimed owners of the party, of wanting to steal “their” party. ''Many of us in the party as well

as keen observers outside frowned at the skewed leadership image of the party that was being paraded. An image that blatantly ignored national sensitivities. The draft constitution prepared by the Merger Committee included an exit clause, which provided a time limit of six months for the Interim Management of the Party. That clause mysteriously disappeared from the version of the constitution that was smuggled into INEC records. Chief Bisi Akande’s National Chairmanship was therefore primed to stay on in power ad infinitum! Asiwaju Bola Tinubu frantically constituted a group of friends and cronies which he proclaimed to be the APC Leadership.”

“Rather than freely open up critical issues to free debate at the Interim Executive Council for democratic decisions to emerge, positions plotted at the notorious Asokoro parlor were being desperately foisted on the party for execution.''

Interim leadership Ikimi said that he refrained from vying on the basis of what he alleged as the attempt by Tinubu to foist a weak leadership on the party for his own agenda. He also faulted the APC’s inclination towards a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket which he said arose from Tinubu’s perception that the Northwest and Southwest could, through their population, win the 2015 presidential election. He said that inclination had helped to move people away from the party.

Ikimi also accused Tinubu of doctoring the party’s constitution to extend the tenure of the Bisi Akande interim leadership of the party. He was, however, not clear on his next political direction even as he admitted he was still critically appraising the other major political party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party had not been notified of the development when contacted on the imminent withdrawal of Ikimi from the party.

L-r: Prof Lawson Olabosipo Adekoya; guest lecturer, Prof Ayobami Salami, representing the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, and Mr. Emmanuel Afolabi, representing the registrar, at the 267th inaugural lecture of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife with the title "Man Minus Machine equals a Labourer "delivered by Prof Lawson Olabosipo Adekoya at the Oduduwa Hall of the University.

Adekoya tasks employers on productivity

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

A

PROFESSOR of Mechanical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Prof. Lawson Olabosipo Adekoya, has charged employers of labour to always provide their workers with necessary machines and tools needed on the job with a view to increasing their productivity.

Speaking at the university’s Inaugural Lecture Series 267, yesterday, at Oduduwa Hall of the institution, the don said the provision of these machines or tools to workers becomes necessary to ensure proper utilization of resources.

In his lecture entitled: “Man Minus Machines Equals A Labourer”, Prof. Adekoya urged

employers including OAU to equip their workers with needed machines and tools to enable the workers to get along years of satisfactory performances from their machines and tools.

His words: “lf a man minus machines equals a labourer, what then is man plus machines? My simple answer is that “man plus machines equals a productive worker. Therefore, my charge to employers (including this university) is that they should always provide their workers with the necessary machines/tools needed on the job.

“If and when that is done, it will be incumbent on the workers as operators and users of the machines/tools to operate them correctly and ensure that they are

properly and regularly maintained. In this way, they will get long years of satisfactory performances from their machines/tools."

On his achievements in his chosen field, Prof. Adekoya noted that he has succeeded in carrying out the development of some machines that have been commercialised thus contributing to the living standard of man. His words, “this inaugural lecture has been, in the main, a catalogue of some of my research activities. I have succeeded in carrying out the development of some machines that were subsequently commercialised and are, therefore, contributing to the improvement of the living standard of man."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 —9

KADUNA ATTACK: I don’t expect much

from the investigation —Buhari

By Dapo Akinrefon

F

ORMER HEAD of State and a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has expressed pessimism over ongoing investigations into the recent attack on his life saying he does not expect anything from the process.

He said this, among other issues, in an interview with a leading Hausa newspaper, Rariya in Abuja.

The former military ruler, who gave an insight into how the APC’s presidential candidate will emerge for the 2015 general elections, appealed to the opposition parties to join forces to dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Commenting on how far investigations have gone into the Kaduna attack, Buhari said, “you are asking me of progress.

Have you forgotten that over 200 girls are missing for over three months now and nothing has happened? Ok. I know I’m a former Head of State and I decided to be in politics of opposition. Imagine your daughter being among the missing girls. So to come and talk to me about a near-death situation while over 200 children are still missing is insensitive. I do not expect anything to come out of the investigation into the attack on me, honestly.”

While commenting on the Boko Haram insurgency and the inability of the Federal Government to deal with the insurgents, the APC leader said “the problem is, as I have said in a few places, I have been in this struggle in Nigeria since 1966 when a certain group

decided to wipe out our military and political leadership which led to counter-coups, which led to civil war, and which led to all sorts of unsettling instability in the society. I have been in it all and to boot, I too have been detained for more than three years. I tried to develop the capacity to bounce back and to appeal to people, especially the elite to be serious, to participate in politics so that credible people can be representatives and leaders in the country. That’s why I am in it. The National Assembly voted a year ago (or is it 18 months ago?) on the death of NEPA (may its soul rest in peace) after billions of dollars had been spent. What do we have now in

terms of electricity? Nothing. In pension funds, in petroleum industry, it’s the same situation…and no single person is being prosecuted. What will you think of this government?”

On whether or not he would contest the presidential elections in 2015, Buhari said “well I have to say that I am a loyal party member. Yes I have my own rights and so on, but being part of the merger, and the merger is not a political accident. I participated in the presidential elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011, so for me to participate in the merger process is not an accident. I realised that my experience in partisan politics from April 2002 to now is the only

way I think of in confronting this amorphous ruling party, the PDP.” He, however, said that the way forward for our country is for the opposition parties that have representations in the state legislatures and in the centre to come together and face the PDP. Unless that is done, we cannot stop the bad system. I have said it often that I am a converted democrat since 1991 when the Soviet Union, an empire of the 20th century, collapsed without a shot fired. People panicked, left nuclear sites, missile sites and now there are 18 or 19 republics.

That was when I came to the conclusion that the democratic system of government is the best

MEETING : From left, Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio; Katsina governor, Shehu Shema; Gombe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'au right, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Philip Ojisua

BOKO HARAM: 27 police officers still missing in Gwoza

— DCP Ojukwu

P

OLICE AUTHORITIES, yesterday, disclosed that 27 police officers are still missing, almost one week after Boko Haram insurgents attacked Police Academy in Gwoza, abducting 35 of them.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations officer, DCP Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Police Command confirmed that eight of the officers have so far been rescued and returned to safe Police locations.

Ojukwu noted that “27 are still missing. We are looking forward to more returning in the next few days. Search and rescue efforts are continuing.

Police will reclaim her facilities.”

It will be recalled that the Defence Headquarters had earlier declared that military

operations to secure Gwoza town seized by the insurgents earlier this month were ongoing.

This came as Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau proclaimed Islamic caliphate in the town, which he said, was now firmly in the grip of the sect.

Responding to the claim by the sect leader that Gwoza town seized by the insurgents earlier this month has been placed under an Islamic caliphate, the military authorities said, “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state is still intact.”

The Boko Haram leader had in a new video claimed that he has created an Islamic caliphate in Gwoza.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC,

has described as an unprecedented national embarrassment the increasing seizure of Nigerian towns by the terrorist group, Boko Haram and the reported fleeing of 480 Nigerian soldiers to Cameroon during an attack on a military base in Gamboru-Ngala on Monday.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Tuesday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently address Nigerians on the worsening security situation in the northern part of the country that has allowed Boko Haram to proclaim its rule over a part of the nation’s territory.

It said in the face of the biggest threat to Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity since the

country’s civil war, President Jonathan must also put partisanship aside and rally the nation against Boko Haram, which by all indications seems to be getting bolder and stronger, to such an extent that the group is now hoisting its flag over parts of the nation’s territory.

APC also restated its call for an urgent national stakeholders’ conference on security that will cut across party lines to help fashion a solution to what has now become a clear and present danger to the survival of Nigeria, while pledging its unalloyed support for any sincere effort by the Federal Government to end the insurgency as quickly as possible.

Condolence register opened as church denies Sadela’s death

By Sam Eyoboka & Bose Adelaja

G

O S P E L APOSTOLIC Church, GAC, yesterday, described as untrue, rumours that its President and Founder of 42 years, Pa Samuel Akinbode Sadela, is dead even as people have started extolling the virtues of the old man in a condolence register opened yesterday.

Pa Sadela, regarded as the oldest preacher in the country, was said to have died in a Lagos hospital after complications relating to old age.

But when newsmen sought confirmation from the church in Gbagada area of Lagos, security personnel at the church and other church workers denied the report.

However, late last night our reporter confirmed that the oldest preacher had indeed passed on at the age of 114.

One of the senior pastors at the church, Femi Atode, said though the church's President was receiving treatment in hospital, there was no indication that he had passed on.

According to Atode, for the past five years, Pa Sadela who turned 114 years recently did not miss church programmes until last Sunday. He said the information regarding his death was mere speculation by members of the public. ‘’It is a mere speculation that the old man is dead.

Though he is aged, he still performed his church roles until last Sunday.

"Perhaps people are apprehensive that he was absent last Sunday, but believe me, the man is alive but hospitalised.

"If such a thing has happened, the church would have announced it," Atode, who described the oldest preacher in Nigeria as a man with a large heart, said the summer coaching he started is on-going (pointing to a near-by building).

“I believe the place would have been locked if the founder is dead. He instructed us to start a summer coaching since 1992 and thousands of students have benefited from this without paying a penny.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Military uncovers terrorists' new tricks zAs Obanikoro says caliphate declaration is ‘madness'

By Evelyn Usman

F

RESH indication has emerged that terrorists are currently employing new tricks to beat security checks. Among such moves is the recruitment of physically-challenged people to carry out their dastardly acts in some parts of the country.

The recruitment of these set of persons, as gathered, was to allow easy access into states like Lagos.

This came as the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obaniko, yesterday in Lagos, described Boko Haram sect’s declaration of Gwoza town in Borno state as an Islamic caliphate, as a ‘temporary madness’ that would soon disappear, saying there would never be another republic within Nigeria.

Military sources hinted that following intelligence report on the use of people with disabilities by the Boko haram sect, screening of physically challenged persons, particular those using tricycles had begun.

The disclosure as gathered, followed the confessional statement of the physically challenged man arrested recently at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, with combustive substance.

A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity however assured that the Military was on top of the situation.

There will never be another republic within a republic — Obanikoro Meanwhile, addressing journalists at the end of a twoday familiarisation tour of the Western Naval Command’s area of responsibility, Obanikoro assured Nigerians that the federal government had all that was needed to address the current security situation in the country and was taking adequate steps to address it.

Part of the steps taken according to him, included the injection of adequate fund into the military with a view to acquiring equipment that would raise its performance.

According to him, “the madness we are witnessing today is something that is temporary.

And be rest assured that we have all it takes to make it as temporary as it takes. There can never be a republic within a republic. The national Conference which just ended had all responsible and reasonable Nigerians saying that we are going to stay together, live together in peace and develop our country.

“The commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure this has started. We are having massive injection of funds into acquisition of equipment that will raise the performance level of our

military across the board; Navy, AirForce, Army and even the Police, to meet the challenges of the future.

At the Western Naval Command, which was his first port of call on Monday, Obanikoro said the Federal Government was not treating the threat of sea robbers in the country’s maritime domain with kids gloves, insisting that a lot was being done in terms of

capacity building and acquisition of platforms for the Nigerian Navy to perform optimally..

He also expressed satisfaction at what he described as a job well done by the command in ensuring that the traffic gridlock hitherto witnessed along the Oshodi/Apapa expressway, had become a thing of the past.

Though he noted that traffic control was not part of the

Navy’s constitutional responsibility, he said the command was compelled to intervene owing to the security situation of the country, saying “One negative incident of explosion like that in Apapa, would have consumed the entire area as there are lots of tank farms there. This would have resulted in wanton destruction of human lives and property” Also visited, was the Naval

MEETING: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (2nd right), his Deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right), Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji (2nd left) and the Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Mr. Umar Manko (left) during a stakeholders meeting with the Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS), All Nigerian Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association (ANACOWA), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Security Agencies, House of Assembly members, All Progressives Congress members, Ministry of Health and Transport Officials, Local Government and Local Council Development Areas Chairmen and Community Development Committees (CDC) on the restriction of motorcycles in the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 at Lagos House, Ikeja.

LASAA, others commence public awareness on Ebola our esteemed partners who ''This battle is a collective responsibility and would be won through novel

By Charles Kumolu

L

AGOS State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, in partnership with Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, OAAN, has concluded plans to commence free public awareness campaign on electronic billboards as part of efforts towards curtailing the spread of Ebola Virus Disease.

The initiative, which is supported by the state Ministries for Health and Information is also being done in conjunction with Insight Communications and other leading electronic billboard operators.

Briefing in Lagos, LASAA Managing Director, Mr. George Noah, noted that the campaign would focus on modes of transmission, preventive m e a s u r e s , symptoms and helplines.

His words: ‘’We hope to achieve this with the use electronic billboard ads which we would be rolling out in collaboration with

see this as a corporate social responsibility initiative. In all, we would make use of a total of 32 electronic billboards across strategic locations in the state.”

Also speaking, President of OAAN, Mr. Charles Chijide, was upbeat about the initiative.

“Outdoor as a major part of the marketing communications mix will play its part in sensitising the public on the ebola scourge,''

ideas such as this. Consequently, we fully support to LASAA and our members partnering w i t h them on this noble cause.”

LASG commences household survey

By Kingsley Adegboye

L

AGOS State Government has said its Bureau of Statistics will on September 1, commence the conduct of the year 2014 Household Survey as part of its commitment to sustaining the economic development of the state.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, who made this known yesterday, described the exercise as a welfare and service delivery survey aimed at gathering information on the basic nature of economic activities, impact of government programmes and projects on various communities, as well as perceived constraints to growth and productivity in the state.

According to Akabueze, the principal focus of the survey to be carried out in selected households in the 57 Local Governments/Council Development Areas in the State would centre on the welfare of the inhabitants of the state at individual and household levels.

“The enumerators who will be visiting households for five weeks will administer questionnaires pertaining to the survey,'' he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 —11

Last APC senator, Lanlehin defects to Accord in Oyo ...As Ladoja threatens INEC over distribution of PVC

By Ola Ajayi & Bashir Adefaka

I

BADAN—IBADAN, Oyo State capital was agog yesterday, as All Progressives Congress, APC’s only surviving Senator in the state, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, formally defected to Accord alongside APC chieftain, Yemi Aderibigbe, former Senator Gbenga Babalola of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, among others.

On ground to receive the new members at the event that took place at the Mapo Hall, was the National Chairman of Accord and former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, assisted by state chairman of the party, Bashir Bola Lawal, Secretary, Ogundiya Oguntoye and others, including incumbent Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyan and former Speaker, Adeolu Adeleke.

Speaking, Ladoja, said although Accord was already fully on ground in Oyo State, but the coming of Senator Lanlehin would be a morale booster.

He promised the people of the state that the Accord would not let them down, if elected to form a new government on May 29, 2015, saying “We did it before and we shall do it even better again.”

Speaking, Lanlehin, who

RECEPTION: Senator Rashidi Ladoja (with mic), assisted by Oyo State Accord Party chairman, Bashir Bola Lawal and others receiving Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, and others, who defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Accord Party, in Ibadan, yesterday. described Ladoja as “my leader and father”, urged Oyo State people to vote Senator Ladoja as governor in 2015 and Accord candidates in other elections to ensure that whoever would be in government at any level from Local Government through the state to the federal would be of Accord.

In the same vein, former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Adeleke said “The APC when they were ACN said you should not vote

for a party that does not a Senator. Today that Senator Lanlehin is now in Accord, I want to urge you the people of Oyo State, not to vote for APC because it is now truly a party that does not have a Senator.”

Others in attendance at the event included member of House of Representatives and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Education, Abiola Ajaja; another serving Accord’s House of Representatives member, Olayemi and many others.

Meanwhile, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has threatened to lead a protest against INEC if eligible voters in the state did not get their cards.

He said this in Ibadan during a grand reception of Senator Lanlehin and other new members to Accord.

According to him, he was yet to receive his permanent voter’s card.

“Concerning the permanent voter’s card and continuous registration exercise, up till now, in my ward 10, Ibadan North, I

OSUN: Tribunal hears APC petition today ...Omisore files his too; Osun PDP legal adviser decamps to APC

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—ACTIVITIES at the Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal set up by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to address complaints arising from the just concluded August 9 election will today pick up as it hears a petition filed by the state All Progressives Congress, APC asking the tribunal to produce all the electoral materials used during the voting exercise for examination.

It is also expected to receive the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship candidate in the election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, today.

This came as PDP’s state Legal Adviser, Prince John Abolarinwa Abidoye, yesterday dumped the party for the APC. APC is seeking for the relief of the tribunal panel to inspect, make copies and conduct manual and forensic examination of all the electoral materials used for the poll.

The APC through its lawyers,

including its National Legal Adviser of the party, Dr. Muiz Banire, Kunle Adegoke, AbdulRahman Okunade and M A Okunade, is also seeking the order of the tribunal to allow the exparte motion be conducted outside the prehearing session of the matter.

It also prayed the tribunal to permit its agents, for the purpose of defending the petition, “take certified true copies and conduct manual and physical inspection of all electoral materials. to wit, Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8E, EC40A, EC40B, EC40C, EC40F, EC40G, EC25, EC25B (Electoral Material Receipt), EC1A, EC60, INEC list and codes of the Polling Units, Wards and Local Government Areas in Osun State, Voters’ Registers of all the electorate in Osun State, Form EC17 (oath/affirmation of neutrality), Stubs of ballot papers used, Used and Unused ballot papers, EC25 series, all forms EC60E, rejected ballot papers, tendered ballot papers, actual ballot papers recorded as spoilt, list of the Polling Agents in the conduct of the election, list of all

ad-hoc staff engaged by INEC.” The party is also asking the Tribunal to produce the true copies of all polling documents and materials used for the conduct of the election.

The party further asked the tribunal “to allow its forensic expert(s), to take and inspect, by way of machine/electronic scanning, all ballot papers which were used for the conduct of the governorship election in the said local governments areas.”

It also urged the tribunal to permit handwriting and forensic expert (s)” to conduct an inspection of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8E and all forms and materials used for the conduct of the governorship election in the state in the aforesaid local government areas and other orders as the tribunal may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

Omisore files his petition Senator Omisore expected to fill his petition today, before the state Elections Petition is challenging the outcome of the election in some Local Government Areas in

the state, where he alleged that the election was marred with irregularities.

According to a statement by the Press Officer, Iyiola Omisore Organization, Mr. Victor Oriola, both the PDP and Omisore were not satisfied with the results of the election and are ready to challenge it by seeking legal redress.

The statement read in part “after a comprehensive review of the processes leading to the announced outcome of the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun State, we are convinced that there were massive irregularities and monumental fraud perpetrated

by Mr Rauf Aregbesola led All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. Therefore, we have decided to challenge this brazen attempt to subvert the wishes of the electorate who came out to support our Rescue Mission Campaign, and Gubernatorial Candidate of the Osun State PDP at the Tribunal as provided for by the constitution and electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In our effort, we are mindful

have not been issued my own permanent voter’s card, INEC Ibadan has assured us that the cards will be given to us. If they don’t do it, I will personally lead those without the cards on a protest to INEC”.

Reacting to the defection of Lanlehin, his former party, APC said the rally was a show of shame and demonstration of political naivety, failure and expiration of some political players fond of exaggerating their worth before the electorate.

The party, through its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, faulted the Accord over what it called the opposition party’s notoriety for parading the same set of pretenders and blackmailers as defectors from the APC with a view to misinforming the public and possibly winning the sympathy of the electorate in a fraudulent manner or rather plunging the state into another era of needless crisis as its arrow-head did in 2003.

“The rally was nothing but a show of shame organized by a one-man party which is bent on returning Oyo State to the era of political terrorism. It (the rally) was held to celebrate some politically naive and overzealous individuals who have penchant for sabotaging genuine and well-defined efforts to improve the quality of lives of the masses since their mantra revolves around individualism and selfaggrandizement.

of the massive investment in deceit-driven propaganda unleashed on the citizens of Osun State by the APC. This, they hope will distract attention from how electoral heist was perpetrated by Aregbesola and his colleagues long before the elections and the deployment of O-YES cadets as election officers to compromise the valid votes of the good people of Osun state.”

Abidoye's defection Meanwhile, Prince Abidoye as at the time of dumping the PDP yesterday, was the Secretary of PDP’s Legal Committee, the committee saddled with the responsibilities of compiling the party’s petition on the August 9 governorship election.

Abidoye hinged his crossover to APC on the outstanding performance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who is striving diligently to reposition Osun so as for it to be ranked among the comity of state in the nation.

He said the result of August 9 governorship election in the state was a true reflection of the people’s wishes and aspiration, saying “The people of Osun truly voted for Aregbesola. Across the states, they spoke loud and clear.''

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Uduaghan visits Vanguard's new press in Asaba, lauds new equipment

By Austin Ogwuda, Asaba

D

ELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, commended Vanguard Media Limited for what he described as the state of the art printing press at the company’s Asaba office.

Governor Uduaghan who gave the commendation when he paid a surprise visit to the facility described the equipment there as fantastic.

He also indicated that the State government would soon be printing its local tabloid from the Vanguard Press Speaking with newsmen after the inspection, the governor said, “I have come here to have a look at this private investment. I need to emphasise that it is a private investment by Vanguard Media Limited where the company will be printing their newspapers from. I know they have printing presses in other places but what I see here surpassed that.

“I was amazed with what I saw, the equipment are quite modern and digital. I am really impressed. I always believe that private persons should be encouraged to go into certain things. This is an investment and I believe that with what is in place, many people can conveniently come here and print. You know that the State is making some arrangements to get a printing facility but now that we have this one here, before we get our own we can be utilizing this one and that is why I encourage people to invest. It is not just everybody who want to be in government so I commend Vanguard, I am happy about this investment and I commend Vanguard for that”.

Be security conscious, Akpabio counsels corps members

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, urged the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, members newly deployed to the state to always be security conscious in their respective places of primary assignment.

Akpabio, during the formal closing of orientation course for the 2014 ‘B’ Corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of the state, also urged them to shun acts capable of jeopardizing the peace of the state and Nigeria as a whole.

The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Monday Uko charged the corps members to place premium on their health as HIV/AIDs and Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, poses a great challenge to mankind today.

“I want to use this medium to caution you to be very careful in your daily conduct as these infections are incurable as of now.

As educated people, we expect you to be in the vanguards against the spread of the disease.

Prevention is better than cure, therefore, I enjoin you to remain focused and prayerful.

B

By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has held a sensitisation meeting with market women in the state on precautionary measures to take to stop the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease in the state.

Speaking at the meeting with the market women in Benin City, yesterday, Oshiomhole said: “This meeting is two parts: first, to tell you about the Ebola Disease which was brought from another country to Lagos. We thank God that the disease has not come to

didn't pick Gbagi — Onephrejiere

W

ARRI—PRESIDENT-GENERAL of Urhobo Elders and Leaders Council, UELC, in Delta State, Chief Cyprain Onephrejiere, clarified, yesterday, that the group had not picked former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, as its governorship candidate in Delta State.

Chief Onephrejiere told

you not to despair even in the face of challenges. The service year offers you a platform to prepare for the future.

“I want to specifically advice you to pursue skill acquisition programmes during your pri-

mary assignment in order to increase your capacity to meet global socio-economic challenges of the 21st century. On our part, the state government will not relent in paying adequate attention to the welfare of corps members,” he said.

VISIT: Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi (right), and former FCT Minister and All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai during the inspection tour of some projects executed by the State Government in Port Harcourt, Monday. Landmark projects visited are the Elekahia Primary School and Health Centre, Obi Wali Convention Centre, among others.

EBOLA: Oshiomhole sensitises market women

DELTA GUBER: Urhobo elders

By Emma Amaize

“Nigeria is in dire need of productive, God-fearing and focused youths, who will propel her to greater heights. The unemployment scourge is a challenge both for the government and the private sector, but I urge

Vanguard on phone that Olorogun Gbagi visited the council at the weekend and the group blessed and prayed for him in respect of his governorship ambition.

He said UELC was not a political party and could not have chosen him, adding that he was embarrassed by the publication that the council had picked Gbagi, adding that “it is a total misrepresentation and rundown on my integrity.”

Edo State.

“The disease is difficult to manage and so I am advising you as leaders of market women to talk to your members to be wary of whom they shake or embrace be-

cause the disease causes serious sickness that can lead to death at short notice “Because of this, it is good that we know what to do as people travel to and from different parts

of the country. People walk about and we do not know those who have been infected. That is why we must be prepared and plan so that if anybody sees any victim, he or she should know what to do. “

El-Rufai lauds Gov Amaechi on devt

P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— FORMER Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and chieftain of All Progressive Congress, APC, Mallam Nasir ElRufai has lauded Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State on his performance.

El-Rufai who spoke in Port Harcourt after an inspection tour of some projects by the governor, said they were of meaning to the people.

He said: “Anybody coming to Rivers State to see the development projects of Governor Amaechi will certainly make positive remarks because he carried out projects that have direct impact on the people and it is basically to improve the living standard of the people. So, I think it is right for the citizens to embrace such a leader that places the people first and keeps the state on the fast lane of rapid development.

“I think the visionary leadership of Governor Amaechi in Rivers State is something that every governor across the country is expected to emulate, especially his sterling qualities to guarantee better governance for the people. Amaechi is impressive and

a humble servant. I have seen some model schools here that are better than some universities in this country. I think he is using the resources of the state very well. I am very proud of him also as a member of our party APC."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 —13

Dickson set to launch ‘Operation light up Bayelsa’

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — DETERMINED to industrialise and diversify the economy of Bayelsa State, the state government says it plans to launch what it called, ‘Operation Light Up Bayelsa.’

Governor Seriake Dickson, in a statement in Yenagoa, said that his administration had already awarded a number of contracts to connect the eight local

government areas with electricity.

On the electricity projects in Brass and Sagbama Local Government Areas of the state, Dickson emphasised that the projects were to enhance the people's living standard, adding that the people would not be abandoned by his administration.

He said: “Our policy is not to abandon any project. No project that will make life more

meaningful for our people will be abandoned. For the light in Sagbama, work is going on at the sub-station. We have awarded that contract. Already, the investment we have made is to take light to Ofoni community, because we are connecting all the areas in Bayelsa.”

According to him, communities such as Ogbogoro, Akaba, Ogu, Ayama, Famgbe in Yenagoa council, communities in the axis of Kolokuma-Opokuma council to

Trofani in Sagbama council, as well as Amassoma, Southern Ijaw council, Ogbia council areas are benefitting from the on-going power projects across the state.

He explained that contract had also been awarded to resuscitate the power sub-station at Angiama in Southern Ijaw council as part of the initiative, geared towards linking the entire state to the national grid and make life more meaningful to the people of the state.

PDP accuses Edo govt of reckless review of contracts

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—EDO State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the state government of creating a fraudulent culture of awarding contracts and reviewing same, so as to increase the contract sum, citing the Upper Lawani flood and erosion control, which it said was increased to N4.62 billion from the initial sum of N1.5 billion.

The party said that the resources of the state were being siphoned through processes it described as conduit, created by the state government and a sustained process of re-awarding contracts.

State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke at Iguobazuwa, Ovia South-West Local government Area of the state during a rally organised to welcome defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC to PDP, accused the state government of spending the sum of N23 million on frivolities in Government House in the month of July alone.

He assured the defectors that the PDP will not be deterred in its effort to sack APC from power, promising that Edo State will soon join Ekiti and Ondo states as PDP states.

Providing details of the spending, he said the sum N16.25 million was spent on food and drink while tea took the sum of N4.2 million from the state purse.

“It is no longer news that the Adams Oshiomhole government has plunged the state into financial mess. What the Edo people should, however, know is the reasons the state is now broke.

Sadly, the Oshiomhole government has taken an immoral path of making the citizens of Edo State pay for what he is doing through numerous oppressive tax policies and levies.''

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LAUNCH: From left: Adedeji Adesemoye, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Representative; Austin Okere, Founder & Group CEO, Computer Warehouse Group Plc; Babatunde Osho, Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer, MTN; Jethro Akun, National Chairman, National Association of Micro-Finance Banks, NAMB; Valentine Whensu, Chairman, NAMB, Lagos State at the launch of Microfinance Banking Software as a service dubbed MTN Xaas in Lagos.

Edo APC stronger after purge, says Oshiomhole

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state was now stronger after some politicians, who it accused of not having the interest of the people at heart decided to excuse themselves from the party.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of the party in Edo South in Benin, Oshiomhole, said “After the party registration, ward, local, state congresses and national congresses, this is the first meeting we are having with you and I think it is a very important meeting and I am happy that you have come here and there is no struggling at the gate about accreditation or fighting. It shows how disciplined our leaders are at the grass roots level.

“The APC is much stronger now than before because those who are in this party now are people who are here not because of what is in it for them; or what is in it for me and this is what distinguishes this party from others. People are in this party now because they believe in the ideals of APC. “The meeting will be sustained as a means of evaluating the

activities of the party at the grassroots and bridge the communication gap among members.”

