Uproar, as Buhari names SGF, Customs boss, others

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62481

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Ensure information given out is in public interest, Osinbajo tasks editors 12

I won't reply you again, Orubebe tells Oshiomhole 11

Uproar, as Buhari names SGF, Customs boss, Ezeife, Tsav, Arewa others youths blast Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu & Gbenga Oke

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BUJA President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment, yesterday, of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, his Chief of Staff and four others was greeted by angry reactions as some described it as lopsided and sectional.

Same sentiments were expressed with the president’s earlier appointments.

President Buhari, yesterday appointed, his long time political associate, Engr. David Continues on Page 5

Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff

Ita Enang, SSA, NASS(Senate)

Babachir Lawal, SGF

Naval personnel aid oil theft —CNS 43 Mr & Mrs

Kure Abeshi, C-G, Immigration

Suleiman Kawu, SSA, NASS (Reps)

Hameed Ali, C-G, Customs

Buhari approves 65 licences for private refineries COLUMNISTS: ILE-IFE: Witnessing massive return to the cradle See inside C M Y K

Relationships that transcend politics •P.13

Those setting fires in other countries can’t complain •P.15

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NUC names 65 illegal tertiary institutions 6

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

RALLY: Bring Back Our Girls Group in a peaceful protest to mark 500 days of the abduction of Chibok girls, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Buhari appoints SGF, Chief of Staff, others Continues from Page 1

Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former banker, Alhaji Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff.

The appointments went against the grain of political permutations which had seen some key political figures being mentioned as likely appointees to the coveted offices.

Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), who had acted as chief of staff to Buhari in his private capacity and as presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was named Comptroller-General of Customs in a key indication of the President’s yet-to-be unveiled agenda for the service. Ali was a former military administrator of Kaduna State, and was in the Military Police as a

soldier before his retirement.

Also appointed, yesterday, were Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi as Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service; Senator Ita Enang as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Hon. Suleiman Kawu as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

The appointments which were announced

by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity were with immediate effect.

Profile of new appointees Lawal, the new SGF, hails from Hong Local

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO

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IFE is broken down to routine of daily choices.

What we are today is a result of choices we made yesterday. Always rise above the impulse to make hasty decisions because they may cost you tomorrow. With every opportunity always make the best choice. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

To love yourself is a never ending journey— Oprah Winfrey

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RANCIS Bacon’s take on Narcissus mythology is interesting. “Why should I be upset with a man for loving himself more than me?”

A better way is to love another more, this is paradoxical, for in loving another with much intensity you also love yourself more, but this love will take root in your capacity to be more compassionate and understanding in your dealings with others.

Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990.

He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

Lawal is the national vice-chairman, northeast of the APC and is one of the closest associates of the president. He was helpful in mobilising support for the President and ensuring key victories for him in the north-east especially in Adamawa State.

As a pastor, he was also helpful in winning support for the President among the Christian population in the north.

Chief of Staff, Kyari Alhaji Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President, holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Law and Sociology from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick. He worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International

Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.

He hails from Borno State in the north-east of the country.

Ali, Customs CG The new ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Col. Ali holds Bachelor’s and Master ’s degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State.

A disciplinarian, he has in recent years acted as chief of staff to Buhari.

There had been much expectation that Ali would be appointed into the position of Chief of Staff but his deployment to the Customs could be reflective of the president’s reported determination to clean the sector of corruption.

The new ComptrollerGeneral of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller.

His e d u c a t i o n a l qualifications include a Master ’s degree in Public Administration.

Enang, SSA on NASS Matters (Senate) Senator Enang is the immediate past Chairman, Rules and Business Committee of the 7th Senate of the National Assembly. He hails from Akwa Ibom State. Until the last general election in March and April, he was

a staunch member of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, now in the opposition.

He recently decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Kawu, SSA on NASS Matters (House of Reps) Kawu was a vibrant member of the 7th House of Representatives. He hails from Kano State and is a staunch member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ezeife, Tsav, ACF youths blast Buhari Meanwhile, angry reactions, yesterday, greeted the latest appointments by President Buhari.

Most expressed their displeasure at what they described as lopsided nature of the appointments, stating that it was purely sectional.

Appointment lopsided —Shettima, President, Arewa Youths President, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said the appointment is seen to be lopsided.

Shettima said: “It is unfortunate the way the situation is, because one becomes worried. We must be seen to be nationalistic than being sectionalised. I am beginning to feel uncomfortable because the complaint is that the appointments are seen to be lopsided. I also do not think that is the intention of the government. However, no matter how we pretend, the reality is that things are not done

in the right way.”

He, however, said “the government should be seen to be more nationalistic than sectionalised. If we truly believe in true federalism and federal character, it should go round. We cannot say that a particular area has the best brains in the country. I think the government should look into that area thoroughly in as much as the President has good intentions.”

South-East marginalised — Ezeife In his reaction, former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwumeka Ezeife, said the new appointments have marginalised the SouthEast.

He said: “I do not know the rationale behind those appointments. No South-East person is in those appointments. So I am not interested.”

It’s wrong to be sectional in choice of appointees —Tsav Also speaking, a retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav said: "I see the appointments as lopsided. Nigeria is too big to have majority of the appointees from one section of the country.

We have competent people in every part of Nigeria. For that reason, he (Buhari) should spread the appointments to every part of Nigeria.

"If he (Buhari) is looking for honest people, there are honest people in every part of Nigeria, just as we have dishonest people in every part.

Most Nigerians voted for him, even those who did not vote for him are his subjects and he is bound to carry every one along."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Jonathan sidelined Defence Ministry in arms procurement —Perm Sec

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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B U J A — PERMANENT Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Ismaila Aliyu, stated yesterday that former president, Goodluck Jonathan, sidelined the ministry from the procurement of arms and ammunition for the Armed Forces.

He recalled that the Ministry used to be part of the purchases, but ceased to be when the Jonathan government took over and transferred purchasing powers to the security agencies in the country.

He expressed happiness that President Muhammadu Buhari had included the ministry on the committee set up to probe procurement of arms, saying the ministry had some presentations to make at the panel.

It will be recalled that President Buhari, early this week through the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, set up a 13-man panel to probe arms procurement since 1997, covering the regimes of former presidents, Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Buhari, the Permanent Secretary said that the President was happy with the ministry with regards to her role in the antiterrorism operations.

He said: “This is a family meeting. We have briefed the President on the activities of the ministry and the DHQ. “The President was happy with our achievements in the ministry on the fight against insurgency and has asked us to continue with the momentum and he is very willing to supply the needs of the Armed Forces.

“Mr. President has asked that the Ministry of Defence be included in the probe committee.”

NUC goes after 65 illegal tertiary institutions To prosecute proprietors, recover illegal fees, charges on students

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HE National Universities Commission, NUC, has released a list of illegal degreeawarding institutions operating in the country.

The schools were published in the NUC’s weekly bulletin dated August 24.

According to the bulletin, the commission’s Executive Secretary, Julius Okojie, warned that those who patronise the schools, do so at their own risk.

“Certificates obtained from these sources will not be recognized for the purpose of NYSC, employment and further studies,” NUC said.

The list include University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology Nkpor, Anambra State, or any of its campuses; University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos, or any of its other campuses; University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Blacksmith University, Awka,

or any of its campuses.

Others are Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, or any of its other campuses in Nigeria; Royal University Izhia, P. O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, or any of its other campuses; Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State, or any of its other campuses; Sunday Adokpela University, Otada Adoka, Otukpo, Benue State, or any of its other campuses; United Christian University, Macotis Campus, Imo State, or any of its other campuses; United Nigeria University College, Okija, Anambra State, or any of its other campuses; Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State, or any of its other campuses; UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State, or any of its other campuses; Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Plateau State, or any of its other campuses; the International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Columbus

University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Tiu International University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pebbles University, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; London External Studies, UK, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pilgrims University, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Lobi Business School Makurdi, Benue State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; West African Christian University, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Bolta University College, Aba, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna illegal campus; Westlan University, Esie, Kwara State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; St. Andrews University College, Abuja, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; EC-Council University, USA, Ikeja, Lagos Study Centre; Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Concept College/

COMMISSIONING: From left— Gregoire Owona, Cameroon Minister of Labour; Philemon Yang, Cameroon Prime Minister; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Dangote Group; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, and others at the commissioning of Dangote Cement plant in Cameroon, yesterday.

Dangote commissions $250m cement plant in annum to 3.0mmtpa. Very site in September 2011, when Cameroon soon, we will be performing an investment agreement was

By Yinka Kolawole

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ANGOTE Cement Plc, yesterday, expanded its operations to Cameroon with the commissioning of a 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum cement grinding plant in Base Elf area in Douala.

The commissioning of the plant, built at a cost of $250 million, brings the operations of the company to 15 African countries.

In his speech at the occasion, President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, recalled that the company secured the

signed with the Cameroonian government.

Dangote said: “Other benefits of our investment include conservation of scarce foreign resources through reduction of cement importation, creation of revenue through VAT, royalties and taxes, and contribution to the overall economic development of the country.

“Plans are already on to start the second phase of the project, which will see the doubling of its capacity from the current 1.5m MT per

the groundbreaking ceremony for this project.

“Our desire to increase our investment with the Phase 2 project is based on not only the fast growth rate of the Cameroonian economy, but also due to the warm welcome extended to us and the enabling environment created by the government of Cameroon.”

The plant was commissioned by Cameroonian Prime Minister, Mr. Philemon Yang, who represented President Paul Biya.

University (London) Ilorin, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State, or any of its campuses in Nigeria; Houdegbe North American University Campuses in Nigeria; Atlantic International University, Okija, Anambra State; Open International University, Akure; Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo; Leadway University, Ughelli, Delta State; Metro University, Dutse/Bwari, Abuja; Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State; Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State; Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja; Temple University; Irish University Business School, London, operating anywhere in Nigeria; National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State; University of Accountability and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and its Annex at 41, Ikorodu Road Lagos; University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Cape Cost University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.

African University Cooperative Development, AUCD, Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria; Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre; Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos; Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Gboko Campus; Career Light Resources Centre, Jos; University of West Africa, Kwali-Abuja; Coastal University, Iba-Oku, Akwa-Ibom State; Kaduna Business School, Kaduna, and Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger Delta.

Under probe

NUC listed eight illegal institutions as currently undergoing investigations and court actions.

NUC said prosecution of the proprietors and recovery of illegal fees and charges on subscribers will follow.

The are National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa State; North Central University, Otukpo, Benue State; Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia State; West Coast University, Umuahia; Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State; Volta University College, Aba, Abia State, and illegal satellite campuses of Ambrose Ali University.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—7

refining equipment manufacturers in the US can partner with the licencees by contributing their equipment as equity investment in the project, while some can work with the US Export-Import, EXIM, Bank to finance their equipment.

“However, the bank will need government collateral or guarantees.”

... on incentives

TRAINING: Some editors and staff of Vanguard Newspapers shortly after a training session by Mr. Bayo Oguntuase (middle) at Vanguard head office, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday. Oguntuase (hands folded) is flanked on his left by General Editor, Mr Adekunle Adekoya, and to his right, Ms Chioma Gabriel, Special Reports Editor. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Buhari approves 65 licences for private refineries Decision taken within 10 days in office

By Clara Nwachukwu

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has granted licences to 65 Nigerian companies to construct modular refineries.

The companies were selected from about 285 applications that were screened for the purpose.

Modular refineries are minirefineries with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 barrels per day, bpd, which can be assembled and separated easily for enhanced performance and efficiency.

The decision to award Licence to Establish, LTE, which was taken within 10 days of his assuming office in June, may not be unconnected with his desire to see the increase in domestic refining capacity to meet local demand, thereby reducing huge import bills for subsidy.

Although the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, the industry regulator, feigned ignorance of the development, one of the beneficiary companies confirmed to Vanguard that the measure is also meant to cushion the impact of crashing oil prices at the international market.

The shock is not only in the period the approvals were given, but also in the numbers granted considering the fact that 18 LTEs were granted in 2002, but only one of them had come on stream with just 1,000 barrels per day, bpd, capacity.

The refinery is operated by Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, NDPR, which produces only automotive gas oil, AGO, popularly called diesel.

How approvals were granted

Chief Executive officer of the

beneficiary company, who spoke in confidence, said the number was not unilateral, but “the mop up of all applications for private refining since 2007.”

He admitted that the process took a period of six months, dating back to former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, adding “the process was rigorous as they looked at many issues including, land, investment, technical competence, design and a host of many others.”

He added that licences were offered on a two-year tenure, after which it will elapse, and that “the beauty of these awards is that there was no lobbying, as the whole exercise followed due process.”

In his opinion, there is nothing wrong with the high number of awardees, arguing that “for a country like Nigeria, the more in-country capacity, the better for us, because in a falling oil price regime, the more you refine, the more value you add and the more revenue you earn from your crude.”

DPR feigns ignorance

DPR guidelines

Also confirming the development, a petroleum expert from the Emerald Energy Institute, University of Port Harcourt, Profesor Chijioke Nwaozuzu, said he was more concerned with the challenges for establishing such refineries.

According to him, such challenges are tied to political, land, funding, crude feedstock and market availability.

He said: “These refineries are going to be located mainly

A top management staff of DPR, when contacted, simply told Vanguard on telephone: “I am not aware of any such huge approval.”

When prodded further, he added: “What I know is that DPR recently released guidelines for the establishment of refineries, and we had road shows in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, to sensitise investors.”

Ordinarily, there are three

levels of approval for setting up private greenfield (new) or modular refineries in the country.

They are Approval to Establish, LTE; Approval to Construct, ATC, and Licence to Operate, LTO. An investor must overcome the requirements in each level of approval before proceeding to the next, as shown in the guidelines.

DPR had explained that the guidelines for the establishment of modular refineries in Nigeria was configured with the aim of shortening the approval time for licensing of refineries.

To woo investors to the project, DPR also reduced the licensing fee for new refineries from $1 million to $50,000.

Government is desirous of refining at least 50 percent of its crude output in-country, not only to reduce import dependence, but also be an exporter of refined petroleum products.

Challenges

in the Niger Delta, and the state governments may want to get involved because it is a high revenue earner, which grants only 28 days credit cycle.

“Also, refinery requires huge land, and there may be issues with acquisition from the land owners and to cap it all, refinery of any capacity requires huge capital. You need at least $30,000 per barrel, which is a huge sum even for a 1,000kbpd refinery.”

Feedstock... as in power sector

Furthermore, he noted that if Federal Government does not guarantee feedstock for those who complete the approval cycle, Nigeria may have a repeat of what happened with the initial 18 licences granted in the past.

Nwaozuzu, urged government to guarantee feedstock to the refineries, as it is doing with the existing 445,000 combined capacity four refineries, in addition to also guaranteeing the offtake of the products for the local market.

He noted that “if there is no guaranteed market, we will face a similar situation like what is happening in the power sector, where meter manufactures have manufactured millions of meters, but the distribution companies refused to take them.”

Also, in the area of funding, he noted that “some modular

Against this backdrop, he urged government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to provide such collaterals for ease of take off for the refineries.

Besides these guarantees, he suggested other incentives to boost the modular refining operations to include guarantee of 100 percent crude oil feedstock for all refiners for at least 10 years; discounted price of crude oil for domestic consumption; a minimum of 60 days credit for each cargo of crude oil, at least for the first five years of operations; supply of crude feedstock should commence as soon as DPR can certify mechanical completion of each new plant.

Others are guarantee of 100 percent refined products off-take by government (NNPC); government guarantee of foreign loans for domestic companies wishing to set up refineries; plants should be granted tax exemption for at least three years from date of commencement of operations;plants should be exempt from import and export duties and value-added tax, VAT, for at least five years; plants should enjoy accelerated capital allowance of about 95 percent and the percentage of assessable profit for the purpose of capital allowance recovery should be 70 percent at most.

Experts' views

Other industry experts also noted that “these mini-refineries will not only reduce or even eliminate Nigeria’s dependency on imported products, subsidy and traffic congestion, it will also revive the local economy, make roads to last longer and be safer, and return Nigeria to exporting refined petroleum products.”

They added that such refineries are already in operation in many countries of the world, including Africa.

One of them said: “While Senegal runs one with a 27,000bpd capacity, Cameroon has one with 42,600bpd; Congo, 21,000bpd; Niger Republic, 20,000bpd; Chad, 20,000bpd; Zambia, 34,000bpd, and Gabon, 25,000bpd.”

Besides, they pointed out that “a few African countries are refining to meet their needs through the regular and modular refinery models.

“Apart from oil-producing countries like Algeria and Libya, which refine 499,000bpd and 380,000bpd, respectively, South Africa and Egypt also do same with 626,500bpd and 1,102,550bpd, respectively.”

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Ambode again vows to run transparent govt

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AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday restated his administration’s commitment to run an open, credible and transparent administration.

The Governor, who spoke when he received the 51st President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Otunba Olufemi Deru in Ikeja at the Lagos House, said as a student who passed through the Institute, Lagosians should not expect anything less than an administration of good governance in the next four years.

“I welcome the 51st President of ICAN, Otunba Olufemi Deru and his team and I must say that the visitation is with a number of nostalgia. I must say we are glad to receive you because what ICAN stands for is actually what Lagos stands for in the past 16years”, the governor said.

Tribunal decides Gbajabiamila's fate next month

By Onozura Dania

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AGOS—THE National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, will on September 29, 2015 give judgment in a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in Surulere Federal Constituency I of Lagos State, Mr. Tony Ashikodi, challenging the declaration of the House of Representatives Majority leader Olufemi Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the winner of the March 28, 2015 poll.

The three-man panel, lead

by Justice C.U Anwuka fixed the date after listening to the submission and adopting the final written address by parties counsels.

Ashokodi, through his lawyer Mr. Kalu Onuah, is challenging the victory of Gbajabiamila and alleged irregularities during the election, which he said, breached the provisions of Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, approved guidelines for the polls.

By Charles Kumolu

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CHIEFTIAN of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State Mr. Segun Idris has said that the victory of the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode at the Court of Appeal is an affirmation that his acceptance cuts across different political leanings in the state.

He also said the victory did not come as a surprise, adding that Ambode had proved himself worthy of the seat in many ways.

Idris in a statement commended the judiciary for standing on the side of justice, noting that the judgement has further deepened Nigeria’s democracy.