He said that the APC

government was working assiduously across the state, adding that the state government will not relent in its efforts towards taking the state

Forum blasts Orbih, Braimoh over attacks on Oshiomhole

U

MBRELLA body of Edo North persons in politics, Afenmai Political Forum, yesterday took a swipe at Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih and former senator representing the district, Senator Yisah Braimoh over what it described as their penchant to misinform the public on the achievements of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The group in a statement by its President, Dr. Ifidon Imafidon, said “We have a lot of regards for former Senator Braimoh as a respected Edo North illustrious son but we do not see that in Chief Orbih, who seems to be leading a few against the interest of our people peddling blatant lies against our son, Oshiomhole.”

The forum said it was shocked when the former Senator was quoted as saying that “Governor Oshiomhole is actually one man

who is trying to turn my state of Edo upside down. In the face of the dwindling fortunes of his party, the APC and government, Oshiomhole has become desperate for survival.

“Apart from Braimoh, Orbih has been embarrassing us with his loquacious and rapacious attack on the person of Oshiomhole without any iota of respect for the office of the governor. What worries some of us is the fact that we see the quality of work Oshiomhole has embarked upon across the state even in Dan Orbih’s village but he will deliberately appears on television to say that we are all seeing is not true; this is most worrisome.

“Orbih complained of erosion menace in the state without commending the governor for constructing drainages on all the roads he has constructed across the state. There is no state in Nigeria immune from flooding.''

Emuvakpor dissociates self from ultimatum to Utuama

By Akpokona

Omafuaire

W

ARRI—FORMER Ughelli-South Transition Committee Chairman and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chairmanship aspirant, Mr Monday Emuvakpor has dissociated himself from a 48 hour ultimatum given the Ughelli-South PDP and state deputy governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama by aggrieved aspirants.

Emuvakpor in a statement in Warri, said that he was not part of the meeting where the decision was taken, adding that giving ultimatum was not the way forward.

“My attention has been drawn to a publication by aggrieved aspirants of PDP. I was invited to the meeting but I was not in attendance, I was not part of the decision and not part of the ultimatum.''

New Fed Poly will enrich knowledge on oil and gas — RECTOR

By Jimitota Onoyume

R

ECTOR of the new Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas in Bonny, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, Prof Elijah Tamuno, has assured Niger Deltans that the school will enrich the knowledge of people of the region on oil and gas issues.

The Rector, who spoke when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Rotimi Amaechi, said that the school was set up by President Goodluck Jonathan with a take-off grant of N1 billion.

“As you are aware, it’s been a long road. This started 14 years ago. It was to be a National Technical Institute by the Rivers State Government and six years later, the Federal Government asked Petroleum Training Development Fund, to take over the construction of the institution at the time as a way of providing opportunities for Niger Delta Youths.''

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 15

LATE PROF. DORA AKUNYILI'S REQUIEM MASS IN ABUJA, YESTERDAY PIX: ABAYOMI ADESHIDA

From left: Dr. John Akunyili, husband of late Professor Dora Akunyili, President Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Dr. Patience Jonathan, at the Requiem Mass for late Prof. Dora Akunyili, at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church, Garki, Abuja.

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (left), and Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

Dr. John Akunyili, husband and children of the deceased at the event.

From left: Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, at the service.

Dr. John Akunyili being consoled, during the Requiem Mass.

ABIA GUBER: Sen Nwaorgu tasks PDP on level playing ground A

By Eric Ugbor

BA—SENATOR Nkechi Nwaorgu and only woman governorship aspirant in Abia State has appealed to the Peoples Democratic Part, PDP, to provide a level playing ground for all contestants in the forthcoming primaries of the party and judge her based on her performance and not gender.

Nwaorgu, who represents Abia Central senatorial district in the Senate, made the appeal during an enlarged meeting she held with stakeholders and leaders of her party from the Abia Central senatorial zone, in Umuahia last weekend.

She said: “Governance is not an issue of gender but tested performance and ability to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

“Performance should be the issue and not gender. The PDP should provide a level playing ground for all aspirants. I should not be intimidated nor

hounded because of gender.

“My party should let Abia make history by being the first state to elect a woman as a governor in this coun-

try.

“I should be allowed to present myself at the battle arena so that Abians and members of our party would

judge me based on what I have done in the past twelve years that I have been in the National Assembly."

MASSOB denies crack in leadership

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—THE Movement For The Actualisation of The Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has dismissed reports of a crack in its fold.

A former of Director of Information of the group, Mr. Uchenna Madu, had in a media report, alleged that the organisation could break up any time due to the crack within its fold.

But speaking in Lagos, one of the regional adminis-

trators of MASSOB, Callistus Eze, said there was no crack within the organisation, saying MASSOB was intact.

According to him, all members of the group are still very loyal to the leader, Chief Raphael Uwazurike.

“We have confidence in him.

What happened was that Uchenna Madu was redeployed, based on antiMASSOB activities,” he said.

Eze said Madu was involved in indiscipline and disloyalty to MASSOB leadership and was, therefore, affected by the

reshuffle done in the organisation recently.

He also said Madu’s allegation of fraud against the leadership of the group was not true.

He further added that Madu and some other members were transferred and not sacked as he claimed.

According to him, instead of Madu to resume at his new duty post, he disobeyed and went to the press to fabricate false stories against MASSOB.

Senator empowers 1,000 artisans, traders

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—OVER 1,000 indigent residents, mostly, members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have benefited from the empowerment programme sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who represents Lagos East senatorial district.

The event, which took place at Iberekodo Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki, saw beneficiaries going home with such items as deep freezers, vulcanizing machines, hair dryers, barbing kits and power generating sets.

Other items given out include sewing machines and financial grants to 500 female party members in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government AreaandLekkiLocalCouncilDevelopment Area, LCDA.

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , August 27, 2014— —17

“How long shall they kill our prophets,/ While we stand aside and look.”- Bob Marley

I

T is not easy finding anything new or profound to say over the defection of Malam Nuhu Ribadu from the APC to the PDP in search of a governorship position of his state, Adamawa. I know how deeply personal that decision has been for him. As someone I closely observed and admired for fighting many odds to remain consistent and loyal to values that were very dear to him, I know some of the more scathing criticisms cannot fail to hurt him. But he has been an opposition politician since his return from exile, so he knows better than to wear thin skins to battles.

The most charitable of his critics say a good rider chose a poor horse in an important race. Such is the uniqueness of Nuhu in the political firmament, it will be unfair of him to expect anyone to cut him an inch of slack. He will, for the next few months, have to swim in waters with crocks and sharks, shepherded by bigger fish who may be preserving him for dinner. His singular motivation for this ground- breaking action will be tough to achieve, but not impossible. The big question is whether, win or lose, Nuhu will ever be the same man after October. Many will ask if it really matters to Nuhu anymore.

Some people have said there has never really been the same, one Nuhu Ribadu. They point to his remarkable achievements in the fight against corruption, much of it sending many of his current compatriots in the PDP to courts or prisons, or getting them to disgorge massive amounts of stolen wealth.

Then they point at the cynical manipulation of the Nuhu Ribadu/EFCC franchise by

Obasanjo, and blame Nuhu for unpardonable naivety, or active collaboration, in the deployment of the awesome powers of the EFCC in pruning political enemies of Obasanjo.

Many political careers were torpedoed by Nuhu’s list, including many in the opposition. Nuhu’s list helped the Yar’Adua/Jonathan ticket fly against Odili’s billions and other contenders who could have survived closer scrutiny and done better for the nation. Nuhu’s list placed prominent politicians such as Tinubu on the public’s bad guys list, and reinforced earlier reports of massive corruption against mostly PDP governors.

Without being tested in a judicial context, Nuhu’s list helped Obasanjo exercise lifeand-death stranglehold over post-2007 developments.

No Nigerian had made as many powerful and wealthy enemies as Nuhu. The long list included Vice President Atiku Abubakar, governors and prominent businessmen.

Most succeeded in stalling the process of concluding investigations and prosecutions which left Nuhu exposed to backlash and revenge from people who wielded frightening powers.

The world and millions of Nigerians who saw in him a glimmer of hope could not protect him when corruption fought back.

The new leadership he unwittingly facilitated to power felt uncomfortable with a man who knew too much and who stepped on toes that had grown even bigger.

The Yar’Adua/ Jonathan leadership soon turned on him, hounding him out of office, out of his new rank, out of a NIPPS graduating ceremony and eventually out of the country into exile. His record was smeared and rubbished in his absence. He fought gallantly from exile, but it was obvious

By Ebi Enikorogha

T

HE most important preoccupation in town at this time of the year is the jostling for the 2015 general elections.

Many political gladiators, their supporters as well as pundits are involved in the fray leading to the elections coming up early in 2015. The jostling is reaching fever pitch and nobody is leaving any stone unturned. Alliances and bridges of understanding are being built, consultations are ongoing, agitations are reaching a crescendo, opponents are casting aspersions, strategists are thinking and scheming and many debating platforms have sprung up on the pages of newspapers and the social media.

Delta State is not left out in the 2015 political frenzy. The state remains one of the most complex and contentious in Nigeria. The complexity is the product of her multi-ethnic character, her rich endowment in oil and gas which translate into unimaginable wealth, her vast landscape, many urban centres and large population. The state’s ethnic plurality gives birth to agitation among the political class regarding what ethnic group should produce the governor at any given time. The ethnic groups also hold one another in distrust. Her oil and gas wealth which puts so much money in the hands of whoever is chief executive is another C M Y K

W

ith the merger of ACN, CPC and ANPP, Nuhu became a smaller fish in a larger pond. He had the potential to become bigger, but the pond had massive sharks who determined who ate and who starved.

Everyone tip-toed around them, carefully concealing personal ambitions and waiting for the slightest signs that they had any future in a merger that promised a lot, but leaked very badly. The bottom appeared to fall out when the desire to oust Jonathan in 2015 was identified as an absolute priority, but strategic mistakes were being made.

The floodgates were opened to PDP’s legion of disgruntled to move into a party that promised to be everything the PDP was not. They did, and were handed over large chunks of the party to do as they wished.

Massive territory of the APC were taken over by former PDP bigwigs, and in the specific case of Nuhu, they included the liability inherent in impeached governor Murtala Nyako. Prominent APC founders and members who

OPINION The beautiful bride

complained were told to go and sit down. PDP money and members took over and built new structures within APC. APC leaders began to leave in droves, which suited the new defectors from the PDP. Nyako obliterated the APC he met in Adamawa, without putting anything in its place, because he lacked anything to put back.

Then PDP goes and impeaches Nyako, and a whole new vista was opened in Adamawa politics. The people who convinced Nuhu to dump his party and move to PDP must have used very powerful arguments: he, more than anyone else, is qualified to pull his state out of its dangerous levels of despair. He cannot become a governor unless he runs on a PDP ticket, because his party, APC, is either incapable or unwilling to give him the ticket. Atiku, the only game in town will rather die politically than give Nuhu the APC ticket. Every trace of APC has been wiped off through defections after Nyako was impeached.

Without money of his own,

,

Nuhu Ribadu, m.n.i.

that too much of the EFCC zeal and cutting edge was the person of Nuhu. Many of the people he investigated and accused are more powerful today, and some are directly involved in the fight to get him to become governor.

The same people who sent him into exile attempted to make some political capital out of him by allowing him back.

The Jonathan administration wanted to look good in the rule of law department and it thought welcoming Nuhu Ribadu and Malam Nasir el-Rufai back will earn it a few browie points, or perhaps, even more naively, a couple of high profile new recruits. President Jonathan miscalculated. They both went straight to the opposition, becoming some of his worst critics. Nuhu was convinced to run against President Jonathan and General Buhari on the platform of the ACN, a personal outfit of Tinubu, a man whose corruption Nuhu may have forgotten he had described using a few choice words. ACN fielded Nuhu, then its leaders promptly turned and instructed its multitudes not to vote for him, but for Jonathan. Nuhu’s profile earned one additional entry: a former presidential contender.

the limitations of an Abuja politician.

Whatever it was they told him, it worked. Or, to be fair to Nuhu, he accepted to engage in the biggest gamble of his political life. He has been told that he has done incalculable damage to his image and standing as a principled politician in the eyes of millions particularly younger Nigerians; that he is today just another politician whose respect for party loyalty is zero. He is trading this off against scary intangibles: that he will scale all the odds and win; that he will so dramatically transform the fortunes of Adamawa State in such a short time that all will be forgiven; that the PDP will trust a man who was its enemy yesterday not to turn his back on it once he gets to power on its back; that the crises that will attend his attempt to get the ticket will not bring the whole PDP house down in Adamawa; that he would bring to an end the awesome powers of Atiku in Adamawa and in APC. For now, Nuhu has made his choice. Few will grant him the

Nuhu should worry that he does not become part of a history that will record that his party, the PDP, is so desperate to put him in power that it has to violate every rule known to the party and the electoral process

and even less of a structure, he cannot re-invent APC in a few weeks and win on its platform. They must have assured him that the presidency will blast his way through massive resistance from old Adamawa PDP warhorses and newlydefecteds who left the APC for Nyako. Perhaps, they made the case that his own party had elevated defections to an art form, evidence of which is that Atiku, Nuhu, Saraki, Sylva, Amaechi and Kwankwaso are now roommates; and Shekarau, Bafarawa, Sheriff, Marwa and Belgore are now Soulmates.

Perhaps someone had reminded him that Nigerian politics has no room for principles, ideologies or values, only powerful people.

They may have assured him of the existence of a warchest to treat local injuries, and massive resources to create a local presence to mitigate

factor which ignites the struggle for political power. Her vast landscape and many urban centres make the state appear hungry for development. The large population is made up of many unemployed and under-employed citizens who need to be gainfully engaged to get going with life. This challenges can only be surmounted by a political beautiful bride.

In this scenario the people’s factor should be given prime attention. When this is done, we think of the programmes and ideals that will make the state a better place for the people. It is about a social contract which must serve the interest of our people. In the case of our beloved Delta State, the political beautiful bride must understand the peculiarities of the state as enumerated earlier and evolve a programme of action that will address the need of all. Such an aspirant or candidate should be able to critically think up development ideas which will accelerate the rapid development of the state. In addition to the foregoing the candidate must have a multi-ethnic appeal which cuts across all the ethnic groups in the state whether it is Aniocha, Ika, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ndokwa, Oshimili or Urhobo. This in fact is the ultimate of the political beautiful bride in Delta

,

concession that he means no harm to his former party, his fellow rivals, or the democratic process. He is likely to be reminded that he may soon share a plate with one of the administration’s multi-tasking muscles, Steve Oransaye who attempted to rubbish the work he did in the fuel subsidy probe panel. He will have to mount the podium a few months from now to appeal to the people of Adamawa to vote for President Jonathan in 2015.

He will need to convince many sceptics that he will not become the reincarnation of Nyako, a politician who knows that his ambitions were made real in Abuja, not Adamawa. Above all, Nuhu should worry that he does not become part of a history that will record that his party the PDP is so desperate to put him in power that it has to violate every rule known to the party and the electoral process.

State.

It is in the light of the above that many Deltans continue to endorse the aspiration of Mr. David Edevbie since he declared his intention to run for the governorship of Delta State. Many Deltans see him as a fresh alternative who will bring development to all parts of the state and ensure that equity is done to all in the distribution and allocation of government resources and projects. Many still him as the most detribalised public servant ever to have served Delta State. This is based on the all inclusive strategy he deployed when he served Delta State as Finance Commissioner. The consequence of that was the state-wide rapid development recorded during that period. He was also credited to have engaged Deltans from every ethnic group based on merit to work with him then.

Edevbie is a world class technocrat. His well thought out development agenda reflects his experience as a development expert who toiled to bring development to parts of Asia. What is more appealing is that his pan-Delta development agenda takes into cognizance the needs of all the constituent parts of the state. Many Deltans feel that his well known record of integrity and accountability will go a *Mr. Enikorogha, a social critic, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 THE declaration of an Islamic Caliphate

by Abubakar Shekau’s Boko Haram over the town of Gwoza in southern Borno State and other areas it is currently occupying in the North East is a clarion call for decisive action by the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Even though the Defence Headquarters has rebutted the notion that Boko Haram is now in charge of Gwoza as military action for control of the areas is continuing, we are in no doubt that the challenge to the territorial integrity of our nation has become a joke taken too far.

The nearly one hour video released, ostensibly by Boko Haram on Sunday, August 24th 2014, showing the ruffians shooting sporadically and running rampant all over a town it said was Gwoza, with several flags of the Islamist insurgents flying, came as a major shock to Nigerians.

It made the front pages the following day.

This is only the second time since our independence that a flag other than that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was planted on our territorial soil, the first being the period between 1967 and 1970,

By

By Christopher Christopher Ojeikere

T

HE political prognosis for the build up to the Edo State 2016 governorship election promises different scenarios that could be interesting. Of course, the ways and methods of producing an acceptable candidate are unpredictable, especially as it relates to the choice of the most acceptable candidates by the two contending political parties, the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. Considering the political and other pedigree of those whose interest in the number one seat are already known and the dynamics they are banking on to produce them as candidates, the political turf of the state promises a colourful scenario. Even though it is still two years to the election, there is already a palpable undercurrent of concern on who succeeds Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

It is quite sufficient that few months ago, this undercurrent bubbled forth and greatly ruffled the APC in Edo State, when some of its hitherto more prominent members led by the former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, in the Lucky Igbinedion’s administration, Mr Ize Iyamu and Mr Solomon Edebiri, who was a governorship candidate of the defunct ANPP in the 2012 governorship election in the state, led a considerable number of other members to decamp to the PDP. They accused Oshiomhole of manipulating the APC internal political processes to exclude them from the scheme of things, which according to them thwart their governorship ambitions.

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Gw oza: Time F or Gwoza: For Decisive Action when the breakaway Republic of Biafra was proclaimed by Col Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

That secession attempt brought the nation to war, as all the constituent parts, backed by our powerful foreign allies, joined hands and successfully asserted the unity of Nigeria.

That is the kind of action the situation the North East calls for. We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to mobilise the nation and move to end the Boko Haram phenomenon. We must normalise life in the North East. With the declaration of an

Islamic Caliphate, the game has changed.

We must put aside all the political considerations that had slowed our resolve to move with the might of the nation against the Boko Haram separatists.

We are convinced that the situation has gone beyond #Bring Back Our Girls. We are now faced with the national emergency and task to #Bring Back Our Nation. Nigeria is bigger than anybody or group of individuals. The situation we face in the North East is such that unless we act swiftly and decisively, Boko Haram, with a territory under their de facto control, can begin to attract religion-inspired volunteer fighters from within and outside Nigeria.

It may mire nation in a stalemated war as in Afghanistan and ultimately destabilise the North and trigger national disintegration.

Or, it could incite some elements in the armed forces to seek military intervention, using inability or unwillingness of the current democratic dispensation to tackle the menace. That was what happened in Mali some three years ago.

A stitch in time saves nine.

OPINION Edo: The burden of candidacy In a swift reaction though, the APC had accused them of being driven by what it would like to see as the selfish, inordinate ambitions to be governor in 2016. There is no news yet that both men have shelved their aspirations now they are in the PDP. In fact, their sequel activities would seem to reinforce their interest. So, take it or leave it, that notable defection by these men and their followers signals the beginning of the internal jostle for the governorship tickets within both the PDP and the APC parties.

Clearly, whichever party is clever enough to choose the right candidate wins the election.

The burden for the parties today, therefore, is for them to discern the people’s defined criteria for candidates' qualification sworn to as the basis for their support.

Because obviously, it will take a whole lot more than mere ambition, a whole lot more than party name, and a whole lot more than playing the ethnic card to win the Edo governorship election in 2016.

This is even more so as both parties will have a highly politically enlightened voters to contend with, not to mention their near frenzied desire to participate in the choice of their candidates. The voters are still smarting from the political travesty of the past, which hurt internal parties’ democracy and still hurt and haunt them and that had cost the PDP the governorship, and is now costing the APC membership. It is hoped again, that both parties will be discerning enough to realise this in choosing their candidates for the 2016 contest. However,

in this connection, the APC seems to have the worse deal, as things stand today. The party does not seem to have a candidate for now that the PDP would seriously lose sleep over.

The precarious question in APC’s camp is who succeeds Oshiomhole from within? The Comrade himself might not be too eager to answer that question judging from his depleted ranks and the necessary political equation of balance in the State. The few pretenders to the ticket that are rumoured today in APC just won’t do! They hardly have influences beyond their immediate constituencies. The 2016 Edo governorship candidate that can win the general election would have to be very widely acceptable to pacify the various partisan groups in and out of the APC that would be critical to winning. They need a candidate that would have strong ties in both parties and would be seen as an acceptable kind of political leveller among these various groups in both parties in the State. The APC may have to do the needful and not the sentimental to get a formidable candidate to defeat the PDP. On the other hand, the PDP seems to have a far better deal, if they would exploit their potential and would not be deceived by their primordial practice of wrongful imposition of candidate, by the now highly resented doctrine of godfatherism. As at today, they no doubt have more people indicating interest for the seat than the APC. Apart from the APC decampers mentioned

earlier, there are others like the current Minister of works, Mr Mike Onolemheme, also rumoured to nurse the ambition, and a three time aspirant, Kenneth Imasuagbon, (the Rice man), whose ambition needs no rumour.

Rumour also has it that the PDP power brokers are thinking of anointing a candidate. It is not clear by which arrangement. But PDP political sympathisers would hope strongly that, Imasuagbon would be that candidate, because clear extant voters’ sentiments and arguments reveal he is the choice of both PDP and non-PDP members alike across the state. As a frontline political watcher in the state with ears to the ground, I say that without any equivocation. Anyone can carry out an opinion poll analysis and fault me if they can. I insist that, if PDP makes the Rice man their candidate, its chances of winning the election is like Fayose’s to Fayemi’s.

Imasuagbon’s impeccable chances have been positively eviscerated by the epochal Ekiti election, which very much hinges rightly or wrongly, on the provision of the now famous, “stomach infrastructure”.

So, if the concept of “stomach infrastructure” has come to mean a bonding with the people’s basic need of food and other provisions, as a definitive assessment of a leader’s sensitivity, Imasuagbon is PDP’s talisman, if they would defeat the incumbent APC government. *Mr. Ojeikere, a public affairs analyst, wrote fromBenin City, Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014— —19

, T

WO phenomena are currently playing out and defining the Nigerian political space. This is the politics of defection and impeachment.

Politicians are either defecting, that is changing party affiliations with the sole aim of positioning themselves, literally, for personal aggrandizement. Or they are being impeached from one position or another by erstwhile friends turned foes- also for the same selfish reasons of personal elevation. While those already impeached or being put up for impeachment can yet be counted on the fingers of one hand, that is when we look at the real big fish among our politicians; those who have defected or are planning to have exceeded this record. Many times they are in their hundreds.

This happens when a leading politician moves to another party and either claims or actually decides to do so with his or her supporters. It is not often an easy business verifying these

claims of defection in hundreds.

That is even when politicians about to defect turn up at organised rallies followed by crowds claimed as supporters in an obvious attempt to dramatise their political strength and popularity.

It is still not an easy task knowing how many in these crowds are true party stalwarts or rented supporters. Anyhow, the claims of defection never stop; nor are the acts of impeachment. Murtala Nyako, the loudmouth former governor of insurgency-ravaged Adamawa State, was the last heavyweight to bite the dust in this manner. Al-Makura of Nasarawa State was able to outlive the raging inferno. A few more heads are still slated for the slab.

With regards to defections, the latest stories making the front pages of newspapers are about Nuhu Ribadu who first came into prominence as the chair of the anti-graft agency, EFCC. After much sabre-rattling and skullduggery initiated against him by the Umaru Yar ’Adua administration, time during

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which he was forced into exile, Ribadu returned to favour after Yar’Adua passed on. Somehow, he found favour with the Jonathan administration. He had in fact contested the presidential election of 2011 against Goodluck Jonathan on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. He lost amid claims that he had been sacrificed by his own party whose attitude to winning the election seemed at best casual.

Even after serving the Jonathan administration, Ribadu returned to his old party that had been rechristened APC as a good party man. But there have been insinuations ever since that he might jump ship. He always denied this.

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he question of Ribadu leaving his party to join the PDP again resurfaced about four months ago. Again Ribadu was emphatic in his denial, claiming such insinuations were personal insults that showed little respect for his person. The matter seemed to die off- but just for a

Lagos 2015: Imposition as booby trap

By Layi Ishola

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LL truly concerned stakeholders, honest observers and indeed, dispassionate analysts, are already dilating on not only who takes the baton from incumbent Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, but how he/she will emerge as preparations gather momentum by the day.

Quite interestingly, the tone of what to expect soon was set when recently, Oba Rilwan Akiolu jolted the political arena by affirming that all monarchs in the state had anointed a former Permanent Secretary in the state, Mr Akin Ambode, to be the next governor.

Spontaneous outrage greeted the proclamation which many condemned as not only unholy and uncharitable, but a further assault on the nation’s wonky democracy. Till date, the refrain has remained: “No to godfatherism.” And the dust raised by the monarch’s bombshell is yet to subside. Quite instructive was a protest by some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to demand free and fair primaries ahead of the 2015 governorship poll. Anointing of some mostly unpopular elements for leadership positions is out-fashioned and counterproductive, they emphasised.

Sadly, many are quick to brand our own nauseating political antics that stand electoral decency on its head as elements of our “home-grown democracy.” What balderdash!

It will be a contrived calamity if we fail to realise that unalloyed due process and the sacredness of the rule of law constitute the template upon which steady growth

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and people-centred productivity of advanced democracies in the world today rests. Since democracy derives its strength from people’s inviolate will, it is time we jettisoned our egregiously repulsive approach to choosing who leads us at any level. This is why we must applaud the exceptional courage of the Senate Minority Whip representing Lagos West at the upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, GOS. Even before he threw his hat into the ring to contest for the governorship of the state next year, the adept grassroots mobiliser had insistently maintained at various fora that the prospective flag-bearer of his party must be a product of untainted primaries.

“When you withhold people’s inalienable right to freely elect who governs them, you take away the essential ingredient of a sane, productive and failsafe electoral process, which has remained a desideratum in our collective quest for genuine gianthood as a nation,” Solomon once reasoned.

A people’s darling as roundly acknowledged even by his political adversaries, the politician had, long before he served meritoriously as two-term chairman of Mushin Local Government in 1999, after which he was overwhelmingly elected into the House of Representatives, been a masses’ advocate.

It won’t be wrong to readily conclude that his soaring popularity was the bedrock of his courage to stoutly stand against “imposition,” no matter whose ox is gored!

Many are convinced that his confidence derives from his unequalled acceptance across the state owing to his marriage to

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Ribadu’s politics of defection and Nigerian politicians

Elsewhere, people make lifetime, even multigenerational, commitments to parties of their choice; here it has become a matter of convenience and personal gain

while. For like his own shadow that would trail him wherever he goes, the rumour mill was again agog last week. This time it was persistent and would not stop. At least not until it was finally confirmed that what started as mere gossips many months ago has indeed been actualised, to wit, that Nuhu Ribadu has left the APC to join the PDP. Ribadu’s decision which he said was well reasoned out, based on wide consultation and had benefitted from long reflection on his part- this decision has taken many unawares. This is in spite or, indeed, because of the many months of denial during which Ribadu had practically sworn on his honour to remain in the APC. Perhaps the fact of Ribadu’s denial is what dulled many, including members of his former party, to the possibility of his leaving them to join hands with others in a different party. In a way too, many, it could be inferred, subliminally didn’t see Ribadu as the typical politician who could go to bed one night as a member of the PDP and wake up the next morning as a member of the APC. His political career which came as an offshoot of his public service career is indeed short. Which could have strengthened this perception. His role as the nononsense anti-graft boss also seemed to have conferred on him an aura of believability that many would be hard put to extend to a Nigerian politician. Yet now Ribadu, their Ribadu, has acted in character, that is like a Nigerian politician.

What then does this make him?

An untrustworthy schemer and opportunist with his eyes set on this from his first day as the EFCC boss (for we cannot say he enlisted in the police to use it as a platform for politics)? He has

When a political party is bereft of internal democracy, it is a threat to its electoral fortunes and the health of the entire polity; and essentially, democracy is solely about equal rights on a levelplaying pedestal

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his time-tested loyal friendship with the have-nots. “It is part of his life to give willingly, especially to the needy – even strangers. He has secured the future of many, especially youths, through sponsorships and empowerment gestures.

He has secured jobs for many in his private capacity. Why then won’t he bask in the inherent euphoria of standing a good chance against any aspirant or candidate in a fair contest?” An observer asked recently.

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share in the observer’s argument, but still I feel within me that it takes a rare activist spirit that naturally revolts against injustice for one to stand for justice and fair-play in a system where whoever espouses such a noble, patriotic stance is publicly derided as a full-blooded fool!

Till date, armed with the truism that a structure erected with an admixture of saliva and ashes won’t endure, the senator remains the only implacable voice advocating all-inclusive primaries in the name of true political progressivism, while others are locked in unhealthy lobbying that will, given the unfolding scenarios,

indicated interest in the governorship of his state alongside others in his new party. Was this his plan all along? Did he just see an opening he felt he could exploit?

Or is this a case of bad communication corrupting good manners? Had Ribadu’s dabbling in politics after his time in the EFFCC exposed him to bad political influences? What should we make of the man’s politics? To rub palm oil on his seemingly sparkling white apparel, he is being portrayed in certain quarters as attacking some of his former comrades in the APC, a portrayal he has denied. Whatever is Ribadu’s real person or character, what does his defection say of Nigerian politics, for that is what should be of concern here?

This latest in a tradition of defections simply underlines the absence of ideological basis for much of what goes on in Nigerian politics today. There is hardly anything that separates Nigerian politicians in the different parties jostling for position. Elsewhere people make lifetime, even multi-generational, commitments to parties of their choice. Here it has become a matter of convenience and personal gain. The parties out there are so rotten and so very much alike that nothing differentiates them ideologically, if there is anything so-called in Nigerian party politics. This was not always so. But that has been the case in the last 20 years since the military sought to create parties of identical plumes- a little to the right, a little to the left it was called. Now it is in the middle of nowhere.

There is hardly anything to blame Ribadu for. He has made what would seem to him a pragmatic decision in the circumstances before him.

end in a cul-de-sac.

If we are sincerely serious about breathing the long-desired rejuvenation into our ailing polity that is panting dangerously, the discerning among us, including public commentators, the media, the politicians amidst us and indeed, the electorate, must rise to consciously shoot down any idea that smacks of idiosyncrasies that will further lock the nation in a ball-room dance – a step forward; two backwards!

As long as we fail to key into the globallycherished ideals of true democracy, rule of law and due process, our hope for a prosperous nation will remain a pie in the sky.

Did I hear you say that APC has its peculiar way of doing things? Come off it!

The only other name for injustice is injustice. When a person is denied of unfettered expression of his fundamental rights, he easily gets aggrieved to the detriment of the offensive system – and this is a warning.

When a political party is bereft of internal democracy, it is a threat to its electoral fortunes and the health of the entire polity. And essentially, democracy is solely about equal rights on a levelplaying pedestal.

Even the Holy Bible admonishes us that we cannot be swimming in an ocean of transgressions and expect a cornucopia of God’s grace. It therefore stands to reason that even in the spiritual realm, the fact that you only reap what you sowed brooks no compromise as the heavens abhor fraud of any colour or kind.

Solomon’s exemplary politics that bears no taint of desperation must be imbibed, internalised and actualised by all true lovers of the state nay Nigeria. *Mr. Ishola, a political analsyt, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 21

Sourcing raw materials locally will creates market for farmers - FG

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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HE Federal Govern ment has called on companies to source their raw materials locally as this will create markets for farmers, boost their income and employment.

Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) made the call while commending Nestle Nigeria Plc for buying raw materials for its seasoning, cereal and beverage product from local farmers.

Last year alone, Nestle bought over 21,450 tonnes of maize, sorghum and soybean from farmers under its Quality Grains Improvement Project.

A breakdown of the figure showed that in 2013, the company purchased 9,780 tonnes of maize, 5,340 tonnes of soybean and 6,330 tonnes of sorghum (totaling 21,450 tonnes) from farmers.

“I am excited that you source raw materials for your maggi, golden morn and Milo locally. I really commend you.

As you buy them locally you create market for farmers, you stablise price for them and you help them to improve their standard of living and good agricultural practice; the multiplier effects on the economy is enormous.

“I want to say that this is an example for other companies

in Nigeria to emulate, to create market for all the products they produce here,” said the minister at Nestle factory Agbara, Ogun state.

“Nestle is very key globally and domestically for us,” he said.

The Minister also urged the management of Nestle to key onto the ministry’s High Energy and Soybeans production project. “We are working on soybeans in Nigeria; we want to launch a programme to

produce one million metric tonnes of soybeans annually.

I would like to say that my ministry would be very pleased to work with Nestle in terms of soybeans and maize expansion. Equally, we want Nestle to join us on partnership for high energy food. High energy foods being iported don’t get here on time and they are very expensive.

We are not going to be market for all,” said the minister.

The managing director, Nes-

tle Nigeria, Mr. Dharnesh Gordhon, who conducted the minister round the facility, disclosed that the plant is the largest in the Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA) region, in terms of magi production and the third largest in Milo production. He also explained that 10,000 farmers including agricultural extension agents, farm village heads, farm family heads, grain suppliers and transporters, have so far benefitted from the compa-

From left, Eboyin State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Ifeanyin Ikeh; Benue State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Terfa Atoza Ihinda and Representative of Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olayinka Olanipekun (Director Investment) at the preparatory meeting of officials for the 7th meeting of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCIT&I -07) in Makurdi, Benue state.

World Economic Forum recognises 24 leading technology pioneers

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elebrating the power of

technology and innovation, the World Economic Forum announced yesterday the selection of 24 companies at the forefront of their industries. As Technology Pioneers, they have demonstrated the ability to harness creativity to design and create transformative solutions.

These cutting-edge companies will be honoured during the Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2014, which will take place from 10 to 12 September in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China. Among the notable recipients are companies that are significantly improving diagnostics and health treatment; providing electricity to the offgrid underprivileged; pioneering

ny’s quality grains improvement project.

According to him, in order to ensure a sustainable supply of safe, high quality grains to Nstle’s factories and improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Nigeria, the company launched Grains Quality Improvement Project in 2009.

“By working with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, we are actually training farmers to follow good agricultural and storage practices that reduce the risk of damage from naturally occurring mycotoxins and increase yields, quality and market access for our local farmers,” he said.

low-cost computing; developing new visual, audio and sensor technologies; and embedding Internet of Things services.

This year’s Technology Pioneers will join the World Economic Forum’s growing community of pioneers, disruptors and innovators. AutoGrid Systems, Avegant, BlaBlaCar, Cambrian, Innovation, Canonical, Couchbase, Eta Devices, Genomatica, Guardant Health, Health Catalyst, HiBot Corporation, Ionic Security, Jasper Technologies, Kakao Corporation, Labcyte, LearnUp, Mera Gao Power, Newlight Technologies, Organovo, Proterra, Raspberry Pi Foundation, Silicor Materials, SmartThings, and Vaxxas.

“The impact of technology continues to accelerate in all

domains of society,” said Fulvia Montresor, Director, Head of Technology Pioneers at the World Economic Forum. “To better understand the breadth and depth of this impact, CEOs and other leaders have come to depend on their interactions with the Technology Pioneers and their diverse and innovative solutions.”

The Technology Pioneers 2015 will be recognized for their achievements in a ceremony on 11 September at the eighth Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

The Meeting is the foremost gathering in Asia on science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. It will bring together more than 1,500 leaders from business, government and research from over 90 countries.

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

181.40

2.35

3,205.00

-54.00

15.61

-0.38

102.10

-0.53

93.36

-0.31

BUYING 154.73 256.7744 205.249 169.4557 1.4898 0.2944 234.9759 25.1503 41.2569 27.5227 235.4372

CENTRAL SELLING 155.23 155.73 257.6042 258.4339 205.9126 206.5758 170.0033 170.5509 1.4946 1.4994 0.3044 0.3144 235.7352 235.7352 25.232 25.3137 41.3903 41.5236 27.6117 27.7006 236.198 236.9588

CBN Exchange Rate as 26/08//2014

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

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Flexibility is the key, as people increasingly favour workplaces that offer opportunities to adjust hours, work from home and pursue career paths outside traditional patterns

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Ondo appoints consultant to kick-start pension commission O

NDO State government has appointed Group Managing Director, Interterms Pension Consultancy, Mr. Tai Peter Adediji as consultant to establish a pension commission for the state.

The state recently enacted its pension law and the consultant is to spearhead the kick-off of Ondo State Pension Commission.

Adediji, also the Managing Director, Pensionscope would coordinate and manage the process leading to the establishment of the Commission and he is expected to use his robust experience on pension management, in drawing the template for the Commission, appoint a director-general and relevant officers. He will also be responsible for the appointment of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs).

Speaking on his appointment, Adediji commended Governor Olusegun Mimiko for the gesture, assuring to do his best in ensuring that the state has one of the best pension commissions that can guarantee improved wellbeing for contributors, retirees and other stakeholders.

Promising to live up to the confidence reposed on him, by being professional and ethical

in the conduct of the responsibilities entrusted on him, he said, enactment of the state’s pension law will boost morale of the state workers.

Adediji has contributed immensely to pension industry’s development through publications, paper presentations at high profiled fora and production of Pensionscope radio programme. He was also the pioneer Managing Director of the CRIB Pension Fund Administrator.

He is a seasoned pension consultant, insurance broker, staff welfare negotiator, paper presenter, administrator and grassroots motivator. With analytical skills, he has widely travelled the length and breadth of the country presenting papers, facilitating and marketing.

He graduated from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State and Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State for his first and second degree respectively. His first degree is in insurance/pension and for his second degree, he majors in Finance. He is an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Chartered Insurance Brokers of Nigeria, as well as a fellow of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria.

Hitachi, Green Circle Network to draw solutions on education

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O improve the quality of teaching and learning in educational institutions in Africa, Hitachi Solutions in conjunction with Green Circle Network Africa is set to organise a programme that would draw stakeholders in the education sector to discuss the possibilities of strategic collaborations and partnership on technological development, visual training, retraining, funding, access to grants and facility programmes with leading universities and institutions globally.

According to a statement by the Project Director, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the programme, Princess Bukky Abike Oluderu, the event would bring C M Y K

the consortium of experts from 900 subsidiaries of Hitachi Solutions to Nigeria for a town hall meeting, with such stakeholders and dignitaries as state governors, permanent secretaries of state ministries of education, vice chancellors, rectors and owners of private secondary schools in attendance.

With the theme, ‘Regional Partnership Round-Table on Education in Africa’, Oluderu disclosed that the Hitachi Solutions would be in Nigeria in a couple of weeks to share their ideas, experience and rub mind with the regulatory bodies, government and institutions on how best to move the educational sector forward.

AGM: From left, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc, Mrs. Toyin Ogunseye; Chairman, Princess Adenike Adeniran; Company Secretary, Mr. Stanley Chikwendu; and Vice Chairman, Mr. Remi Babalola, at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos.

‘Insurers, intermediaries should adopt creative approach to employment’ Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

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be left behind.”

The insurance industry already faces skills shortages in some areas as it competes for staff in specialised professions such as underwriting, claims and actuarial.

“As the workforce ages the domestic markets for these key professions will become even more contested,” Suncorp says.

NSURERS and intermediaries struggling to attract suitable personnel may find the situation growing even tougher unless they become more creative in their approach to employment.

A Suncorp Commercial Insurance findings showed that ageing popuGAINERS FOR EQUITIES lation will lead to greater talent renewal challenges and skills shortages, and that new ways of thinking are needed to fill the growing gaps.

The report said, employees are seeking more options when it comes to their work lives, technological advances mean it is no longer necessary to commute, there is a rise in freelance and contract arrangements and location is no longer a barrier.

Flexibility is the key, as people inLOSERS FOR EQUITIES creasingly favour workplaces that offer opportunities to adjust hours, work from home and pursue career paths outside traditional patterns.

“Insurers and intermediaries must adapt to these changes to secure and retain the most talented people and deliver positive outcomes for their business,” report author and Suncorp Commercial Insurance EGM Human Resources Naomi White says. “If they do not, they will

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

The report – called Tomorrow’s Insurance Workforce: The Future Trends Impacting the Insurance Industry – says 46 per cent of employers feel the departure of older personnel has led to the loss of key skills.

“While there is a consensus that older team members are worth retaining, 65 per cent of businesses admit they do not have a strategy to achieve this,” it says.

“Offering these employees the flexibility they desire will help ensure they stay employed.”

Employers have also been slow to provide the flexibility that is particularly valued by many women and is increasingly expected by younger staff.

Demand for flexibility will eventually spread through all workplace demographics and become the status quo, the report says.

A PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of its 180,000 employees worldwide shows 71 per cent of those born between 1980 and 1995 say work interferes with their personal lives, and 64per cent want to occasionally work from home.

Other studies have found that, across all industries, 83per cent of women consider their work/life balance very important but more than one-quarter are dissatisfied with it, and 45 per cent believe their employers do not genuinely support it.

Alternative options include teleworking, which allows people to work anywhere with an internet connection; co-working arrangements, where personnel from different organisations share an office space at a convenient location; part-time arrangements; and flexible hours.

Suncorp says it is addressing the trend through systems that allow many staff to work from home with their own computers, visit the office when needed or use their own devices anywhere.

The company’s renovated office in Collins Street, Melbourne, featured in the April/May edition of Insurance News (the magazine), and the Commonwealth Bank’s Darling Quarter complex in Sydney are part of a “hot-desking” trend in which people are not assigned specific workspaces.

The report also identifies the potential for more diverse career path options, compared with the traditional model that rewards good performances with management roles.

It says the qualities that make people excellent at their jobs often do not translate into management skills, while some staff do not want to manage people but feel it is the only way to advance.

Another potential answer to skills shortages could lie in the rapid increase in university graduates from developing countries, where there may be insufficient jobs. “There are significant opportunities for insurers and intermediaries tap into this surplus talent,” the report says.

Despite the changing landscape, the report notes many people prefer traditional arrangements and are “at their happiest and most productive when they are working around other people”.

But a key message from Suncorp’s report is that the days of a one-size-fits-all approach are numbered and insurers must keep pace with changes to secure the workforce they need.

“Ultimately, people will shape their careers around their lives,” Ms White says.

“Insurers and intermediaries must be able to offer flexible work arrangements to their employees to give them more options in the way they work.”

•Culled from insurancenews.com.au

ANNIVERSARY: From left, Managing Director, Mr. Panos Katsis; Marketing Director, Mr. Vikramjeet Singh; Sales Director, Mr. Dhiren Singh and Finance Director, Mr. Matthew Chadzimura, all of Thermocool, at a media launch to mark 40th anniversary of Thermocool in Nigeria.

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CE & YOU

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Offering employees the flexibility they desire will help ensure they stay employed

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Law Union & Rock posts N485m profit L

aw Union & Rock Insurance Plc has said that it recorded profit after tax of N485 million in 2013 financial period.

Chairman of the company, Princess Adenike Adeniran, disclosed this during the firm’s 45th annual general meeting in Lagos.

“The company recorded profit before tax of N459 million as against a loss of N1.1 billion in 2012, while profit after tax stood at N485 million in 2013 as against a loss of N1.3 billion in 2012,” she said.

Notwithstanding the challenges and continued economic turbulence globally and Nigeria in particular, the chairman said it achieved a gross premium income of N3.7 billion in 2013 as against N4.03 billion in 2012.

She said that 2013 was the first year of the adoption and implementation of the National Insurance Commission directive on no premium no cover which no doubt boosted liquidity and reduced the problem of huge receivables for operations in the industry.

“We strongly believe that the year 2014 will be a better year as cash premium collection will tremendously improve significantly the fortunes of the industry,” she said.

Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Toyin Ogunseye, said that during the year under review, its total equity grew by 19.14 per cent to N4.17 billion as against N3.5 billion in 2012, while total asset grew from N6.5 billion in 2012 to N6.9 billion in 2013.

Ogunseye assured that Law Union & Rock would continue to achieve growth in profitable market share even in very challenging market conditions.

She said, “In 2014, we are committed to strongly consolidate on the gains of the previous year with renewed vigor in the execution of our corporate strategy and strategic initiatives. We will not relent on our efforts towards ensuring high quality customer service.”

In pursuance of its retail strategy, the Managing Director said it had expanded its retail channel platform which makes it possible for anyone to purchase its products especially motor insurance product from any part of the country.

She said it was aware that a great proportion of the population was not insured or do not have any form of insurance. In order to provide this segment with insurance solutions, our microinsurance products will be deployed to this informal market segment using our agency network force,” she said.

LASACO takes products on-line, real-time L

ASACO Assurance Plc has made available its products on-line, real-time as part of efforts to ease the process of consumers having access to its numerous products.

According to the company, valued clients can now obtain and pay premiums for their products on-line.

Speaking on the strategic initiative of Lasaco to support its marketing efforts with information technology (ICT), Head of ICT, Mr. Deji Ogundele explained that the company is committed to ensuring its numerous customers as well as potential ones enjoy seamless service satisfaction using the instrumentality of ICT. “The ICT operations is on 24/7 basis to ensure seamless flow of the processes so that customers can enjoy great experience. Lasaco products are sold through e-payment systems; embarking on awareness campaign; and development of its knowledge in various electronic and print media. The world is actually going digital and more transactions are done on-line, real-time.

“We have put in place a number of platforms to effectively reach out to our numerous and potential clients by embarking on digital marketing and also making it more accessible through

the various social media platforms. Once the desired product is purchased, several alternative channels are available to make payments easier.”

According to him, payments can be made through bank branches nationwide, Quickteller, POS, and e-commerce portal in a seamless manner, adding that these alternative channels of payment are built on a world class web-based integrated solution which combines the core insurance businesses with powerful administrative and marketing tools.

Lasaco Plc use of alternative channels is a great boost to the federal government’s initiative aimed at promoting cashless economy which is the best global standard practice of driving economy, he said.

Explaining further on Lasaco operating ICT tool, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Ogundele stated that whether company’s operatives are in the office or out in the field, ERP empowers the company to be more productive by providing a highly functional system that meets international standards, automating document storage and retrieval, enhances communication links with customers, provides online/real-time access, ensures effective security and auditing both internally and externally and very scalable.

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24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

N50.38bn Rights Issue: Diamond Bank shareholders seek extension

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hareholders of Diamond Bank Plc have asked the management of the Bank to extend the closing date of the ongoing Rights Issue to enable them maximize the opportunity to take up their allotted shares.

The Rights Issue, which opened on Wednesday, 30 July 2014, is expected to close on Tuesday, 26 August 2014. The appeal for extension was a common theme during the bank’s nationwide shareholder forum held in four cities, namely: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Owerri.

According to them, huge expenses were incurred during the last Eid-El Fitr celebrations which came up during the last weekend of July while the opening of the Rights Issue was

at the end of the same month.

Majority of them explained that coupled with the fact that salary payments are not due for workers in Nigeria until the end of month, raising meaningful investment capital will be a big challenge, hence, the appeal for extension.

In Abuja, Sulaimon Laban noted: “We ended the Eid-ElFitr celebations not too long ago and this came with some expenses. Currently, many interested investors are low on capital. I will like to invest in the Rights Issue as the shares I have in Diamond Bank are very profitable and I see this as an opportunity to increase the value of my stakes. I hope the bank’s management will accede to the request of shareholders, especially in view

of the festivities that have just ended. Many of my friends who are shareholders in the bank feel the same way.”

Alhaja Bilikisu Amuda, a shareholder in Lagos, expressed similar sentiments and hoped that the bank’s management “will appeal to the relevant authorities to have the closing date extended in the interest of concerned shareholders.”

Speaking at the Port Harcourt Forum, Amaopusenibo Obomanu, Exco member of the Port Harcourt Shareholders Association, said, “I think the Diamond Bank Offer is a very good idea and shareholders in Port Harcourt are likely to take up every share because the bank has done very well in the last three years.

Social engineering through Lagos State civilian governors (2)

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LHAJI Lateef Jakande was elected into and held the posi tion of Executive Governor of Lagos State between October 1979 and December 1983. He had a personal commitment to change for the better the lives of the residents of Lagos State beyond what was stated in any political party manifesto. He set about meeting his objectives with great vigour and an unflinching determination to succeed and one of his initial actions was to ensure that all school children went to school at the same time and in the morning.

For several years before Alhaji Jakande’s administration, there was morning school, afternoon school, evening school and even night school for the school children as the same classroom spaces were being used for different sets of pupils in shifts. There was an acute shortage of classroom spaces. In the early 1970s, the Federal Government, in association with the State Governments, was building classrooms across the country under a Universal Primary Education programme but the building projects in Lagos State were not fully implemented.

Thus, Alhaji Jakande and his team set about locating suitable spaces in every neighbourhood where they put up rectangular buildings with corrugated iron sheets covering on roof trusses supported on metal poles. The perimeter of these buildings was made with blockwall to a height of 1.5m with open spaces for entrance/exit. There was a hue and cry about the quality of education that the children would receive in the simple, functional buildings. However, it is a sign of our collective failure that we have not been able to replace all the buildings more than 30 years after their construction. The quality of learning achieved by our school children as reflected in examination results is a matter

, From left: Wunika Mukan, Brand Director, African Arts Foundation; Mr. Azu Nwagbogu, Director and Emele Tonukari, CSR/ Sustainability Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc during the Media Briefing on Finalists of Seventh Edition of the National Arts Competition in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Northern Cement records N1.4 bn profit

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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HE Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, Plc, has recorded profit after tax of N1, 423,635,008 in 2013 fiscal year. The company, during the year under review recorded a turnover of N15, 787,110, 932 compared to N15, 125,577,305 recorded in 2012.

Chairman of the Company, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu who disclosed this at its 35th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Abuja, said the cement sale in 2013 was all time high and that the company recorded an increase in both turnover and profit after tax.

Alhaji Rabiu said the company on account of bountiful sale made under the period, recommended the payment of a gross dividend of 70k per share to its shareholders.

According to him, “the clinker production was hampered by lack of electric power. The Board has now decided to increase the capacity of the company’s power plant because the electricity supply from the national grid is insuffient.”

He recalled that, “in 2013, the company showed a successful reintroduction of biomass as a supplementary kiln fuel. Together with a C M Y K

satisfactory heavy fuel oil supply situation throughout the year, this project contributed to a better control of te energy costs.

The chairman while speaking on conversion to 42.5 cement quality, noted that, “there have been quite a lot of talk on the cement politics between 32.5 and 42.5 as the cause or reason why buildings collapse in this country; to me I believe that the politics of cement quality in the country may not necessarily be the cause of some of the building collapse in the industry.

“But the higher quality of 42.5 which quite a number of companies are clamouring for is definitely better than 32.5 but as you all know, there are not many cement companies in Nigeria and the biggest cement manufacturer in Nigeria, Dangote Cement has converted to 42.5, Lafarge is trying to from my understanding as well as us.

“It is not whether we will be able to convert to 42.5 because all the cement manufacturers are in the position to do that but the only thing is that it will reduce the production capacity strictly by the fact that instead of adding 1520 per cent of limestone into your clinker.

The quality of learning achieved by our school children as reflected in examination results is a matter that is always before us and we shall place this matter before the next governor.

,

that is always before us and we shall place this matter before the next governor.

Housing estates were conceived and built at various locations in Amuwo Odofin, Iponri, Isolo, Ipaja etc and these estates offered flats at affordable prices to the lower income groups. Mortgages were also provided through the Lagos Building Investment Company thus giving opportunities of home ownership to several families. The owners of the flats were put in possession and they occupied the flats without finishes of plaster and paint on the outside of the buildings. This is one of the factors that made the housing units affordable. A subsequent administration had the outside of the buildings completed with plaster and paint.

What is significant is the provision of affordable housing units for large numbers of people and we have to establish processes and designs that would make this possible at all times.

The Jakande Administration also provided mini waterworks at various locations such as Surulere, Igbobi, etc and these were useful interventions given the long lead times for the completion of expansion projects at existing waterworks and for the construction of new waterworks. The Jakande Administration also put in place a system for the collection of tenement rates and from these small beginnings government has realized that it can and that it should raise revenue outside of what it gets from the Federation Account and income taxes. All such revenue is now referred to as internally generated revenue.

The construction of the road link from the end of Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island into the Lekki Peninsular and on to Epe opened up the area along the road for development. Before the construction of the road by the Jakande Administration, access to the area was by boat across the Lagoon from Ikoyi. The area has become the focus for economic growth in Lagos State with a Free Trade Zone and plans for a seaport.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—25

DIARY zAdvanced Networking, Internet Tech and Administration Workshop Lagos Sep 8-12, 2014

z Cisco Connect Sun City, South Africa Nov. 2 - 4, 2014

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

New smart tennis sensor calls the shots

Dr. Eugene Juwah, NCC EVC

NCC in last four years The new Smart Tennis Sensor from Sony takes the place of a coach by tracking shot data and sending it the user ’s smartphone in realtime.

The Smart Tennis Sensor fits into the handle of the racket, and Sony has partnered with Wilson to offer the compatible rackets.

Once in place, the sensor system will recognize and keep track of a wide range of data, including ball speed, swing speed, shot count and ball impact shot, and shot types. The data is sent to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and can also be stored in the device itself for viewing later if no smartphone is available C M Y K

How telecom regulation refined rebased GDP

By Prince Osuagwu

T

he present Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah clocked four years in that saddle a few weeks back after Dr. Ernest Ndukwe’s 8 year tenure ended February 2010.

After a couple of officials at the commission held brief immediately after Ndukwe’s exit, the Senate on July 29, 2010, confirmed the appointment of Juwah as the substantive EVC of the commission.

Juwah’s tenure began with a bit of uncertainty from industry stakeholders who

I N S I D E

doubted the ability of any other person to match, let alone surpass the impressive growth trails that Ndukwe left behind.

Having played so deep in the telecom sector himself, Juwah apparently knew the enormity of work left for him to do and the consequences of letting that office overwhelm him. He quickly assembled a think tank group made up of bright NCC personnel to chat the way forward.

The media was first to know the outcome of that in-house tete-a-tete, the then new EVC stormed Lagos to brief the ICT media of his roadmap to sustaining growth of the ICT sector.

He unveiled a six-point agenda, which included consolidating the progress made before he came to office; taking drastic measures to improve quality of service (QoS); enhancing broadband implementation; improving competition among telecoms players; providing diversified choices for consumers at good price and on good quality; as well as improving the commission’s presence in the international stage.

On close observation, these strategies have guided a lot of policy initiatives, which have

Continues on pg 27

E-waste: Microsoft, GIZ research on Microsoft adds mobile devices X2 to Nokia X recycling in Africa

family

26—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Sage ERP X3 version 7 to Power Nigerian Enterprises

By RICHARD UDOFIA

S

age ERP Africa has announced that Sage ERP X3 version 7 is now available in Nigeria. This latest version of Sage ERP’s global business management solution for midsized companies includes a range of enhancements that address Nigerian companies’ challenges of winning new customers, reducing operating costs and growing revenue.

The ERP X3 comes with a mobility development kit, compatible with iOS, Windows Phone and most Android devices.

New features include an entirely redesigned Web and mobile experience that ensures employees have access to the information they need wherever they are. This makes Sage ERP X3 Version 7 a great fit for the Nigerian market, where smart device penetration is high and people are always on the move.

Senior Vice President Sales at Sage, Keith Fenner, said that “for Nigerian companies struggling with legacy systems or even manual processes, the biggest challenge is getting access to the accurate, timely data they need to make good business decisions.”

He claimed that”Sage ERP X3 version 7 gives Nigerian enterprises the quality information they need to better manage their businesses and grow their profits and revenues.”

Sage ERP X3 version 7 is a robust platform with many features associated with expensive, top-tier ERP solutions.

For example, it allows companies to configure complex, multiple reporting structures in a single instance of the development programme that repairers, recyclers, software and provides analytical pyramid functionality for GIZ implements on behalf of the refurbishers and dismantlers in cross-analysis of aggregated data.

German Federal Ministry for the informal and the formal This means the software is suitable for even the most Economic Cooperation and sector.” demanding Nigerian enterprises in the oil and gas, utilities, Development (BMZ).

Also speaking, Barbara Oelz, engineering and government sectors.

Advisor for waste management Simplifying the management of complex business Speaking on the new at GIZ in Germany, added that: processes across the organization, Sage ERP X3 version 7 partnership, Ulrike Vott, “It is crucial for the success of provides users with personal dashboards and intelligence Microsoft Sustainability any e-waste legislation to tools, allowing them to monitor performance, serve implementation Manager for the Africa Region, develop customers better and be notified of events that require explained: “We will continue to guidelines that work under the attention, when and where it is needed. educate users not to dispose local conditions. Copying Fenner noted that another advantage of Sage ERP X3 of electronic products together legislation from the European version 7 comes from the fact that it allows companies with household waste. The Union will not deliver the desired to run their subsidiaries in different countries on the Microsoft GIZ project will result, which is the closing of same software. This means that they can reduce cost assess the existing practices the material cycle, the of ownership and improve visibility into their finances and develop training concepts protection of living conditions across all their operations. with a special emphasis on and the environment as well as This also means that Sage ERP X3 version 7 supports improvements for the micro the creation of sustainable Nigerian companies as they expand into new markets and small scale mobile phone jobs.” by making it faster and affordable for business solutions to get up-and-running without expensive software and infrastructure costs.