His words: ‘’The judiciary has once again helped to strengthen our democracy by affirming strongly that the feather fits the cap of our own Ambode. I am not surprised at this at all because his excellency has proved himself worthy in all ramifications. ‘’

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that Gbajabiamila was not duly elected or returned by the majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

He urged the court to void the election by reason of manifest breach and violation of the Electoral Act

2015 Election Guidelines, adding that a fresh election should be ordered and to be conducted by the INEC for the constituency.

The petitioner had alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election, stating that “the final figures in the tally of results

the Form EC 8C(i) were cancelled and altered with a view of declaring Gbajabiamila the winner of the election.

He also said the 14,351 received by the APC candidate was whimsically changed to 21,715 while 16,079 earlier recorded for petitioner was changed to 14,550.”

MAJIDUN SHOOTING: Residents want victims released

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

APC chieftain lauds Ambode’s A’Court victory

VISIT: From right; Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Task Team Leader, World Bank Team on Performance -based Financing (PBF), Dr. Oluwole Odutolu and National Co-ordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Lekan Olubajo, during a visit by the World Bank Team to the governor, in Akure, on Thursday.

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AGOS—SCORES of residents of Majidun/ Ogolonto community yesterday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa Secretariat, seeking the lawmakers' assistance in releasing three of their sons shot by a Naval personnel deployed to secure Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines in the community.

The protesters who were made up of the elderly and youths expressed their displeasure over the continued stay of the Naval officers in the community and government intervention in the release of the shot victims either dead or alive.

The protesters, lamented that the continued stay of the naval officers in the community will bring untold hardship on them, saying; “They stop us from moving at night, we are therefore appealing to the government to see to their withdrawal.”

The three victims shot by a trigger-happy officer, were identified as Lanre Agbor, one Abass and Timothy, all tipper drivers at the park.

Vanguard learned the three are currently on admission at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba.

But they are guarded by armed personnels, who prevented their relatives from gaining access to them.

NPA workers raise alarm over revenue leakages

By Victor AhiumaYoung

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AGOS—WORKERS of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, have raised alarm over increasing revenue leakages at the nation’s seaports.

The workers, have meanwhile urged the agency to recruit lower cadre workers to monitor revenue collection by terminal operators at the ports.

Presidents of the NPA branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Mr. Adeleke Sanni, said that the

agency was losing billions in revenue because there was no proper monitoring of revenue collection by terminal operators at the ports due to a shortage of workforce on the part of the NPA.

Labour ministry cautions against unrest

Meantime, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, yesterday urged the management of NPA, to hasten the payment of the eight months salary arrears of dockworkers to avert industrial unrest in the nation’s Maritime Industry.

Chairman of Majidun Community and leader of the protesters, Oloyede Egbodofo, said it was high time the state government come to their rescue, because “we are being held captive and now terrorized by armed forces in

our own houses.”

Youth leader, Ahmed Aboriota, added that there were conflicting reports on the state of health of the victims; a source said they were dead but another affirmed that they are recuperating.

Flour Mills assures shareholders despite challenges

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LOUR Mills of Nigeria, FMN, Group has said that it will continue to reward the trust and support of shareholders and other stakeholders with strong performance despite the daunting challenges posed by strong macro-economic headwinds.

According to a release from the office of the Group Managing Director, Mr. Paul Gbededo, the challeges confronting the company include: foreign exchange volatility and declining value of the Naira leading to a rise in the cost of imported raw materials and spare parts; worsening logistics/traffic situation at Apapa which hindered product evacuation and delivery resulting in loss of volume; disruptions to business operational activities pre and during the April, 2015 elections largely as a result of uncertainties and apprehensions about the outcome of the elections and security challenges.

“The combined effects of these

extraneous factors led to increases in cost of input and put pressures on margins. ”Unfortunately, he said, the rise in cost could not be fully offset by corresponding increases in product prices due to dwindling consumer spending power coupled with increased competition for market share. ''As a result of the foregoing, the financial performance for Quarter 1 was less than expected, in spite of tight control over Group overheads, he added.

In a review, he stated that, Group revenue for the quarter compared with the equivalent period of last year decreased marginally by 2%, from N83.9 billion to N82.3 billion while Profit after tax dropped by 65% from N2.8 billion to N972 million.

Mr. Gbededo assured that management was confident that by growing the top line and improving Group synergy, coupled with continuous controls on overheads and financial expenses, the coming quarters should result in improved performance.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 — 9

OONI’S SUCCESSION: Oba Akinruntan advises kingmakers

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—AS the ancient town of Ile-Ife searches for a successor to late Oba Okunade Sijuwade on the stool of the Ooni of Ife, His imperial majesty, Oba Obateru Akinruntan,the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom has advised kingmakers in the town to be careful in their selection process so that the enviable title of Ooni will not be derogated.

While appreciating chiefs and indigenes of the town on the steps they have taken so far, he said the quality of a new monarch to be chosen should be well considered.

He said this while speaking in Ibadan.

According to him, interested candidates should not have been struggling for the stool, but, rather, the people should be begging them to accept the offer.

To him, after consideration of other factors and conditions for the emergence of the new king, the pedigree of the person matters a lot.

The wealthy king who made reference to his emergence as the Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom in Ilaje

Local Government of Ondo State, noted that it was his people that begged him to accept the title.

Today, he thanked the Almighty God for the way he has helped him to promote the cultural, social and economic values of his kingdom.

He said, “Both Oba Adesoji Aderemi and his successor, Sijuwade did well to uplift the standard of the throne.

“Infact, Aderemi even became a governor of the defunct Western region in his own time, which further heightened the status or the ancient town both nationally and internationally.

“If the kingmakers decide to

install a candidate with a lower status, then the profile of the stool would be lowered,” he said.

OnhispositionastheChairman, Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee, he assured that all necessary steps would be taken to unite Obas in the zone so that they would not be marginalised in the scheme of things.

AWARD: Representative of President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Clement Illoh (left), Perm Secretary of the Federal Min of Labour & Productivity presenting the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award to Dr. Tunji Olaopa, Permanent Secretary,Federal Ministry of Communication Technology at an award ceremony in Abuja last week.

AREGBESOLA: Court adjourns hearing of Osun judge’s suit

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—AN Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo has fixed hearing of a suit filed by Justice Folahanmi Oloyede against the state House of Assembly for next Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Justice Oloyede had filed a motion ex-parte asking the court to grant her permission to institute a legal action against the state lawmakers over their recommendation calling for her sanction by the state's Judicial Commission NJC. The serving judge had sent a petition to the state assembly leveling various allegations of financial misconducts against the state governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori.

Besides, the judge called on the assemblymen to examine and investigate the governor and his deputy over those allegations upon which the Speaker, Hon. Najeem Salam set up a sevenman ad-hoc fact-finding committee.

The committee however gave the governor a clean bill of health but recommended that Justice

Oloyede be sanctioned for her alleged refusal to back up her allegations with evidence.

But ruling over the application filed on her behalf by Mr. Lekan Ogunlesi (SAN), the presiding vacation judge, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe granted all the five prayers sought by the applicant and ordered that the 11 respondents listed be served

while adjourning the case till September 3.

Justice Oloyede approached the court asking that the said recommendations of the ad-hoc committee be quashed and that their actions be declared illegal, unconstitutional and null and void.

Filling the application of the motion on notice yesterday,

Why 6 education officials were sacked – OGSG

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA — CHAIRMAN, Ogun State Civil Service Commission, Mrs Aderonke Folarin, yesterday, explained why the six education officials were sacked,saying, their conduct

breached Public Service Rules of the state.

Folarin in a statement she personally signed, titled ‘sanctioned education officials: setting the record straight Ogun Civil Service Commission’ said the officials were sacked because they were

found guilty by the panel that looked into the matter which she said was reported by parents of some students in took the exam.

She said all the officials concerned were given the opportunity to defend themselves both in writing and orally, in line with the constitutional provision.

She however described media reports on the sacking of the six officials as misleading and misrepresentation, saying, the Commission acted on the complaints lodged by parents of some students over the nature of the exam.

PDP faults APC’s allegations against Fayose

T

HE People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has faulted the statement by the All Progressives Congress, APC, against Governor Ayo Fayose, saying it is bereft of common sense or any element of wisdom and it could only be a blind mind mentality to say a governor that has embarked on construction of different roads across the state is not facing governance.

The State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party , Mr Jackson Adebayo while reacting to the opposition party’s allegation that the governor is trying to cause confusion in the APC and ridicule its leaders said that statement demonstrated their level of ignorance.

He also stressed that the statement has shown that APC leadership do not even understand what governance is all about and that it does not have the requisite wisdom to discern between lie, blackmail and noise when they said that Fayose lies will not take him to anywhere after they have failed to rubbish the popularity of the governor among workers and people on the street.

Its another bad market for the APC to be fabricating falsehood to cover up lies and inconsistencies among their so called leaders while at thesame time condemning lies which is known to be the insignia of office of the opposition party in Ekiti State.

APC accuses Fayose of divisive tactics

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State had accused Governor Ayodele Fayose of trying to cause confusion in the APC and ridicule its leaders.

Reacting to media reports that former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Femi Bamisile, begged the governor to help facilitate his defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the report was concocted by Fayose and his “discredited media aides” to cause confusion, ignite anger among APC members and put the former Speaker in a weak position that would hurt his mobilisation drive to put APC in a firm footing.

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

NULGE shuts Delta council over unpaid salaries

By Festus Ahon, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

U

GHELLI—NIGERIA Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has, shut Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State over the nonpayment of May, 2015 half salary to staff of the council.

Addressing newsmen at the council secretariat, NULGE Chairman in the council, Mr Charles Odogu accused the council chairman, Head of Personnel Management, HPM, and Treasurer of colluding to divert the funds meant for payment of salaries.

He alleged that the union had gathered that the allocation that came to the council had already been exhausted, saying “What we are saying is that the half salary must be paid. If at all any other expenses are to be made, the staff salary is a priority; they must first of all be paid before any other thing.”

Reacting to the development, the council chairman, Mr. Paul Etaga, said there was no diversion of funds in the council.

His words: “N28 million came and we intended paying half salary and when we looked at our half salary wage bill, it is about N35 million.

“When we paid three months

salaries after the last strike, we omitted some persons and we agreed that the sweepers that were not paid before should be paid five months arrears.”

BRIEFING: Mr. Sam Imikede (left)and member representing Amuwo Odofin federal constituency, Lagos at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogene Egoh, during a briefing at the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Delta communities threaten to shut oil facilities over DESOPADEC board

By Emma Amaize & Perez Brisibe

W

ARRI—YOUTHS of O g u l a g h a Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, under the aegis of

Ogulagha Clan Youths Association, have threatened to shut down the Forcados Terminal and the Crude Loading Platform and all oil and gas production facilities

in their area.

Their grouse is that the state government did not appoint an Ogulagha native into the newly constituted board of the Delta State Oil Producing

Areas Development C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC. Similarly, Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, has threatened to shut down

Edo New Dawn repositions PDP ahead 2016 gov election the party across the three The group led by former

B

By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY—A chieftain of the

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Chief Samson Esemuede, has said that most leaders of

senatorial districts of the state were determined to overhaul the party ahead of the coming congresses of the party scheduled for September, so as to win the 2016 governorship election.

He said it was as a result of that determination that they now have a group, Edo New Dawn, which according to him is geared toward ensuring that credible persons were voted into offices both in the state level and the 18 local government areas as chairmen of the party, adding that the “Idea is to stop imposition, dictatorship which is what is being experienced with the current leadership of the party in the state.”

Chief Whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie, had called for the restructuring of the party, noting that unless the Chief Orbih led state executive and other excos at the council levels were dissolved, it would be difficult for the party to win in the 2016 governorship election.

Esemuede who is the Publicity Secretary of the Edo New Dawn, pointed out that the group was not a faction of the PDP but a pressure group that intends to put the party into winning ways, adding that the era where one individual decides the faith of the party in the state was over.

oil wells in its domain in protest of what the community termed as their exclusion in the appointments into the board of DESOPADEC. On his part, Captain Beck Hitler, a prominent chief in Ogulagha Kingdom, has criticised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for neglecting the kingdom in the constitution of the new board of DESOPADEC.

Kola Oshiyemi passes on

M

R Kola Oshiyemi, an o f f i c i a l photographer in the presidency, is dead. He died last Sunday after a brief illness. He worked with three former presidents namely former President Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Musa Yar ’adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

The interment service will be at Methodist Church of Nigeria, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos tomorrow.

Late Kola Oshiyemi

Okowa lauds Urhobo people on job creation

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G B A R O — GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has thanked sons and daughters of Urhobo Kingdom for their contributions to the development of the Urhobo in terms of wealth and job creation.

Okowa who was represented by the Special Assistant on Political Matters, Chief Akigho Okiemute, at the Award and Face of Urhobo beauty pageant contest, 2015, in Uvwamughe Agbaro, said that as part of the governor's empowerment programme, he will support the Urhobo entertainment industry to promote arts, culture, job and wealth creation.

He encouraged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity, as it was one of the easiest way to curb youth restiveness, because the Okowa’s policy for the Delta youths was for the betterment of all.

Coordinator alleges diversion of IGR in LG

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By Gabriel Enogholase E N I N —

COORDINATOR in charge of collecting internally generated revenue from Geogio Rocks quarry pit in Evbonogbon community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Dan Owegie (Jnr), has accused the Chairman of the council, Mr. Morrison Ovia and the secretary, Mr. Oyomire Idahosa, of allegedly diverting IGR of the council to their private use.

In a petition to the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through his counsel, Mr. G. Izebvigie, he alleged that the duo gave a directive to him on how he and other coordinators should be remitting revenue collected by them into any account as instructed by them.

Reacting to the allegation, of the council chairman , Mr. Ovia, deniedtheallegation,sayingthat the legislative arm of the council had blacklisted some companies engaged for its internally generated revenue, including one of the companies owned by Owegie.

Idahosa also denied the allegation

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—11

I won't reply you again, Orubebe tells Oshiomhole A

BUJA—FORMER Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has said that the emptiness of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has made it imperative for him not to reply him again on any issue.

Reacting to Oshiomhole calling him an elevated thug and a political jobber, who is out to make noise as means of getting his next meal ticket, Orubebe, said he was through engaging in any exchange of words with Oshiomhole.

Speaking with Vanguard, Orubebe, said: “You can see the kind of governor we have in our country. My response is simple: I am through with him. I will not talk about him again. On this issue, I am through with him. I have no business with such a governor, who has no brain. I thought he was more knowledgeable on the issues on governance.

“Being a governor and somebody who is supposed to know issues of the Niger Delta unrest, so Governor Oshiomhole did not know that

C M Y K

Godsday Orubebe was never at any time in charge of the amnesty programme for former Niger Delta militants?

“That is to tell you the

emptiness of the man. I have seen his (Oshiomhole) emptiness and I have no business talking to him (Oshiomhole) again, rather, I

will wait for more fundamental national issues and current affairs. But from today, I am done with him.”

DELTA GOV: Tribunal admits documents

presented by INEC officials

A

Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, setting in Asaba, has admitted documents presented by subpoenaed officials of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC. The tribunal had following an application by the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, who listed the INEC staff as witnesses, ordered them to appear before the tribunal.

Meanwhile, Justice Nasiru Gunmi, chairman of the three man panel, told the witnesses brought by the APC, Omadele Tuoyo, to leave the tribunal venue

for violating the rule that forbids either the petitioner ’s or respondent’s witnesses to be present while proceedings are ongoing.

His action was sequel to the alarm raised by Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, counsel to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on the presence of Omadele Tuoya, which according to him, runs counter to the standard practice.

Dismissing the objections raised

by Governor Okowa, the Peoples Democratic Party, and INEC through their counsel to the admissibility of INEC Card Readers unit by unit accreditation of voters’ document as exhibits, Justice Gunmi said: “We have examined this application on the

face of the documents tendered and we are satisfied that the documents satisfied the requirement of Section 104 (2) of the Evidence Act to justify the admission of these documents.”

Gummi said that the documents tendered were duly certified by appropriate authority, adding “we are of the view that signature is the most important aspect of certification, therefore, the documents meet certification requirement. We, therefore, overrule the objection to the admission of this document and admit the documents as exhibits PW1A and PW1B.”

Group lauds probe of N60bn sales proceeds in Rivers

P

ORT HARCOURT—THE Patriots Alliance, TPA, in Rivers State, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for initiating a probe into the N60 billion sale proceeds under the former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration, but urged the commission to have the court order restraining it from probing former Governor Peter Odili, set aside.

TPA in a statement by Mr Solomon Okocha, said: “On behalf of the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large, we commends the EFCC as it commences investigation into the controversial petition by a pro – Peoples Democratic Party, PDP body, Integrity Group, against former Governor Amaechi, bordering on issues pertaining the proceeds of sale of Rivers State government assets.

“We are also happy that the EFCC had written the Rivers State Finance Ministry, Accountant General demanding details of contracts. We believe that this move will put an end to the premature and endless name calling in Rivers State."

12 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

THE NIGERIAN GUILD OF EDITORS (NGE) CONFERENCE IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE,YESTERDAY. Photos by Akpokona Omafuaire

From right; Prof. Etannibi Alemike, Guest Speaker; Mallam Garba Deen Muhammed, A.g NGE, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, Deputy Governor, bayelsa State; Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) and Rt. Hon. Kombowei Benson, Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

From left; Mrs Funke Egbemode, MD/Editor-in-Chief, New Telegraph; Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, FNGE; Akpandem James, FNGE and Janet Mba, Publisher, Scroll Magazine

Prof. Etannibi Alemika, Guest Speaker delivering his paper.

From left; Bonnie Iwuoha, former NUJ President; Tunde Awobiyi, Former General Secretary, NGE; Mr. Ray Ekpu, FNGE; Emma Agu, former MD, Champion Newspapers; Raheem Adedoya, former Commissioner for Information, Kwara State and Chief John Araka, former Editor, Daily Times.

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left) exchanging pleasantries with the Chairman of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh while the Acting President of NGE, Mallam Garba Deen Muhammad From left; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, Ambrose (2ndleft) and Prof. Etonnibi Alemika (2nd left) look on.

Okoh, Controller News, Channels TV., and Bonnie Iwuoha, former president, NUJ.