“Sage ERP X3 version 7 helps Nigerian companies Wikipedia amongst others. n a bid to deepen the Nigerian broadband adopt best practices and Cassie disclosed that “all customers who space, Smile Communications Limited has processes in their purchase 5GB or larger data bundles per introduced a unique product designed to keep businesses, automate month are automatic beneficiaries and all customers connected to its network virtually processes, comply with tax customers who are using SmileON, are all the time. This innovative product and other regulations, and allocated the usage allowance for the SmileON appropriately termed 'SmileON' is the first improve collaboration product on the following basis. For a 5GB service of its kind in Nigeria that keeps throughout their enterprises,” bundle, there is a SmileON allowance of 1GB customers online even when their bundle is at adds Fenner. with a validity period that starts from when zero. It ensures that customers connected to “It also gives them the control bundle depletes and valid to the end of the the Smile network will remain connected when and scalability they need as bundle validity period. A 10GB bundle ensures their data bundle runs out within that bundle’s they evolve and expand in a 2GB SmileON allowance which starts from validity period. response to the dynamic when bundle depletes and valid to the end of The company’s Chief Corporate Services African economy. Many the bundle validity period.

Officer, Ms. Lee-Ann Cassie noted that Nigerian companies will also be Any bundle from 20GB and above attracts a SmileON becomes available automatically if enthusiastic about our payroll 2GB SmileON allowance with validity that a purchased bundle depletes before the end and HR modules as they focus spans when bundle depletes and valid for 30 of its validity period. She emphasized that on streamlining human days within the validity period of the bundle”.

SmileON will be available until the end of that resource management.”

Cassie explained that “should a customer bundles validity period or until the allocated The redesigned Sage ERP X3 attempt to use a site application not available usage allowance is depleted during the validity version 7 also features a host on SmileON, that customer will be directed to period. She stated that this is done to sustain of new usability improvements, the web page notifying him that he has tried to customers until another bundle is purchased including a new intuitive Web access a site that is unavailable. From this within 30 days. SmileON, she further stated, and mobile interface based on point the customer can return to any allowed also allows access to limited sites and HTML5 that supports common site or purchase a new data bundle to gain full applications and extends to banking and news browsers and that is highly Internet access.'' services, browsing, email, social networking, customisable for users. sky voice call, messaging, government sites,

E-waste: Microsoft, GIZ research on mobile devices recycling in Africa

By Emeka Aginam

E

VERYDAY, a new invention is born. Tech hungry occupants of the global village are quick to exchange their old phones for newer models. But what happens to the waste? Despite the Basel Convention which created a platform for technical assistance to be provided to developing countries to fulfill their obligations in protecting human health and the environment from hazardous and other waste, e-waste management has remained a major challenge especially to the African market.

However, with the intervention

by Microsoft Mobile Devices Group and the German based company,Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, this is about to change. Both companies have come together to research the current practices of repairing, reusing, refurbishing, trading parts and material processing regarding old mobile phones, in other to reduce the challenge posed by e-waste to the barest minimum. Already, three African countries including Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria have been selected for the pilot program.

The two year project, implemented by GIZ and cofunded by Microsoft, according to both firms, will establish best practices involving the informal and formal sectors for used mobile phones and phone ewaste, and will work towards upgrading existing practices towards environmentally sound recycling solutions. The partnership is part of the

Smile introduces SmileON broadband package

I

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—27

Access Bank teams with Intel, Chips, Bits & Bytes on e-classrooms

StarSat to deepen digital transition

By Favour Anthony & Cynthia Okere

By Emmanuel Elebeke

A

s part of efforts to increase elearning capabilities and transform education in Nigerian institutions, Access Bank in collaboration with Intel and Chips, Bits & Bytes Limited has declared support for e-learning by providing e-education solutions for pupils and teachers of Command Children’s School, Yaba, Lagos. Country Manager, Intel, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare said that “Intel’s unrelenting commitment to innovation and education empowers billions of people every day. We are pleased to be part of this initiative by providing the e-education solutions hence Intel will be training the first set of teachers at no cost. This platform allows teachers the opportunity to create a virtual classroom and assists to deliver lectures without hassle.”

Also, Executive Director, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu speaking at the alliance meeting at Yaba Command Children School highlighted that “Access bank

T

E-Classroom having recognized that access to information is no longer a luxury but a necessary tool for development and growth of future leaders have collaborated with Chips, Bits & Bytes Limited and Intel Nigeria to provide eeducation solutions at the most critical time.”

Etuokwu further explained that children do not have to be confined to physical spaces for effective learning and with the increase in internet availability

and affordable computer/mobile devices, students and teachers can now enjoy qualitative education and interact more meaningfully.

According to him “the competition within the academic sector has proven to be beyond the lectures delivered by the teachers but has seen teachers gradually becoming facilitators, hence, the urgent need for every teacher to scale up to the global innovation in terms of impacting knowledge to the students.”

How telecom regulation refined rebased GDP Continues from page 25 continued to impact positively on the industry with multiplier effects on other sectors of the e c o n o m y .

Consolidation On several fora, industry analysts that try to do comparative analysis of present NCC administration and the past, have agreed that while a lot needs to be done, a great deal of work has been done by this present administration to ensure consolidation of growth already on ground before it came.

A telecom expert, Chuks Nkwonta at a recent event in Lagos, told Hi-Tech that “consolidation is what we lack in many sectors of the economy, including government. But irrespective of the fact that the telecom industry needs consistent push, Juwah and his group at the NCC has done a great deal to see that the growth Ndukwe pioneered is sustained. from the parameters which Nkwonta’s argument is that both teledensity, subscriber base have been continually improved upon.

While teledensity increased from 63 per cent in 2010 when Juwah came to power, to more than 90 per cent in 2014, subscriber base also rose from 88 million in 2010 to more than 130 million currently, according to figures released by the regulator in its monthly subscriber data.

Other analysts contend that increased favourable regulatory regime have also bolstered both Foreign Direct Investment, FDI and Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Little wonder, in a media chat recently, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat, Mr. Matthew Willsher declared that most of the achievements of the telecom players today, were due to good

regulatory policies put in place by the NCC. Incidentally, these positive steps have also impacted very well on the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Juwah himself, showed this off in a recent chat with Hi-Tech, when he claimed that increased telephony penetration recorded in the last four years has contributed remarkably to the Nigerian economy. “our activities in the telecom sector has increased the GDP. From 5 percent addition, when we came in, we have added up to 8.5 percent to GDP now, as was announced recently during the rebasing of the economy.

This is because investment in the sector, also increased from $18 billion in 2010 to more than $32 billion today. The sector has created the most stable jobs and as investments grew in the past four years, more jobs, both direct and indirect, had been created and are still being created,” he added.

Quality of service This is one area Juwah himself will agree has been the most difficult. However, the NCC said it has adopted several measures to achieve results.

From setting up a key performance indicator for quality of service to imposing various sanctions on the operators the fight for better quality of service is ongoing.

The regulator also said that to get things straightened out on this issue, it undertook to reviewing the old interconnect rates, following the expiration of the old interconnect rate regime last year. Interconnection rates are the charges which telecoms operators charge one another for terminating calls on each other’s network.

It is one of the key premises

for open and fair competition in a telecoms market is an effective interconnection regime. Also the NCC said it decided to adopt the asymmetric rates for the new inter connect regime in recognition of late entrants and the commencement of the Unified Service Licensing Regime to create an enabling environment for healthy competition in the telecoms market.

Another initiative put in place by the NCC is the setting of price cap on local SMS at N4.00 with effect from February 5, 2013. The new price cap is a 60 per cent reduction from the former price that was N10 per SMS for off-net and N5 per SMS for on-net text messages and this has continued to earn NCC adulation from subscribers.

Besides introducing the Mobile Number Portability, (MNP) in April 2013, to give consumers the choice of movement from one network to the other without losing their original identity, NCC said it deliberately the industry-specific code of corporate governance, recently to enthrone global best practices among the boards of telecoms players, whose actions and inactions have farreaching effects on the entire telecoms industry.

Juwah will always say that “the telecommunications sector is of strategic and high impact significance to the economy at a macro level and has considerable reach at the micro level.

But while industry players and leaders of pressure groups like the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON); Association of Licensed Telephone Operators of Nigeria (ALTON); as well as the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), have commended the NCC’s regulation in the last four years, they still challenge the regulator not to rest on its oars ubtil Nigerian economy is totally dependent on technology as seen in other developed countries of the world.

he Managing Director, NTA TV Enterprise, Maxwell Loko, says the new satellite television service, StarSat recently launched by the company, was designed to deepen the ongoing transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

He also explained that the new TV service will create an affordable network that can cater for common and low earning Nigerians, especially those at the remote areas, ahead of the 2015 deadline for the digital transition from analogue to digital transition.

Loko, who disclosed this in an interview noted that the introduction of the novel TV service was never in any way meant to take the place of Startimes but to play a complementary role of actualizing the goal of reaching rural areas. He said, the new decoder with higher technology capacity can be viewed anywhere across the country, which according to him make a huge difference from the popular Startimes in cities.

Loko further announced that the primary aim of the Enterprise was to introduce more local channels on satellite as a means of promoting nationality. He further explained that the target is to have at least 30 percent of local content on satellite as well as encourage broadcasters to start up locally at a very affordable rate.

Highlighting the characteristics of the new service, Loko noted that the new satellite comes with low and affordable price as compared to other pay TV services.

Other qualities of the new service include: Good sound quality as well as high picture quality, more TV channels in high definition, HD decoder, Interesting International content which includes movies, news, series, kids’ programmes, music, documentaries, sports as well as lifestyle.

The Enterprise also used the occasion to launch new Mobile devices, the Startimes P40 mobile phone and Startimes P80 tablet. Both products are smart hand held devices that the latest applications, durable and fun to operate and above all pocket friendly.

MTN showcases affordable Android Smartphones In Nigeria

By Etop Ekanem

M

TN Nigeria has taken another shot at redefining the Nigerian smartphone terrain with the launch of two affordable android smartphones, MTN the Sm@rt Mini S620 and MTN Sm@rt S720i.

The initiative, according to MTN is part of its continuous effort to create a bold new digital world and establish its leadership position in the ICT and telecommunications sectors.

General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi explained that the strategic focus for the launch of the smartphones which retails for as low as N8000, is to afford the average Nigerian the opportunity to own a high quality android phone,without breaking a bank .

“We are committed to the total satisfaction of our customers and Nigerians in general, as we continuously bring the bold new digital world closer to them. This we shall continue to do by breaking the barrier of entry to smartphones that deliver internet access and true value to Nigerians.

The new MTN Sm@rt Mini S620 smartphone has a 3.5" screen and runs on android 4.2 OS with preloaded applications including BBM, Whatsapp, Music+, Facebook, Jumia etc, plus free MTN SIM card. It has a processor speed of 1GHz, a 4Gig in-built memory upscalable to 32GB and a dual SIM slot. He stated further that for more advanced customers seeking wider display screen and higher processing power, the MTN Sm@rt S720i offers a 4.0" display and 1.3GHz processor.

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Stories By Tony Ubani

De Marcos fires Napoli warning A

thletic Bilbao midfielder Oscar de Marcos has fired a warning to Napoli ahead of the sides’ UEFA Champions League play-off second leg.

The Spanish outfit have the away-goal advantage following a 1-1 draw at Stadio San Paolo last week, with De Marcos providing the assist as Iker Muniain opened the scoring four minutes before half-time.

Gonzalo Higuain pulled one back for the home side in the second half, and De Marcos says Bilbao will set out to attack today.

“The result from the first leg does not count,” he is quoted as saying in Il Mattino. “[Coach Ernesto] Valverde wants the team to be always proactive, especially in front of our own fans.

“We are a team that relies heavily on the collective, our extra man is San Mames, where there are the best fans in the world.

“Nothing has been decided, we will put everything into this 90 minutes and it will be a battle.

Bilbao suffered a 1-0 defeat in their opening La Liga clash with Malaga on Saturday.

Champions League Playoff:

A

rsenal host Besiktas in the second leg of the Champions League play-off at the Emirates Stadium today.

The first leg ended 0-0 Arsenal come into this game in a mixed state of mind. On one side they can take heart from their morale boosting comeback to rescue a point against Everton at the weekend in the Premier League, but on the other hand, they were outplayed in the first leg by Besiktas and also come into this game without Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, Olivier Giroud and Kieran Gibbs.

Arsenal are looking to make it into the group stages for the 18th season in a row, but this will be the toughest test in the past few years. Arsene Wenger will hope his team can get the job done even without their first choice striker or midfield pairing.

All three German internationals should be set to play a part in the game, with Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker likely to start. Joel Campbell might get a nod at some point during the game due to the absence of Giroud.

Meanwhile, Besiktas will come into this game with no fear at all. They took the game to the Gunners in the

Arsenal target group stage first leg and have less to lose than their illustrious opponents.

However, one drawback will be the absence of coach Slaven Bilic on the touchline.

The Croatian was banned for a match, after he was sent off at the end of the first leg for protesting a referee’s decision.

The Turkish club have no fresh injury concerns and should also have the services of Atiba Hutchinson, who missed the first leg through a hamstring injury.

What Manager Say Arsene Wenger (Arsenal): “Of course. We want to show we can get into group stage.

We’ve had disappointments in past and we want to carry on improving. The task is clear; we want to win the game at.

It’s the Champions League so it will be a thriller because [Besiktas] are a good side.”

Slaven Bilic (Besiktas): “We go to the Emirates in one week with even more confidence than we had before this game. For the majority of my players, this was the first time

that they’ve played against big guys and they were worried, asking ‘are we any good? After this, they know they’re good. We have a plan, we have a dream.”

League Cup: Stoke favourites to move to next round A

ston Villa welcome Leyton Orient to Villa Park this evening as overwhelming favourites to progress from the second round of the League Cup. Villa, who beat Stoke City 1-0 at the Britannia on the opening day of the Premier League campaign, followed up their winning start to the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Newcastle on Sat-

urday.

Paul Lambert’s side next face a quality League One outfit in Orient on Wednesday and the Scot is expected to shuffle the pack for the Capital One Cup clash.

Out-of-favour ‘keeper Shay Given will likely replace Brad Guzan in goal to make his first start of the campaign while new-signing Joe Cole is ex-

pected to make his full debut.

Christian Benteke (Achilles) and Libor Kozak (broken leg) remain sidelined for the Villans whilst weekend casualties Ron Vlaar (knee) and Aly Cissokho (ankle) will likely sit out.

Orient, meanwhile, will be without veteran striker Kevin Lisbie as they make the trip north to Birmingham.

Lisbie started Orient’s first three games but is expected to spend a considerable spell on the sidelines for treatment on a shoulder injury.

VOL. 1 NO 5

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

UNN:Zik’s flats now

ghost land

•As students groan over shortage of hostel accommodation, lecture halls

The abandoned Zik's flats

N

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

SUKKA—EVEN with the astronomical increase in students’ enrolment at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, leading to acute shortage of classrooms and hostels, the institution has abandoned the group of 20-storey block of flats handed over to it by the founder of the university and former President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, before he died.

The 20-three storey buildings which were popularly known as Zik’s Flats had housed over 2,000 male and female students each session before the latest development. The Zik’s flats of hostels

have, however, become a ghost land due to dilapidated infrastructure in the area.

South East Voice discovered during a visit to the Zik’s Flats which had been a centre of activities over the years that were abandoned about two years ago by the immediate past administration of Professor Bartho Okolo as vice chancellor of the university.

The entire buildings were now occupied by reptiles including snakes and rodents as tenants while students groan over lack of accommodation and take their lectures at the main bowel of the Akanu Ibiam Stadium as well as under trees. South East Voice investigations revealed that the block of flats had

dilapidated windows and doors while the toilets ends had collapsed over several years ago.

Also, most of the buildings at the Zik’s Flats had their roofs blown away by wind storm just as the brick walls were being soaked by rain water on a daily basis. The entire compound of the abandoned flats were littered with tissue and white papers used to deposit excreta carelessly by visitors, students and UNN shuttle drivers who use part of the ex-

Continues on page 2

ALSO IN THIS EDITION Dora Akunyili’s cabinet of trophies — Page 3

Experts worry over delay in completing Enugu Diagnostic Centre project

— Page 4

Erosion threatens Imo community — Page 6

Civil Defence uncovers illegal cement factory in Asa — Page 8

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

ANAMBRA

N400m debt stalls work on Zik’s Inosi Onira Mausoleum project •Some construction workers stranded over non-payment of salaries NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—BARELY three months to the November 16 birthday/ memorial ceremonies for the late Nigeria’s first President and Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, hope for the completion and commissioning of the ongoing Zik’s Mausoleum at the Inosi Onira Retreat, Onitsha, Anambra State, appear to have again been dashed.

This followed the debt of over N400 million owed the contracting firm handling the

Zik's mausoleum

services being carried out by few staff of the company. It was also gathered that because of the delay in the payment of the evaluation costs, members of staff of the company were now being owed salaries even as the company incurred additional expenses in terms of accommodation, feeding among others. Some workers who spoke on the issue said that they were stranded at the site as they waited endlessly for money from the government.

A top management staff of the company who preferred anonymity, told South East

,

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had re-awarded the Mausoleum project to BNL which mobilised to site in February 2013

project, BNL Engineering and Construction Company Limited. This amount, according to South East Voice investigation, is the total sum so far generated by the company as monthly evaluation costs from December, 2013 till date.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had re-awarded the Mausoleum project to BNL which mobilised to site in February 2013.

The 12-month contract period was expected to have been completed by February, this year, but due to the indebtedness, arising from non-settlement of the monthly evaluation costs by the government since December, last year, the company could no longer cope.

In re-awarding the contract, government also added another contract for the construction of an Administrative Block and Conference Centre to be executed simultaneously within the Inosi Onira premises, near the Mausoleum.

A visit to the site showed that work had stopped entirely on the project, except skeletal

,

Voice that the three structures of the contract, mausoleum, administrative block and conference centre had reached 80 per cent completion. The remaining part of the job included roofing, fixing of doors and windows, paintings, as well as interior and exterior decorations which sources said could still be completed before the November 16 memorial anniversary of the late sage,

Governor Willie Obiano if money was released soonest.

He, however, said the management was currently seeking an audience with the relevant authorities, adding that, “by the grace of God, work would commence soon, since this project is dear to both the government and Ndigbo.

We will like to hasten up so that we can complete it and hand over according to

specifications, particularly now that the company had just taken delivery of all the roofing and decoration materials imported from Germany. ” Expections by eminent Nigerians and Ndigbo in particular had been rife that the Mausoleum contract which was flagged of in 1996, (about 18 years ago) by the late General Sani Abacha regime, during

UNN: Zik’s flat now ghost land Continues from page 1 pansive compound as garage while weeds had taken the entire environment.

The block of flats, located near Azikiwe’s Onuiyi Haven residence were built as a private property in the 7 0 ’ s .

He later sold them to the university in the 90s for use as hostels for a paltry sum of N500,000 during the administration of Prof. Oleka Udeala as Vice Chancellor.

South East Voice was told by a professor at the University who pleaded anonymity that Zik’s dreams for the

The stadium where UNN students receive lecture

university are yet to be realised 56 years after he founded the institution, and sacrificed his personal property for condu-

cive environment of academic learning.

“Zik’s spirit will definitely fight those who sowed seeds of

Zik,s burial, would have been ready long time ago.

Late Head of State, General Sani Abacha had flagged off the project in 1996, during Zik's interment. Abacha had through the then Chief of General Staff, CGS, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, who led the Federal Government's delegation to the funeral, announced the government’s determination to construct the mausoleum and upgrade it to a tourist centre as part of efforts to immortalize the late sage.

Since Zik's burial, many contractors had handled the project and abandoned it for one reason or the other, mostly as a result of poor funding.

President Goodluck Jonathan affirmed his administration’s determination to complete it without further delay.

Jonathan made this known in February, this year during his private visit to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe. He pointed out that he would not like to play politics with such a project which concerned Ndigbo as a group and Zik with his status in Africa and the world at large.

Interestingly, Zik’s grave had been dug inside the ‘Inosi Onira’ Retreat where he, himself mapped out during his life time as his final resting place.

discord and allowed his dream of a first class university to restore the dignity of man and maintain Zik’s flat hostels for the comfort of the students.

Maintenance culture has been the bane of the university but worse off during the immediate past regime,” he said.

However, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba has said, during the 85th inaugural lecture of the university delivered by the dean, faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Tagbo Ugwu, that the UNN was not captured in the ranking of universities.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—3

Akunyili’s cabinet of trophies: Sight that’ll stun people during Dora’s burial ANAMBRA

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—AS preparations get under way for the burial of the former director general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Professor Dora Akunyili, one sight that will stun people during her burial ceremonies would be a section of her living room where the over 800 awards she received during her service to her fatherland are displayed.

The awards are displayed in such a way that the late former minister of information will lie in state just behind the wall where the awards are pinned in her country home, which is located very close to the South East regional office of NAFDAC. Even after her death,

Professor Akunyili was still receiving awards from notable organisations for her contribution towards the growth of pharmacy, her profession, and service to humanity.

Her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili said at Agulu, his home town, that the late Professor’s latest award came from an American organisation, adding that the award will be conferred on her posthumously in November this year in the United States of America, USA.

Vehement refusal According to Chike Akunyili, other local and international organisations were also planning to honour his late wife after her burial.

Eulogising his late wife who he described as a true Nigerian, Akunyili recalled that when the family won an American lottery

The awards that Dora won and received the green card to settle in the USA, officials of that country wanted to make her a citizen, adding that his wife vehemently refused, insisting that nothing would take her out of Nigeria on a permanent basis.

On Dora’s cancer, he said: “When my wife told me that she observed a lump in her body, we went to the USA and did a surgery. But after that, a Nigerian doctor based in the USA, Dr, Egbujobi, who performed the surgery, called me and said my wife had cancer and that those who had that type of cancer do not live for more than seven months.

“From then, I became

downcast and when she noticed my constant unusual mood, she told me that I was no longer the man she married many years ago. I then summoned up courage to tell her what the doctor had said.

“Surprisingly, she told me that it was the doctors that had said it and not God. She lived for two and half years before she finally died.”

He said that contrary to insinuations that his wife suffered Cervical Cancer, she died of Endometrial Carcinoma, a rare cancer that cannot be detected until it had gone deep into the human system. Akunyili said what has surprised him about his wife is that her spirit ap-

pears to be hovering around and directing preparations for her burial. For instance, there were certain things he did not know how to find which only his late wife knew about, but somehow, he would be led to where to find the solution.

He cited example of a former colleague of hers in the Federal Executive Council, who, as he was thinking of how to raise money for the preparation of the burial, called him to say that there was money belonging to Dora which was still with her. The amount, he said, was so much that it was enough to solve his immediate Continues on page 7

LAMENTATIONS OF A WIDOW: They killed my husband; now I can’t feed my kids

ANAMBRA

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

Mrs Ndidi Nwosu and her two months old child

WKA—WIFE of late John Nwosu, Ndidi, who was three months pregnant when her husband was allegedly murdered by a native doctor, Sunday Asika, at Nkpologwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State is now facing hard times.

Ndidi who delivered a baby girl about two months after it was confirmed by security operatives that her husband died in the hands of the native doctor and buried in a shallow grave in the area, has been living at the mercy of her neighbours.

The native doctor was said to be a terror in Nkpologwu community, with available information indicating that he was providing spiritual

protection to high profile criminals in Anambra and other neighbouring states.

She told South East Voice that she was three months pregnant when her husband suddenly disappeared and that when the native doctor was suspected of being responsible for the death, many people warned her to be careful because the man was very dangerous.

She said that she had been going through hardship since the murder of her husband, adding that it was members of her church, neighbours and relations that had been assisting her and her children to feed.

She said: “We are from Ahiazu in Imo State and my husband was residing at Nkpologwu before we got married. He was a vulcanizer and we were managing our lives until he told me this story about his brother living in South Africa who was

experiencing hardship there. ”Often times, he would stay on telephone with that his brother for hours and at a stage, I became worried that he was talking more of his brother than facing his work.

One day, he told me that his brother had suggested that he should contact a native doctor in Nigeria to prepare charms for him so as to boost his business in South Africa. ”Because I do not know any native doctor, I did not give him any suggestion and that was how he contacted Sunday Asika, a.k.a. Aboy Ekwensu. ”On the night he disappeared, he did not tell me that he was visiting the native doctor. Now, the native doctor has made me a widow with three children to look after. As a housewife, I was not doing any tangible business and that was why the loss of my husband is affecting me so much.”

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 , 2014

ENUGU

Enugu Diagnostic centre under construction

Experts worry over delay in completing Enugu Diagnostic Centre project

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—THE ultramodern Enugu Diagnostic Centre project which the Sullivan Chime administration in Enugu State commenced during its first tenure six years ago as part of the government’s efforts to set standards in healthcare delivery and engender medical tourism, is yet to be completed.

Some medical practitioners in the state said the diagnostic centre would have aided the current fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, for which the state lacks the required modern laboratory to test suspected cases.

Had the centre been completed and put to use, the medical experts said, the challenges being faced by sending patients to Lagos and other states with sophisticated laboratory facilities would have been eliminated.

The idea of building the ultra-modern diagnostic

centre at the old Enugu Trade Fair Centre was muted by Chime’s administration following the discovery that such vital health facility was lacking in the state.

It was also intended to boost the medical services rendered by the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, which is located about 200 metres from the diagnostic centre but this has not been achieved due to the long delay in completing the project.

Earliest projects “One of the earliest projects that this administration started was a diagnostic centre. It would have been commissioned before the completion of my first term.

Things went wrong with the construction. We had to pull down the building and start again. We are aware that no modern city can operate without sound medical facilities. I know that some would think that we are

constructing the centre because of my illness, it was conceived and was being built before I fell ill last year,” Governor Chime stated this in one of his media chats early last year.

He, however, announced in his 2014 budget speech that “ work had since resumed at the ultra-modern Enugu Diagnostic Centre and Government is committed to its completion in 2014. This is especially so because we recognise that when completed and put to use, the centre will set new standards in healthcare delivery and engender medical tourism.”

But the large three-storey building which foundation had been reinforced with several concrete pillars following observed deficiencies in the job done by the earlier contractors is yet to be roofed as the block work has not been completed.

Worried by the long delay in completing the project which had been handled by different construction firms, the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, had in 2011 explored the

provision of the Freedom of Information Act and asked the Federal High Court, Enugu to compel the State Ministry of Health to release to it documents relating to the award of contract for the Diagnostic Centre.

This was after its efforts to obtain the document from the

court even when no appeal had been filed against the court’s decision.

“We have not received any document from the Health Ministry or the state government as directed by the court but I heard that work has resumed at the site,” he said.

When our correspondent visited the project site, some staff of Arab Contractors Limited were seen inspecting the project, but it could not be ascertained if the firm had been mobilised by the government to complete the project after the contractors

I know that some would think that we are constructing the centre because of my illness, it was conceived and was being built before I fell ill last year Health Ministry had failed and the project continued to appear on the state’s yearly budgets without appreciable progress.

The Federal High Court, however, granted the CLO’s prayers by directing the Health Ministry to release the contract documents to the applicant but that has yet to be done.

The South East Zonal Coordinator of the CLO, Olu Omotayo, told South East Voice that the ministry has not released the contract documents as directed by the

earlier engaged allegedly failed to meet the contract terms.

Effort to speak with one of the expatriates failed as he said that the workers were not permitted to speak to press.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze said when contacted that work was in progress at the site, assuring that it would be completed and handed over to his ministry under the present administration to enable it serve the purpose it was intended.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—5

IMO

REACH US Cottage hospital

Hospital upgrade excites Enugu communities •As govt boosts healthcare delivery

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—MOST communities in the remote parts of Enugu State are either battling with deplorable primary health care facilities or absence of health care personnel in their areas or both.

Taking cognizance of the prevailing challenges, the state government through its Project Development Implementation, PDI, Office has begun to upgrade and construct new cottage hospitals in these communities in order to ensure qualitative Primary Health Care, PHC, services especially at the rural and semi-urban communities.

One of such communities include Iji Nike, in EnuguEast Local Government Area of Enugu State where the South-East Voice discovered the upgrading of a Cottage Hospital, as well as the massive expansion of the hospital facilities with scores of buildings having reached advanced stages of construction.

Speaking on the issue, the Senior Special Adviser, SSA, to Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State on PDI, Uchenna Nwobodo, said: ‘’Government has decided to embark on the upgrade because of its policy on free maternal and child health care in the state. ”The free maternal and child

health care policy as enunciated by the Governor Chime administration has piled pressure on the state teaching hospital, Park-lane. ”We are upgrading this fa-

ultra-modern equipment and will be due for commissioning in one or two months. The influx of people from the city centre to this area has made

Government has decided to embark on the upgrade because of its policy on free maternal and child health care in the state cility to reduce the pressure on Park-lane. This upgrade will include construction of quarters for doctors, nurses and NYSC members. ”As you can see, we have raised the perimeter fence of the cottage hospital to wardoff land developers from encroaching into the facility.

This facility will be fitted with

it necessary for this upgrade.

Nwobodo further said that the government would upgrade health facilities across the three senatorial districts in the state to ensure an even development and access to primary health care services as a responsive government.

DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representative at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well? Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Tony (Enugu): 08033218180 Vincent (Awka): 08035804090 Anayo (Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi(Imo): 08033391108 Peter (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim(Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: eastervoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

IMO

One of the old houses

Okorocha’s wife’s lifeline for widows, orphans •Hands over 131 houses to beneficiaries

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—THE Gover nor Rochas Okoro cha’s family in Imo State is certainly not peopled by saints but there are a few things they do that positively hit the innermost recesses of the heart.

One of such things initiated by the Governor ’s wife, Mrs. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, is SNARP, an acronym for She Needs A Roof Project.

South East Voice learnt that SNARP was conceived by Mrs. Okorocha, following her experience during her tour of the 27 local council areas in the state.

Deplorable conditions She said: “What I saw in the course of my tour to communities in the state made me shed tears. It is really saddening that in this our age, some of our sisters still live in such deplorable conditions and are exposed to both sun and rain.”

With this in mind, Mrs. Okorocha embarked on the provision of decent accommodation for indigent women, especially widows and orphans, who have no roofs over their heads.

In doing just this, Mrs. Okorocha not only ended up addressing the lot of these vulnerable individuals, but also

succeeded in rehabilitating them through the provision of shelters.

Already, about 131 buildings have been constructed and handed over to the beneficiaries

One of the new houses across the state.

The beneficiaries are principally indigent women, the poor, most of whom are widows and orphans, most of whom abound in virtually all the communities in the state.

The houses are fully furnished with beautiful curtains, beds, television sets, fans, radio sets, refrigerators and cooking utensils. SNARP equally provides standby electricity generating sets, as

well as visit the beneficiaries periodically to ensure that the basic qualities of life are maintained.

For Mrs. Helen Anyanwu of Umueleke, Umueze, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, the world collapsed virtually on her when she lost her husband several years ago. Following her inability to properly cater for her five children, all but one had to be sent away as house helps to different people in the cities.

Mrs. Anyanwu, a petty trader, lives alone with her eldest son, who did all kinds of odd jobs in the village to support his mother.

They lived on charity in a thatched mud house, which was at the point of collapsing.

“Thanks be to God, who gave us Mrs. Okorocha. God bless her with good health and prosperity”, an obviously elated Mrs. Anyanwu said, during the handing over of the new building to her.

Erosion threatens Imo community

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

T HIS is definitely not the best of times for the people of Nekede, Owerri West local council area of Imo State.

Before this time, the people of the community did everything within their reach to stop the erosion that threatened the bridge linking Umuejechi and Umunbazu with the rest of Nekede.

Their spirited efforts failed as no government appeared ready to assist them to actualise their dream. The bridge ultimately collapsed. Communication between brothers became a herculean task. Today, the Northern fringe of the community is again seriously threatened by erosion and except immediate attention is paid to the yawning gully, the entire villagers stand the risk of being cut off completely from Owerri, the state capital.

Giving a graphic account of how the erosion started, the Government Liaison Officer, GLO, of Nekede, Chief Chris-

Gully erosion site at Nekede

topher Kemakolam, said: “The erosion at the bank of Otamiri River is partially caused by the natives themselves.’’

He explained that Nekede people sold their land to sand excavators and only realised much later that instead of the

expected monetary advantages attached to the sale, it brought unimaginable problem Continues on page 7

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—7

ABIA

BY TONY EDIKE

T

HE people of Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have cried out to the Federal Government to save them from perpetual darkness which they have been thrown into since public power supply to the area was suspended in December last year.

Ishiagu is the home town of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, who was former President of the Senate. The major occupation of his people is stone crushing which has attracted several quarry companies to the area.

The town hosts the Federal College of Agriculture, which has depended solely on generating sets as only source of power for its activities since mid last year.

Source of power Some concerned citizens alerted South East Voice of the plight of the residents of the rocky community who have remained without public power supply for months, a development that has paralysed social and economic activities in the area.

It was gathered that electricity supply to the large community under the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, was epileptic before the takeover of the company by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC under which the supply was suspended.

One of the residents, a stone crusher, Mr. Christopher Udeh, said that the community has remained in darkness since last December when power supply was cut off due to the activities of

One of the vandalised high tension power transmission lines along Ishiagu - Amasiri road

Ebonyi community sends SOS to FG over 6 months power outage •Says Anyim is our son, yet we’ve been in darkness for long vandals, adding that nothing meaningful had been done to restore power to Ishiagu even when the attention of their son at Abuja, Chief Anyim had been drawn to the problem.

He said: “We have been living in pains here because of power blackout which has seriously paralysed economic activities. Those who can afford generating sets have been wasting their resources on fuel while those who

depend on electricity for their businesses have taken to other activities like commercial motorcycle operation for survival.

“Sometimes we get light from Crushed Rock Industries, a major quarry firm in Ishiagu, which generates its own electricity but it is usually for few hours at night, and the supply does not extend to all parts of the community including the

Erosion threatens Imo community Continues from page 6

to all.

“When the devastation became apparent, we asked the sand excavators to stop but they refused because they claimed they are licensed by the Federal Ministry of Mines to do what they are doing”, Kemakolam said.

He also recalled that the community reported the matter to Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum and Environment and followed it up until the Ministry officials visited the site several times.

“It is saddening to note that

as at the time of this interview, nothing positive and to the advantage of the community, has happened in the place. We have now taken them to court, seeking an injunction restraining them from continuing with the excavation”, Chief Kemakolam said.

Our correspondent recalls that because of the the deadly excavation, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, came all the way from Abuja and Enugu, to see things for themselves.

The officials took time to properly educate the natives on the inherent danger, if the high

tension lines, running across the erosion devastated area, were allowed to collapse.

“As I am talking to you, the excavators are still at work.

We are appealing to the state and federal governments to come to our aid because it has now gone out of our control”, the traditional ruler of Nekede, Eze Stephen Agumanu, pleaded.

Continuing, the royal father equally lamented that part of the Agricultural Development Programme, ADP, premises has been swallowed by the advancing erosion.

Federal College of Agriculture with hundreds of students from different parts of the country, who are not used to the situation we are facing in this area.

“Our people are very worried that even with our son and brother as Secretary to the Government of the Federation there is no power supply here and nothing is being done about it.

A staff of the Federal College of Agriculture, who spoke under condition of anonymity lamented that since he started working at Ishiagu, he has not seen power from the public source as the school had depended on generator which gives light to the residents including students just for about two to three hours at night He called on the govern-

ment to direct relevant authorities to address the power problem which, he said, has imposed a lot of hardship on both students and staff of the college.

When contacted, the Corporate Affairs Officer of the EEDC in Enugu, Mr. Eugene Aniowo said there was no total power cut to Ishiagu community, stressing that those responsible for the maintenance of power installations in the area had been detailed to investigate the complaint with a view to restoring supply to the town.

He said that the management of EEDC has stabilised power supply in the South East zone and would continue to ensure improvement in general service delivery in order to eliminate power outages.

Akunyili’s cabinet of trophies Continues from page 3 needs and assist other people.

Activities for the burial of Professor Akunyili commenced last Friday with a wake keep in Enugu, followed by a night

of tributes at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Monday, August 25. She will be buried tomorrow, after a funeral Mass at the Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu, Anambra State.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

ABIA

The abandoned Agbualayi community health centre

Abia community worries over abandoned health centre T

HE people of Agbualayi community in Bende Local Government Council of Abia State have appealed to Governor Theodore Orji to assist them equip their health centre built and lying idle for over two years.

The well built modern health centre located at the EzukwuAgbualayi junction on the Alayi-Ugwueke road has since been overtaken by weeds as it has not been put to use.

Community leader Investigation by South East Voice showed the health centre was one of the many built by the MDG in collaboration with Abia State Government many of which have since been functioning.

According to a community leader, Elder Kalu Orji, who lamented that the centre has been lying waste since it was built. He said that the community had high hope when the project was brought to the community but regretted that their joy has

since vanished as the centre was not made to function.

Orji who was full of praise for Governor Theodore Orji for “the very good work he is doing in the health sector”, appealed to him “to please

come to their aid to ensure that the centre begins to function”.

“This community is in dire need of a health centre and when this one was sited here we were all very happy but

it seems that our happiness has turned to sadness.

“We are aware that Governor Orji has done well in some sectors including the health sector. We are appealing to him to help us equip and make this

centre become functional”, Kalu Orji said.

When contacted, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Okechukwu Ogar, said the centre may not have been handed over to the state by MDG. The Commissioner said that the state cannot do anything with any health centre project which has not been formally handed over to the state by the MDG.

Civil Defence uncovers illegal cement factory in Asa •Arrests monarch, 7 others

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA- WHILE Governments at various levels are making effort to battle incessant building collapse across the nation, some unscrupulous businessmen have been busy manufacturing fake cement.

In Abia State, eight persons including a local chief have been arrested by the operatives of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, for allegedly manufacturing and selling fake brands of different cement products.

They were arrested at their illegal cement factory in Asa Umunaka, Ugwunagbo Local

Government Area of the state.

The illegal cement factory is located in the middle of the family compound of the local chief and was said to have been in operation for sometime now.

Thousands of fake brands of different cement companies in the country were produced in the illegal factory, from where they were distributed to various locations within and outside the state.

A truck with twenty five bags of the products was impounded by the NSCDC while thousands of newly produced bags bearing the name and logo of some cement companies in the country were also seized.

The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state, Mr. Andy Datie, noted that investigations revealed that the suspects mix some substances to produce what looked like real cement which they package for sale in bags of various cement companies.

Datie described the activities of the suspects as an economic sabotage and could be responsible for building collapse.

He said the command was on the trail of other suspects and expressed the determination of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to flush out operators of the illegal business from the state.

According to Datie, NSCDC

would liaise with cement manufacturers and regulatory agencies in tackling the problem to ensure that innocent Nigerians do not fall victims of the nefarious activities.

In an interview, one of the suspects, Ebuka Chibuike explained that customers usually visited the illegal factory with different types of trucks to take delivery of their consignment.

He noted that his job was to load the fake products into the vehicles at the fee of one thousand naira for every fifty bags.

es

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 33

Wenger: Podoski’s not for sale Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ap pears to have ruled out the sale of Lukas Podolski, despite interest in the forward from Juventus.

Podolski’s future at the Emirates stadium appeared to be in doubt after he was left out o f the squad that travelled to Everton on Saturday, with Serie A champions Juventus reportedly ready to offer £10m for the World Cup- winner.

But a long-term injury to fellow striker Olivier Giroud has left Wenger short on attacking options, with the manager using a news conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League qualifier against Besiktas to suggest Podolski would stay at Arsenal this summer.

“Podolski is in the squad tomorrow and will stay with us,” Wenger said.

Podolski trained with his Arsenal teammates ahead of tomorrow’s crucial secondleg against Besiktas, which is finely

Rodgers: Man City’s second goal “killed” Liverpool Liverp o o l manager Brendan Rodgers believes Manchester City’s second goal was the decisive strike in their 3-1 victory over the Reds last Monday night, reports the Evening Standard.

Rodgers’ side had the better of the early exchanges at the Etihad, but City took the lead just before half-time through Stevan Jovetic. The City forward scored another goal ten minutes after the break, and Rodgers believes it was that goal that ended Liverpool’s hopes of getting a result against the defending champions.

He said: ”I think up until 40 minutes we were the best team and we just switched off in that final period of the half

and didn’t defend well enough and all over a sudden we’re 1-0 down.

“The message at half-time was we were playing well and we looked the most threatening team and some of our work was very good, but the second goal goes in and it killed us a bit.”

US OPEN TENNIS

Murray grits through cramps to Haase Spinning in 70 mph second serves, grabbing at his hamstring during points, Andy Murray gritted his way through head-to-toe cramps to win at the U.S. Open.

Murray outlasted Robin Haase 6-3, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 7-5 in the first round Monday during an afternoon that was hot but not particularly humid. He was mystified that the cramps came on so early - at the start of the third set after only about an hour and a half on court.

“When it starts to kind of go everywhere, you don’t know exactly where it’s going to creep up next,” he said.

“When you stretch one muscle, something else then cramps, too.”

It started in the back of his left shoulder, and then quickly spread to his forearm. The right-handed Murray couldn’t toss the ball high enough to get any pace on his serves.

Between points, he’d twist his body to awkwardly stretch his left side. After hitting a winner, he’d reach for his quad.

Murray was twice down a break in the fourth set, but the 70th-ranked Haase unraveled with a string of unforced errors. He wasted three break points in the final game, when a missed call also cost him.

The eighth-seeded Murray had felt confident in his conditioning after productive training sessions in Miami, where he weathered far more heat and humidity than this. He wondered if something was amiss in his nutrition.

“Cramping in my left fore-

arm?” a bewildered Murray said. “I mean, I didn’t use my left forearm a whole lot today (yesterday).”

Haase, a l s o bothered b y some cramping, said he didn’t eat and drink enough beforehand because

of an earlier-than-expected start - the first match on Louis Armstrong Stadium lasted just 47 minutes. But Murray said dehydration didn’t seem to be his problem.

Serving for the fourth set at 5-3, Haase doublefaulted on break point to allow Murray to get back on serve.

Murray then went up when

6-5 h e took Haase’s second serve high and whacked a forehand winner.

With Murray trying to serve

out the match, Haase smacked a deep return on his second break point that might have set him up to win the game.

But the ball was called out, and after it was overturned on review, they had to replay the point. This time, Haase hit a volley into the net.

Murray is notorious for suddenly clutching at an ailment after a poorly played point.

On this day, though, the misery was clearly real. The twotime major champion went after winners to shorten points, tried to stay upright to keep the strain off his legs. It was just enough to eke out the victory. “ I don’t think if it would have gone to five sets I would’ve been the favorite,” Murray said.

Three years ago, he and Haase did go five in New York, with Murray rallying from a two-set deficit to win in the second round.

Sharapova makes winning return, beats Kirilenko right shoulder, trailed 4-2 in

M

aria Sharapova made a winning return to the U.S. Open, overcoming a few wobbles with her serve tosses before taking the final 10

games to beat longtime friend Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-0 Monday night in the first round.

The fifth-seeded Sharapova, who missed the tournament last year because of an injured

the first set. She then took control in the matchup between 27-year-old Russians and didn’t drop another game.

Sharapova has had some trouble with her serves since getting hurt. Four times in a span of four points midway through the first set, she tossed the ball in the air, only to catch it instead of hitting it _ a buzzing sound system, a plane flying overhead and a slight wind gust may have contributed.

Kirilenko had not played since Wimbledon. Once ranked in the top 10, she came into this match at No. 113 after a series of injuries.

Among the men Monday night, top-seeded Novak Djokovic breezed past a novice Diego Schwartzman, beating him 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in a match that finished a few minutes before midnight.

C M Y

34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

American BMW – And Killed!

L

ET me quickly demystify the caption of this article. Its full meaning is American Black Men Walking, And killed.It summarizes the fate of quite a number of African American young men who are randomly killed either in a cross-fire by criminal gangs or in the hands of the police who are paid to protect them.

For now, my concern is the death of 18-year-old African American, Michael Brown, who was killed in broad daylight by a policeman who determined that the young man deserved to die in ignominy.

To put this issue in perspective, here are some relevant figures.

According to the current United States census report, the population of white Americans is 62.6 percent, while that of African Americans is 13.2 percent. But, when it comes to the ratio of police “murder” on the race divide, here is what the USA Todaynewspaper reported on August 15 this year: “Nearly two times a week in the United States, a white police officer

killed a black person during a seven-year period ending in 2012….On average, there were 96 such incidents among at least 400 police killings each year that were reported to the FBI by local police. The numbers appear to show that the shooting of a black teenager in Ferguson, Mo., last Saturday was not an isolated event in American policing. The reports show that 18% of the blacks killed during those seven years were under age 21, compared to 8.7% of whites.”

Justifiable homicide As you can see, something is not right when 13 percent of a population (black) suffer 18 percent of what the police call justifiable homicide, while about 63 percent (white) account for 9 percent of the killings. It isn’t that homicide, justifiable or preconceived, should be something that must be evenly distributed in any society. The fact is that such gruesome experience is found more in the African

American community than among their white neighbours.

The killing of Michael Brown on a street in Ferguson, Missouri, is symptomatic of a number of issues. First, is the police brutality and callousness. Despite the fact that the police released a video showing someone who appears to look like “Big Mike” in what they termed strong-arm (not armed) robbery, the police chief in Ferguson told the press that Officer Darren Wilson who shot and killed Brown did not know about the robbery when he encountered and killed the teenager.

Although investigations into the incident are yet to be concluded, eyewitness accounts published in various media say that during the altercation between Brown and the policeman, the young man had put up his hand in a surrender mode, yet he was shot several times, even a few meters away from where the incident originated. Worse still, Brown’s body was left uncovered in the street for no less than four hours.

Until the Missouri Governor Jay Nixon put the state’s highway patrol in charge of the incident, the Ferguson police mobilized all weapons in their arsenal, from tear gas to the post-Iraq war armored tanks they received from the defense department, to fight the people protesting the killing of their son, brother, friend and

fellow human being.

If you saw the incident on television, you would have thought that it was a war scene in Ukraine or Gaza.

Secondly, the shooting and killing of Brown was just the last straw that broke the back of the proverbial camel. Ferguson, we have since discovered, is an area where only two or three out of 53 officers of the local police, are African Americans who make up about 66 percent of the Ferguson population.

It has since emerged that the African Americans have been complaining about the intimidation and humiliation they have been suffering in such a climate of white police regime.

This perception of the police as

to divert the discussion from the murder of Brown to his involvement in a robbery incident. The intention, many concluded, was to exonerate the white police officer from the execution-style killing of Brown.

It has also emerged that all the Federal agencies involved in the investigation had warned the Ferguson police not to release the video as it was capable of incensing the already bereaved community. But, the police boss did so and mayhem followed, disturbing the relative calm and peace that had been achieved by the highway patrol team led by African American police captain, Ronald S. Johnson.

It is obvious that African Americans in the United States

It is obvious that African Americans in the United States have a police induced siege mentality the enemy and lack of trust in them by the African American community in Ferguson was even fueled in the aftermath of the killing when the police failed or refused to reveal the name of the officer who killed Brown.

When they did so after five days of pressure, instead of doing just that, the police boss began his name-the-shooter press conference by releasing the photos and video of Brown in the so-called strong-arm robbery incident.

To the African American community, that tactless act was evidence that the police wanted

have a police induced siege mentality. The shooting and killing of Brown is another tissue of evidence to support this feeling, and the coinage that BMW, black men walking down the street, are in constant danger of being shot dead by the police.

Several African American parents complain that their parents and grand-parents had warned them about the high probability of being killed by the police. Lamentably, they have to pass on the same message to their kids and grandkids in this unending, vicious cycle of BMW – and being killed by the police.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—35

My dream is to own a well established shoe factory — Isi Omiyi, MD Roliesther Footwear

By ANINO AGANBI

Isi Omiyi, MD/ CEO Roliesther footwear is a graduate of philosophy, University of Lagos, Akoka. She had her basic education in Ilorin and Lagos. She worked for different organizations as a marketer before necessity made her join the rank of Business owners. Like most other people who grew up in Lagos, she had to start doing something she loved knowing there were responsibilities to shoulder and bills to pay. She attended a vocational centre in Ilupeju-Lagos where she learnt to make shoes. So far, she is one of the few women in Nigeria who has ventured into this line of business.

In this interview, she tells more. s a business mogul, what was the transformation like from being an employee to having your own business?

As an employee or a business owner, you are bound to view things from different perspectives. When you get used to doing things properly and timely, it becomes a part of you. This makes it much easier for you when you start your own business. It was as a result of the trainings I had received I was able to cope when I began my business.

How did your business start?

Growing up, I had issues buying shoes because I had large feet. Due to necessity, I could not go out wearing slippers or sandals, knowing most shops I visited did not have my shoe size. As technology got bigger and better, I was able to make and promote my business online and in the Nigerian market. As time went on, my shoes were out there for people to see within and outside Nigeria. I started by selling at home in 2007 before I was able to market online. So far, I have a loyal clientele.

What challenges have you encountered as a business person, would you say it has been worth while?

Making a living in Nigeria is expensive, regardless of you being a single mother or not and having billls to pay. These are everyday issues I see, rent being too high in different areas, getting your market out there, working with generator plants all day because of inadequate power supply, having bad internet connection as a result of ther weather especially when you need send out products ontime.

These are the every day problems we experience in the country. Most importantly, despite all of these,

,

A

There is nothing that you make that would not sell in Nigeria because you are meeting the needs of different people at different times; the quality of your produce draws people to you

,

running my business has been worth while. When you find a balance doing what you love, you would be able to surmount whatever challenges you are faced with. My dream is to have a well established shoe shop where you can come to for male and female shoes.

Would you say Nigeria is a fertile ground for investment?

Yes it is, for a country that has a large population,I believe we have the highest number of entrepreneurs in the world. Very few people retain having paid jobs. There is a lot of room for improvement, you can actually count the number of people who own shoe factories in Nigeria.

And that’s just one aspect of it.

There a people who are quite tall and need specially made trousers to suit them. There is nothing that you

•Isi Omiyi

make that would not sell in Nigeria because you would be meeting the needs of different people at different times. The quality of your product draws people to you.

Why did you choose this business instead of any other?

There were instances were I’d be all dressed up to go for events but could not get anything to wear on my feet. It wasn’t because I couldn’t afford it but because in most cases I couldn’t get a shoe size that fitted me. So I decided to do something for people who had the same issues as I did. Finding fashionable and comfortable shoes becomes difficult in cases like this. It was due to these reasons I decided to step in and make these shoes easily available for people to buy.

How far would you wish to see your business grow?

I would wish to have branches in different parts of the country and even outside the shores of Nigeria.

Owning a factory where quality shoes would be produced in Nigeria

would be the perfect icing on the cake.

Who are your target audience?

Basically, the middle class to the high range, and also the working class people .

Did growing up as a child prepare you for this line of business or was it something you picked up along the way.

It was actually something I picked up along the way because my parents had their jobs. My mother was a retired civil servant while my dad was a pharmacist. I picked it up form my own issue of not having shoes to wear.

What would you change in the area of your business if you are given a second chance?

I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.

The only thing I would have added from the start would have been making shoes for both males and females instead of just the females as I did.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Cross River 2015:

The myth around Imoke,

Duke and I — Gershom Bassey I N Cross River State, the trio of former Governor Donald Duke, Governor Liyel Imoke and Mr. Gershom Bassey were at the core of a famed power matrix that plotted the political pattern in Cross River State at the onset of the Fourth Republic.

Following Duke as governor was Imoke and eyes have been focussed on the prospects of the third leg of the power tripod, Bassey, who is ironically from the same senatorial district as Duke.

In this interview, Bassey responds to the issues surrounding the alleged power pact between the three friends. Excerpts:

See what?

We have told you that the caucus has said it, the governor has said it and I think he said it on his birthday, all these things have been said and I don’t want to keep flogging this issue. I always tell people that these rumours are going to persist until we swear in this our governor from the north.

By Dapo Akinrefon YOU belong to the group called the Three Musketeers in Cross River State. Talk to us about this group think the three wise-men tag or the three musketeers tag is a name that evolved from the populace.

It wasn’t a name that we gave ourselves. I think it is a name that a lot of our well wishers gave to us, so really I don’t know how it came about but I do know that Donald, Liyel and I in the early years around 1995 and 1996 had started a lot of discussions on Cross River State and essentially we had talked about the direction we wanted to go as a state. I think it was from those discussions and series of meetings that we had that a lot of ideas for Cross River State came about. Of course by that time we had no political power.

We were just talking as idealistic young men and I think it was from there that God blessed our endeavours and our thinking, so he made it possible for us to achieve political power and try to implement some of those ideas that we had as young men. So talking about the whole concept of the three of us, that is really how we started.

I

How did the decision for you people to come together come about?

We have all been friends for some time. I know Donald very well because we grew up together, attended primary school together, secondary school together and Liyel, I knew in the University and so on. All of us had come under the tutelage of Clement Ebri who was governor of Cross River State in 1991 and Liyel contested for the senate and won, Donald was commissioner under Clement and I was one of Clement’s major political allies in 1991 when he contested for governorship. So all of us had come under the tutelage of Clement Ebri and I think that that is when we started to understand that we had similar political ideology and that was how our political friendship developed.

Was it truly part of your plan that each of you would govern the state?

No. we had ideas for the state on how we wanted our state to develop. As young men we thought that under the military, the state was not really going in the direction that was best for our state. It was more of a think-tank but the quest for political power came later.

What have the three of you been discussing about the future of Cross River State, at least recently?

I know that I have discussed with his Excellency, the governor, I have discussed with the former governor but it’s been a few months now since the three of us sat together to discuss the future of Cross River State. But from our social interactions, we don’t have to talk too much because I think all of us are on the same page. Our aspiration for our state is very clear, we need to take our state to the next level because since 1999, successive governments, and when I say successive governments I mean Donald Duke in his first and second term, Imoke in his first and second termsuccessive governments have done better than previous

been said, the issues have been addressed, the governor has addressed them, the PDP caucus in Cross River has addressed those issues and there is nothing else we can say except to wait and see.

•Bassey: It is not the governor that said power is going to the north governments and what we all want is for us to continue doing well.

Have you heard people say that power is not likely to go up north in 2015?

People will always speculate but we are quite serious. We don’t play selfish politics, we have always done the politics of the collective and if anybody should ask me how we have been able to continue in politics and survive, I think the key has been that we play the politics

of collectives and not politics of self. We think this is the best thing for the collective, we are not playing games, we are actually saying the truth. To me I personally think that we have said it and the proof of the pudding would be in the eating, so there is nothing we can do than to wait and see.

Most people seem to believe that you are likely to take over from Liyel The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. The issues have

The governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has said severally that power is moving to the northern part of the state this time. Is that right?

It is not the governor that said power is going to the north. It is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) caucus and I am a member of the caucus. So, all of us said that power should go to the north or that the north should be given a chance to produce a governor. It is a collective decision. I don’t think I have declared for even the seat of councillor. Cleary, I have not declared for anything.

That means you are not contesting the governorship?

What I am saying is that let the north have a shot at the governorship.

In other words, you are not going to contest the 2015 governorship election?

No one knows what is going to happen in 2015. We don’t know.

So what I can say is that definitely, I stand by the decision of the PDP caucus.

Edo 2015: Oshiomhole’s time is P

ascal Ugbomhe is Director of Organization/Operations of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He was a two-time member of the State House of Assembly, and before then, a local government council chairman and former vice-chairman of the party in the state. Ugbomhe is now in the race for the Edo North Senatorial ticket of his party and in this interview he speaks on reinventing the party in the state and how it is poised to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Excerpts:

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

Y

ou have been in political hibernation since 2007 after serving as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly and a local government chairman. Why your interests in the Senate come 2015?

I was not on political hibernation since 2007 as you said; I have been involved in other areas of the polity. Although I have not held

elective positions as it were, I have been involved in the management of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State. You will recall that after I left office as council chairman, I became the State Vice-Chairman of the PDP in the state and with the advent of the Chief Dan Orbih led leadership of the party, I was appointed the Director of Organization/Operations of the party so that I can bring my experience and technical knowledge to assist the leadership in the running of the party. To the glory of God,

today, the PDP in Edo state has become a beautiful brand, it has become the most attractive brand; it has become a viable vehicle through which people are now aspiring to occupy one political position or the other. That is what I have been doing.

It is not political hibernation as you said.

What are your chances of winning your party’s nomination?

I believe that my chances are as bright as others that are contesting with me, if not even brighter because I am not alien to the party. I have been involved in the building and sustenance of the party’s platform more than every other person who now wants to use it to sustain their political interests. The people know me, the party knows and had tried me, tested

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—37

Delta’s soft spot for women T

HE Delta administration has achieved much in pushing women towards greater heights, the most visible being the Olympic and World Championship medallist, Blessing Okagbare.

The Emmanuel Uduaghan administration is also winning accolades in other dimensions.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

I

F you have a difficult job to handle, give it to a woman,” Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said to the rapturous approval of the majority of the women and the quiet approval of President Goodluck Jonathan who were gathered at the Ladi Kwali hall of Sheraton Hotel and Towers penultimate Tuesday.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi was to add to the hilarity with his own assertion on the prudence of women when it came to the family purse.

“When you give money to women they spend it on the family, but when you give it to men, they spend it outside and create more families,” the governor said.

The occasion was the eighth annual Medium and Small Scale Enterprises Finance Conference, the yearly event staged by Nigeria’s Central Bank to showcase advancements in the financing of small and medium scale enterprises.