Ensure information given out is in public interest, Osinbajo tasks editors

By Samuel Oyadongha, Akpokona best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.” importance that the editor be mindful for the great work they have been doing over Omafuaire & Emem Idio The Vice President, represented by the of this role not only as a stakeholder the years for the being of the country.

Y

ENAGOA—VICE President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, urged editors in the country to always ensure that information being sent to the public was in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Osinbajo in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State during the opening ceremony of the 11th Edition of All Nigerian Editors Conference with the theme “The change we need: Role of Editor,” organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, said “Editors have moral obligation of ensuring that the information and messages dished out to the public are indeed in the C M Y K

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, also called on the editors to be mindful of their role not only as stakeholders but also as critical drivers of social economic development process in the country.

He said, “We should be reminded that the generation of people accessing news and information whether from newspapers or other sources have a different set of expectation about the kind of news they will get as well as when, where and how they get it.

“In this regard, it is of utmost

but also as critical driver of social economic development process of the country.

“It is also important for project planners to always consider including the mass media in development projects not merely as stand to know activities but play support role required to deliver critical knowledge, raise awareness, consciousness and create empathy among target audience for the project to succeed.”

He commended the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the organisers of the event

Speaking at the event, the acting President, NGE, Garba Muhammad, said that the only permanent thing in life was change, adding that with a new government in place, Nigerians are eagerly and justifiably waiting to reap the fruits of their struggle for a democratically elected government.

He said, “The world has come to accept that the only permanent incidence in life is the constant changes we go through all the time. Our physical and social environments are continuously changing and evolving, as is our spiritual perspectives on the very essence of life itself.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 —13

Relationships that transcend politics

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AST weekend, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senator I’ve known for many years heard that I had a personal problem that was giving me sleepless nights; and he contacted me, invited me to his home and went out of his way to help me solve my problem.

I was deeply touched by his brotherly concern and practical assistance, especially since we had been on opposite sides during the recent elections.

I had vociferously campaigned for the All

Progressives Congress, APC, and Muhammadu Buhari, while he had thrown his weight behind ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

And, given the amount of rancour that was generated in the heat of the campaign – and the bitterness that many Jonathanists still harbour against people who contributed to the unseating of their candidate – the senator ’s kindness towards me was particularly gracious.

Many friendships have gone down the drain or been damaged because of political tensions. But I’d have done the same for my PDP senator pal if our situations had been reversed and he had been the one who was in a tight spot because I share his belief that cordial relationships are priceless and should never be undermined or destroyed by political considerations or differences of opinion.

*President Muhammadu Buhari

Readers’responses L

AST week, I sounded off about the new foreign exchange rules, which have hit me hard because I have a home in London and am going to find it extremely difficult at best – and impossible at worst – to transfer funds from Nigeria with which to cover my UK rent, council tax, utility bills and living expenses.

I also expressed the view that the new rules would hurt innocents who have modest incomes more than the big money-launderers at whom they are aimed.

Predictably perhaps, quite a few disgruntled supporters of the previous administration contacted me to crow and say that they were glad that I was being inconvenienced. But I also heard from folks who either agreed with me or regarded the new foreign currency rules as completely justified.

Here are some of the responses I received: 2348122283505 Anaekwe Donu shame on you! Your weeping is just starting. When we were telling you people about Buhari, did you listen?

Stop complaining and accept my congratulations for your election victory because this new foreign exchange C M Y K

regulation is part of the CHANGE! you asked Buhari for.

Anonymous

Dear Donu, I do not want my name or phone number mentioned. I thank you for writing an article that highlights the plight of ordinary Nigerians who have overseas commitments. I am an honest trader and my business has been badly affected.

348065331211 Anonymous Kogbara or whatever you call yourself: I have always known that you are a phoney and if I have my way, I will

I share his belief that cordial relationships are priceless and should never be undermined or destroyed by political considerations or differences of opinion

withdraw the green passport from you and send you back to UK. Please leave our president alone. He will ensure that our country shall rise again after Jonathan’s debacles.

2348027070684 Anonymous So the new foreign exchange rules are too draconian abi? Why does this sound very familiar in describing Buhari and his policies past and present? I thought according to you previously, he is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria in the recent past.

Well you and your group of frustrated oyinbo wannabees ain’t seen nothing yet. You better relocate to that place where you feel at home before it gets really hot here.

On this page last week, I also praised Mr President for creating a no-nonsense atmosphere that has led to a marked improvement in the power supply, not only where I live in Port Harcourt but in many other locations nationwide.

2348058340795 Nicolas Where and when has electricity situation improved?

I live in Ozoro in Isolo LGA in Lagos and I have not seen light for the past one month and you say electricity has

improved.

I think improvement is only within your family compound.

Elections are over so, stop campaigning for Buhari.

I

don’t, as a general rule, answer people who have responded to my comments.

But it seems necessary to address the following points to my critics, on this occasion: •Buhari is human and he will sometimes make mistakes and it is possible to regard him as Good overall without enthusiastically endorsing every policy he adopts or every single move that he and his subordinates make.

•Some of Buhari’s fans are just as annoying and narrowminded as some of Jonathan’s fans; and it’s primitive and dim-witted to regard anyone

who dares to question some of Buhari’s decisions as a traitor. The APC is a broad coalition that includes people who are coming from different directions and backgrounds and are therefore not always on the same page with each other, never mind on the same page as their Leader.

Debate is healthy. Anyone who cannot share ideas and disagree with me in an intelligent way should please not bother to contact me!

•Supporting Buhari’s attempts to cleanse and enhance Nigeria does not equate to being “Oyinbo”.

Africans are as entitled to high standards as Whites; and TRUE patriots do not cheerfully or slavishly tolerate the kind of low standards that were commonplace during Jonathan’s tenure!

Taxation

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NTIL recently, I have been VERY reluctant to pay tax because of a fear that my hard-earned cash would be squandered by thieving government officials.

Now that Buhari has come with his anti-corruption agenda, I have much more faith in the system; and I suspect that many Nigerians will share my new willingness to pay tax henceforth.

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

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

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 AFTER sitting for a total of 14 legislative th days since their June 9 , 2015 inauguration, the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives have proceeded on a six-week recess. This is the fourth time the Federal Legislature is shifting its sittings in less than three months of being proclaimed by the president.

With the two Houses seemingly returning to normalcy after their repeated skirmishes, it was expected that the legislators would settle down to the business that brought them to Abuja. That expectation was, however, dashed with the decision of the two Houses to proceed on their annual recess.

The recess has been defended by the holidaying lawmakers as part of programmes in their calendar. Holidays are opportunities for any hardworking person to take a rest and to refresh for optimum productivity. However, given the few number of days that the legislators have sat, Nigerians are rather bemused over the kind of serious work that the lawmakers have done in 14 days to deserve a six-week rest.

The recess and frequent deferral of sittings

Our absentee federal legislature in the last two months are a serious threat to the constitutional provision that stipulates a minimum number of days for the two houses to sit. Section 63 of the Constitution provides that The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each sit for not less than 181 days in a year. Given that the dust arising from the leadership contest is yet to fully settle, it is doubtful that the leadership would not be tempted to again defer sittings even after the long recess. The two houses may thus be unable to meet the constitutional provision of attaining the minimum number of days in a year.

The frequent holidays of the lawmakers have, again, provoked debate as to the necessity of having a full-time legislature with jumbo pay that hardly reflects the realities of the economy and the conditions of the common people they represent.

The two houses of the Eighth National Assembly were yet to frame the structures required for legislative activities. Indeed, committees which are the engine room of legislative activity are yet to be constituted by either chamber of the National Assembly.

Whatever justification that the legislators may have for their decision to proceed on recess falls short of their moral obligation to voters who are increasingly skeptical of their dedication to duty.

At these formative stages of the new federal government, the National Assembly is expected to stay in session and track the activities of the Executive Branch, ensuring that they keep within their constitutional imperatives to preserve our democracy and give every section of the country a sense of belonging in appointment of government officials.

OPINION Umahi and the Ebonyi salary conundrum

By Emma Anya

D

URING the run-off to the 2015 general elections, Labour in Ebonyi State and Engr. Dave Umahi, then Deputy Governor of the state, had a relationship that was akin to that of Siamese twins.

It was a bond generally believed to have been conceived and given birth to by the perceived disdain with which the immediate past administration had for civil servants in the state. Umahi, at nearly every forum, never failed to appreciate the role of civil servants in his victory at the last April 11 governorship election in Ebonyi State.

But today, that tie is thawing and the reason is salary.

Late last month, the workers, who hitherto rejected their salaries, started receiving those of June. But they rebuffed their July pay on the grounds of suspicion.

The workers want the government of Umahi to continue with a “new salary’’ structure which then Elechi administration paid before it exited power.

Like the state workers, local government employees also want to earn the “Elechi wage”. Both sets of public workers argue that Umahi, during his electioneering, repeatedly promised to pay the new wage.

The immediate past governor had, barely three months to the expiration of his tenure, increased workers’ salaries by 50 per cent, an action Umahi, considers as a landmine to the incumbent administration in the state.

C M Y K

Faced with a sharp decline in federal allocation and a paltry Internally Generated Revenue, the governor has asked the workers to have a rethink. But his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Last month, they threatened to embark on a work to rule and, promptly, the governor called a stakeholders’ meeting over the issue.

At the meeting, a committee headed by a former governor of the state, Senator Sam Egwu was inaugurated to broker a truce between the administration and Labour.

On the same day, the committee, which had representatives of Labour, came up with a report which signposted an amicable resolution of the crisis.

Desirous of putting the issue behind him and moving the state forward, Umahi also directed that the July salaries be paid.

Unfortunately, Labour smelt a rat; it claimed that it was a trap to induce them into collecting the old wage. Their action again heightened the tension over the issue.

While the Egwu-led committee continues with its work, it is imperative for all Ebonyians and indeed other Nigerians to get a true picture of Ebonyi’s peculiar economic predicaments. *Ebonyi receives the least allocation of an average N1bn allocation monthly from

It stands logic on its head for it to consume all the income of the state

Abuja and makes a paltry IGR of less than N160m monthly. *The Dave Umahi administration inherited N12.5bn debt and N55bn uncompleted projects from its predecessor. *Going by the new salary scale left by the past administration, Ebonyi with its less than N1.1bn monthly federal allocation and IGR, pays the highest salaries in the South-East.

In June, when the workers were paid, the state had only N34million in its accounts.

How does the present administration get out this quandary?

Being a very practical and humane chief executive, the governor has insisted that he would neither reduce the salaries of workers nor sack any worker. He hinges his position on the fact that sacking workers and reducing their salaries would constitute a greater challenge.

But the governor has in spite of the salary brouhaha opted to remain focused and determined to move the state forward.

He has engaged key economic stakeholders and prospective foreign investors in order to shore up the state’s revenue base via a paradigm shift from dependence on Abuja.

Umahi is also determined to ensure that nobody or company owed rightly by the state is denied their money. He has, therefore, called for joint measurements by the government and its contractors to ensure that no one is cheated at the end of the exercise.

On others like bank debts, he has also moved to have them rescheduled to give the state a breather.

Workers should appreciate the fact that a debt, once verifiable, must be paid and a debt not paid today must be paid tomorrow.

Which is better for us as Ebonyians? Should we abandon the uncompleted projects and have the N55bn already sunk into them go down the drain just because workers must earn the 50 per cent salary raise?

The state, under the leadership of Umahi, certainly will not allow that to happen. He has already called the contractors back to site. He has assured the people that the projects will be completed. How the money comes, he says, should not bother Ebonyians.

At many fora where he had spoken on the issue, he repeatedly says: “I believe in miracles and not magic. We will have the money to meet our challenges and make this state one of the best in the country.”

Labour, therefore, needs to see the honesty and sincerity in Governor Umahi’s position on the issue of salaries.

He makes these efforts because there is nowhere in the world where government spends all its income on the salaries.

Governments, the world over, have a constitutional responsibility of not only providing social services like health care, roads, educational facilities but also have responsibility to secure the lives of the citizens day and night.

Labour therefore needs to realise this. Since its members and their families constitute less than 15 or 20 per cent of the state’s population, it stands logic on its head for it to consume all the income of the state at the expense of the majority of Ebonyians. *Mr. Anya is CPS to the Ebonyi State Governor.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015— —15 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Those setting fires in other countries can’t complain

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UROPE is in panic. No, not because of tumbling stocks over what they see as China ‘slowing down’. This itself is intriguing; fanatical prophets and apostles of market forces, begging the Chinese Government to intervene in the Stock Market. The panic is about the tidal waves of migrants from war torn countries, surviving the seas, especially the Mediterranean, to make landfall on European coasts.

The mighty armies of Europe and their American allies seem helpless in fighting this ‘invasion’ which in reality, is an artificial Tsunami by the West.

When Europe was setting fires in other countries, causing panic, incredible human suffering, destruction of childhood and family, devastating towns and cities, and triggering famine and massacres, it might not have realised that the millions uprooted would head for its shores. All these for parochial reasons of getting rid of governments considered antiWest, and laying hands on their wealth.

Over 270,000 migrants crossed the Mediterranean sea into Europe in the first seven

months of this year with 104,000 landing in Italy, and financially bankrupt Greece receiving 164,000. Over 2,000 refugees perished trying to make this perilous journey to unknown lands to seek refuge amongst people, whose languages they do not speak, whose religion, they may not share and whose culture is alien.

Many are Syrians whose civil war has displaced over 7 million, with over 3 million as refugees in neigbouring countries. About 1.15 million of them are taking shelter in Lebanon, a million in Turkey and over 600,000 in small Jordan. With the civil war still raging, it means more asylum seekers from Syria will pour into Europe.

Syria under President Bashar al-Assad might not have been a model country, but at least, it fed its people, children went to school with some assured future, and there was security of live and property including for the minority Christians. So what, or who triggered the conflict?

Ostensibly, following the ‘Arab spring’ there was a protest in the city of Homs in March, 2011.

Then rapidly, unofficial armies emerged declaring a jihad against the government. The

most notorious today is the Islamic State (ISIS) which has since declared a caliphate over parts of Syria and Iraq. The former Director of the American Defence Intelligence Agency, Lt Gen Michael Flynn revealed that ISIS was created by the United States to unite the majority Sunni Muslims against alBashar. He also disclosed that another terrorist group that triggered the Syrian war, the Jabha al-Nusra was funded and trained by America. The main training of ISIS was in Jordan in 2012.

Also, events in British courts have exposed that country and Europe as helping to establish, train and fund terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Nusra. Bherlin Gildo, Swedish and a well known face in al-Nusra propaganda tapes who fought in Syria and took photographs with Syrian corpses, and child soldiers, was passing through Heathrow

When Europe was setting fires in other countries, causing panic, incredible human suffering, destruction of childhood and family, devastating towns and cities, and triggering famine and massacres, it might not have realised that the millions uprooted would head for its shores

Religion must change its message

By Clement Udegbe If we worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true is really true, then there would be little hope for advance.

----Wright Brothers.

HE 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended recognises, Christianity, Islam, as key religions, while declaring, that we shall remain a secular state, and guaranteeing freedom of worship. In order words, religion should not be a factor in State matters, but the same constitution mentions the word ‘Sharia’ over seventeen times, and the word ‘Christianity’ not more than three tree times, showing us where the tilt lies, but that is a matter for another time.

Religion however plays key roles in the affairs of Nigerians, so much so, that our so called secularity is only a matter of constitutional semantics. We have three main religions namely, Christianity, with the Holy Bible as our manual, Islam with the Holy Quran as manual, and the Traditional Idol worship, where culture and tradition provides the manuals.

Each religion has strong and powerful followership of people in authority, workers and entrepreneurs of diverse natures and means. Many Christians, and Muslims, support their faithlessness with traditional Idol and fetish practices, providing the source of the many challenges, such as the corruption and compromise we have in Nigerian society today. For example, true and committed Christians and Muslims, cannot become cultists as we have in the South of Nigeria, and terrorists as we have in the North, although I am yet to be convinced that there

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is no link between Islam and violence judging from developments all over the new world.

Since most Nigerians including our leaders are either Christians, Muslims, or Idol worshipers, it follows that the deterioration in the morals of our society flows from the quality of messages that roll out of our churches, mosques, and shrines. The Church is struggling with coping with preaching the messages of the basic moral values of society, and while standing in the place of holiness, righteousness, obedience and love of God and man, the pull and attractions from the sinful freedom of the world is so high that their messages have changed to that of prosperity - wealth without hard work and integrity.They work smart, while the true Christians work hard. They must make money at all cost. The genuine investor is their target and victim, and once they are put in charge of any aspect of business, they steal the owners blind, run the place down, damage machines in the factories in order to earn salaries without adequate work, and some even arrange to rob or kill the business owner.

Employ them as drivers, they pilfer on fuel and repairs money, while the petrol tanker drivers would sell the content and set the vehicle ablaze.

The Church of Christ in Nigeria, must therefore rise with boldness, to preach a new message of Holiness, righteousness,

Airport, London in October, 2014.

He was arrested and charged with terrorism. But Gildo’s lawyers asked the British intelligence to disclose how it directly and indirectly armed the same terrorist groups their client was accused of supporting.

The prosecution’s expert, Dr. Wilkinson also admitted that the Syrian terrorist groups were trained, armed and funded by the United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. An embarrassed British Government quickly withdrew the case and freed Gildo.

A second case concerned terror suspect, Moazzem Begg who had been detained for three years by the Americans in the Bagram Prison, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. From October, 2014 the British detained him for seven months before dragging him to court on seven charges of terrorism which carries fifteen years imprisonment.

But an exasperated Begg disclosed that he had briefed the British intelligence, M16 before his trips to Syria, and had been debriefed when he returned. Which meant that he might actually be a British spy. An embarrassed British Government set him free.

This week, over 4,000 refugees braved the seas to land in Italy.

They were mainly Libyans fleeing a once united and prosperous country that was bombed into the Stone Age by NATO. Nobody knows how many governments exist in Libya today. I know at least five: those in Tobruk and Tripoli, the two main rivals in Benghazi, and the ISIS who have made Sirte their capital in Libya.

No matter what is said about Muammar Ghadaffi’s shortcomings, which can be legion, there are certain

Along the roads across the nation, you find villages and settlements where tanker drivers spend the night and time selling products meant for gas stations somewhere. The investor dares not touch them, because they are anointed members of one form of truckers’ association or the other, and they would mobilise support, and embarrass the government with strike actions, etc.

Corruption and wickedness have mounted on their wings, run so high and deep, having permeated into every fabric of the society. This has made job creation very difficult, because in addition to the high business costs due to poor infrastructure and power supply, employees, will make the owner lose money, run him into colossal debts, if put in-charge.

To these people, a retiree who starts a business or any form of manufacturing, has ‘chopped government money’, and as employees they must collect their portions by all means. They exploit all investors, including diaspora citizens desiring to come home, and set up one form of business or the other. All you hear are mostly tales of woes of how they trusted one relation, friend or another, put them in-charge, and in no time, the business crumbled, because they ran it down. The Nigerian business environment has become hostile, rough, and harsh for the average entrepreneur, in spite of the huge potentials supported by our large and growing demand for things due to increasing population.

The banks have not helped any matters, lending is scarce, and at high rates.The banks drive for deposits, where they have not encouraged any businesses to grow, while paying majorly lip service to developing the real sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, and housing. The result include that doing business in Nigeria

indisputable facts. Libya under him was a united and prosperous country that had perhaps the best welfare system in the world. Education, healthcare, shelter and electricity were free and a right.

Petrol (PMS) was virtually free and the women got generous child support. Ghadaffi was a patriot and Pan Africanist, not a sellout or religious fanatic living on a diet of lunacy as the present crop leading pieces of the country.

He defended the Palestinian cause, but was not a terrorist.

Clearly the terrorists are those who executed him on behalf of their Western bosses, and the West itself which is crying over the Libyan refugees. Libya was the destination for many from the underdeveloped world, seeking better and qualitative lives. Today, Libyans risk the seas to be refugees in other lands.

After Ghadaffi, Libyan arms were passed on to ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the Al-Qeda in Mali, and Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Sadam Hussein was the darling of the West. He engaged in a costly eight-year war against Iran on its behalf. He was tough, but was not a terrorist. The West turned against him. Under the false claim, principally by Britain and United States that he had weapons of mass destruction, Europe and America invaded Iraq, reduced it to rubble, stole a lot of its oil, and handed the country to gangsters and separatists including the ISIS. So why would Europe weep that Iraqi refugees are on the move to its shores?

More desperate refugees are headed for Europe, the Yemenis may soon join them. The pity is not for those who lit those fires; it is for the victims, and the rest of the world which may not know peace for generations.

become a dog-eat-dog, survival of the fittest affair. When you listen to testimonies during worships in churches, and Mosques you realise the level we have sunk and why the messages from altars must change.

We expect the government to create jobs in isolation of a deep seated work and moral ethics. We call for change, pointing accusing fingers at others, while we are rotten in ourselves with all manner of corruption, and wickedness. We may instigate our selective probes as we please, our findings will show that all the culprits are either, Christians, Muslims, or Idol worshipers, members of the three main religions in Nigeria. The only way our nation will change for real, is for the messages from the altars of Churches and Mosques to change drastically. As for shrines, one cannot follow their messages, because they serve the devil, the father of all lies, a master whose assignment is to steal, kill and destroy.It is from them that the pollution in our nation has come, and is thriving so much, because the first two have succumbed to compromise. The Church of Christ in Nigeria, must therefore rise with boldness, to preach a new message of Holiness, righteousness, obedience to and fear of God, Love for one another, and the salvation of souls.

Prosperity is good, but it must only come from a purpose driven life of Vision, Mission, hard work, humility and integrity. The message must culminate in seeking the kingdom of God, and its righteousness first, for His blessings to flow, and not the other way round. May the ways of the church in Nigeria, become pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ.

*Mr Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

DIABETES: Return to traditional African lifestyle, Nigerians told

By Chioma Obinna

By Chioma Obinna

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IGERIANS have been urged to go back to the original African traditional lifestyle in order to prevent the growing incidence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.

A Consultant Endocrinologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade, who made the call, stressed the need for Nigerians to go back to the real African traditional lifestyle said in the past, there were no diabetes cases in Nigeria, because people went to the farm to cultivate their crops and got healthier in the process.

Fasanmade, who spoke at the 2nd Podiatry and Diabetes Foot Care Workshop, regretted the increased cases of diabetes cases because people are now sitting down in air conditioned offices, cars, and houses without any form of exercise among others.

He argued for regular health habits that exercise the body such as walking, towards the prevention of diabetes mellitus.

Lifestyle changes: “Diabetes is caused by change in lifestyle.

The Africa traditional lifestyle which includes physical activities; walking far distancses, going to the farms, prevent a lot of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension has disappeared.

“But when we adopt urban lifestyle of sitting down in one place and eating excessively taking a lot of alcohol, smoking, soft drinks all these lead to increase in noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

“So you find out that people develop diabetes more in

1,200 children die malnourished daily in Nigeria

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WALKING: Regular walking is a good health habit that minimises development of illness. urban centres than the rural areas and if we want to avoid diabetes, it means we should go back to our roots - meaning long distance walk on daily basis.

“People should minimise riding in cars whereever they go. Our feet are meant for walking and if we walk adequate distances every day, we can keep our weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar down and we prevent both diabetes and hypertension,” he said.

Inactivity: He said as a result of inactivity many Nigerians are coming down with diabetes, and the workshop was timely as it would address the need for diabetic care that required more information and training.

The workshop was organised

by Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre, Lagos, in collaboration with the Podiatry Institute Decatur, Georgia, USA and World Diabetes Foundation Initiative.

The convener, an Endocrinologist, Dr.

Our feet are meant for walking and if we walk adequate distances every day, we can keep our weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar down

Afokoghene Isiavwe, said the motive was to empower healthcare providers look after the feet of their patients.

Isiavwe, who is Medical Director and Consultant, Rainbow Specialist Medical Centre said diabetes mellitus is the major cause of traumatic lower leg amputations Foot care: “Right now, there is no foot care structured training in Nigeria, which has led a lot of people to have amputated legs including those who lose their lives to it. We use this opportunity to create awareness for foot care and to empower healthcare workers on the need to look after their diabetic patients properly depending on when they have foot care training structured.”

Residents lament refuse heaps around Aradagun, ...Allege abandonment by LAWMA Badagry Jeffrey Ogunyinde

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REFUSE HEAPS: A typycal scenario along Bayo Street, in Aradagun area of Badagry during the week. Photo: Jeffrey Ogunyinde.

OR many residents of Aradagun in Badagry, life has become almost unbearable, no thanks to the heaps of refuse that litter the community in recent times.

The area that was once regarded as a choice place along the route to the popular Whispering Palms holiday resort, is fast deteriorating into disrepute as refuse has become a common sight.

The situation is the same in a number of adjoining streets and several residents expressed displeasure at the development which they attribute to the poor refuse disposal arrangement by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA. A concerned resident said LAWMA was not living up to expectation in that part of the state as none of its trucks had visited the Aradagun area since September 2014 when she and her family moved in.

It was gathered that a LAWMA vehicle designated to dispose waste from the area had visited just once in the last year, and despite several meetings with the Chairman of the street, on the waste disposal issue, nothing had come through.

N estimated 1,200 children die everyday in Nigeria due to malnutrition, Head, Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris. Isokpunwu, has disclosed.

This is coming on the heels of a recent report by UNICEF that over one million children have been reached with malnutrition treatment and 830, 000 children cured.

Speaking in Calabar during a UNICEF workshop on malnutrition, Isokpunwu, noted that out of those that survive, 1 in 3 will be underweight and 1 in 5 stunted.

He said data from the latest National Demographic Health Survey, NDHS, which showed that over 2,300 under five children die daily in Nigeria and half of this is due to malnutrition.

Isokpunwu said the report showed that in the North West, more than half of the children (54.8 percent) are stunted - an indication of long-term malnutrition.

"Malnutrition in Nigeria is not exactly as a result of lack of food but what we eat. Even the rich are affected because they do not know the right food to give their children. Many do not know that exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months will prevent illnesses."

One intervention that is working is micronutrient supplementation, deworming and other behavioural changes.

In his presentation, entitled: "Malnutrition: Making a case", UNICEF Child Nutrition Specialist, Arjan De Wagt, said malnutrition is associated with 55 per cent of child mortality in Nigeria, noting that it was the reason childhood killer diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, etc’, thrive in the country despite medical intervention.

De Wagt said 1 in 5 children are stunted in Nigeria while 2 in 3 are not properly fed, noting that the impact of malnutrition is felt nationwide as increased low weight babies and stunted adolescents, among others.

Malnourished child.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

— 17

CBN, IFC push for strong Credit System in Nigeria

By Richard Udofia

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MEETING: From left, Chief Executive Officer, International Packaging Industry and former Treasurer of the institute, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Essien-Akpanl; Chairman, Lagos State chapter, Otunba Francis Meshioye, and CEO, S.E. Nomuoja & Co, Chartered Secretaries and Administration, Mrs. Benedicta Shadare, during the business meeting of the Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, in Lagos.

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have said that the current difficulties being faced by Nigeria’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing funds to develop their business will be greatly reduced by the strengthened credit reporting system and the launch of a national collateral registry (NCR) for moveable assets before the end of the year..

The assertion was made during the workshop for the Working Group of the Credit Reporting and

Bad governance, impediments to Africa’s devt —AfDB chief as the major impediments to Africa’s development.Vice President of AfDB, Steve Kayizzi-Mugerwa, said at a symposium in Kigali that the factors not only lead to diversion of resources, but also the energies of institutions and their staff.

By Prince Okafor

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frican Development Bank (AfDB) has listed bad governance and corruption

$3,080.00

84.00

$10.51

-0.08

B & E DATA: $46.88 0.28

41.00 CURRENCY DOLLAR

BUYING

-

0.20

CENTRAL

196 196.5 POUNDS 307.0732 307.8566 EURO 216.4232 216.9753 FRANC 201.2114 201.7247 YEN 1.5761 1.5801 CFA 0.3113 0.3213 WAUA 273.6312 274.3293 RENMINBI 30.6433 30.7219 RIYAL 52.2402 52.3735 SDR 274.0472 274.7463 KRONA 28.9902 29.0642

197 308.6399 217.5274 202.238 1.5841 0.3313 275.0273 30.8005 52.5067 275.4454 29.1381

CBN Exchange Rate as at 20/ 08 /15

C M Y K

Kayizzi-Mugerwa said some of the African governments failed to translate their development agenda, into action because the public sector tended to become captive and serve individuals and not the population.

He said there was the need to honor the late Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, especially for leaving a great legacy for Africa and other developing countries.

“His conceptualisation of a developmental state to describe the institutional and socioeconomic frameworks that would sustain development

without stifling political participation is outstanding” he said.

Kayizzi-Mugerwa said any poor and resource-challenged country could embark on sustainable growth and development if led by dutiful and committed leaders.

“African countries have indeed made progress in political and economic terms, with considerable variance in between.

“Achieving the lofty ambitions of the ‘democratic developmental state’ will take time, but many African countries see them as worth

African countries have indeed made progress in political and economic terms, with considerable variance in between

pursuing,” he said.

Kayizzi-Mugerwa said with the adoption of the 2063 template by the African Union, which emphasises the same views on the developmental state, the continent was serious about pursuing sustainable development.

“There has been no shortage of development ideas or templates in Africa since independence in the early 1960s.

“Africa’s development path is, however, full of failed policy initiatives, thus making implementation always the issue,” he said.

He said African countries must seek to address ‘implementation deficit’ at all levels of government before the made progress in their developmental efforts.

Kayizzi-Mugerwa said the biggest risk was that many African governments were unable to implement their own policies, owing, often, to domestic opposition from powerful groups.

National Collateral Registry Education and Awareness programme held on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at the Lagos Branch of the CBN. The workshop, held to update members of the working group on the status and the mechanics of the credit reporting system and the collateral registry in Nigeria, also highlighted various ways all parties within the credit system – lenders and borrowers – could leverage the strengthened credit infrastructure in Nigeria.

Dr Okwu Nnanna, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS) of the CBN described the collateral registry, the single central and electronically driven database where all moveable assets to be pledged as collateral for credit are registered in order to avoid the re-pledging of the same encumbered assets that have existing liens, as the missing link needed to connect the MSME sector in the country to financial sources.

According to Nnanna, who was represented by Udofia Obot, a Deputy Director in the Financial Policy and Regulation Department of CBN, “A collateral registry is needed to assist in converting moveable assets into effective and risk-free collateral for use to obtain loan from financial institutions in the country…making those assets useful by linking their owners to sources of financing for the growth of their businesses.”

He explained that the establishment of the collateral registry for moveable assets became imperative to curb the challenges being faced by MSMEs as a result of their lack of access to financing. These challenges, according to him, had manifested in the crippling of the sector’s growth, and led to loss of latent innovation, creativity and productivity.

He noted that the CBN, in addition to the creation of collateral registry of moveable assets, had taken various actions to further strengthen the lending environment in the country. These include the publication of the gazette of the Registration of Security Interests in Moveable Property by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria (Regulations, No 1 of 2015) .

18—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

By Peter Egwuatu & Princewill Ekwujuru

First Registrars promises to deliver value, unveils new identity

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igerian Breweries, NB Plc is set to enhance profitability for the benefit of its stakeholders as it unveils the biggest consumer promotion in the country.

Managing Director, NB Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, disclosed to Vanguard on Monday in Enugu that Nigeria Breweries is here to stay in the country and to impact to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

He said that Nigeria Breweries will continue to strive to enhance stakeholders value as the promotion of its products will enhance patronage of its products, enhance sales and thus increase revenue.

Speaking at the occasion of the unveiling of the world’s biggest promotion poster to launch the Gulder National promotion in Enugu, the NB boss said “ Since its unique launch in 1970 as Nigeria’s first lager brand packaged in brown bottle, Gulder has moved from strength and attained many firsts along the path including blazing the innovative trail of being the first beer in Nigeria to be sold in cans.

Shoulder embossment In 2014, Gulder was renewed in Nigeria’s most innovative beer bottle with proud gold neck foil and bold shoulderembossment, complemented by a new metallized body label with striking double side-embossment.”

He further noted that Gulder masterminded the first wholly local reality show which was produced in Nigeria, stressing that the Gulder Ultimate Search, GUS has run for 11 consecutive seasons.

According to Vervelde “We are pleased to expand the frontiers with the biggest consumer promotion in the history of Gulder with over 4 million prizes to be won. Gulder breaks the record for the world’s largest poster with an area of 5.3meter square. The Gulder Ultimate poster beats the current record of 4.7 meter square achieved in a Kochi, India on June 2015.

In his welcome speech, Governor of Enugu State, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commended Nigerian Breweries for its remarkabler achievements.

The Governor, represented by Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Barrister. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo said “ It is a historic event for Nigeria and commend NB for choosing Enugu as the take off of the national promo.

According to him “Rockefeller has honoured Enugu as the 56th most resilient cities in the world. It opens up the state to rest of the world. This wonderful promotionisthelargestpromotion andAdvertisement inthecountry.NB C M Y K

By Providence Obuh & Busayo Samuel

F CLOSING GONG: From left, Mr. Tunde Karim, Director, Nigerian Ropes

Plc; Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Joao Pereira, Managing Director, Nigerian Ropes Plc and Mr. Krishnamurthi Ramakrishmnan, Director, Nigerian Ropes Plc at the Closing Gong ceremony. at the exchange.

NB set to enhance profitability for stakeholders ... Unveils largest consumer promotion hasdonewellinthestate.Gulderhasbeenpart of Nigeria and the world. We commend the companyforitsCorporateSocialResponsibility, CSR. We want you to encourage responsible

drinking.Theministryofcommerceandindustry in Enugu has been reinvigorated and so we wanttopartnerwithcompaniestoimprovecommerce and industry in the state.

Access Bank raises required capital for sustainable growth, profitability ...Supports single treasury account

By Peter Egwuatu & Nkiruka Nnorom CCESS Bank Plc has disclosed that it has raised required capital needed to sustain its growth and boost profitability, just as it supports the single treasury account being championed by the Federal Government.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna said “ In 2014, we approached the US market to raise bond which was a success and we floated rights issue recently and the rights was completed with the shares listed on the stock exchange . The N41.7 billion approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN was generated from the local investors and that shows the level of confidence the local investors have in the bank.

“We have attracted capital for further impetus to take advantage of emerging business opportunities in the market. We can lend money and still have capital and customers to do more interesting business. We actually met challenges

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We will float local currency instrument. The instrument would be interesting because of the structure it would take and it would be first of its kind in our local market

along the line but we remained dogged.”

He attributed the improved performance of the bank to robust risk management framework and high level of corporate governance that exists in the bank, adding that the bank also invests massively on human capital development.

He also unfolded the bank’s plans to float local currency instrument that would attract strong investors’ participation.

“We will float local currency instrument.

The instrument would be interesting because of the structure it would take and it would be first of its kind in our local market. It would be an attraction for several investors” he declared.

The executive director expressed confidence in Nigerian economy to attract investors that would spur economic development in the long term.

According to him, “we support the drive by the federal government to have a single treasury account for Nigeria and we reaffirm our commitment to be one of the top three banks in the country.

Speaking at a media parley, Executive Director, Ogbonna said: “We are very confidence with the Nigerian economy as it will attract investors in the long run.

Despite the wrong things we have done in the past the economy is still the largest in Africa. That shows we have great potentials to tap if we do things in a right way. With the current government which is committed to curbing corruption and well disciplined, it is our hope that investors would begin to come to the country.

For instance Barclays Bank wants to back to Nigeria to continue its business. Once there is stability in the economy, investors would come to do business in the right way.”

IRST Registrars Nigeria Limited has promised improved value delivery to stakeholders, especially as it unveils a new brand identity, translating from First Registrars Nigeria Limited to “First Registrars & Investor Services Limited.”

Speaking at a media brief in Lagos, Managing Director/CEO, First Registrars & Investor Services Limited, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, said that the new identity became imperative due to First Bank’s divestment from first registrars about two years ago.

Olugbemi further said that the company remains purely a registrar outfit offering shares registration analysis to listed and unlisted companies in the country.