This year ’s conference was also the first one organised by the newly appointed governor of the apex bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

Dr. Uduaghan’s assertion on

“

•You have done well, President Jonathan tells Governor Uduaghan the competence of women was itself a direct contradiction to the well known labelling of women as the weaker sex. He spoke as one of six governors in a panel discussion on the engagements of six state governments in MSME financing.

Besides Uduaghan, other governors on the panel were Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Segun Mimiko of Ondo, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Babangida Aliyu of Niger and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State.

The governors at the panel discussion moderated by erstwhile managing director of the Bank of Industry, BoI, Ms Evelyn Oputu used the stage to recount their achievements in the MSME sector.

Governor Aliyu had impressed many with his claim that Niger State has for three consecutive years been recognised by the Central Bank for having the least

proportion of the poor among the states in the country. One initiative he said, had propped the state towards that enviable position was the policy of empowering each of the 274 wards in the state with a monthly grant of N1 million which is used for development.

Governor Mimiko, speaking in a similar vein, said his administration had granted N1 billion through a poverty elimination programme to women. Ajimobi on his part, spoke of regular grants given at zero-interest rates to desiring entrepreneurs.

Governor Akpabio on his part also spoke of weekly grants of N500,000 provided by his wife to church cooperatives.

However, given the sterling example set by the Delta State administration in the field of MSME financing with testimonials in back to back awards from the CBN in past awards, it was not surprising

that many also looked up to Governor Uduaghan to learn from the administration’s pattern of success.

Noting the central problem posed by unemployment to all political players, he said: “The challenge before any leader today whether is the president, governor or local government chairman is unemployment,” Udugahan said as he noted challenges with infrastructure which his administration had to confront when he came to power in 2007.

According to him, while the administration immediately commenced the upgrade of infrastructure, it did not wait for the completion of the infrastructure projects before it commenced its empowerment programmes through the Delta MicroCredit Programme, DMCP. The DMCP, he said, had so far covered over 110,000 persons with more than 60% of them being women.

“The programme is managed by a woman,” Uduaghan said, adding the clincher, “if you have a problem in this world, give it to a woman,” the governor said in appreciation of the well lauded micro-credit scheme headed by programme manager, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu.

Highlighting the achievements of the microcredit scheme, he noted that the DMCP had recently forged a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO. A result of the partnership is the enhancement of shoes and other leather products made by beneficiaries of the DMCP. Two young female graduates who are beneficiaries of the DMCP scheme who have walked away from the labour market and were among beneficiaries who recently returned from a three week exhibition in Italy were also in Abuja to showcase their products.

President Jonathan recognised the efforts of the Delta administration when he that day handed over a cheque of N500 million out of the N1 billion set aside for the CBN for MSMEs to deserving state administrations. The only other recipient deserving that day was Governor Akpabio who went home with N200 million.

Besides, Delta State was also recognised with an award for the outstanding successes it has made under the MSME programme.

passing away — Ugbomhe me both in elective responsibility and in the management of the party. With all sense of humility, I have been proven to be credible, loyal, dependable, disciplined and one with principles.

These are some of the qualities which I believe that at the end of the day, perhaps; make the party to see me at this point in time as a square peg in a square hole.

There is this belief that the conduct of the PDP primaries to elect candidates into elective political positions may make or mar the fortunes of the party in the forth coming general elections.

What is your take on this?

Well, for those who may be expecting this, they don’t have better democratic credentials than those of us in the PDP. I believe that the PDP will learn from the mistakes of the past, I believe that

we have evolved; I am a democrat and those running the party are democrats and if not for democracy, perhaps; we would all have been in the APC if we were to be playing politics just for the stomach case.

I and those managing the affairs of the party in the state are not enemies to Governor Adams Oshiomhole or to the people in the APC. I am not sure that given what we have gone though in the past seven years or so that we would be in hurry to allow the party to crumble.

What are the chances of the PDP wining elections in Edo North Senatorial zone considering the fact Governor Adams Oshiomhole hails from there?

You know many things come to play in an election; I don’t even see it that way.

We are not strangers to our people in Edo

North. The governor has had his time and his time is gradually fading away, coming to an end, so, it is going to be a new dawn for Edo North; Afemai does not revolve round Governor Oshiomhole and will not end with him. So, to me, I think it will be wrong to say that elections in Edo North would be between Oshiomhole and the PDP .No. We all have own pedigrees and history in Afemai land and when it comes to the general election, it will be on issues.

As a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, what is your take on the crisis rocking the Assembly?

My brother, I weep for Edo State, I weep for the State legislature.

I need to advise my colleagues who are there now that history is looking at them.

•Ugbomhe

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 39

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 Edited by: Emma Nnadozie emmadozie@hotmail.com 08023145281, 08111813021

Assassination attempt on Young Shall G boss; Police arrest suspects •6 others killed during investigation •sa ys kidnap w as the mo tiv e says was motiv tive Almost one year after a gang of hoodlums waylaid the Chief Executive Officer of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo and wounded him badly, detectives attached to the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad, FEDSARS, Adeniji-Adele, Lagos, have made a breakthrough by arresting most of the members of the gang that carried out the attack.

By Emma Nnadozie

H

OW he was attacked The transport mogul who has contributed immensely to the economic development of the country was attacked on 27th August, 2013 at about 10pm as he headed to his house in Festac Town, Lagos.

As a patron of Festac Sports Club where he participates actively in lawn tennis tournaments, he was cruising home on the fateful day in a black SUV with his escorts in a Hilux at the rear, when a group of hoodlums operating in two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander SUV and a commuter bus confronted him at 4th Avenue.

One drove directly to his front and blocked him, opened fire on his vehicle. The police escorts at the rear returned fire and in the ensuing gun battle, his orderly, Corporal Ngozi Chijiokwu and his driver, Peter Nweke, were killed.

Chief Obianodo at the hospital after the attack with Gov. Fashola of Lagos

Medical prowess

•His shattered escort vehicle

•Late Emeka Nweke a.k.a Emeka Alhaji – he was killed at the scene of the attack. section at Adeniji-Adele, Lagos.

Investigation kicks off:Crime Alert gathered that as soon as detectives at FEDSARS took over the case, they took all the files and the exhibits including some arrested suspects who were interrogated severally and checked out but they appeared not to have any clues. They, nevertheless, continued their investigation and cultivated intelligence and information which eventually led to the unmasking of the two robbers that died at the scene of the attack.

First victim: One of them was confirmed as Henry Uchenna

•Late Henry Uche Nwakoeze, a.k.a Orthman – also killed at the scene

,

Two of the robbers whose identities were not known also died during the process. He was badly wounded in the upper and lower left arm region. He bled so heavily, was traumatized and went into shock. Subsequently, he was rushed to hospital in Apapa, area after which he was later flown abroad for better treatment. He survived the attack through medical prowess and grace of God. Police steps in: The case was originally reported at the Area E, Festac division where preliminary investigations commenced. Unfortunately, some controversies reared its ugly head over the neutrality and diligence of the Area Command in the investigation.

Consequently, there were petitions and counter- petitions to the Inspector-General of Police asking for the removal of the case from Area E, command.

That was how it was transferred to the Federal Anti-Robbery

A few number of them are said to have opportunities and facilities to travel to Ghana, South Africa, China and they elope as soon as they commit crime

Nwakoeze popularly known as Orchman. He hailed from Umudioka village in Awka, Anambra State. Sources said he was a notorious armed robbery and kidnap kingpin, very vicious and known to have dealt summarily with some of his gang members suspected to be black legs. He was also said to have exterminated members of their families. He was fairly

,

well-to- do arising from his loot and ransom he accumulated from kidnapping and was known to have recycled women who were some of his gang members as wives.

Second victim: The second suspect who also died at the scene of the attack was identified as Emeka Nweke a.k.a Emeka Alhaji. He hailed

•Ch

from Obinkita village in Arochukwu, Abia State. He was heavily built and rumoured to have worked as a councillor and personal assistant in his local government area.

Detectives hinted that he was known as a local champion, feared and revered by his gang members and co-ordinated the Abia State end of the activities of the gang.

The gang: It was reliably learnt that •Oluchukwu Ojibe a the gang is a very Onye Uke – he spille extensive gang that beans in police net

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 41

Grow

be no hiding place for the rest members of the gang.

How the bubble burst: Crime Alert gathered that detectives at FEDSARS, working in conjunction with their counterparts in Anambra State, later succeeded in arresting one Oluchukwu Ojibe a.k.a Onye Uke, who was said to have driven the vehicle that blocked Obianodo on the day of the attack.

He was reportedly arrested around the popular but notorious Upper Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra State after which he made very far reaching revelations about the gang and their mode of operation.

Manhunt: Police sources also revealed that in the past one year, the manhunt for members of the gang had been on and during the process which was described as ‘very tasking and demanding’, no fewer than six suspected members of the gang died during the cross fire that ensued between them and police at different locations in the country.

Minor injury

•Blood stains inside the car after the shooting

hief Obianodo’s bullet-ridden SUV

a.k.a ed the

operates throughout the South East up to Delta, Edo and the South-West especially Lagos as the hub. They are reportedly specialists in armed robbery, kidnapping and other murderous acts. Police sources said during investigations and subsequent arrest of suspects, it was discovered that the aim of the dawn attack was to kidnap the Young Shall Grow boss and demand huge ransom but eventually, they did not succeed.

Interestingly, police sources said they suspected that an exstaff of the company which has high turn over of staff, may have planned the kidnap of Chief Obianodo either out of being aggrived or greed. The source assured that tracking of other members of the gang is in high progress and there will

One of the arrested member of the gang is said to be a chemist who is sufficiently knowledgeable in the art of medicine and doubles as the gang’s doctor. He goes to every location where any member of the gang sustained injury and even carries out minor surgery on injuries. Another member of the gang also in police net is said to hold sway in Aba and it is in his house that all the oath takings by members of the gang are made.

International connection: The gang is said to have some international leg and also carry out operations in some African countries and beyond. A few number of them are said to have opportunities and facilities to travel to Ghana, South Africa, China and they escape as soon as they commit crime.

Police collaboration: Crime Alert was told that this rare feat of arresting such a gang of notorious and deadly criminals which has led to a reasonable decrease in cases of kidnapping of late should be attributed to the collaborative efforts of members of the Special Anti-robbery team in Anambra State led by Supol Nwafor and their counterparts at the Federal SARS in Lagos led by DCP Chris Ezike.

Confirmation: Concerted efforts made to confirm this development failed as the Deputy Commissioner incharge of FEDSARS, AdenijiAdele, Chris Ezike, was said to have travelled to Abuja on an IGP’s assignment. When contacted on phone, he simply said the case was still under investigation.

By Bashir Adefaka

F

ORTY eight days after an Ogun Islamic cleric, Ustadh Abdul Ganiyy Jumah and his wife, Muinat, were abducted by unknown gunmen who claimed to be policemen, detectives have made progress, Tuesday evening, by arresting a prime suspect alleged to be in the know of the abduction.

The development has elicited succour and joy to family members of the missing cleric and sympathizers, who had been in pensive mood since the day of the unfortunate incident.

Crime Alert gathered that detectives from Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, acting on a petition by the family of the victims, had invited the suspect, Alfa Abdul Hakeem Toliat, for interrogation which took him up to six days to honour.

When he eventually turned up and was confronted with the facts available to the family, he was said to be dumbfounded, as he could no longer deny the allegations against him. He was then clamped into detention for further interrogations.

The suspect was alleged to have boastfully claimed to enjoy strong romance with Police Division in Sango Ota and Imam of Zone 2 Command Mosque to the extent of being a twotime award recipient at the instance of Sango Divisional Headquarters.

•IGP Suleiman Abba

Abducted couple in Ogun:

Police makes progress, arrest prime suspect • 8 lawyers indicate interest to pursue victim’s case • Family lauds new IG, AIG Zone 2 • Appeals for justice

Awards from the police The petition reads in part, “Prior to the time of the arrest of the Ustaz, Alfa Toliat had already told some people in the community that he is going to arrange for the moving of Ustaz Jumah from Ijoko and after the arrest, he even told one Alfa Abdul Lateef (Abu Sakinah) that he is the next person to be arrested. He threatens people with his relationship with the police in Sango Police Station and the Imam of Zone 2. He was even said to had received awards twice from the police at Sango.

“While we do not know what is in the mind of Alfa Toliat over Ustaz and his wife since that 5th July of his arrest by armed men who were not in uniform but claimed to be police without showing their identity to anyone in the house, we hereby appeal to your eminence to please use your good offices to quickly intervene in this matter with a view to protecting the lives of our clients’ son and his wife who are very dear to our clients and

the good people of their community the Ustaz is serving. The only source of information now is Alfa Abdul Hakeem Toliat, who speaks authoritatively about the whereabouts of the abducted couple.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Zone 2 Command could not be reached for comment on this development as at press time but a police source at Zone 2, intimated that he must have been released on bail after the stipulated hours by law.

Meanwhile, the 80-year-old mother of the missing cleric, Alhaja Aminatu Ibrahim-Jumah and members of her family have expressed their profound gratitude to Allah, the new InspectorGeneral of Police, Mallam Suleiman Abba and Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command for their prompt intervention over the issue. The octogenarian had cried out to these officers during her ‘Save our Soul’, SOS visit to the head office of Vanguard Media Limited, penultimate week asking them to help her to release her son and his wife from wherever they were being kept.

Prominent Muslim activists including the Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Lakin Akintola and Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, Barrister M. A. Sanni have expressed satisfaction with the police latest performance. They said the police had shown that it has human feeling as they were now working assiduously to unravel the myths surrounding the whereabouts of a couple who were taken away leaving behind, their five innocent children for 48 days now.

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

THE SAD STORY OF A NATION:

Govt has taken positive steps to rebuild projects across Nigeria —Monye Professor Sylvester Monye who is the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation hails from Onicha Ugbo in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Before his present appointment, Monye was Secretary, National Planning Commission, where he was in charge of the administration of the Commission, with oversight responsibility for the Centre for Management Development, CMD, Lagos, the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER, Ibadan; and the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Abuja.

With this appointment, he served as Secretary of the National Economic Council. Monye who had served as member, Committee on Management of the Excess Crude Account; Committee on the Niger Delta; the Steering Committee of Vision 20:2020; and the National Steering Council on the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, is currently the Chairman, Presidential Monitoring Committee on Ports Reform. In this interview, Monye bares his mind on decongestion of the ports, achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan in the sectors, the Railway System, the economy, among others. Excerpts:

By Henry Umoru

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OU are the Chairman, Presidential Monitoring Committee on Ports Reform and decongestion, how has it been so far?

I am the chairman of Ports Decongestion Committee, our mandate basically is to assist the federal government to decongest, not just the activities at the Port, but also to decongest the gridlock on the Apapa Oshodi express way which has made life difficult for the road users, so it is a two- prong assignment.

On the port side, we have done a lot of changes that have resulted to tangible results. Some of the tangible results may not be immediately known or seen by non port users. But those who use the port will attest to the progress we have made there.

For example, when we started the assignment, there were about 14 federal agencies who would normally constitute delay in the process in the clearance of the goods. At that time, each agency would stop and search containers and cargoes being brought in.

Lagos: We are building a new Nigeria through the rail projects —LAMATA boss This is the concluding part of this piece which was published yesterday

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Prof. Sylvester Monye that recommended the removal of so many agencies from the port whose activities were constituting a bottle neck to the operations of the port. The technical committee also recommended for the abolition of cargo tracking notes

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New equipment have not been brought in, yet the cost of clearing has gone up massively because nobody is controlling activities of those concessionaries

The first thing we did was to examine the need for each agency at the port to determine whether they should really be there or not. So the finance minister with her transport counterpart set up a Technical Working Committee made up of experts and headed by the then managing director of the Nigerian ports authority to examine the role of these government agencies at the port.

It was the technical committee

instead of over $1 million interest, we have reduced it to 7. If you multiply 7 by 40,000, it works out approximately $280,000. So that is a huge savings for the importer. The importer does not put this money in his pocket, because it reduces the price.

Ordinarily whatever an importer pays as cost of importation, he passes it on to the consumer in the form of higher price. But by reducing it, he has no reason to increase its price, so everybody benefits from this savings. So that is the kind of gains we have really achieved in this ports reform initiative.

We are also looking at the way the port itself operates. At the time of privatisation, we realized that it was done hurriedly. Hurriedly means certain fundamentals were not put in place, for example if you look at the telecom sector, before the

companies were licensed, there was a regulator in place, NCC, even before the telecom operators were licensed. Subsequently NCC was able to regulate the prices, their conduct, the quality of service and so on and so forth, so there was a regulator.

But in the case of the port concession, there was no regulator in place. They were simply concessioned, the assets were transferred from federal hands to private hands without any regulator in place to determine the level of service to be provided, the quality of service to be provided and the cost of service to be provided. The result is that efficiency has not increased at the ports. New equipment have not been brought in, yet the cost of clearing has gone up massively because nobody is controlling activities of those concessionaries.

Second thing we have done successfully is to get the Nigerian Shippers Council to be approved by the federal government as an interim regulator pending when the bill at the national assembly is passed into law establishing proper economic regulator at the ports. So that is also another thing that we have Continues on page 43

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and so many other activities that they regarded as been obstacle to easy flow of traffic and cargo at the port.

With that initial work, our committee was to implement those recommendations. We were very successful at that; we reduced the number of clearing institutions from 14 to 7. It was actually from 14 to 5, but due to the pressure of the peculiarity of our environment. For example we had recommended that SSS

should no longer operate out of the ports because of the nature of our country where people are smuggling arms as well as other initiatives of the port; we also reduced the number of clearing bills from 39 to 7. That is the first benefit that we derived from that move.

Now if I say reduction from 39 to 7, it will put things in context.

So I like to put it in monetary terms so that people would understand what that reduction means to the importer. Now if you are an importer and you borrowed money from the bank for a period of six months at the interest rate of 20 per cent, what that technically means is that for every single day you are paying $40,000 on interest.

So just imagine your cargo lying at the port for 39days. If you multiply 39 by 40, it is well in excess of $4million. That is the first thing.

Now, if you now know that

URVEY work on the Lagos rail project was completed between August 2009 and August 2010 and the actual construction work commenced on 26th July 2010.

Construction works are still ongoing for the first phase section between National Theatre and Mile 2 and was expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2014 but was abandoned half-way.

The state government said it had proposed Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) types of train which are emissions free for its Blue Line Rail Project. These EMUs do not pose problems of environmental pollution usually associated with conventional diesel locomotives. They are also proven to be more efficient and easier to maintain than diesel locomotives.

The Blue Line is also designed to carry 400,000 passengers daily with capacity increased to 700,000 passengers daily when the rail route becomes fully operational.

In an interview, the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport

Authority (LAMATA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola said the Lagos State Government is working towards launching the first phase of the Okokomaiko Marina (Blue Line) Light Rail Mass Transit for operation this year.

“The first phase is between National theatre and Mile 2; that was actually awarded in 2010 and we are hoping that by 2014 that phase will be finished and then move on from Mile 12 to Okokomaiko and then come back to National Theatre to construct the infrastructure to Marina.”

Construction of rail project Dr. Mobereola said that due to the huge capital outlay, construction of the rail project was divided into three phases, the first of which is the survey, design, preparation of construction yard and the rail infrastructure between National Theatre and Mile 2.

On the quality of work done so far, he described it as good noting; “it will stand the test of time. Railway is not something that is for 5 years, 10 years. In most cases it is built to last 50 to 100 years. So we have to ensure that the quality of work Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014—43

Lagos: We are building a new Nigeria through the rail projects —LAMATA boss Continues from page 42

Modern rail network

Govt has taken positive steps to rebuild projects across Nigeria —Monye Continues from page 58 done. We have also done a lot of things at the ports in collaboration with the customs in terms of how goods come in and how they go out. I am quite pleased to tell you that, although the bulk of imports still go through the red channels. What I mean by the red channel is where Customs physically examine about 80% of the goods that come in and only 20% is allowed to go without compliance to physical examination.

The reason for comprehensive physical examination is that unfortunately Nigerian importers engage in unnecessary practices that are designed to avoid normal

complied consistently to the rules of the land to the extent that there is confidence in whatever they declare. So when their goods come in, they are taken from the ships to the factories of these importers like Nestle, Breweries and these big importers, they have integrity, they are not doing sharp practices. So whatever they declare, either as raw materials or supply, they sail through. It is when they get to their premises that paper work is done, subsequently and the necessary duties paid. So there are no challenges there.

But it is the smaller importers who bring in one container, two containers and they buy goods,

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PMC can easily supply to Ogun state, Ibadan and Ilorin where they have depots, these have also been done. But unfortunately these pipelines are not able to work for more than 10hours a day because of vandalism

payment of duties. So the evidence available is that we have wrong declaration of value and even wrong declaration or deliberate misleading declaration as to the content of their cargo.

So the result is that they are subjected to physical examination and then of course in the process of the physical examination, they will discover that they are bringing in not necessarily a wrong cargo, but not what is disclosed on the manifest. That is what you find when you do the physical examination. So these are some of the changes that are taking place.

We have been able to establish about 179 companies that have

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they don’t have money to pay duties, they try to forge documents, they try to underdeclare or do wrong declarations that really get into trouble. So as far as we are concerned, the President owes it to you to ensure that you do not suffer and that is what our committee is charged to do. However, these companies that engage in wrong declaration, really have to bear the full weight of the law. So whatever delay they suffer in the process, it’s their own making.

Our concern is those who are legitimate, who are correct importers, who do all the right things and we believe that they shouldn’t suffer. So we have done

that.

Fourthly, on the port side, the government has completely reconstructed all the internal roads on the ports to ensure that the movement of cranes and trailers are unimpeded. So I can go on and on.

But we still have congestions and the routes are still blocked.

Well, we are looking at two things. I told you there are two sides. One is at the port side, the other one is the road side. I was describing the port side and you can see that we have done very well. But that is part A. Part B is the road. Even if the goods are cleared with speed and the trailers cannot take out the goods, it still constitutes delays because we know that there are trailers that spend up to 2-3days just trying to come out of the port after they have been cleared with speed, so that is also part of the problems.

One of the things we discovered is that along Apapa-Oshodi express way, you see that there are so many Tank farms on the road. These tank farms owned by Independent Marketers like Oando, Conoil, Capital oil and all those companies, you will discover that people come to lift petroleum products from these tank farms. We also discovered that PPMC can easily supply to Ogun state, Ibadan and Ilorin where they have depots. These have also been done. But I am told that in every 24hours, these pipelines are not able to work for more than 10hours because of vandalism. So as they pump petroleum products through the pipelines, people go to damage

them. They are fighting almost a lost battle trying to get these pipelines working. The result is that rather than people go to Ilorin, Ibadan or indeed Ogun state to lift petroleum products, they go straight to Apapa-Oshodi express way where they have tank farms, because those ones are discharged from Atlas Coast straight into these tank farms.

Products from tank farms So at any point in time, you are assured of lifting petroleum products from these tank farms, whereas in Ilorin and Ibadan and other places, you are not sure.

And if you do not allow people to come to this axis to lift because some of them lift and transport to as far as Sokoto, Kano and Maiduguri and they rely on that, if you block them, it raises scarcity. So the consequences are really extensive for everybody and that is one reason we have the traffic gridlock along that axis.

Secondly, the trailers going to the port to carry dry cargo or returning containers also constitute a gridlock so that if you will now have a combination of trailers and tankers on that road all competing for space that is exactly the cause of the gridlock.

The third area causing the gridlock is the nature of the road, the condition of the road itself. As you would all be aware, the federal government awarded the contract for Julius Berger to fix the road from Cele bus stop up to Coconut junction in Apapa, we have done that.

is very good.

“We have a contractor who has been building new railway system for the past 50 years in their country and other places. They know how to build a very good rail way system and the quality is commendable, it is very good and we are quite happy with it.”.

He pointed out that the rail project was being implemented under a public and private partnership. The state is building the infrastructure while the private sector will provide the rolling stock and management.

Dr Mobereola also pointed out that the Lagos rail will generate employment and create more housing.

“The Blue Line (Okokomaiko -Marina) Light Rail Project will boost the state economy through the creation of employment and generation of economic activities. When the 27 kilometre rail project becomes operational, several industrial parks were bound to spring up and this would lead to the creation of many industrial estates and will reduce the travel time because at the moment, it takes about 3-4 hours from Okokomaiko to Marina.

Economic development So it will become 42-43 minutes and that is a huge improvement for the people that are living on that axis.

“Those going to work on the Island, schools, hospitals, and to other various places will benefit enormously from it. Beyond that, it is also going to generate economic development along that corridor.

It’s going to open up access to all those areas that will generate employment, that will create housing , that will create industrial development, hospitals, schools everything that is needed along that corridor.

“The rail project situated in the middle of the LagosBadagry corridor, which leads to neighboring Benin Republic and other countries in the ECOWAS, would make it easy for people from those countries doing business in Lagos to have easy access to the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.

It will lead to making a vibrant city, making Lagos an accessible place and making goods affordable within and outside Lagos. So again, we are increasing the economic aspect of Lagos and indeed Nigeria.”

44—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, A UGUST 27, 2014 44—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA AUGUST

Her adulterous life threatens my marriage

Could dad be ‘toasting’ my friend?

Dear Bunmi, am a nineteen years old undergraduate. Last year, when I first went into the university, I made friends with a mate who is a couple of years older than I am. I’d taken her home several times and father and step-mother seem to like her.

My mother never got married to my father as she

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had me when she was in school.

I have noticed my dad giving my friend some secretive books when they both thought I wasn’t looking.

My mother currently resides abroad with her family.

The last time I went to visit her, my father asked me to buy a hand bag with shoes to match for a supposed government

official that was helpful to him in his business. This I did.

You can therefore imagine how shocked and angry I was when I saw the bag and shoes with my friend. She said she bought them at Balogun, but the size and colour of the shoes are he same as the ones I bought for dad’s supposed helper.

My step-mother has been like a mum to me and I don’t want my friend upsetting the peace we have at home.

Blessing By e-mail

I need to get rid of I my mother-in-law Dear Bunmi, ’VE been married to my husband for six years.

Early last year, his mother lost her husband and complained later that the house was too big for her. Without informing us, she sold the house and my husband who is her only son agreed for her to move in temporarily with us until a government flat she paid for would be ready. She got her flat but she’s still with us, pretending she’s rebuilding it to her taste.

In the meantime, she’s completely taken over my home. Redecorating and cooking meal she said my husband was crazy about the children are spoilt. She is really getting on my nerves.

Her presence has been affected our love life as it has reduced its spontaneity. My husband says to give her time but I’m sure that if it were left to her, she would want to stay forever. Help!

Tundun, By e-mail

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Dear Tundun, t’s understandable that you’re frustrated about your current situation but what could your husband have done? Apart from the fact that the poor woman is his mother, she has not only lost her husband of decades, she has lost control of a home she’s run almost all her life. In a way she sees the running of your home as he being in control again. Instead of being resentful, drop subtle hints that you would love to help her move into her new flat so that the family might have a second place to live in. That

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the children would really love spending time with their grandma in her house.

Let your husband know how you really feel but in the meantime, try to be more patient.

Your mother-in-law may find living alone daunting. Assuring her you will always support her could well do the trick.

Dear Blessing, have never had much respect for friends you invite into your home only for them to want to establish ownership – either through getting too familiar with your father or your husband. Stop taking your friend home and stop having anything to do with her. This won’t stop the affair that you rightly suspect is going on, but it will definitely exonerate you if and when your step-mother eventually finds out.

Is our relationship heading for the rocks?

Dear Bunmi, ’M almost 30 years old and have been with my boyfriend for over two years.

We currently live together. I thought we were destined to be together forever, but recently, he’s gone cold on me. He used to be affectionate but now he’s grumpy and secretive. Our sex life was great but we now make love only when he’s had a few drinks – and even then he avoids looking at me in the eye like he used to.

I’ve even asked if he wants to end the relationship – but he insists there’s nothing wrong and he’s busy and everything will be okay soon, I’m sure there’s more to it and I’m getting fed up with it all.

What can I do?

Catherine, By e-mail

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Dear Catherine, agree with you it’s not nice to get the cold shoulder in a relationship but most partnerships go through periods when their sex lives run hot and cold. There are

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many reasons why your man may have gone off sex. Stress at work is a common cause. I’ll health of depression can sap your sexual appetite too, and if he’s lost interest in all aspects of life, then I’d encourage him to see his doctor.

Problem is relationship can also be the reason he’s shutting you out. Perhaps he can’t find the courage to talk to you about them. Ultimately, he’s the only one who knows why he’s acting this way.

All you can do is control how you respond to it. Obviously, you need to talk and it’s a pity that your attempts to engage him in conversation haven’t worked. He may be confused about the way he’s feeling and struggling to understand his own thoughts before sharing them. Calmly, explain how you’re feeling and emphasise how important it is to find a way through that together. If he continues to push you away, then you have to face the ultimate decision.