He pointed out that with the unveiling and the new focus, it is taking a step further which is why it added “investors services” so as to do things such as: data management, KYC, assist in billing system for PHCN, Discos, asset management, analysis of the market, research , capital market, among others.

According to him, “Not too long ago, First Bank divested from first registrars in compliance with some regulatory requirements, this inspired the need for first registrars to create its own brand identity differently from the First Bank brand. Our heritage remains the same.

Innovation and professionalism “These changes signal so much more than the physical representation alone. First Registrars is positioning itself for the future and this future includes every stakeholders. Our new identity is our commitment to provide an advanced Share Data Management services in Nigeria and the entire continent of Africa as a whole through service excellence, innovation and professionalism.

“Beyond our core Share Data Management services, we have also broadened our services to include other investor related services such as e-Voting Services, Address Verification and Know Your Customer Service amongst others,” he said.

Explaining why it took long to unveil the new company, he said, “We needed to take our time because we knew what we wanted and also we are in a regulatory environment and we needed to get all the regulatory attendants before we can go forward. We got that of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) very early enough, there were issues with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) along the line but eventually we got it in a about two months ago.”

Additionally, he said, “First Bank divested from First Registrars about two years ago, they use to own us 100 percent but today they don’t own us anymore. We needed to break from First Bank, which is why we change identity. By end of this year, we should be able to move to our own property.

“If we are FBN Registrars, we would have had to change the name but we are “First,” we have others who answer first, first could be anything, first is our heritage because we are first in the industry. There is no need changing our name to second or third. Our former owners agreed with us to maintain that name, first, it is not exclusive to them” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 —19

Food safety: Nigeria needs mycotoxin policy—Fapohunda

By Jimoh Babatunde

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Representative of Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Mrs. Ademola Abiri, with participants at the validation workshop on the New Alliance Report in Abuja.

Nigeria’s annual tomato import bill now N16bn — Per Sec

By Gabriel Ewepu

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HE Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc. Sonny Echono, has disclosed that the nation’s annual import bill on tomato has increased to N16 billion.

Echono made this known in his welcome remarks at an international workshop on ‘Development and Application of Postharvest Handling Model for Horticulture Crops’, organised under the auspices of the Korea-Africa Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative, KAFACI, and jointly hosted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Rural Development Administration of Republic of Korea in Abuja.

He acknowledged the huge post-harvest losses recorded by farmers in most African countries as a result of poor handling of horticultural products.

He said: “The absence of Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) and poor postharvest handling has militated against acceptance of agricultural products from Africa and other developing countries.

Quoting Central Bank of Nigeria and Bureau of Statistics reports, Echono said “Postharvest losses have been estimated to range between five percent and 20 percent for grains, 20 percent for fish and as high 50-60 percent for tubers, fruits and vegetables .

“Horticultural crops because of their delicate nature, face tremendous post-harvest challenges. In Nigeria, specifically, tomatoes has the highest priorities with domestic demand of 2.3 million tonnes of fresh product annually, national production of 1.8 million tonnes, wastage of over 750, 000 tonnes and import bill of N16 billion to

make up for the shortfall in local production.

“Citrus has national production of 3.48 million tonnes, contributing about 29. 71 percent of the world’s production and 81.93 percent of Africa’s total output.

He added “However, 1.53 million tonnes of citrus produced

However, 1.53 million tonnes of citrus produced are lost annually as waste while an annual import of 7, 851 tonnes (concentrates and related products) valued at over N717 million has been recorded

are lost annually as waste while an annual import of 7, 851 tonnes (concentrates and related products) valued at over N717 million has been recorded. The horticulture sub-sector is undoubtedly faced with problem of processing and post-harvest handling.”

The Permanent Secretary also maintained that the government in Nigeria partnering the private sector has been tackling the challenge of postharvest losses in the agricultural sector as efforts had been made in establishing facilities that would curtail the menace.

He also expressed optimism that the workshop attended by scholars, resource persons, Korean delegates, participants from the 15 member countries of KAFACI will create synergy in research development and methods to address post-harvest losses and increase productivity in the sector.

BIOTECHNOLOGIST, Prof. Dele Fapohunda, has urged the Federal Government to formulate a mycotoxin policy in the country that will among other things determine and regulate the amount of aflatoxin in food consumption.

Speaking against the background of the recent ban of some of the country’s food commodities from entering European Union (EU) member countries. Prof. Fapohunda, who is the founding Chairman of the Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria, disclosed that Nigeria had on several occasions been given alert on aflotoxin in melon and some other products by the European Union.

“If a country refuses to take advise from the EU and then go on to exports products that will not comply, products that will have levels of toxins that are permissible limit then the result is what we are having now.”

The University Don said the EU has a rapid alarm system that monitors what ever food item that is going into their territory as they have a way of monitoring, testing and “telling you that what is entering their countries is safe for human consumption or not.”

He said the only way to pre-

FG reviews New Alliance Co-operative on agricultural investments

T

he Federal Government and other stakeholders are reviewing the progress made under the New Alliance cooperative on the commitments

Harvestplus’ll continue to address challenges in Vitamin A cassava value chain

By Princewill Ekwujuru

H

arvestPlus’s Global Director, Product Development and Commercialization, Wolfgang Pfeiffer has promised that the body will continue to work with partners to ensure that many more vulnerable people to hidden hunger are taken care of.

Harvestplus Nigeria is currently working with 20 partners in four states and 22 expansion states to address challenges along the vitamin ‘A’ cassava value chain.

Wolfgang Pfeiffer speaking during a working visit to Nigeria to inspect ongoing projects of Harvestplus Nigeria at Eruwa, Oyo state said their work is to ensure that they develop crops that are healthier and more nu-

tritious, which also addresses micronutrient deficiencies in meals, and deliver them to areas where they are mostly needed.

“The world will be a better place if we all eat more nutritious foods and are able to function to full capacity. In addition, we want farmers and investors linked to our programme to make good profit from their investments.

This explains why we go the extra mile to build market linkages to promote their businesses as a way of reaching more vulnerable targets in rural and urban settings,” he added.

Corroborating, the director Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, Paul Ilona, said, “HarvestPlus Nigeria works closely with 20 partners in four target states of Oyo, Benue, Imo and Akwa-Ibom and 22 expansion

vent the banning of our food commodities from entering EU countries in the future is for the to formulate a mycotoxin country.

“This policy will be a holistic one that will take care of awareness, take care of capacity building, take care of regulations, monitoring compliance and apportioning appropriate penalties where they are due.”

While noting that the researchers will have to come up with acceptable set limits that are workable here , Prof.

Fapohunda, said whatever is to be done must have the backing of the National Assembly.

“I am not sure we have started this process. What Nigeria is using now is EU standard, I just learnt that we might adopt the CODEX standard which the global one.

He explained that the EU standard now talks about two parts per billion for aflotoxin B1 and four parts per billion for total aflatoxin in the food items that should be exported into the EU countries and Nigeria is even adopting that.

“The issue now is who ensure compliance?. Who does that ?, who goes into the markets to ensure that all these products being sold comply with the set standards. These are the issues to resolved and quickly too.”

states to address challenges along the Vitamin A cassava value chain.

“The model village concept is one that links all operators of the value chain – from producers of Vitamin A cassava to processors, to bulking agents, to marketers and to the final consumer. Every component of the chain is very important. That is why if there’s a disconnect at any point of the value chain, the entire program is likely to suffer.”

He further said that HarvestPlus is working towards a sustainable delivery program that will be driven by the private sector.

Small- and medium-scale enterprises are encouraged to invest in the value chain to ensure a wholesale coverage of the country and unhindered access to Vitamin A cassava products in the different regions of the country.

made to improve agricultural investments, food and nutrition security under the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Speaking at a validation workshop on the New Alliance Report during the week in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc. Sonny Echono, stated that the New Alliance is a collaborated approach geared towards developing the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy.

Arc. Echono who was represented by Director, Special Duties in the Ministry, Mrs. Ademola Abiri said the Nigerian Government made policy reform commitments and the private sector made commitments on the level of agricultural investments in medium terms.

He added that Development partners on their part made funding commitments on medium term, while the Civil Society was expected to ensure that all the commitments reflect the views of the intended beneficiaries.

C M Y K

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—21

•Secondus: Third chairman to push e-registration

•Jonathan: Buckled under pressure of governors

•Nwodo: Conceived e-registration scheme

OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE:

New thinking in PDP IN a bid to bolster itself against difficult tides, the former ruling party resurrects the online registration of members project. It is a scheme that would inevitably strip the party’s governors of direct control of the party. Will it fly?

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

I

T was in admission of the tight grip its governors hold on the party, that the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Prince Uche Secondus said last Wednesday that the eregistration of party members would open the party to all Nigerians.

Even more remarkable, Secondus said that all members would through the process have equal rights. That is, ordinary party members would have a say contrary to the present situation where the powerful governors dominate.

“This party belongs to all.

They will have equal rights to vote and to be voted for. Nobody will be excluded,” Secondus said at the inauguration of the committee to enforce the project. The committee is headed by media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi.

The chairman’s claim that the party would be opened to all was reflective of the fact that the self acclaimed biggest political party in Africa had reached its tethers and needed to reinvent itself.

It was especially so after the election drubbing in the hands of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Secondus became the third C M Y K

party chair to project the eregistration exercise after previous attempts by first Dr. Okwezileze Nwodo in 2010 and Alhaji Bamanaga Tukur in 2012/13 were aborted.

Dr. Nwodo was the first to conceive the idea of eregistration even before he became the national chairman.

Party insiders say that he had met President Goodluck Jonathan during the latter’s first official trip to the United States in 2010 and reportedly advised him on how he could take away the party from the governors almost all of who had opposed his emergence as acting president during the crisis that shadowed the illness of President Umaru Yar‘Adua.

Ticket of the party Jonathan apparently eager to sidestep the governors in his bid to win the 2011 presidential ticket of the party had bought the idea with aplomb and had as such supported Nwodo’s return to the PDP national secretariat as national chairman.

Nwodo was the second national secretary of the party and had exited the party during the troubles that characterised the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Nwodo’s submission, it was learned, was that opening the party through the e-registration of members would not just open the party, but give the ordinary members a voice in the emergence of candidates.

Jonathan interestingly flagged off the e-membership registration exercise on August 10, 2010 when he was registered at the PDP national secretariat.

He was registered in the presence of Nwodo, the then Senate President, Senator David Mark, the then national secretary, Prince Uche Secondus among others. He praised the party leadership to high heaven for the initiative which he said would also generate the funds needed to run the party.

The president had described as “the best thing to have happened to party membership registration in Nigeria , in the 21st Century.”

The online registration exercise according to the party was expected to register at least six million persons as members of the party.

However, the exercise was not long after upturned when PDP governors mobilised to truncate it. Their grouse was that Nwodo was conniving with Jonathan to lessen the influence of the governors on the party.

The main thrust of having registered members was to ensure that only registered members were able to vote and contribute to the funding of the party. Until then, the party was almost wholly funded by the governors.

The governors saw through the alleged aims of Nwodo and the president and forced the president to call the party leadership to order and not too long after, the exercise was

aborted.

The bad blood flowing from the aborted exercise culminated partly in the machination that led to the exit of Nwodo as national chairman. Jonathan apparently desperate to win the party’s ticket caved in to the pressure of the governors and sacrificed Nwodo and that became the end of the online registration exercise.

Tukur who came into office in 2012 also revived the emembership registration project and it was not surprising that for most of his time in office he was in battle with the governors.

Internal retreat

The main thrust of having registered members was to ensure that only registered members were able to vote and contribute to the funding of the party

Tukur was won over to the scheme after an internal retreat for party executives in Uyo in December 2012.

At that retreat where his predecessor, Nwodo delivered a lecture titled “Deepening Democracy through Internal Party Democracy: Strategies for conducting credible, free and fair party congresses and primaries,” the former party chairman had urged the party to revisit the online registration project as a means of boosting party membership and funds.

“We all know that he who plays the piper dictates the tune. There are known ways enshrined in the constitution of the party by which the party is

Continues on page 22

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Pastors weren't responsible for Jonathan’s failure — Rev. Uma-Ukpai FRONTLINE evangelist, Rev. (Dr.) Uma Ukpai of the Uma Ukpai Evangelical Ministries in this interview is of the opinion that President Muhammadu Buhari reviews the political landscape and affirms that the clergy was not in anyway responsible for the perceived failure of President Goodluck Jonathan. He also speaks on his expectations from the Buhari administration. Excerpts:

By Tom Moses

D

O you believe the clergy is culpable for the failure of former President Goodluck Jonathan?

The church is not the government of a political party.

To blame the pastors who were around him is like giving a dog a bad name so as to hang the dog. I am shocked that somebody could bring up that type of story that former President Jonathan failed because the clergy did not do what they ought to have done to guide him.

I don’t know any of those pastors who was on the PDP payroll and if there was a pastor around him, was he playing the role of a pastor? You can take a horse to the river but you cannot compel the horse to drink from the river.

Already, I want it to be on record that the church has not been able to disciple the Christian politicians and therefore, for anybody to expect Christian politicians to obey his or her pastor, means he doesn’t know what to say or what is on ground.

I remember that President Jonathan was not ruling alone, he was ruling with the party hierarchy and I don’t think he took decisions alone without consulting members of his party

•Uma-Ukpai

needs people who are teachable, people who are also accountable, people who are humble, people who are knowledgeable, people who are ready to serve Nigeria, people who have vision and the mission.

Our case is worse than the press has told us. Let’s go back to what the president is doing

about corruption. As I speak, I have not heard the government of the day saying anything against any APC officer.

Is it true that all APC members are all angels or saints? The answer is no but that because most APC members are only ex-PDP members and to me, they are the one side of the same coin but we are watching with our

Advise from anybody Our politicians are already next to God, they don’t take advise from anybody because they know it all and only a committed child of God who is a politician can digest, absorb, can assimilate and obey the advice of his pastor.

I remember that President Jonathan was not ruling alone, he was ruling with the party hierarchy and I don’t think he took decisions alone without consulting members of his party.

It was indeed, a party affair, not a church affair and I do not think anybody should be blaming the pastors around him for the failure of the PDP. Can you say exactly where former President Jonathan went wrong?

No, I can’t do that on the pages of the newspaper.

What quality of persons do you think the president should appoint into his cabinet?

Well, if he is actually looking for the officers to help execute his programmes, I think he C M Y K

cannot be judged for any action because he is supposed to be inactive.

A man who is on a honeymoon can’t even be visible, he should be hiding somewhere with his bride. So, I cannot assess him, I can’t assess the APC government as of now because there is nothing that will help me to assess.

What role should the church and the clergy play in governance?

Well, every clergy must first discover his God. When you discover who your God is, you will not depend on people. A man that knows God fears nothing. A man that knows God can confront any person and situation without fear.

Ahab called Elijah the enemy of Israel but Elijah told him that he was the enemy of Israel.

Political class

eyes open while we go on our knees praying that God will have mercy on the ordinary people of this country.

What is your assessment of President Buhari so far within this period of leadership of Nigeria?

It is very difficult because I hear that Buhari is on a honeymoon. A man who is enjoying his honeymoon

It takes a man that knows his God verily and tenderly, implicitly and absolutely to say what Elijah said and as I speak, Nigeria needs that type of person who can speak against the ills and the wrongs in the political class.

Our political leaders have refused to serve us. They want us to be their slaves. So, we need dedicated, committed men of God who have discovered God to confront that anomaly.

We are looking for men that have found their God, we are looking for men that fear nothing because the God I am talking about is so awesomely awesome that if you discover Him, you cannot walk away from the tears of the people around you.

New thinking in PDP Continues from page 21 funded. “What we are not used to in Nigeria are innovative ways of utilising these avenues. I have consistently advocated e-registration as a way of raising funds for the party. “By this module, nobody is disenfranchised from registering in the party. The registration fees and annual dues go straight to the coffers of the party.”

Wrath of the governors Following the retreat, Tukur commenced moves to revive the online registration and by that inevitably incurred the wrath of the governors, and not surprisingly, a year later, he was forced out of office.

Remarkably, the present National Working Committee,

•Tukur: Pushed eregistration NWC which is a carryover of the Tukur leadership has now pledged to forge ahead with the project, albeit reluctantly.

Giving the determination of the NWC to forge ahead with

the project, the NWC in a statement last Sunday said: “The National Working Committee (NWC), after very wide consultations with critical stakeholders, and in line with the wishes and aspirations of our teeming supporters across the country, has approved the resuscitation of the eregistration project.

“This project, which was initially presented in the 52nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our great party on August 12, 2010, is aimed, among other things, at harmonizing our membership data, returning ownership of the party to the people and strengthening our various structures at all levels across the country.

“The NWC believes that the e-registration is indeed a decisive step towards enthroning internal democracy and giving every member a

voice in the party.

“While details of the process will be transmitted to our various structures across the nation, the NWC announces that Edo state would be used as a pilot for the exercise.

Consequently, the earlier scheduled Edo state congresses are by this announcement, deferred until the completion of the pilot eregistration exercise in the state.

“The national leadership, by this, charges all members in Edo state to make themselves available for the e-registration as well as work hard to win new members and more supporters for the party in the state. Remarkably, Senator Godswill Akpabio who as governor was believed to be in the forefront against the eregistration exercise was

Continues on page 23

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—23

HON Samson Osagie represented the Uhumwonde/ Orhiomwon Federal constituency in the House of Representatives between 20072015 and was one of the most vibrant lawmakers in that Assembly. He ran for the Edo South senatorial seat of Edo state in the last election but lost to the PDP candidate, Pharm.

Matthew Urhoghide. In this interview with Vanguard, he spoke on the leadership crisis which befell his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the National Assembly, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and other national issues.

Excerpts:

By Simon Ebegbulem

W

HAT is your take on the crisis that bedevilled and National Assembly over choice of leaders?

I believe it is a challenge and the party will find a way around it like you saw the way the House of Representatives case was resolved.

I did say then that those you see that are fighting today in parliament are not enemies, it is just a difference of opinion, difference of political tendency.

In future, there could be other issues, more pertinent to bring them together contrary to those ones that are separating them now so I believe that in the course of human endeavours there must be agreements and disagreements and that is part of the dynamics of life itself.

So nobody should think that that is the end of APC no, not at all. It is a party that has just come in to governance at the national level, these are some of the challenges it must have and it will surely overtake it.