I know you love him but you may have to accept that perhaps he isn’t “the one”.

Dear Bunmi, OKE and I have been friends right from our secondary school days. Despite the fact that she has always been on the flighty side, we get on well and have always been there for each other through thick and thin. She got married right after we finished secondary school about sixteen years ago when she got pregnant for one of her boyfriends.

But marriage has not dampened her enthusiasm for men. She has had so many affairs that a lot of our friends are suspicious of the paternity of her three children. In spite of the fact that I am now married to a man I adore and have a son, she still believes I must always be there to cover up for her when she goes on one of her popular and frequent dates. My husband almost got on to what was going on when her husband phoned the house last month to find out where she kept some documents he needed. My husband told him Joke wasn’t with us but I quickly took the phone from him to lie to Joke’s husband that she popped out and that she would call her husband as soon as she came in. I then called the lover’s mobile phone, when my husband was changing to ask her to rush down down to my place. I had to lie to my husband that we were trying to get Joke’s husband a surprise present for his birthday. Tedious, don’t you think?

I love my friend but I would rather have nothing to do with the way she chooses to life her life. I’ve warned her about the danger of too many sexual partners, but it is obvious she loves living on the edge.

Mabel By e-mail

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Dear Mabel, riendship should not be stretched to the limit where you have to fear for your own marriage. She might be a good friend but her behaviour is not exactly endearing her to your family, since she has bluntly refused to listen to sound advice from you, I suggest you tell her you would rather not get involved with her affairs and tell her strongly how your husband feels about extra-marital affairs. For good measure, tell her that your husband has threatened to tell her husband if he got a whiff of another escapade of hers.

If this does not paid to her getting you involved in her philandering, then you should think seriously of drastically reducing your contact with her.

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I’m not sure who the father is Dear Bunmi, OME few months ago, I split with my boyfriend of two years. I was low after the split but his best friend consoled me and we later discovered we have feelings for each other.

Two months ago, I missed my period and a test confirmed I was pregnant. I have no idea who of these men is the father. I hope it’s new boyfriend – he’s better than my ex and is loving and caring. I want to have a future with him, but I need to know who the real father is.

Ajoke By e-mail

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Dear Ajoke, ou’re right to want to know who the real father of your unborn child is since you’re not sure yourself. If you don’t, the question will haunt you for years and not knowing may well put an unbearable strain in all of you.

Your best bet is to let your new man know what the situation is. He knows you were with his mate right before you were with him, so he should be prepared for the fact that the baby might not be his. If he’s willing to do a blood test; you’ll one way or the other and be in a much better position to move forward. Good luck.

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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, AUGUST 27, 2014 —45

Akunyili had no match — Jonathan

By Ben Agande & Emmanuel Elebeke

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RESIDENT GOODLUCK Jonathan, yesterday, challenged public office holders to strive to be recognised by the quality of service they rendered while in office rather than the position they held, describing the late former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, as a patriotic Nigerian who had no rivalry in service.

In a a remark at the requiem mass for the former Minister of Information, Dr. Dora Akunyili, at the Catholic Pro-Cathedral Church, Area 3, Garki, Abuja, President Jonathan said the late Prof. Akunyili would be etched in the memory of Nigerians for decades because of her sterling achievements, especially as Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. The President, who expressed happiness that he was able to attend the mass in honour of the late Akunyili, noted that his presence at the service was a "last assignment in honour of our sister.”

While describing Professor Akunyili in superlative terms, the President said during her life time, she was “diligent, intelligent, extremely patriotic, extremely brave.”

The President said: “Dora was a professor of pharmacy. At the public level she served in Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, NAFDAC and then minister.

“Dora was more known as DG NAFDAC, more than when she served as a minister. Most Nigerians knew Dora because of her service. So most of the offices we look for, anybody who has opportunity to serve, we should all serve because what will endear you to people is not necessarily the office you hold, but the service you render. He urged Nigerians to emulate her life in public service.

“She sought to protect the lives of Nigerians as DG of NAFDAC and never compromised as regards those who traffic fake drugs.

“One thing that endeared her to me is that, probably I’m one president that has worked with so many women. At times, you noticed rivalry amongst women, but with her you never noticed any rivalry.

“Today, our dear sister has left us but to my brother, her husband, as the Bishop has told us about the the virtues of a good wife, you have to thank God you will get that respect as her husband because of her achievements.

“To my children, your mother was a very dynamic woman because her works and identity have given you what silver and gold cannot give you. Yes, it might not translate to monetary rewards, but many will respect and want to assist you as her children because of her.

Homily In his homily at the Mass, the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop

Hassan Matthew Kukah, said funerals should be one of the proudest moment as Christians as they serve as a reminder of the mortality of man.

“The reality of funerals is as Jesus demonstrated to us, that tears are part of our emotions as He wept for his friend, Lazarus.

“We know that Jesus went and came back. It is that simple act that Christians believe that death is the beginning of new life,” he said.

True love Late Dora Akunyili’s husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili, in his remarks on behalf of her family, extolled his late wife as a patriot who demonstrated her true love for her country, both in words and in deeds.

He thanked the President and his wife for the comfort they offered him in his moment of grief, adding that the special valedictory session by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, contributed in consoling him immensely.

He said: “When Dora died, I saw the special FEC session in her honour, that helped me in my grief. When I also had the opportunity to meet the President in his office, he held my hands and comforted me with kind words, saying, “give me any date for Dora, I will be there," and today he is here.

“Dorothy is an elephant and if I start talking about her we will not leave. We went to Florida, and there at the immigration, they told her, 'look, you are an American citizen (because she

won the lottery and that was what favoured us). And here you are, you have a Nigerian diplomatic passport, you must surrender one.

“She used her left hand to drop her green card and retained her diplomatic passport. So you can see the level of her love for this country.

“Once in her local government, they brought a trailer load of fertilisers, what did Dorathy do?

She shared all to the community.

They told her that this was not how it is done and she said, this is how it will be done.

“Even as a professor, if you see her in the home, she would hold water for me to wash my hand.

And I would tell her, Mummy, you are a professor and she would say, "I married Nkem before I became a professor.”

“One day, we went for medical check up and we found a lump at her lower abdomen. Doctors said she had seven months.

"But she said, 'you are not the husband I married, you are always dejected, what happened?' And I told her that the doctors said she had seven months to live. She said doctors have spoken, God has not spoken, seven months became two years and three months.

“Dora had a message for this country; it was a message of love, courage and steadfastness. Even when she was in pain, she still attended the national conference . You all heard what she said at the conference that ‘a country grows great when old men plant trees, whose shade they will not live to enjoy.

Some of the personalities

requiem at mass, yesterday, were the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, members of National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Chief Edwin Clark, Andy Uba, Stella Okoli, former ministers, Pauline Tallen, Odien Ajumogobia, Olusola Obada, among others.

Her death was a national loss — Sambo The Vice President, Arch.

Namadi Sambo said the death of Dora Akunyili was not only to her family but also to the country in general.

He described her as a patriotic and dedicated Nigerian, who excelled and succeeded in achieving the goal of whatever opportunity given to her.

She hit the Nigerian public imagination as a thunder — Maku In his own tribute, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku who described the late Dora as one of the Nigeria’s most outstanding public servants, said the Professor hit the Nigerian public imagination as a thunder in dry season, immediately after she was appointed the DirectorGeneral of NAFDAC. She was a reformer — SGF Also in his own tribute, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim Described her as a reformer and a true nationalist and accomplished professional.

Anyim, who also described the late Dora as a great Nigerian that brought NAFDAC to lime light said she also saved millions of lives and left indelible mark in the minds of the people.

DINNER: From left, President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Albert Okumagba; President, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Larry Ettah, and Rivers State PDP governorship aspirant, Prince Tonye Princewill, during OTrafford Squash Club, Ikoyi, dinner, celebrating Okumagba and Ettah, at the Metropolitant Club Victoria Island, in Lagos.

2015: Omambala Foundation drums support for Rep

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HEAD OF the 2015 general elections, Ojiana Omambala Foundation has thrown its weight behind the member, Anambra East and West federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Chriscato Ameke, for a second term.

The group also debunked allegations that Ameke was not active

in the National Assembly, noting that anybody describing him as a bench warmer was telling a lie.

According to the group, keen observers of activities in the National Assembly can attest to the fact the legislator had a number of motions and bills credited to him since 2011.

She was a game changer — Health Minister The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said he was pained and devastated by her death, and described her as an outstanding patriot who believed so much in the net She was full of plans and energy — Okonjo -Iweala The Coordinating Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, described her as a woman of passion, strength and conviction who fought hard to make sure that fake drugs, both those who sell them and those who manufacture them, will become as much a thing of the past.

FG boosts mechanised farming with N50bn

By Gabriel Ewepu

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BUJA — THE F e d e r a l Government has approved N50 billion to boost mechanised farming.

Consequently, President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to set aside the fund for full scale mechanised farming in the country.

The President disclosed this at the commissioning of the new 100, 000 metric tonnes silo complex and the flag-off of private sectordriven agricultural equipment hiring enterprises at Sheda, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, stated that he had already directed that 590 units of tractors, 500 power-tillers and harvest and postharvest equipment be used to support women and youths in agriculture.

He also said the money would be used to fund the establishment of 1,200 agricultural equipment hiring enterprises nationwide.

“This support fund will allow to speed up the full establishment of the 1, 200 private sector driven agricultural equipment hiring enterprises in all states of the federation.”

Janet Adigweme passes on

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RS. JANET Adigweme of Umuanyegbu, Eziora Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, has passed on, aged 95.

She was a renowned educationist, community leader and devoted Catholic..

She is survived by children, grand children, great grand children and relatives.

Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.

Late Mrs. Adigweme

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Katsina govt disburses N100m to gun attack victims

DELTA @ 23: Inspired group tasks indigenes on Delta Beyond Oil

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ATSINA—THE Katsina State Government has begun disbursement of N100 million to victims of gunmen attack in Sabuwa and Faskari Local Government Areas of the state.

Unidentified gunmen raided several communities in the two areas, killed 117 persons and injured 37 while 708 were displaced between March 11 and March 12.

Presenting the cheques to families of the deceased and injured persons in Faskari, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, said interim relief packages had earlier been distributed to the victims.

According to him, the state government sponsored the treatment of injured persons.

He said a committee, led

by Brig. Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, visited all the affected settlements and had direct contacts with the victims.

Garba said, “Governor Ibrahim Shema and myself personally visited the affected communities to condole and sympathise with them.”

He urged the beneficiar-

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ARRI—THE In spired Group, TIG, has called on indigenes of Delta State, to use the 23 years anniversary of the state as an opportunity to rededicate themselves towards ensuring that Delta Beyond Oil focus of the present administration, is sustained beyond 2015.

Briefing newsmen yesterday in Warri, IGI President, Michael Tidi commended the efforts of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan towards leading the state according to the dreams of its founding fathers.

He said: ‘’Twenty three years is a milestone in the life of this state. So rather than being carried away by festivities, we should also see it as an opportunity to support the efforts of the state government towards making Delta an economic hub in the country.

"Our people should support the next administration to succeed so as to sustain the current efforts at achieving the Delta of our dreams.’ A cursory look at Delta State’s journey since it’s existence, it is safe to aver that it has been 23years of challenges, hard work and hope for a brighter future.

"We are however proud that despite the daunting challenges, we have marched on as a people, thus developing key infrastructure.’’

ies to consider the packages as support and not compensation for the lives and properties lost during the incident.

According to him, “N520,000 will be given to each family of the deceased and between N100,000 and 280,000 to injured persons. N500,000 and below will

be given to persons who lost property depending on the quantity of the items.”

Chairman of the Distribution Committee, Alhaji Lawal Aliyu, assured of prudence and transparency in the distribution.

He commended the governor for assisting the victims and

urged the beneficiaries to be patient during the entire exercise.

The Acting Chairman of Faskari local government, Alhaji Sale Tsagero, said the council had liaised with the various committee representatives to ensure that right persons obtained the support.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Mr Femi Salami, MD/CEO, OAMSAM HQCF processing plant, Ayede, Ekiti State, Mrs Toyin Adetunji, Special Adviser to Minister of Agriculture on Cassava, Mr Jide Arowosafe, Ekiti State Agriculture Commissioner, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture, and Mrs Lolo Kadafa, Principal Manager, Agricbusiness, Bank of Industry, BOI, during the commissioning of OAMSAM high quality cassava flour processing factory financed by BOI in Ayede, Ekiti State.

Otu Okiroro Agbor charges CBN Gov on friendlier banking policies A GBOR—MEMBERS of Otu Okiroro of Agbor in Ika South local government area of Delta State have called on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,, Mr. Godwin Emefiele to evolve monetary policies that would make the banking sector of the nation’s economy friendlier to in-

dustrialists, businessmen and women as well as the generality of Nigerians.

Members of the association who made the call in a statement by their Chairman, Chief Julius Ekawukwu Imudia, the ‘Onye nwo- ihian’ of Agbor kingdom, while lauding Emefiele’s appointment as the CBN Governor, also, advised him to maximize his

ingenuities in banking that inspired his career flight to the pinnacle of the nation’s apex bank to strengthen the power of the naira.

According to them, the CBN Governor should put all machineries in place and pull necessary force to strengthen the naira so that the youths should not be leaving the country in quest of golden flees overseas.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

While describing his appointment as a well-deserved honour done him by President Goodluck Jonathan, members of the association enjoined Emefiele to strive hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by institutionalising an economic policy framework that would strengthen the nation’s economy, even as they assured him of their support and prayers.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

N60,000 insurance daily allowance for health workers to treat Ebola victims

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OVERNMENT now has enough money to pay Sixty thousand naira daily to those volunteers to risk their lives, meanwhile, for the past years, they refused to create employment for even Thirty thousand naira per month.

Nigeria government, it is only God that will surely help us all. Mr. Temple DxResource Management C M Y K

I

learnt that despite the N60,000 that Federal Government (FG) is offering, health workers and volunteers are still not forthcoming. They (FG) should please contact me as volunteer. My phone number is 08164319844 and my e-mail address is henrimudi@gmail.com.

Mr. Philip OhwonighoBusinessman

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F it is about saving lives that the N60,000 insurance is meant to achieve, then I should be contacted because I do like to save lives. My contacts a r e : pavic4real@hotmail.com or onosvic4real@gmail.com.

Mr. Agbons VictorArchitect

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R Adedevoh remains the true face of medical heroism in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus, I still recognize the brave sacrifices of the other female doctor and nurse. Mr. Okafor ChukaBusinessman

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HIS is what our leaders had turned Nigerians into, “selfishness”. Nobody is ready to sacrifice for anyone. Nigerian system has chased away a good number of health care workers to overseas country because of lack of foresight.

Ms. Obinwa ChiomaStudent

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O sane person would accept N60,000 in return for a death that would rob their family and loved ones. One of the benefits of (WHO) membership is that other major members would support any member in stress. Mr. Nwakaozor Victor- Student

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 —47

Kwara okays N752m car loan for LG chairmen, others

ITU scribe to address ICT media centenary summit

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN — THE Kwara State Government has approved N752 million car loans for local government chairmen and other political office holders across the 16 local governments in the state.

Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, State Joint Account Allocation Committee, Alhaji Demola Nurudeen Banu, disclosed at a briefing in Ilorin after the meeting of the Joint Account Allocation Committee.

The commissioner, however, lamented that contrary to expectation the state monthly allocation in August from the Federation Account suffered a shortfall of N500 million.

He said the shortfall was made up of a shortfall of N350 million for the state and N150 million for local governments.

According him, in spite of this development, the state government would continue to meet its obligations to the people of the state.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to prompt payment of workers’ salaries as well as meeting other financial obligations.

Plateau tertiary institutions lament exodus of experienced professionals

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

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OS — THE Joint Union of Plateau State-owned Tertiary Institutions, JUPTI, has raised the alarm over the exodus of experienced professionals for greener pasture, accusing the government of neglecting the welfare of teachers and infrastructure needed.

The union urged the state government to look into the situation to prevent further deterioration and appealed to stakeholders to prevail on government to do what is right for the schools.

The joint union accused the state government of negligence of the institutions thereby forcing experienced hands in departments like Engineering, Sciences and the Humanities to be lost to other institutions.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Jos, Chairman of JUPTI, who is also the Chairman, Plateau State Polytechnic Chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, ASUP, Mr. Victor Dawurung, said the people of Plateau State should not blame the union as its sought to resume its earlier suspended strike action.

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From left: Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Asabe Ahmed; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Serah Ochekpe at the commissoining of new 100,000mt silo complex and flag-off of Private Sector Driven Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises at Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Kwali Silo Complex, Abuja, Monday.

Nigeria has no business being poor —Wogu

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — MINISTER of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has said Nigeria has no business being poor because of the vast natural resources abound in its nooks and crannies.

Wogu, who spoke at the 14th National Productivity Day and the award of recognition to selected Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endevour, in Abuja, noted that for the country to achieve the Vision 202020 there must be improved productivity at all levels.

He said the country had missed so many opportunities that made her not to take her rightful place as an economic giant in the comity of nations, but expressed optimism that the articulated transformation agenda of the present government led by President Goodluck Jonathan, had put her on a sustainable path of economic growth and development.

According to him, “the hosting of this ceremony demonstrates the firm resolves of government to transform the Nigeria nation through productivity improvement imperatives. This is because productivity remains the cornerstone for building any virile and dynamic economy.

"The history of this nation is replete with so many missed opportunities and low productivity that have prevented the country from taking its rightful place as an economic giant in the comity of nations. Indeed, Nigeria has no business with poverty given our vast natural resources.

“The country, therefore, needed transformation in all

sectors of the economy of jumpstart Nigeria’s growth. We must all strive to ensure that this nation achieves its vision of being one of the 20 largest economies in the world in year 2020.

"Improved productivity at all levels remains the key towards the attainment of this goal. It is, therefore, apposite for us to demonstrate greater need for productivity consciousness in all facets of our national lives.”

The minister explained that there were various means of attaining productivity which he said was not by coercion but by looking at the contents of the productivity policy and particularly the module put in place to make it easier to be applied in both private and public sector.

He said a highly motivated work force would attain

productivity level that had to be commiserated with the level of motivation, noting that the policy had come with the innovative process of target setting compelling people in the public and private sector to attain those targets.

Among the 18 recipients of the Productivity Award were former Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Buka Goni Aji; former Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC and current Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka; a Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and General Secretary of National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Mr.Issa Aremu and Lt. General Chikadibia Obiakor (rtd) who was nominated by the military.

By Emeka Aginam

ECRETARY-GENERAL of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the ICT arm of the United Nations (UN), Dr HamadounToure, has affirmed his readiness to give the keynote address at the ICT media centenary conference and awards slated for October.

The summit is expected to celebrate the Nigerian ICT sector described by the stakeholders as the single largest achievement by the Nigerian nation within the last century.

At the event that will honour President Goodluck Jonathan and other distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to the growth of ICT in Nigeria wit the theme: ‘ICT in the Nigerian Centenary: Matching Towards a Connected Nigeria’ is growing in popularity and general acceptance by the ICT stakeholders given the level of endorsements The one-day event is being put together by ICT Media Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), made up of 19 ICT media organisations, both in the print, broadcast and online.

According to Chairman of ICT Media Initiative, Mr Aaron Ukodie, no other personality qualifies to give the keynote other than Toure given his contributions in assisting Nigeria get to where it is today in the development of ICT and the various achievements it has recorded thus far.

Ukodie said Toure’s sterling performance as ITU SecretaryGeneral is heart-warming, especially how he has assisted African countries in pushing for ICT development in the continent.

2015: APC won't impose candidates in Lagos —GOS

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AGOSIANS have been assured that the All Progressives Congress, APC, will only present popular and acceptable candidates for all elective positions, particularly the party’s governorship slot in the 2015 general elections.

The assurance was given at a media interaction in Lagos, yesterday, by the Senate Minority Whip and one of the leaders of the party, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, who is also vying for the governorship seat in the race to succeed Governor BabatundeFashola in 2015.

GOS, as he is popularly called in political circles in Lagos, currently represents Lagos West

at the red chamber of the National Assembly.

He noted that the leadership of the party had assured of free and fair primaries in which all party members would participate to enable popular and acceptable candidates to emerge.

Solomon has been a key player in Lagos politics since the inception of current democratic dispensation.

Respected as a grassroots politician and mass mobiliser, he was a Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area before being elected a member of the House of Representatives after which he has been twice elected a

Senator to represent Lagos West in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

According to him, though the national leadership of the party had last week muted the idea of a modified direct primaries, “but without preempting them, we are going to have all inclusive primaries where all stakeholders of the party would participate.

He said: “The statement credited to our Publicity Secretary which says we are going to have modified direct primaries is strange to me. I’ve heard direct and indirect primaries before. He said there won’t be delegates.

But I want to say that we should wait for the party so that we can know how we are going to have the modified direct primaries.”

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

WORKSHOP: From left; Ms Bisi Aweda, Communications Officer, Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd; Mr. Agbo Agbo, Managing partner, Synthesis Communications; Mrs Iwaola Akin-Jimoh, ED, Youth Empowerment Foundation/Guest Speaker; Mr. Emeka Mba, Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd; and Mr. Suen Akioye, Assistant Editor, The Nation Newspaper/Guest Speaker at the 13th Coca-Cola/NBC Ltd and The Nation Campus Life Correspondents’ workshop held in Lagos.

SANITATION EXERCISE: Workers of HYPO led

by Senior Sales Manager, Multipro Enterprises LtD, HYPO Division, Mr Jude Nzeata (middle) doing the cleaning exercise at Ogba during the HYPO Nationwide Sanitization Exercises in Lagos.

NBA CONFERENCE: From left; Barr. U.M Yamah, Chairman, Unity Bar, NBA, Abuja branch; Barr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okogbue, Associate, Kanu Agabi SAN & Associates; Dr. (Mrs.) F.A. Amene, Director of Admin, Nigerian Law School, Yenogoa and Oghenerume Rotimi, General Manager, Commercial Legal, MTN Nigeria at the 54th Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference, Owerri, Imo State.

LAUNCH: Showroom Manager, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ali Khrais; MD, LG Electronics, West Africa operations, Mr. Deog Jun Kim; Country Sales Mgr, First Choice Mobile Communication, Mr. Christian Elega; and GM, Mobile Communication division, LG Electronics, Mr. Steve Seungeui Lee, during the official launch of LG G3 Smartphone, in Lagos.

CITATION: Rotary Club Charter President, Rotn Bola Oyebade (left) reading the citation of the newly installed l13th Hope President, Rotary Club of Maryland, Lagos, Rotn Ogunlola Ademola Oladapo in Lagos.

MTN PROJECT FAME: Mr Oyinkansade Akande, MTN Project Fame season 5 finalist; Olakunle Fashina, winner of the individual DONATION: Senator 'Gbenga Ashafa (8th from left) accompanied by the Chairman of Ibeju category of the MTN Battle of the Year 2014 break-dance competition; Lekki-Local Govt, Kemi Surakat (left) and an APC chieftain, Mr. Tunde Isiak (right) among the Abimbola Gold-Oladipupo, Manager, Youth Segment, MTN, and beneficiaries of an empowerment programmed sponsored by the senator in Ibeju-Lekki.

Ezekiel Omobude, one of the finalists at the MTN Battle of the Year 2014 individual categories, held at the Silverbird Galleria.

SERVICE: From left; Rev. Peter Adekunle, St Paul Anglican Church, Ibokun; The Rt. Revd (Dr) Samuel Sowale, Bishop of Ilesa Anglican Diocese, Church of Nigeria; Senior Special Assistant to Osun State governor on Community Forum, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye and Ven CONFERENCE: President, Anegbette National Development Association, ANDA, Mr. Emman Isiah Ariyo, vicar of St Peter Anglican Church, Ibokun during the thanksgiving service to mark the re-election of Governor Rauf Okolo, (seated, 6th left); Lagos State branch Chairman of ANDA, Prince Tijani Ugbodaga and others during the ANDA national delegates conference, in Benin City, Edo State.

Aregbesola at St Peters Anglican church, Ibokun, Osun State.

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55—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Enugu Dep Gov, Sunday Onyebuchi impeached Vows to challenge impeachment in court Says ‘I am not surprised by Panel's verdict'

By Tony Edike

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NUGU—ENUGU State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, was formally removed from office, yesterday, following the unanimous decision of the State House of Assembly to impeach him for alleged misconduct.

His impeachment resulted from his decision to operate a poultry at his official residence and refusal to represent Governor Sullivan Chime at two functions.

He was removed by the 24member State Assembly which adopted the report of the 7man impeachment panel that probed the allegations of misconduct leveled against him.

The lawmakers adopted Section 188 Sub-section 9 of the Nigerian Constitution which deals with the issue of removal of governor or deputy governor at a session convened yesterday to deliberate on the report of the Franklyn Uche Oraekeiyi-led panel submitted to it on Monday.

Section 188(9) says: “Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the office has been proved, then within fourteen days of the receipt of the report, the House of Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of the House of Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report.”

Vows court action

In a swift reaction, the ousted deputy governor said he was not surprised by the decision of the panel, which he vowed to challenge in court , saying it failed to prove the allegations against him during its 20-day sitting.

He told journalists after the sitting of the House that he was not satisfied with the findings of the panel, pointing out that his impeachment took place the day the panel was constituted by the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike. Onyebuchi restated that the decisions of the panel and the House of Assembly were the judgments of men, insisting that God would pass a supreme judgment in the case.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, South East zone, in its reaction, condemned the impeachment of the deputy governor, saying it was politically motivated and based on flimsy allegations.

A pressure group in the state, Enugu Rescue Group, also condemned and rejected the im-

SIGNING: From left: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, Mr. Olumide Oyetan; at the signing of the Stanbic IBTC Exchange Traded Fund 30, in Lagos, yesterday. peachment, saying “ it stands as a travesty of democracy, glorification of sadism, and ratification of political terrorism.”

At the sitting of the House that commenced at 10 am yesterday, the House Leader, Mr. Sunday Udeokoye, who had on July 22 moved the motion directing the state Chief Judge to constitute the impeachment panel, said “whereas a 7-man panel appointed by the Chief Judge of the State to investigate the said allegations, submitted their report and the House, having received the report of the investigating panel.

“Whereas the investigating panel, having carefully reviewed the evidence, presented before her both oral and documentary; and further, whereas the panel of investigation came up to the conclusion that the “allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, by the Enugu State House of Assembly have been proved.

“That the House, having carefully considered the report of the panel, do adopt it and it is, hereby, adopted.”

The lawmakers, however, wasted no time in adopting the motion by voice vote when the speaker, Mr. Eugene Odoh, put the question resolving that the deputy governor was guilty as charged and should, therefore, be removed from office.

Reacting to his impeachment, Onyebuchi said: “I do not even think that the impeachment took place today. For me it took place the day the panel was constituted and had their first sitting; because from that day, the panel could not hold their bias.

“I believe that what the state

House of Assembly did when they signed my impeachment notice also happened with the panel; members of the State House of Assembly signed my impeachment notice before the allegations were made known to them.

“I have had opportunity to go through the report of the panel.

On Monday evening, a member of the panel who reached me, told me that his conscience was disturbing him and that he will reach me later to talk with me, but he made available to me a copy of the panel’s report when I insisted that unless he makes available to me a copy of the report, I will not want to see him.

“I have had opportunity of going through the report and I want to say it is as watery and frivolous like the allegations themselves.

Report written by Govt's lawyer “Although you pressmen were not available during the sitting, but you will agreed with me that the report was written by the lawyer to the government, who now attached it to the signature page of the report.

“I can say that I am not very surprised by the decision of the panel and I can also say that I am not disappointed. I would have been surprised if they had done anything differently.

“They had difficulty hiding their bias. Any human being doing anything honest and transparent will naturally be happy to have it witnessed by the public and especially the media.

“We have had so many impeachments in the past and I know that no panel had sat in camera because it is not a secret thing.

“The allegations against me were read on the floor of the House before pressmen and you will now wonder why the panel will choose to sit in camera if they intended to do anything honest and transparent.

“I am not disappointed and I want to use this opportunity to thank the people of the state and other Nigerians who have offered their prayers for me during the past few weeks for their encouragement and support. So many of them I do not know before now came out to support me because they believed that injustice to one is injustice to all.

“I will thank them and tell them that it is not over and like I have said, that after the panel of man, we have a panel where the truth cannot be suppressed.

“If you read the report, you will know that it took submissions of the government counsel but suppressing my own views to justify the conclusion already reached before the commencement of the sitting.

“One thing that I know that has come out of this is that sometimes there is positive record and sometimes negative records.

Record broken with impeachment

“I think I broke a record with this impeachment when I said I am the first office holder to be impeached from office without allegation of financial impropriety. I took time to read the allegations of all those who were impeached even in the last and present administrations and I see that none was done without allegation of financial impropriety.

“In each of those cases, there must be financial impropriety, so I am making record as the first to

be impeached without fraud which leaves my integrity intact.