Suddenly, we are hearing that

Reformers like Buhari, Oshiomhole normally start slow — REP OSAGIE our refineries will soon be working, what will you make of this?

That issue raises the character of a leader, with the greatest respect, the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan did not offer Nigeria, the kind of leadership that must not only be respected but feared.

What you see happening today in different spheres of our national life is because of the perception of the character of the president of the country and that is why people will tell you that a leader must be one who is not just popular and who is respected, he must also be feared and he can only be feared for what he stands for.

Anti-corruption leader Now in a country where impunity has been elevated to the status of state policy, in a country where corruption is always carrying banner headlines in every newspaper, in a country where people just do whatever they like with national resources, the perception of President Buhari as an anticorruption leader, is sending jitters to the spines of hitherto corrupt public officials; not necessarily politicians now, even civil servants because like I have

New thinking in PDP Continues from page 22 named in the Raymond Dokpesi led committee to supervise the project. Akpabio was not present at the inauguration of the committee last Wednesday and no reason was given. It is doubtful that the former governor has been won over to the project especially given his own leadership of the party in his native Akwa Ibom State.

Tight grip of the party Given the sensitivities about the scheme it was also not surprising that the party chose to kick off the project from Edo State, the only state where elections are expected to hold soon that is without a sitting PDP governor.

It is believed that no sitting C M Y K

PDP governor would have allowed the scheme to hold in his state as doing so would immediately deprive the governor of his tight grip on the party.

However, as the pressure on the party continues, it is difficult to see the party refusing to reinvent itself and its strategies.

As Chief Olisa Metuh, the spokesman of the party said in the statement last Sunday, the project is aimed at returning the party to the control of the people. “Finally, the NWC reaffirms its irrevocable commitment towards ensuring that the control of the party is returned to the people, in line with the ideals of the founding fathers, while urging all members to remain focused and continue to work together in furthering the rebuilding effort.” Perhaps, the PDP could again return to the roots.

Well Governor Adams Oshiomhole has raised the benchmark for performance in Edo Government House beyond the limits that whoever must be his successor must work very hard to either surpass or sustain often said, the civil service constitutes a large chunk of the high level manpower in this country that encourages corruption. So you can see that it is the perception of the leadership of the country that is making a few things to work.

We now hear that refineries are working beyond the capacities we used to hear, yes it is not as if these refineries were actually beyond redemption but because the system and the leadership we had at that time was not even interested in ensuring that the refineries work.

The leadership was more interested in importing fuel because there lies the dollar money, there lies oil rents for the government and its cronies to steal from and that is why you can hear so many figures being bandied about as having gone down the drain.

It is the character and the perception of President Muhammadu Buhari as an anticorruption leader.

•Osagie: We cannot take Edo back to where we were in 2007 But some critics say he is too slow?

Those who criticise him of being too slow are those who want to stampede him to continue to do things the way the previous government was doing even without getting good results. For a regime that promises change, it cannot take the same steps, the same formula that previous governments that have run the country aground.

So those who are criticising him, particularly of the PDP stock want to stampede him into losing focus but he is focused and he will not be stampeded.

We are poor students of history in this country. We have forgotten so soon that President Olusegun

Obasanjo when he became president in 1999, did not constitute his cabinet until after six weeks, President Goodluck Jonathan, even late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did not constitute their cabinets until after about two months.

President Buhari has not done anything different from what his predecessors have done in terms of taking time to constitute his cabinet. Like in Edo State here, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole came in, in 2008, two months later, he was already being criticised for not doing anything but in less than one year of his administration, his impact was felt in all the local governments of the state.

Why the DESOPADEC law should be revisited — Comrade Omolubi COMRADE Omolubi Newuwumi, a Niger Delta activist and immediate past Commissioner, Ministry of Youth Development in Delta state in this interview x-rays the recently DESOPADEC amended bill as sponsored by the executive and called for amendments to address what he asserts as the inequalities in the new law.

W

HAT is your take on the new DESPOADEC law?

Though the new bill is about oil and gas host communities in Delta State but as an Itsekiri man whose both paternal and maternal communities produce and feel the impact of the

exploration of oil activities, the new bill does not favour the Itsekiri man or any other ethnic nationality that produces oil. That is the Ijaws, the Isokos. The former law was even a little okay even though there were some issues with it but this present law

sponsored by the executive especially regarding the formation of the governing council and others do not favour the oil producing areas it was meant to serve. There are lots of abnormalities in the new law that we need to challenge.

Were stakeholders not consulted on the new law?

That is another problem concerning the way that bill was forced down our throat. There was supposed to be town hall meetings, consultations before Continues on page 24

24—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Okorocha’s strides are not well known — Madumere, deputy gov PRINCE Eze Madumere, the deputy governor of Imo State was before his entry into the political fray an entrenched player in the private sector having been an executive of Pepsi Cola in the United States. In this interview he reviews developments in his state, efforts towards boosting industrialisation of the state and gives a peep into the life and manner of Governor Rochas Okorocha. Excerpts:

W

HAT was your transition from the private sector into an active player in politics like?

We give God the glory, for everything that He has provided us. The Almighty Father is the ultimate who makes all things possible. So, we are grateful to God, for wherever I have found myself today, it is God first and the next person is Rochas Okorocha.

The truth of the matter is having come in from where I came from, the United States, some of the things I have seen are not what I envisaged, the challenges that are involved in governance and the individuals that make up governance are the challenges in themselves.

How was the agitation for an Owerri governor minimised that an Orlu man was returned again

as governor?

Rochas Okorocha is quite an example of a detribalized and not a zonal leader. My leader, our leader, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is a man of inspiration. Today, more than 75 per cent of the infrastructure is in Owerri Zone.

The other 25 per cent is shared between Okigwe and Orlu. You have a governor who believes in putting projects not because of where he comes from, but based on the fact that it is good for Imo State.

Today, for example, we are talking about industry, industry, industry, factory, factory, factory! We have gone back to bring back the old Mbakwe factories. For instance, card board packaging industry is in Owerri not in Orlu. We have recovered that. De Raising Paint

This is a governor who makes sacrifice, who goes through pains every day, just to make sure that Imo people and Ndi Igbo are recognized in this country is in Mbaise here, Owerri Zone, we have recovered that. These things will now start coming in place. We have got some Italians trying to bring back those apex factories. These are the things that were lying fallow for over thirty years. Now, this governor is not thinking about his village. He is not thinking about his own person.

This is a governor who makes sacrifice, who goes through pains every day, just to make sure that Imo people and Ndi Igbo are recognized in this country.

•Madumere: Imo is changing under Okorocha

People have different views of Okorocha. As one who has associated with him for over two decades what is your candid view of the man?

The man, Rochas Okorocha is a philanthropist. He is a family man.

He is a man you will love to be

Why the DESOPADEC law should be revisited — Comrade Omolubi Continues from page 23 the bill was passed. I think that our representatives in the House ought to have come home and consulted with their constituents before going on with the bill. It is not all local governments in the state that are oil producing and so I think that the House would have done was to have sought audience with people in the local governments that are directly affected by oil and gas exploration. To answer your question, No, there were no consultations from our representatives in Warri North local government area.

What is wrong with the proposal on the governing board?

To me that is another jamboree because it has a Chairman, a Managing Director, three executive directors and nine representatives coming from the three senatorial districts that make up Delta state. That to me is not being fair to the oil producing communities, the local governments or the senatorial districts that produce oil and gas; they bear the burden of oil exploration and exploitation. The issue of oil production and derivation does not have anything to do with population. Senatorial districts are determined on basis of population and electorate; it has nothing to do with the principle of derivation or oil production as C M Y K

enshrined in the constitution. In this sense, if we say DESOPADEC, which means Delta Sate OIL Producing Area Development Commission, and you are sharing the proceeds from the 13 percent derivation among communities who do not produce oil or impacted in any way, then there is a problem.“If you are sharing by senatorial districts then the people in the communities and local government who are directly affected and impacted by oil exploration activities are short changed.

Senatorial district We will be short changed because in Delta South senatorial district where you have the Ijaws, the Isokos and the Itsekiris all in one senatorial district. The Urhobos are in one senatorial district while the Delta Ibos are in one. Now, in terms of oil production, the Ijaws, Itsekiris and the Isokos produces 91% of the oil and gas in the state and this is what qualifies Delta as an oil producing and derivation state.

So if these three tribes are producing 91 per cent are in one senatorial district and you say it will have three director in the commission which will spread among the senatorial districts, that means that the three tribes who produces 91% of the oil will

•Omolubi have just one slot and the one that produces less than ten percent will produce tow directors. That is why I say that the issue of oil production and derivation has nothing to do with population because it is called derivation. It is called so because there are people, communities, local governments that are derived, where the environment has been polluted, their economic and Heath devastated by oil exploration activities and these people are the Ijaws, Itsekiris and the Isokos.

Are you okay with the 50-50 percent sharing formula between the state and the oil

producing areas because some people seems to be kicking against it?

That's another criminal act being perpetrated by the state against the oil bearing communities because if you see the bill it clearly stated that the fund belong to the oil producing communities and that is why it’s called oil producing areas development commission. It’s not called Delta State Producing Commission but oil producing areas was clearly stated, it was not a general statement and so it was not generalized that the13 percent derivation was for all Deltans but for the oil producing areas.

What is the way forward?

The Delta state government should leave the oil producing communities to develop their areas themselves because sitting down in Asaba and drawing out program for the suffering people in the creeks is not satisfactory to the people.“The state government must make sure that the communities and its inhabitants are carried along in the sitting of project to avoid a situation where you give them what they don’t need or what they never agitate for. There must be genuine effort to develop the communities and not lip services, we have seen some projects executed before by the commission but it must be improved upon.

close to. Rochas Okorocha I know is vehement but his brain is faster than clock. For you to be able to meet up with him, you must come a little closer. Just imagine, someone you’ve been with for over two decades, by now I could have told you I have a PhD on him. No, I do not.

By the time, you get closer; my boss will keep shifting the goal post. He is a man who likes challenges. He is an adventurer.

He believes in a thing, then, it is achievable. He is not too perfect a person. He is a man who is also very eager and open to learning from you. As he is holding a conversation with you, he is picking up one or two things from you, but you don’t know. The day he will use them, he will say remember the day you said.

Within the context of the Imo Rescue Mission, have you developed your personal vision for Imo? My oga’s vision subsumes mine.

And that is the way it is.

Free education As much as I operate with my oga, you only have one captain at a time.

What is the weight of the free education project on the government?

Free education has run for four years now, and free education has come to stay. It is what people never believed was possible.

The opposition never believed that it could happen and the doubt is with them till today. I don’t think that we as a government have done very well in giving free education the publicity it deserves.

It seems like there is this shadow as if there is, may be, a Rochas magic. No, there is a practical thing on the ground. We have three major tertiary institutions owned by the State – one of them, Imo State University.

Ojoto Indigenes at daggers-drawn over communal land, retrieved from Nnewi

How festivals hold Igbo communities together VOL. 1 NO 41

•Okija shrine skulls

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015

•The mystery, fame, fiction

T

HE SLEEPY community of Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State came into limelight in August, 2004, when the media, both print and electronic, became awash with gory stories of goings-on inside Ogwugwu Akpu, one of the shrines in the area. Before then, Ogwugwu Akpu was just like any other shrine in Igbo land which served as checks against impunity and man’s inhumanity to man.

For instance, people who were aggrieved over the manner they were treated in business deals, land disputes, among other issues, took solace in Ogwugwu shrine, which they believed, was capable of delivering justice in favour of the down-trodden.

The existence of Ogwugwu Akpu and others like Ogwugwu C M Y K

•PAGES 3, 4 & 5

•Okija shrine

‘Okija Shrine: No longer a bee-hive of activities for politicians

By VINCENT UJUMADU

•PAGE 6

Isiula, Ogwugwu Mmili, among others, never affected the spread of Christianity, as Okija, which had produced over 30 Catholic and Anglican priests with about 10 parishes and three archdeaconries, and hosts the country’s first private faith-based university, the Madonna University, is one of the fastest developing communities in Anambra State.

It remained so until the emergence of the present democratic dispensation when politicians began to patronize the shrine during which the so-called political godfathers dragged political office seekers to the shrine to swear oath of allegiance to them if elected into the aspired offices.

South East Voice gathered that in the beginning, the priests of the shrine were very old people who occupied the position because the lot fell on them. They were also not demanding money before administering the oaths,

It was the visit of former Anambra governor, Dr. Chris Ngige to Okija shrine to swear an oath that brought the shrine into popularity. Caged by his political godfathers, Dr. Ngige was reportedly dragged to Okija shrine to swear an oath of allegiance to his polical godfathers to keep his side of agreement to them on winning the election.

•Skulls although the visitors could show appreciation if they wished.

Indeed, it was the visit of former Anambra governor, Dr. Chris Ngige to Okija shrine to swear an oath that brought the shrine into popularity. Caged by his political godfathers, Dr. Ngige was reportedly dragged to Okija shrine to swear an oath of allegiance to his politcal godfathers to keep his side of the agreement to them on winning the election.

Looking back, Ngige in an interview, told a national daily that, “I was a foundation member of the PDP, I was nominated to be a minister by Dr. Alex Ekwueme, but Obasanjo refused because they fought a bitter primary in Jos and I was in Ekwueme’s camp. So I was blacklisted. I was the Assistant National Secretary of the party before I came back to contest the primaries for Senate in 2002/2003.

"Then, I was begged by Chief Audu Ogbeh and others in the National Working Committee, NWC. Even the Ubas came to beg me as a last resort. Before then, members of Better Anambra Movement led by Ben Akabueze, Ben Okoye and Ausbeth Ajagu

from Lagos had screened people and rated me first from their interview and CV evaluation.

That they were my benefactors was because it was when they were begging me that I caved in to run. I gave conditions for going to run and the major condition was that I should be able to run the place unfettered and give good governance to my people in Anambra State.

"They were the people, who breached the agreement by asking me to sign money for them; by asking me to allow them to appoint all the commissioners, special assistants, aide de camp, chief security officer and personal assistants. We had no such agreement. They breached that agreement, so I said, 'okay, if you breach the agreement, then there is no agreement any more.'

"On the way, they noticed some resentment from me that showed that I was no longer happy with the journey. They said they needed loyalty. So, one of them suggested it (Okija) and they now formed themselves into a cabal. One night they said: “If you don’t go with us to Okija

Continues on page 2

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015

‘Okija Shrine: No longer a bee-hive of activities for Nigerian politicians Continues from page 1 Shrine, we will shoot (you). It’s only a living general that can tell the history of a war. If I was shot dead, the story could have been distorted. I have to be alive to be telling you this story.

"I asked them: “What should I do?” They said: “Let us go to Okija Shrine and I said, 'okay, let’s go.'” I took my Bible with me and followed them. When we got there, I noticed they did not have guns; then I said I was not going in. One of them said he could swear for me, I said, 'go ahead,' so he did it for me. But I did not believe in what they were doing because I am a staunch Catholic. I am a knight of the Catholic Church; so I never listened to what they were saying. They were just fooling themselves.”

The Okija incident was one of the issues that Ngige battled as a governor, eventually leading to his ouster.

Besides, Dr. Ngige, other politicians also visited the shrine where they swore oaths of allegiance.

According to a native of Ubahuezike, one of the 30 villages in Okija, where the shrine is located, it was common to see Coaster buses filled with politicians driving into the area at the dead of night to swear oaths.

There was the story that those who were taken to the shrine for the oath–taking ceremony were not told their mission until they saw themselves at the shrine, at which time it was virtually impossible for them to back out.

As this happened, most natives of other 29 villages in the town were not aware of the happenings at Ogwugwu shrine such that it was indeed a strange story to them when the media started reporting developments in the shrine.

As time went on, many young men from Ubahuezike village who were naturally Ogwugwu priests by virtue of their place of birth, decided to exploit it, and turned it into a business–making venture.

These young men, most of who were trading in Lagos and other cities, but were finding life difficult, returned home and modernized the operations of Ogwugwu deity. They were to be joined later by some educated people in the area who introduced reforms into the

Ogwugwu shrine.

It was these youths that introduced a register of those that patronize Ogwugwu shrine and thereafter, began to charge money from those who patronize the shrine. Later, they introduced a system whereby Ogwugwu agents could travel to any part of the country to deliver summons to those sued at Ogwugwu shrine, and such people were given a date to appear before the shrine in person or be prepared for the dire consequences.

As the Ogwugwu became more popular, the young priests engaged the services of commercial motorcycle operators, who served as their agents. The Okada riders, who normally use the famous Okija junction as their base, would readily volunteer to take anybody visiting the shrine to his preferred client and by the time they would have completed the about 15 minutes ride, he (the Okada rider) would have convinced the visitor on the most powerful priest to visit.

That was why the commercial motorcycle operators would do anything possible to ensure that they were the ones to carry first time visitors to a priest of Ogwugwu shrine as he is also assured of a commission from the amount paid by the visitor.

It was not clear at what point the operators of the shrine began to demand for the corpses of those allegedly killed by Ogwugwu, but it became common knowledge that once somebody suspected to have been killed by Ogwugwu was buried in his compound, the priests of the deity would go to demand for the corpse the same day it was buried and the body would be exhumed and taken to the Ogwugwu forest and kept for ever.

The frightening sight is usually shown to those, who appear before the deity after they were summoned and this further instils more fear on such people, with the result that they would do the bidding of the priests to stay alive.

With the soaring popularity of Ogwugwu Akpu, the young men, who became full time priests suddenly had their lifestyles changed as they began to acquire expensive cars and started building mansions in the area. Then, the bubble burst as infighting began among them, leading to the people exposing one another on the level of their involvement in what was

•Okija shrine skulls beginning to dawn on outsiders that it was indeed ‘business’ and nothing more.

I

n August 2004, a petition was written to the then Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun over the happenings at Okija and the IGP ordered the then state police commissioner, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, to investigate. The disagreement among the operators later led to the arrest

The police also found 10 registers containing names of prominent politicians, businessmen, apprentices, among others, from most parts of Igbo land and beyond, though the identities of those whose names were in the register had not been made public till date

of two chief priests and 30 other persons suspected to be agents of Ogwugwu shrine by the police, who were taken to Abuja for questioning.