“I will say that I will continue to work for the people of the state. I will continue to offer them my services, they have supported me when they gave me their mandate, prayers and support . I believe I have more to offer.

“My lawyers will be ready with the suit challenging the faulty impeachment in matter of days.

“You see a situation where they saw a video that shows I was in Onitsha and in their report, they said that as shown by the video I was there; but where I sat was unbefitting of a representative of the governor.

“It is embarrassing and therefore, they were of the conclusion that even though I was there, that I was not there as representative of the governor but in my capacity as Sunday Onyebuchi.

“They went further to say that I dissipated energy in trying to prove that there was a poultry in government house; that they were not set up to investigate government house and that they are convinced that I operated a poultry farm.

“One would be surprised to know that ignorance of a law is no excuse because the House of Assembly’s notice said, ‘resolution of the House,’ and one will be surprised to know that there was no law breached, yet they looked the other way.”

The ousted deputy governor, however, offered an advice to his would-be successor, saying “for whoever will be taking over from me, I will advise him not to operate a poultry, rather he should concentrate on rearing ostriches, monkeys, antelopes and if he must operate a poultry, let him ensure that he does it with public fund so that he won’t have the same experience that I have had.

Happy and relieved

“I am happy, I am relieved and life goes on, even if the hope of getting justice from the judiciary fails, I am confident that God in his own way and time will give me justice.”

Asked if he would proceed with his senatorial ambition, he stated that “in a few days' time, I will go and take care of my health and when I come back, I will pay full concentration to my senatorial election.”

He stressed that the ordeal he had gone through had endeared him to the people.

“I am confident I enjoy the goodwill of the people, I am confident I enjoy their support and I will like to tap into their support. So I am going ahead with my ambition,” he said.

Onyebuchi said that the impeachment did not disqualify him from the senatorial race, citing the Supreme Court judgments in Omehia’s case.

Onyebuchi said he would only be disqualified if his impeachment was based on financial fraud.

56—VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, A UGUST 27, 2014 56—VANGUARD, WEDNESDA AUGUST

BSN out with Conduct not Condom

Nigerians must say no to evil politicians, says Pastor Femi Emmanuel PASTOR Femi Emmanuel, an engineer, former Deputy Speaker in Oyo State House of Assembly and a businessman turned preacher, is the presiding pastor of Living Spring Chapel with headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State. A motivational and conference speaker, Pastor Emmanuel who hails from Edo State, is one of the four pioneers of Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship. The dynamic evangelist and publisher of a devotional book, Turning Point, was a year older recently. In this interview with BOSE ADELAJA, he spoke on his leadership role and the way forward for Nigeria. Excerpts...

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ACKGROUND:I came from a humble background. I always remember my mother ’s advice; ‘son, no matter how high you go, remember where you are coming from,’ and I promised her I will keep to that. I feel the pulse of my people and have instructed my ushers not to push anybody or clear the road for me. I want them to be closer to me, I enjoy being in their midst because being a pastor does not make you supernatural.

My parents were peasants and I knew poverty. I also saw honesty; I learnt to be self-reliant. I came from a family of eight and became self-reliant when I came of age. I have experienced disappointments and betrayals but God has used all to strengthen me.

I did a bit of farming but studied engineering. I own a popular bookshop in Ibadan.

My journey into politics I went into politics based on *Pastor Femi Emmanuel the annoyance that Christians should not fold their hands and watch things go wrong. We have prayed uation in Ekiti State has proved to us that enough in this country but good people godfatherism or stomach infrastructure is need to occupy some leadership positions. still with us.

The kind of protests that were organized What do you mean? for the Chibok girls should take place any The Ekiti scenario is unfortunate and it time things are going wrong. People should come out and ask how their money is painful that we are still operating at such is being spent or why Boko Haram is gain- level. What I mean is: we should encourage those who are doing the right thing. ing upper hand.

Education is very important in every society. I am sure the Ekitis will soon learn Organisation better. An average person was surprised of seminars that the society which celebrates educaWhy should the soldiers go to war fronts tion and intelligence was involved in stomwithout enough bullets when enemies are ach infrastructure. armed to the teeth? Though I am no longAssuming you were still in politics, what er in politics, I have been organizing seminars and talks to impart others, telling kind of structure would want to see?

First of all, I want righteousness to prethem about the role of Christians in polivail.

Peoples’ welfare must be a priority. tics. We cannot just sit on the fence, prayPolitics is not dirty but people made it so. I ing for our leaders without making our would stand on the truth no matter what. contribution.

Thank God for my few years as a Deputy Corruption must give way even if I am Speaker. I had no regret then. In fact, I impeached. am proud of the legacy I left behind and When did things start going wrong? my footprints are evidenced.

For a long time, the military held sway in this country. That was the time the seed Are you a product of late Alhaji Lamidi of corruption was sown and nurtured. ThirAdedibu?

I am not one of his products but he was ty five years in the history of a 50-year old the father of the party and nobody could nation is not a child’s play. During this survive politically in Ibadan without his period, nobody was bold enough to express input. So, we all paid visits to him regu- his mind.

Many journalists were operating larly. If he felt you were not a man of the people, he would do anything to resist you. underground. This time around, you can It is a fact that every politician wants a come out with boldness without fear or trusted person, so it’s either the people ap- favour. The decay we are witnessing today prove and present you to him or vice ver- is not a one-day job. Before the military sa. He was not the one who nominated finally disengaged; they had already me but our grassroots leaders did. The sit- established a system of corruption. Do you

know the civil service was not really corrupt in those days? You can retire as a permanent secretary with only one bungalow built with your hard-earned money, but in today’s system, the civil service is the most corrupt.

All these were planted and nurtured by the military but harvested by the politicians. The issue of ‘settlement’ was introduced by a former Head of State thereby exposing civil servants to corruption. Rather than do their jobs as civil servants, many of them have become contractors.

What is the way out?

Good people should arise and speak out. Nigeria has reached a level where the masses should deliver themselves. I can see the politicians re-colonizing us; but how this can be possible I don’t know.

The National Conference I was very disappointed at the outcome of the National Conference and I think people must arise and say no to corruption.

We must stop celebrating thieves and insist that things must be done properly. Americans will not do that on our behalf. It is our people who must arise and say no to evil politicians.

People must not run away with our money and we hail or celebrate them.

This shows the level of unseriousness.

Chibok girls In our church, prayers for the Chibok girls had been a priority. In fact, we never commence any Sunday service without doing that. Also, we have used the media to air our view on this. Above all, the issue is more of a spiritual one and we believe prayers can change everything if followed with action.

For some time now, your focus has been on building families. Why is this so?

I want you to realize that every failed mission is a product of a failed home.

That is why we do more of empowerment: taking the boys out of the streets; reaching out to motherless babies and training people to engage in profitable ventures in order to reduce the crime rate in the society. We do a lot for our people.

We have organized seminars and workshops all tailored towards helping humanity. Marriage is just an aspect of life which must be handled well. If a home is wrong, everything will be wrong because every thief, vandal, armed robber, smuggler and kidnaper you see on the road is a product of a home. Our focus is not just on home but on all other areas just to build a virile society.

T

HE Bible Society of Ni geria, recently came out with a five-chapter book titled; HIV/AIDS Pandemic Conduct not condom, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. Presenting the booklet at a media parley at the Bible Guest House, Palm Grove Estate, Lagos, the General Secretary of BSN, Rev. Dare Ajiboye explained that the only trusted single solution to the spread of HIV/AIDS virus is right conduct, which, he said, is avoiding any behaviour that puts one at the risk of the infection.

Ajiboye said it is disheartening that majority of stakeholders worldwide only promote or enlighten people on the use of condom which, he said, is not 100 per cent safe, unlike abstaining from sex as singles and couples being faithful to one another.

In his words: “There have been a lot of postulations as to how to curb the menace of the pandemic. Some are promoting the idea of using condom, but condom is never a fool-proof or infection free strategy. Attitude is the one and only assured solution profitable to all---from the infected to the affected.”

Cleric tasks parents on moralilty

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ENIOR Pastor of New Life and Hope in Christ Jesus Ministry, Evangelist Temitope Fasina has called on parents to inculcate good morals and ethical values in their children to guarantee a better future for the country, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. Speaking at the first anniversary/thanksgiving service at Ayetoro, Itele in Ogun State, Evangelist Fasina noted that morals and values were important in child upbringing because the future of the country belongs to them.

“We have a holy obligation to instil in our children values that will help them in their quest for a greater Nigeria. If parents strive to teach their children good morals, we will, to a large extent, extricate our youngsters from the deadly claws of crime. We should all endeavour to bring back the glorious days of good family morals, societal, communal and ethical values,” she stated.

The evangelist is of the opinion that it is the duty of both parents to protect, educate, discipline, plan, love and care for the children instead of leaving them in the hands of maids.

Admonishing the congregation, Elder Isaac Jaiyeoba urged the members to remain steadfast in Christ and not yoke with the world, noting that as Christians they are to showcase Godly attributes wherever they found themselves.

V anguard Vanguard anguard,, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 57

FG shuts schools till October Continues from Page 1 tained the threat of the dreaded EVD following the discharge of seven infected persons out of the 13 confirmed cases.

Currently, only one person is at the isolation centre in Lagos and her condition is stable. Two more patients with the Ebola virus disease have been discharged from the isolation ward in Lagos State, Nigeria lost five persons to the disease in-

Mama Ezinne Iroegbulam is dead

Late Iroegbulam Ezinne Iroegbulam of Ahiara Mbaise, Imo State, is dead, aged 90 A committed member of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ahiara Mbaise, she will be interred on September 11, 2014, at her compound, after lying in state and funeral service at the church.

She is survived by Vincent Iroegbulam, based in the United States; Samuel I r o e g b u l a m , Accountant,Vanguard Newspapers; other children, many grand children and several great grand children.

cluding the index (first) case, Mr Patrick Sawyer, the late Liberian-American who brought the disease to Nigeria on July 20, 2014.

With the development, the disease killed 38.5 per cent of those affected in Nigeria. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 90 per cent of those affected die from Ebola.

Through sheer determination and care on the part of government and awareness by the citizenry, Nigeria ensured that only 13 persons out of a population of 167 million were affected and 61.5 per cent of Ebola victims survived the disease. The record is bettered by Uganda, which in 2007 had 149 cases and 37 deaths (25 per cent fatality) and Cote d’ Ivoire that had one case and no death in 1994.

Since the outbreak of the disease in four West African countries — Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria, late December 2013 and this year, the WHO, as of August 22, said that 2615 cases and 1427 deaths (54.57 per cent fatality) have been recorded.

The breakdown of the figures is as follows: * Liberia—1082 cases, 624 deaths, 57.67 per cent fatality * Sierra Leone— 935 cases, 392 deaths, 41.93 per cent fatality * Guinea— 607 cases, 406 deaths, 66.87 per cent fatality * Nigeria— 13 cases, five deaths, 38.46 per cent fatality.

Nigeria is by far the most populous of these countries with a population of 167 million and yet recorded the least number of cases, an indication of the profes-

sional manner the government, health authorities and the citizenry handled the challenge.

The populations of the other countries are: Uganda (37 million), Cote d Ívoire (16 million), Guinea (10 million), Sierra Leone (six million) and Liberia (3.5 million), whose total of 73 million is about half of Nigeria’s population.

Don’t stigmatise discharged patients Imploring all Lagosians not to stigmatise all cases and contacts that have been given a clean bill of health, Idris urged them to facilitate their re- integration into the society.

He cited the American doctor who was recently discharged by Emory Hospital, USA and how he was openly embraced by both the hospital staff and family members, “setting for us an example to follow in the integration process of discharged cases and contacts,” Idris said.

The Commissioner allayed fears of discharged patients coming down with the virus again saying that the chances are almost nil but does not mean that such patients could not be re-infected with another strain of the virus but not the particular virus that late Sawyer imported into the country.

“The process by which cases and indeed contacts are discharged is also in line with best practices, involving reviews by critical members of the Ebola Emergency Operations Centre,” he added.

AUGUST MEETING: Ezeogba, Emii women laud Okorocha, Ejiogu's leadership

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WERRI—WOMEN inImo State have lauded Governor Rochas Okorocha and his Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu, for their efforts in reducing their sufferings.

The women made this commendation while marking the 2014 August Meeting at the Ezeogba Hall Emekuku and Community Primary School, Umuorisha Emii respectively. In their separate speeches, President Generals of Aladinma Ndom Ezeogba Emekuku, Mrs. Angela Ohiri and Mrs.

Loretta Madu, said the present government had done in rescuing the state was more than what any other government had done in the past twelve years. They urged the governor and his Chief of Staff to continue to sustain the tempo.

Similarly, Ezimba/ Mbaoma Emii women expressed happiness for government’s prompt response to their call for the rebuilding of their dilapidated bridge and assured of their unalloyed support to the rescue mission team in the state.

In his response, the Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu, urged the women to use the ongoing August meeting to engender peace in their surroundings, assuring them that government would not leave any stone unturned to deliver dividends of democracy to all people of Imo State.

Ejiogu ,while reminding the women of the numerous developments in the state, called on them to continue to remain role models to the younger ones and represent good mothers of Imo extraction.

Israel, Palestinians agree on long term truce •Israel to ease blockade of Gaza •Palestinians celebrate

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long-term ceasefire has been agreed between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

The truce, ending seven weeks of fighting that has left more than 2,200 people dead, was brokered by Egypt and began at 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

Hamas deputy political leader Moussa Abu Mar-

zouk said the deal represented a “victory for the resistance”. Israeli government officials said it would ease its blockade of Gaza to allow in aid and building materials.

Indirect talks on more contentious issues, including Israel’s call for militant groups in Gaza to disarm, will begin in Cairo within a month. The breakthrough

came as both sides continued to trade fire.

A last-minute volley of mortar shells from Gaza killed an Israeli civilian and wounded six others in Eshkol Regional Council.

Earlier on Tuesday, at least six Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli air strikes in Gaza, Palestinian officials said.

US, allies warn against interference in Libya

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HE US and its Europe an allies have given warning against “outside interference” in Libya, a day after officials in Washington said the UAE had launched air raids in Tripoli with the support of Egypt.

US officials told the New York Times on Monday that Egypt and the UAE were behind attacks on Saturday, a claim both states deny.

Yesterday, the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK said in a joint statement: “We believe outside interference

in Libya exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libya’s democratic transition”.

“France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US strongly condemn the escalation of fighting and violence in and around Tripoli, Benghazi, and across Libya, ... by both land attacks and air strikes.”

Bernardino Leon, the newly appointed UN envoy to Libya, also on Tuesday said that he opposed foreign interventionasastrategytohalt the crisis in the country.

But the Spaniard added that Libya needs international support to back “Libyans who want to fight chaos ... through a political proces”.

The air raids in Tripoli may have been a bid to prevent the capture of the Tripoli airport, but fighters later seized control.

An Emirati official told the AFPnewsagencyonTuesday that his country had no reaction” to such reports.

Egypt has denied conductingairstrikesorothermilitary operations in Libya.

Hollande names new French cabinet

F

RENCH President Francois Hollande has named a new cabinet under Prime Minister Manual Valls, dropping ministers who rebelled against cuts.

The first government of Mr Valls, who was appointed less than five months ago,

fell on Monday after a row with Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg.

Mr Montebourg resigned along with two other ministers from the left.

He will be replaced by Emmanuel Macron while for the first time a woman will

1,400 children abused in English town

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T least 1,400 chil dren were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, a report has found.

Children as young as 11 were raped by multiple perpetrators, abducted, trafficked to other cities in England, beaten and intimidated, it said.

The report, commissioned by Rotherham Borough Council, revealed there had been three previous inquiries.

Council leader Roger Stone said he would step down with immediate effect.

Mr Stone, who has been the leader since 2003, said: “I believe it is only right that as leader I take responsibility for the historic failings described so clearly.

The inquiry team noted fears among council

staff of being labelled “racist” if they focused on victims’ description of the majority of abusers as “Asian” men.

be put in charge of education. Najat VallaudBelkacem was minister for women’s rights in the last cabinet and will replace Benoit Hamon who also lost his job. Fleur Pellerin has been made minister for culture, replacing Aurelie Filippetti who is also out of the government.

Key ministers in the previous cabinet like Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Finance Minister Michel Sapin retain their posts

UN helicopter crashes in South Sudan

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HE UN says one of its cargo helicopters has crashed in South Sudan, with unconfirmed reports saying it was shot down.

Three crew died, while one survived, said the UN mission in South Sudan, adding that an inquiry was under way.

A UN official told the AP news agency the Mi8 helicopter had apparently been shot down.

Thousands of people have been killed this year in bitter fighting between South Sudan’s army and rebel forces.

Bentiu, capital of the

oil-rich Unity state, has changed hands several times but a ceasefire agreement is currently in place.

The two sides were given 45 days to form a power-sharing government.

A government official has accused forces loyal to rebel commander Peter Gadet of shooting down the helicopter, AP reports. His forces have not yet commented.

The UN plays a vital role in getting food to the 1.8 million people who have fled their homes since fighting broke out last December.

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

The strangest squad numbers in sport!

•Reasons behind them •Mario Balotelli has always worn No 45 because it brings him luck •Ivan Zamorano wore eight plus one because Ronaldo was No 9 •David Beckham reveals his admiration for basketball legend Michael Jordan •Clint Dempsey chose Tottenham number based on his rap name

I

N the early years of shirt numbers in football, a player ’s position determined what he wore on his back. Defenders had two to six, wingers seven or 11, and strikers either nine or 10.

But recent decades have seen a considerable shift.

Goalkeepers with No 9, midfielders with No 1, and even small mathematical sums have made it on to the back of players’ shirts.

With Mario Balotelli moving to Liverpool and wearing his favoured No 45 shirt, Sportsmail looks at some of the strangest choices, and the reasoning behind them.

Ivan Zamarano The Chile forward enjoyed considerable success while in Europe, particularly at Real Madrid where he scored 77 goals in 137 games. But when his form earned him a move to Inter Milan, the No 9 shirt was already taken by Ronaldo.

With his second choice, No 10, occupied by Roberto Baggio the former Sevilla man was forced to improvise.

Zamorano went for No 18, but inserted a small plus sign in between the two numbers so that it added up to nine.

This tactic has been copied since by a number of players including Clinton Morrison at Coventry and Ade Akinbiyi at Crystal Palace.

Ossie Ardiles At the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Argentina decided to organise their squad numbers alphabetically. For Ossie Ardiles, this meant enjoying the novelty of being one of the few outfield players ever to wear the No 1 shirt.

The only member of the squad that this rule did not apply to was Diego

Maradona, who wore his favourite No 10 shirt (he would have been No 12 otherwise).

Pantelis Kafes, who wore the No 1 shirt at Olympiacos, said he did so because of his admiration for Ardiles.

Mario Balotelli Liverpool’s latest signing has worn the No 45 shirt at Inter Milan, Manchester City, AC Milan and now at Anfield. Although there had been rumours that the Italy forward had chosen 45 because the two numbers add up to nine, Balotelli insisted it was because the number brings him luck.

He said: ‘When I first played three or four games with Inter Milan, when I was young, I had No 45 because the numbers for young players were from No 36 to No 50.

‘I took No 45 because I was joking that four plus five is nine - and I scored in all four games. It brings me luck and that’s why I’ve always kept No 45.’

David Beckham A recipient of Manchester United’s fabled No 7 shirt for the majority of his career, the former England captain didn’t have it all his own way when he moved to Real Madrid in 2003.

His preferred shirt number was then occupied

by Real’s legendary forward Raul.

Unperturbed, Beckham opted for the No 23 instead.

The reason, Beckham claimed, was that Michael Jordan had worn the same number at the Chicago Bulls.

AC Milan trio In 2008, AC Milan signed Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldinho and Mathieu Flamini. But the preferred squad numbers for all three players were already occupied.

As a result they chose to

Sums: When Ivan Zamorano moved to Inter his favourite N0 9 shirt was taken, so he opted for one plus eight

•Beckham be numbers 76, 80 and 84 respectively - the years in which they were born.

Jorge Campos The Mexican goalkeeper, who played 130 games for his country, opted for the No 9 shirt.

Campos had been a striker as a youth player and despite his success at the other end of the pitch he never lost the desire to play

outfield.

Rogerio Ceni Sao Paulo’s attackminded goalkeeper has scored more than 100 goals for the Brazilian club.

While he normally plays in the No 1 shirt, he has experimented with a slightly more unusual option.

In 2005 he broke the

Come in, No 45: Mario Balotelli with his new Liverpool shirt and favoured number.

•Jordan appearance record for the Tricolor and wore No 618 the number of matches he had played for them - in a match against Atletico Miniero.

Ronaldo After an incredible career that took him from PSV and Barcelona to Inter and Real Madrid, Ronaldo moved to AC Milan where he adopted the No 99 shirt.

After numerous rumours

that his new number was born out of his love for 99 Flake ice creams, the Brazilian striker clarified the situation. He said that Pippo Inzaghi was already occupying the No 9 shirt he wanted, so he chose 99 instead.

Ronaldo also played for Corinthians in the No 99 shirt for one match to celebrate the club’s 99th anniversary.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 27, 2014— — 59

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 27, 2014— — 61

C M Y K

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C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014 — 63

Di Maria passes Man U medical A

RGENTINA winger Angel Di Maria has passed his medical at Manchester United’s Carrington training complex as they move a step closer to completing a British-record £59.7m transfer from Real

Mascherano extends Barca stay

Madrid.

The 26-year-old flew in from Spain on Monday night and has now undergone a medical before signing a longterm contract to join Louis van Gaal’s side.

It will complete a deal that smashes the previous British transfer record of £50million paid by Chelsea to Liverpool for Fernando Torres in 2011.

Sky Sports’ journalist and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague broke the news on Saturday that United had moved for Di Maria after the player told Real Madrid he wished to leave the club this summer.

Roadside meeting. Maigari-led faction addressing the press in Abuja yesterday.

NFF Congress Continues from BP

•Di Maria

Everton close to Eto’o deal E •Mascherano

J

AVIER Mascherano has insisted that he is ‘committed’ to Barcelona after agreeing a new contract with the club.

“I’m committed to this club until the final day of the contract. I hope I can live up to expectations of the club. I’m really happy to be in this great club and be part of a squad with such great players. We’re looking forward to this season after some difficult times last campaign.”

•Eto’o

VERTON are close to completing a deal for Samuel Eto’o.

The 33-year-old Cameroon is expected to sign a two-year contract with a news conference expected for Wednesday morning to announce the signing.

Eto’o arrived at the club’s Finch Farm training ground just after 2pm to undergo a medical He scored 12 goals in 35 games for the Blues last season, but the fourtime African Footballer of the Year fell out with manager Jose Mourinho and was

Benatia to Bayern Munich Bale eyes more Real I history T is now official: Roma have sold Mehdi Benatia to Bayern Munich with a five-year contract.

The Morocco international had been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Today Bayern released a statement confirming Benatia will put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

The transfer fee is expected to be €26m plus a further €4m in performance-related bonuses.

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•Bale

ARETH Bale wants to try and make ‘more history’ at Real Madrid after winning La Decima last season.

“For all of us winning the Champions League was fantastic but we have to look ahead now,.

“We have to try and make history. Obviously, scoring in a final, and above all in the Champions League, is one of the biggest dreams.

We will try and win it again this season.”

released in July.

He joins Romelu Lukaku, another former Chelsea man who completed a £28m move from Stamford Bridge last month, while the west London side have also loaned Christian Atsu to Everton.

Atletico to appeal Simeone’s ban

•Simeone

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TLETICO Madrid President Enrique Cerezo has claimed that the club will appeal Diego Simeone’s suspension.

“There is a committee that has issued a verdict and there is not much more to say on the suspension,” Cerezo told Canal Plus.

“We will now have to wait and see how the appeal pans out. We will appeal the ban because that’s common sense.”

already depleted delegates walked out.

“How can they say there was an election when the congress was not supposed to be for an election. Secondly, who would have voted when people walked out of the hall? We agreed that there would be no elections only charting a new road for the election’’,.

But in s telephone chat with the newly elected president, Chris Giwa, he said his election was an act of God adding that he was happy to have been elected by the delegates. He also said he won with 27 votes while his rival and immediate past acting president, Chief Mike Umeh scored just two votes.

But all efforts to speak to the chairman of the electoral committee, Amoni Biambo failed as his phone rang severally without any response.

Meanwhile, events took a dangerous twist when the congress of the Nigeria football federation broke into two, following the alleged arrest of the immediate past president of the federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, former chairman of the technical committee Barr. Chris Green and the General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu by operatives from the Department of State Security (DSS).

Delegates had arrived at the Chida International Hotel , venue of the congress and did their accreditation but when they failed to see the trio, they started making enquiries on their whereabouts. They later discovered that they had been picked by DSS operatives. They headed to the offices of the DSS but

they were intercepted by some security operatives who ordered them to return to the hotel to continue their meeting. They refused and instead decided to stay by the roadside with the security men who also elected to stay with them.

However, at about 6.15 pm, the Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tamuno Danagogo arrived the Chida Hotel venue in company of the General Secretary, Musa Amadu.

Declaring the meeting open, Danagogo charged the members to realize that the interest of the country should be paramount adding that no one individual should be allowed to hold the entire nation to ransom.

“It is well known to all of us here that in recent times all has not been well with Nigerian football. We have seen the impeachment of the president of the NFF and his reinstatement and as concerned stakeholders we have been talking, trying to find a way to resolve the issue amicably.

“It is also true that it is only one person that can become the president of the NFF at a time. We will also say it that it is not right for one individual to hold the entire nation to ransom. I will not do that and as minister I will also not condone that. Therefore, it is your duty as a congress to correct all the anomalies today’.

He also spoke on the letter of resignation which the former president submitted to his office saying he decided to keep it because as a gentleman, he expected that all the parties concerned should keep to that very agreement.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

4 Falconets get instant promotion

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HE Falconets quartet of Ugo Njoku, Sarah Nnodim, Loveth Ayila and Halimatu Ayinde have been rewarded with instant inclusion in the Super Falcons’ 33-strong squad list for the upcoming African Women’s

Championship (AWC) in Namibia.

The quartet of the Super Falcons’ regulars who showed class at the just concluded Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada, Uchechi Sunday, Mariam Ibrahim,

NFF Congress: Giwa emerges factional President

Chinwendu Ihezuo and the championship’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and golden boot winner, Asisat Oshoala, received prominent mention in the AWC list.

Super Falcons head coach Edwin Okon said the shortlisted players were convincing and impressive in their performances at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup hence their immediate inclusion in the side that will be vying for honours at the forthcoming AWC in Namibia.

•As DSS pick Maigari, Green, Amadu

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

P

,

Continues on page 63

•Umeh — Walked out

•Giwa — Factional President

,

ROPRIETOR of Giwa FC of Jos, Chris Giwa was yesterday elected as the president of the Nigeria football Federation (NFF) by a faction of the congress at the Chida International Hotel, Abuja.

However, sources close to the Mike Umeh camp said they were not part of the election because the congress was not meant for an election adding that when the electoral committee wanted to continue with the election, most of the

There was My election no election was an act of God — — Umeh Giwa

,

,

Q & A — Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo with a horde of journalists after the election. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

The strangest squad numbers in sport — P.58 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Explosion (5) 7 Pardon (6) 9 Ocean (3) 10 Firearm (3) 12 Begin (5) 13 Wicked (4) 15 Cabin (5) 17 Devastate (6) 19 Way out (4) 20 Unfasten (5) 22 Loiter (3) 24 Lived (7) 27 Tease (3) 28 Passage (5) 31 Crazy (4) 33 Memorised (6) 35 Passed (5) 37 Orient (4) 38 Ski-slope (5) 39 Summit (3) 41 Sick (3) 42 Demure (6) 43 Centre (5)

DOWN 1 Cake (6) 2 Jet (6) 3 Delve (3) 4 Cream (4) 5 Machine (5) 6 Subsistence (8) 8 Instrument (4) 11 Careless (9) 14 Den (4) 16 Peruse (4) 18 Swerve (4) 21 Contrary (8) 23 Equipment (4) 25 Auction (4) 26 Eat (4) 29 Said (6) 30 Property (6) 32 Moving (5) 34 Particle (4) 36 Skin (4) 40 Seed-case (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Prod 4, Tot 6, Boat 9, Aid 10, Consoled 11, Slip 14, Err 16, Scrub 19, Unafraid 21, Anger 23, Timidity 24, Dared 27, Dam 31, Rota 33, Indigent 34, Nod 35, Mere 36, Lid 37, Drop.

DOWN: 2, Room 3, Dusk 4, Tolerant 5, Tidy 6, Basic 7, Oil 8, Adieu 12, Duped 13, Waver 14, Era 15, Rigid 17, Remit 18, Beryl 20, Demanded 22, Rim 25, Alone 26, Evade 28, Fill 29, Aged 30, Undo 32, Tor.

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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