The police also found 10 registers containing names of prominent politicians, businessmen, apprentices, among others, from most parts of Igbo land and beyond, though the identities of those whose names were in the register had not been made public till date One of the current chief priests of Ogwugwu said that it was the media that blew the happenings at the deity out of proportion. He said: "This deity is not associated with killing people, rituals or any form of death. Instead, the shrine’s main objective is to settle differences amicably and, should such move fail to resolve the crisis, the ultimate punishment is meted.

"The shrine seeks to create solution to problems, especially for people who have been cheated in one way or the other.

For instance, if someone is owing you and refuses to pay, or your land or property is forcefully taken from you, you can come to the shrine and state your case and the shrine will help in getting a settlement for you peacefully if the other party obeys our summons.”

According to him, even white men visit the shrine to summon their Nigerian business partners who they claim, cheated them in business.

After the police raid of the shrine in 2004, it was as if the popularity of the shrine had

waned, although recent happenings indicate that some people still believe in it, especially non-indigenes of Okija.

For instance, it was reported recently that a Reverend Father, Wence Madu, who is the Rector of the Imo State Polytechnic, was summoned to the Ogwugwu shrine. According to the report, the cleric received an invitation asking him to undo an alleged injustice he was accused of committing or appear at the shrine to prove his innocence.

Similarly, a female federal civil servant complained recently that her husband’s brothers summoned him to Okija shrine over their late father ’s landed property.

However, being a highly religious person, she discouraged her husband from going to Okija as that would mean exposing him to danger.

Also, a 28-year-old motor mechanic in Nnewi, Mr. Ifeanyi Ujah, was recently summoned to Ogwugwu for merely being a go-between in a car purchasing deal. He, however, reported the matter to his priest who, after prayers, urged him to ignore the summons.

As at today, Okija shrine has lost the glory it acquired through politicians who patronised it in the past.

A source told South East Voice: “Those days are gone.

The politicians do not come any more. It was the Ngige issue that caused the commotion of the past and the media hyped it.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015 — 3

•Youth dancing at Aju festival •Youths dancing at the initiation to Aju festival.

How festivals hold Igbo communities together

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t’s different strokes for different folks and across Igbo communities and towns in South East Nigeria, there are different festivals that hold the people together, apart from the New Yam festival, which is common to all Igbo. What obtains in one place may be different elsewhere, but the same purpose is served as our correspondents report across the states.

Aju Festival: Where 19-year-olds are initiated into manhood

By FRANCIS IGATA

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NUGU—Thousands of Ugbo indigenes in Agwu Local Government Area of Enugu State, especially youths, converged at the community square to celebrate Aju festival, marking the transition from adolescence to manhood, which comes up once in three years.

The festival opens a new vista for all the boys between the ages of 19 and 21, from the three clans of Nabo, Okpala and Ngene, which make up Ugbo, to celebrate their attainment of manhood by participating in the Aju festival which puts them in a new age grade.

This year’s festival saw the initiation of up-to-age boys from the three clans under the age-grade name of Chigozie.

Poised to mark the day even though it drizzled all day, the young boys filed out from all corners of the community to dance to the community field, where the main event took place.

Apart from the initiation into manhood, members of the age grade undertake particular projects to embark on, geared towards developing the socioeconomic activities in the community.

The Ugbo community saw prominent personalities in the state coming to felicitate with

Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the member representing Awgu/ Aninri/Oji River Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who had attracted a police division to the community and was using the occasion of the Aju Festival to commission it.

However, at about 2.30p.m., the occasion shifted to the Owelli Court Police Division. Speaking at the commissioning of the new Police station, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who was on hand to felicitate with his colleague at the lower chamber, and whose son took part in the initiation, noted that the police need the support of everybody not only the government He added that with the building of the police division, members of the community can now sleep with two eyes closed.

Ekweremadu also said that with the security of lives and property in the area, economic activities in the community would improve.

The Enugu State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mohammed Adamu agreed with Ekweremadu that the new police station would enhance the operations of his officers and men.

“With this type of police station, we will have more policemen posted to this place as we now have a safe place to keep our arms,” he said.

Also Hon. Okechukwu told his guests that his people gave out

So, this age grade ... is an instrument of development, an instrument with which you can discipline people. It is a kind of age group peer check, that you compare what the others are doing; if they are doing, it will motivate you. If they are doing badly you think you can drop. It is a way of checking any kind of misdemeanor or indiscipline in the community, an instrument of checks and balances.

the Owelli Court area for the purpose of a police station over 30 years ago, during the Alhaji Shehu Shagari administration.

He said that the station had remained with old structures that were not adequate from its

inception until he discussed with Senator Ekweremadu and they agreed to build a befitting place to enable the police do their work well in the community.

With the commissioning over, the dignitaries and other guests proceeded to the community field, where the boys were already dancing in their groups and entertaining their guests.

Hon. Okechukwu, who had earlier in a chat with newsmen at his residence, revealed that Aju Festival, is as old as the Ugbo community.

He said: ”This is the day we are concluding our Aju festival.

The Aju festival commenced about four days back, the first one involved the various communities, the villages, and on this last day it involves the entire community, we call it Ozurugborigbo, a situation where all the communities, all the boys that are participating in the Aju festival come together; we have Ugbo Nabo, Ugbo Okpala, and Ngene Ugbo, all their boys will come together on the last day.

“Aju festival is a time when the boys in the community have a rite of passage from adolescence to manhood. It is an event that takes place once in three years.

So, it is between people who are at the ages of 19 and 21. It signifies their passage into manhood from adolescence, and what it means for them is that prior to that time they were considered as children and at any point in time if they

committed any kind of misdemeanor, they will find out if you have participated in the Aju festival.

"If you had not, they will consider you as a minor, but once you have done the Aju festival or your age grade ceremony, it means you can now go and marry, you can also now begin to pay taxes, levies and contributions to the community.

The only thing that will excuse you from doing so is if you are a student or an apprentice. So, it happens once in every three years.

“Once an age-grade ceremony was performed, the members of the age-grade would identify a project that they would execute in the community.

“When I did my own age grade, which is called Uchechukwu Age Grade, we did the bus-stop which you passed.

Another age grade started the health centre, which you also passed when you were coming.

“So, this age grade (Chigozie) will identify what they want to do; so, it is an instrument of development, an instrument with which you can discipline people.

It is a kind of age group peer check, that you compare what the others are doing; if they are doing, it will motivate you. If they are doing badly you think you can drop. It is a way of checking any kind of misdemeanor or indiscipline in the community because your mates can easily call you to order.

“And it also helps in ensuring family values, for instance, people who maltreat their wives, your age mates can call you to order, that that is wrong; so it is an instrument of checks and balances in the community.

“My father, who ordinarily would have been a 100 and something years now did it, my grand-father did it. You know the age grade system historically is a form of organization, we use it as an instrument of organization. So, it is as old as Ugbo.”

He noted that it is an age-long festival that had not gone through noticeable improvement, but which the people had found convenient all the while.

Continues on page 4

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015

Ikwa enyi, a festival celebrated once every 25 years by Abia communities

The changing pattern of Imo Awka festival

By VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA — Despite being the capital of Anambra State with the attendant fast urbanization that goes with it, Awka town has not lost touch with tradition. For the natives and even sojourners alike, the month of May is always looked forward to every year because that is when the famous Imo Awka is celebrated in the ancient city. And it is done with pomp and pageantry.

In this part of Igbo land, the people cherish Imo Awka more than any other festival, be it Christian or traditional. In fact, it is during Imo Awka that one sees a large number of Awka people in Diaspora returning home and spending quality period with their kith and kin. Though there were other traditional festivals in Awka, it is only Imo Awka that had been sustained to the admiration of the people.

The festival, which is celebrated at the beginning of the farming season, signifies the hope of the people that the deity will help to make their land fertile so as to yield bountiful crops. It is also seen as a period for the people to pray for their relations outside the town to prosper in whatever endeavours.

It is usually celebrated in two segments. The first is the visit to Umuokpu Awka by all the masquerades in Awka and the second is the visit of all the masquerades to Amaenyi section of the town, which is the headquarters for the masquerades and where the shrine is domiciled. The weeklong event normally starts with small masquerades parading the streets and harassing people, especially women and Okada riders because of the assumption that most of those operating commercial motorcycles are not

The Chief Priest of Imo Awka shrine, Mr. Chukwurah said the deity played the role of a guardian to the people of Awka during wars.

According to him, Awka people were known for their bravery as they recorded several victories in wars they fought with other communities, which were attributed to the protection and intervention of the shrine.

indigenes of Awka and so should give way when the owners of the land are celebrating.

The second segment and the main event is when the big masquerades accompanied by real men travel from Umuopku to Amaenyi through the famous Zik’s Avenue, with people lining the streets and eating and making merry.

One feature of Imo Awka festival is the booming business of cane purchased by almost every male, that is prepared to face others on the streets by flogging one another mercilessly.

During Imo Awka festival, various kinds of masquerades are showcased. While some look colourful, others look frightening and dangerous. The big masquerades are Agaba, Ijele, Okwonmma, Izaga, Ugo, Isiabaofia, Akum, among others, while the smaller ones are Ojionu, Adanma, Diochi, Osiasili, Atunma, among others.

Continues from page 5

By ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA — FOR the people of Umutowe community in Umuahia South Council of Abia State and adjoining communities, Ikwa Enyi, which literally translates to mean burial of an elephant, is a very big festival.

It is not a common festival as it is celebrated once in every 25 years.

Though it is a popular and a big ceremony, it is not celebrated by every person in that community. It is exclusively celebrated by members, a strong and dreaded fraternity. But noninitiates are allowed to witness some of the celebration, that is, only the aspects that do not expose what the initiates reserve for only the members.

Explaining how the Ikwa Enyi is celebrated in his Umutowe community, the monarch, Eze G. C. Onwuka said the community holds their inherited tradition and culture very dear.

According to him, “Ikwa Enyi in my community comes up every 25 years. There is another one, Okobi, which is celebrated every 50 years.

Some people may not witness it in their life time. Ikwa Enyi is O k o n k o affair. It is exclusive to t h e i r members.

They will bring the Enyi, you see it as if it is a r e a l elephant. You see it walking, dancing. It will appear at the market s q u a r e ,

dance round the market square. At the end of the day it will retire at a position, they normally retire at Amatumole, they will stay there for a day or two and the third day it will die.

"How they do it is purely, strictly an Okonko issue. But it is a festival that attracts our relations and friends. In fact, during that period you have prepared yourself because you will have a lot of visitors.

It is a festive mood. You see youths, very body rejoicing.

“Like I said, it is strictly and purely for Okonko members.

Whether there are mystics or no mystic, is not what we are going to talk about here.

“When the elephant dies, they bury it in a special way and it is purely a male and Okonko affair. You dare not take their photograph, if you do and they see you, for sure they will confiscate the camera.

"When the elephant retires after the public appearance, they would retire to a bush and the entire area is cordoned off against noninitiates. Non-initiates dare not go near the area.

“They would remain in that bush for one week, mourning the Enyi. For one week, they would stay in the bush, eat there, playing their music and whatever they do there. The community, non-initiates only celebrate with them the day it appears in the market square, and once it retires it becomes the exclusive affairs of the Okonko members.

“Before its public appearance, some gun shots are fired to announce its arrival and the community would rush to witness it. It is usually around 5p.m. And that day it would appear in the market square, all the big masquerades in our community would come out and perform, after that day, it becomes the exclusive celebration of Okonko initiates.”

•Masquerade at the festival

Aju Festival: Where 19-year-olds are initiated into manhood Continues from page 3 “My son is participating, he is 19. His name is Ikedi Okechukwu, he is actually in the university; my advice to them is that he has actually become a man, he has joined his mates; when they bring bill now, we will share it because he is supposed to act like a man. There should be a peer review mechanism for them, where you compare with your contemporaries, look at them; if they are marrying you are supposed to marry, if they are riding cars, you aspire to do so, and if they are getting Ph.Ds, you also do so. So, it is an opportunity for our people to develop themselves.

•Another masquerade group at Imo awka

Security Continuing, the legislator also spoke on

why he decided to embark on the police station project, saying: “ we are partners to the Nigerian police, they have developed this idea of community policing, we expect that whereas crime is rearing its head in other areas, we will create an enabling environment where they will be able to perform their duty well.

“Currently, we do not want them to continue to be quartered in temporary shelter. So, we partnered with them to ensure that the police division commenced and they can stay in conducive atmosphere to do their duties.

"They have been staying in temporary office, but today we have built a permanent office and we want to use this opportunity to hand it over to them.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015 — 5

The changing pattern of Imo Awka festival Continues from page 4 As the masquerades perform, heavily drunk young men and women drive dangerously on the streets, with some openly smoking marijuana, which are all seen as part of Imo Awka celebration.

Families that could afford it also hire live bands to complement the appearance of hundreds of masquerades passing along the road. As is customary, the masquerades do not go out of their way to harass anybody on the big day following agreement reached between the people and leaders of Awka Kingdom.

Two mysteries that were associated with Imo Awka over the years were that death of human beings must occur and that there must be sudden rain fall during the big event.

However, the last few Imo Awka had neither recorded any death, not sudden rain during the festival. Story had it that it was a bad omen if there was no rain during Imo Awka, but nobody appears to worry about such things any longer as the main feature is entertainment of the people.

The origin of the Imo Awka festival could be traced back

to some centuries ago.

Though its main origin could not be ascertained, a school of thought had it that Imo Awka was a female deity imported into Awka from the present day Abia State, while another school traced its root to the culture of the Igala people in Kogi State.

The Chief Priest of Imo Awka shrine, Mr. Chukwurah said the deity played the role of a guardian to the people of Awka during wars. According to him, Awka people were known for their bravery as they recorded several victories in wars they fought with other communities, which were attributed to the protection and intervention of the shrine and its messengers.

Imo Awka shrine is represented by the unique white monkey, which is popularly revered and respected as the messengers of the shrine in Awka, which, perhaps, is why Awka people do not eat monkeys.

“The monkeys behave like human beings and are believed to be vessels of warnings of impending danger to the town and so, it is considered a taboo to shoot or eat monkeys in Awka,” the

‘Egbunwaje’: Time to tell all truths still reign in Ebonyi By PETER OKUTU By PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — THERE are lots of beliefs and traditional practices across various communities in Ebonyi State.

The one that is common, especially at the rural setting, is the practice of ensuring that justice and fairness are meted out on the accused no matter his or her status in society.

It is apparent that there are usually crimes committed by some persons in various communities in the state ranging from stealing, adulter y, incest, arson, murder, among others.

Most times, the actual perpetrators of these heinous crimes are usually not found and if they are identified by witnesses, they often times deny their roles in the dastardly act.

Therefore, to ensure that no criminal goes scot-free in the community and to instil sanity into the administration of the area, any accused who refuses to confess to any

criminal act is usually taken to a ‘sacred’ location in the area to swear to an oath which has lot of dire consequences.

Such phenomenon is a common practice in most local government areas in the state, especially in Ezza South.

For instance, if a suspect refuses to confess to a crime despite persuasions from members of his community, he is taken to a sacred place called ‘Egbunwaje’ where serious oaths are administered on him by the elders of the community.

The implication of the oath is that if the accused is guilty as charged without confessing, he or she within a year would begin to experience lots of mishaps ranging from sicknesses, poverty, fruitlessness, loss of property and even death.

However, if the accused after a period stipulated did not witness any form of mishap, he is then cleared of all the allegations levelled against him or her.

chief priest said.

According to findings by South East Voice, a lot goes into the planning of Imo Awka, which usually starts in the month of April. As the festival gains intensity, the Awka people living in the main town choose one day to visit their brothers at Umuokpu to alert them that the time for the celebration was drawing near.

In the olden days young men were encouraged to come out and display their battle skills

during the festival and they were not done with dangerous weapons, as they were mainly for the entertainment of the audience, broken bottles, bows and arrows. In those days, it was discovered that nonindigenes mingled with the natives to instigate violence during the festival by brandishing guns, machetes and daggers while dancing, thereby instilling fear in the people.

However, all that have

changed following the intervention of the traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom, Obi Gibson Nwosu and the security agencies. An indigene of Awka, Mr. Joachim Nweke said that while it is good for the people to protect their culture and tradition, it should also be realized that this is era of Christianity and those celebrating Imo Awka should do it with decorum and respect the freedom of movement of the people.

Umuchigbo community cries out over abandoned Harmony Estate *Seeks autonomy

By FRANCIS IGATA

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NUGU — Twenty years on,Umuchigbo Iji-Nike community in Enugu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State, has cried out to Enugu State government to quickly complete the construction of Harmony Estate, abandoned over 20 years ago.

The 154 hectares of land donated to Enugu State government had been in decrepit condition since it was commissioned by former Vice President,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

South East Voice checks revealed that the estate conceived to trigger socioeconomic activities along the flanks of the council area and beyond was abandoned by successive administrations, including Governor Sullivan

Chime's.

AUTONOMY This is even as the community called on the state government to accord autonomy to it, as a duly registered and enlisted community among the 472 communities in Enugu State.

A delegation of the community had during a courtesy visit to the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, who hails from the community, lamented that developmental strides had eluded them following its inability to be autonomous.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. BelovedDan Anike regretted that although Enugu East Local Government Area controls 20 per cent of the state’s voting population and 75 per cent of the land mass, its indigences merely

•A two-bedroom flat abandoned at Harmony Estate.

contribute two per cent of the entire workforce in the state civil service. He, however, urged the Speaker, to quickly stem the tide.

According to Anike: ”We are appealing to you (Speaker) to use your good office to bring to the notice of government the abandonment of Harmony Estate workers village located in 154 hectares of land just three kilometres from Nike Lake Resort donated and acquired by Enugu State Housing Development Corporation, ENSHDC. “This clarion call is for the full recognition of Umuchigbo Iji-Nike community as an autonomous community in the state that will equip her to have her own traditional ruler to spur socio-cultural and socio-economic evolution of her people.”

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015

Ojoto Indigenes at daggers drawn over communal land, retrieved from Nnewi

By CHIMAOBI NWAIWU

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NEWI — THREE indigenes of Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr. Nnamdi Okwuosa, Elder Berthram Okoro and Pastor John Nnachie have alleged that their lives are under threat by members of Ndiabor Community Development Forum, NCDF. They had, therefore, appealed to Governor Willie Obiano and the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the community and save them from NCDF, a group they alleged to be above the law in Ojoto community.

But in a swift reaction, 59-yearold Prince Eloka Adirika, who is the Chairman of NCDF, dismissed the allegations by Okwuosa, Okoro and Nnachie, describing them as land speculators who wanted to fraudulently grab and sell the land collectively owned by some Ndiabor indigenes.

Speaking with South East Voice, the trio said their problem with the NCDF members started when they went to survey their parcels of land jointly owned by Ndiabor community, but were prevented because the NCDF members were allegedly selling their lands and therefore, did not want them to enter into the place.

According to Mr. Okwuosa, “NCDF members are involved in land grabbing and selling of people's land in the name of securing the land. We went to our land to mark it for demarcation, but we were threatened with dangerous weapons by members of NCDF. There were about 30 young men who had been conscripted into the group led by Eloka Adirika, to protect the land they were grabbing.

“None of the members of the group own land in the area they are ravaging, but they organize themselves to harass, intimidate and maim innocent villagers, giving their buyers the impression they are above the whole town and the law,” he said.

Narrating his family’s ordeal in the hands of NCDF members, Mr. Okwuosa said that “on December 15, 2013, we, Messrs Isaiah and Mr. Emmanuel Okwuosa respectively went to

•Elder Berthram Okoro who alleged to have been beaten by NCDF men. our parcels of land at Udide farmland, which spread at different locations to MmiriOkpontu River axis, up to Okpontu stream, and we discovered that the land has been taken over by people yet to be identified.

“To our greatest surprise, beacons have been erected all over the parcels of land by unknown people, and on inquiry, we were told that a group of people led by Mr. Eloka Adirika are behind what has happened to the parcels of lands.

He listed December 18, 2013, January 28, 2014, March 3, 2014 and May 20, 2015 as different dates his family members attempted to enter the land to fence it with wire gauze, but were prevented by NCDF. “Even on May 20, 2015 when we went to carry out the demarcation with hired bulldozer, they ordered the man out and collected all the money he had on him. They did not only prevent us from entry, they also forced us to pay a fine of N25,000 for entering into the land without their permission.

“This deliberate and forceful act of dispossessing us and other people of their lands had been going on for about four years now, and we have made serious efforts to enter into our land but this group of lawless individuals have made it impossible for us,” he said.

His family, according to him, wrote to Ndiabor village led by Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor over the alleged intimidation and harassment and subsequent selling of their land, “but it took them up to three months to reply, we also wrote to Ojoto South Development Union, OSDU, but they could not do anything.

“It is painful to see young men who over the years could not achieve anything, and did not go to any school and all of a sudden, because they forcefully entered into people’s land, started selling and making millions. They now

own hotels, houses and ride in Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs,” he said.

On his part, Elder Bertram Okeke, a 75year-old building contractor from Ngorogwugwu village Ojoto, alleged he narrowly escaped death in the hands of the group and was hospitalized for over one month because of the beating he

NCDF members are involved in land grabbing and selling of peoples land in the name of securing the land, we went to our land to mark it for demarcation, but we were threatened with dangerous weapons by members of NCDF

received from them.

Also narrating his ordeal, he said: “In 2012, I went to survey my land, with a surveyor, but we were accosted by some youths led

by Mr. Eloka Adirika and they started pushing us. Before we could utter a word, one Emeka Osondu pulled me down from the car.

“And Chukwudi Ezeimo held me, Uzodinma Adirika slapped me, I fell down and Chukwudi slapped me again, I fell down the second time, and they were jubilating and hailing themselves, singing songs that gave impression that they are above the law and should be dreaded.

“The same Chukwudi came and held me the third time and Uzodinma Adirika slapped me again, carried me up and hit me on the ground, ruled a line, and told me that if I crossed that line he would kill me, asking how we dared enter the territory, that anybody who wished should avoid the place, and when I discovered that they were ready to kill me, we turned back and left.

“While I was going home, I met John Nnachie, a pastor who told me to go and report the matter to Mr. Stephen Nnoli, a retired headmaster in the community, and later wrote to Ojoto South Development Union, but they did not do anything and I went to the police to report the matter.

“I was admitted in the hospital for three days as a result of the beating. I had prostate enlargement because of the beating. Eloka wanted me to sell the land to him earlier before the encounter, but I did not agree and because of that, he wanted to kill me,” he said.

He alleged the NCDF members co-opted boys from the three villages in Ojoto and bought things for them and they became their thugs, adding that they call their group “Onye bata Orijua afor” (if you come in, you feed well) and idle youths

embraced the group.

Pastor John Nnachie, a native of Iruebenebe Quarters in Ndiabor village, Ojoto, while narrating his own experience said that “for three to four years now, a group of people organized themselves and have been terrorizing the people of this village. Although they did not beat me or any member of my family, they threatened to kill me and members of my family if I dare come close to our land.

“When they started their NCDF initially, they said they wanted to build a boundary between Ojoto and Nnewi, but they used that ploy to take people's land forcefully, they did not inform land owners there. They teamed up with miscreants like them from Nnewi and took over the land belonging to people and divided them into two and gave one part to their Nnewi friends after collecting money from them.

“They took two plots each from the lands that fell into the Ojoto side of their purported boundary, as their own compensation for creating road, and at the communal land called Ala Oriego, they took ten plots to give the person they claim to have borrowed N2 million from to create the road.

“The villagers, who owned those lands were intimidated and harassed and some became afraid and decided to keep quiet.

They have a team they call task force, that collects N120,000 from those who want to develop the remaining of their land.

“The people in Ojoto, who could have resisted them have been compromised with money and land, so they cannot speak out because they have no moral justification to say anything against them. For me, I will not allow them intimidate my family.

The teaching hospital doctors who bought my family land are not finding it easy,” he said.

But reacting further, Prince Adirika said NCDF is not a youth group as alleged, neither does it beat people, sell lands and collect money from people, but a group of responsible elders most of whom are grand fathers and others above 45 years, selected by the Ndiabor community comprising Akabo, Iruebenebe and Ngorogwugwu to resolve boundary dispute with Nnewi people.

“After we resolved the problem with Nnewi people, our people felt that since we could achieve a peaceful resolution of the land dispute with Nnewi, we should protect the land to avoid fighting ourselves over it.

“That was how the issue of identifying your land with your boundary partners started. Our people introduced the policy to avoid clash between one another over boundary and the people that are complaining are land grabbers and speculators who want to cheat others but were resisted.

“What is wrong in asking a genuine land owner to allow people they have boundary with to be around before they can start building or farming on the land or demarcating and surveying as they claim if they have no hidden agenda? ” he asked

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015 — 7

Quarry sites, farm land tear Abia, Ebonyi communities apart the NBC director general and two deputy governors was issued. Among the other things, the meeting agreed that three technical experts of both states, made up the Surveyos-General and two other persons should come to Abuja for the delineation of the boundary in accordance with already screened and accepted documents. The meeting would be between September 1st to 4th.

They also agreed that a Joint Field Team should be inaugurated on the 17th of November and that fieldwork in the disputed areas would commence at the Uru-Lokpanta axis and should be completed on or before December 18 2015. And unless this is resolved quickly the youths are still spoiling for war.

By ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — BLLODBATH is looming large in the boundary communities of Abia and Ebonyi States. The neighbouring states presently have boundary issues in at least eight areas. They include Iyioji Akaeze, in Ivo council of Ebonyi and Item in Bende Council of Abia; Umuobor, Akaeze and Ugwueke; Amaeze, Ishiagu in Ivo council of Ebonyi and Uru Lokpanta in Umunneochi council of Abia; Amata, Ishiagu and Ukomi; Amata Isiagu and Lokpaukwu and Lekwesi in Umunneochi of Abia; Etiti Eda in Afikpo South of Ebonyi and Nkporo in Ohafia Council of Abia as well as Nguzu Edda also in Afikpo South and Okagwe in Ohafia council.

Over the years, there had been hostilities in these disputed boundary areas. From available records, there had been notable disturbances in these boundary areas. Among them were the Aganta massacre of 1987; the Uru-Lokpanta/Ishiagu clashes of 2004 and 2005; the UruLokpanta/Ishiagu violent clash of 1997; the Uru-Lokpaukwu Amanta clashes of 2007; the Lekwesi/Ishiagu clashes of 2003 and 2008 as well as the recent Uru-Ukomi Lokpa/Ivo clashes. In each of these hostilities, a lot of damages are incurred on both sides of the divide.

Incidentally, the primary cause of these disputes is unguided desire to own quarry sites and acquire more farm land. The recent hostility between the Amata and Ukomi youths was disagreement on the sharing formula of toll fees being collected from a quarry company operating in their boundary area.

It was learnt that the youths had initial agreement to share toll fees into three equal parts and Ukomi of Abia state would take two shares while Amata of Ebonyi would take one share.

The arrangement was said to have abided by the them until

THE TEAM

Editor: Emeka Mamah - Enugu (08033218645; email: emekemamah@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Awka Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu , Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Francis Igata, Enugu Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba Enyim Enyim, Onitsha Chinoso Alozie, Owerri Obialunamma Nwadiogbu, Amawbia Eric Ugbor, Aba

•Top, Abia deputy governor, Ude Oko Chukwu exchanging copies of the communique with his Ebonyi counterpart, Eric Igwe. Below—Abia deputy governor , DG NBC and Ebonyi deputy governor signing the communique.

July this year when the Amata youths allegedly refused to collect a share and demaded for equal share with Ukomi. This triggered a fight which left some people wounded, with both sides going home to prepare for war.

The intervention of the Governments saves the situation as they ordered the deployment of policemen to the area. Some youths from both sides were arrested and detrained in Abia and Ebonyi police commands.

To resolve the perennial boundary hostilities between the

brother states, the National Boundary Commission recently convened a meeting in Umuahia, Abia State capital. Delegates from the states which include traditional rulers from the disputed areas, town union and youth leaders among others, were led by the deputy governors of the two states.

At the end of the meeting under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohammed Ahmad, the director-general of National Boundary Commission, a communiqué which was signed

While addressing the meeting, the NBC director general Dr. Mohammed Ahmad appealed to the traditional rulers, community leaders and youth leaders of the two communities to release whoever was still in the captive.

Ahmad also blamed State Governments in the slow pace of resolution of boundary disputes between states of the Federation, saying that States do not accord boundary issues the priority attention they require.

“The slow pace of the progress is blamed mainly on the part of the States because they do not accord boundary issues the required priority attention. When agreements are not implemented within a time frame, it becomes inevitable that the parties concerned would have to meet again to reach new agreements.

“There is the need for the State Boundary Committee and the Commission to interface and

strategize on practicable work plans on how to address the outstanding works on some of these boundaries”, Ahmad lamented.

Over the years, there had been hostilities in these disputed boundary areas, from available records, there had been notable disturbances in these boundary areas. Among them were the Aganta massacre of 1987; the Uru-Lokpanta/ Ishiagu clashes of 2004 and 2005; the Uru-Lokpanta/ Ishiagu violent clash of 1997; the UruLokpaukwu Amanta clashes of 2007; the Lekwesi/Ishiagu clashes of 2003 and 2008 as well as the recent Uru-Ukomi Lokpa/Ivo clashes

AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES: How Imo politicians are

getting rich

By CHINONSO ALOZIE

O

WERRI-IF nothing is done about the creation of autonomous communities in Imo state, it will turn out to be a conduit pipe for politicians in the state to enrich themselves.From 2007 to 2015 , it was learnt that the traditional institution has been involved in indiscriminate splitting of communities into “unqualified” autonomous communities for personal interests and extortion of money from communities before they were given autonomous status and “political” dethronement of traditional rulers among others.

Also going by reports, some traditional rulers have continued to be under pressure from politicians to act against their wish on constitutional requirements.

Some of these traditional rulers are not qualified to be heads of autonomous communities going

by their antecedents and behavioural conduct in their domain.

It would be recalled that during the regime of the immediate past government, under Governor Ikedi Ohakim, about 114 autonomous communities created by his (Ohakim) predecessor Chief Achike Udenwa alleged the Imo state House of Assembly led by Rt Hon. Goodluck Nana Opiah, the House committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters allegedly collected N150,000 each from these communities after attempt failed to proscribe them but the House of Assembly committee was not sincere because it claimed that it was going to recognize the autonomous communities earlier created but had only pencilled down not up to 50 Autonomous Communities to be recognized.

Reacting on the allegations, the then Imo state House of Assembly committee chairman on Local Government and

Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Larry Marcel Ajero representing Ideato South constituency, had dismissed the allegations that they used the exercise for their personal aggrandizement.

Also speaking, the Imo House of Assembly committee Chairman on Information, Due Process and Inter-Parliamentary Relation, Hon. Ray Emeana gave an assurance that the creation of autonomous communities would follow due process and be based on merit.

On assumption of office, in 2011, the present administration led by Governor Rochas Okorocha in his maiden broadcast after his victory at the poll said “ it is sad to note that some traditional rulers have left their stools to play politics. This will no longer be tolerated. We shall also review the staff of office issued to the recently created autonomous communities . A committee is already being constituted for this purpose.”

As if it was not enough, Gov

Okorocha had dissolved the leadership of the traditional institution in the state led by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya but according to reports, Ilomuanya had been reinstated by the supreme court.

Many traditional rulers had suffered several political interference and intimidation from 2007 to 2015.

It would be recalled that under the present administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha, many communities had issues.

Also, before the second term of Rochas Okorocha,the government denied collaborating with the state House of Assembly to collect money from communities in order to issue them with autonomous status.

Recently, the Imo State Government under Governor Rochas Okorocha had called on the communities who paid money to get autonomous status to go to the same source for a refund.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015

Alleged illegal operation:

3 former security outfit commanders, and BoT trade words

By CHIMOBI NWAIWU

F

ormer National Commandant General of Gallant Community Protection and Safety Foundation, GAPCON, Dr Anthony Clarke and his Anambra and Imo State commanders, Dr. Alpha Justice and Deacon Sunday Ogonnaya, respectively are now trading words with the Board of Trustees, BOT of the organization over running of an illegal security outfit.

While Clarke, Justice and Ogbonnaya on one side are accusing GAPCON BOT members of running an illegal organization and using it to extort money from people, the members of the BOT of the organization said they were angry and peddling rumours of running an illegal organization because they were sacked for misconduct.

The BOT of GAPCON said their outfit is well recognized and not in any way illegal, having got all the approvals from the Federal Government agencies and Ministries that are in charge of giving approval for such

security outfit.

Addressing a joint press briefing in Onitsha, the three exGAPCON officers said they were deceived into joining the organization and incurring debt through renting office accommodations for the organization in Asaba, Onitsha and Owerri on the directive of the organization which, it did not pay for but instead the BOT members turned around to accuse them of a non-existent offence.

The ex-Anambra State Command, Dr. Justice and members of the BOT are also accusing each other of threat to their lives.

While Dr Justice who is the proprietor New World Computer Professional Institute Ltd, Onitsha, accused some members of the organization and the police as threatening his life following several arrests by police, a member of the GAPCON BOT Chief Donatus Ibe accused Dr Justice of inviting the police and the Army first into their matter.

Dr Justice recalled that one Pastor Michael Obierika approached him sometime in 2013 to join and support

•Right to Left, Dr Anthony Clarke Comandant General of GAPCON and his Anambra and Imo State Commanders, Dr Alpha Justice and Deacon Sunday Ogonnaya, including Mr Okwuchukwu Obi, a member of the organization also alleged to have been deceived into joining the group.

Addressing a joint press briefing in Onitsha, the three exGAPCON officers said they were deceived into joining the organization and incurring debts through renting offices for the organization in Asaba, Onitsha and Owerri on the directive of the organization which, it did not pay for but instead the BOT members turned around to accuse them of non-existent offence.

GAPCON financially. He said that by September 2014, he was appointed the Anambra State commandant, but without an identity card. Neither uniform nor any stipulated monthly allowance was given him.

He disclosed that he single handedly sourced for funds to buy furniture and equipped the Anambra state branch office, lamenting that no kobo was given to him, and he has not been refunded the money by the organization.

“Pastor Obierika was in charge of registration of new members, sale of forms and screening of members, and also collected all money for the organization, as well as employing staff who were accountable to him.

“When I discovered that the organization was not backed by the relevant authorities in Nigeria, I withdrew my membership by tendering my

resignation letter.

“Other reasons for my resignation were: the organization uses multifarious appellations such as Gallant Community Corps of Nigeria, Gallant Community Protection Corps of Nigeria, Gallant Community Protection and Safety Corps as opposed to the duly registered name; falsification of an approval letter Reff: NATIM/20/14432, dated, 11, January,2013, from Ministry of Trade and Investment, Abuja; the organization bearing of arms and ammunition, and uses combatant uniforms with guns crested on it without due approval. “ Dr. Justice said his ordeal in the hands of the BoT of the organization started since he handed over his resignation letter dated 2, March, 2015 to which the BOT rejected, and have since continued to persecute him.

FRSC inaugurates 70 clergymen among 318 Special Marshals

By CHIMAOBI NWAIWU, Nnewi

T

he Anambra State Federal Road Safety Corps Department of Special Marshal and Partnership R.S 53 has taken its safety campaign to the churches with over 70 clergy men from the Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches in the state joining the fold.

This was disclosed by the Anambra State Coordinator of Special Marshal and Partnership of the State Sector Command of Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, Mr. Ben Osaka in an interview with South East Voice shortly after the inauguration of the new Special Marshal and Partnership RS 5.3 Anambra State Sector Command, 2015, held at St Mary’s Catholic Church Hall Onitsha.

“The number of clergy men

who have joined the Special Marshal fold is increasing on daily basis, we have 30 Catholic priests, there are Bishops in our fold and there are other Pentecostal clergy men working with us, and we need them to carry that message to the Churches.

“We want more priests to join us, we encourage them to join

so that they can impact that knowledge. You know that the people obey their priests. That is why we encourage them to join to help us pass the information to their members and we believe that with this collaboration with priests, road safety campaign will be taken to the next level,” he said.

Some of the clergy men that

•Sub Dean of All saints Cathedral Onitsha, Ven Obiora Uzochukwu taking oath of allegiance

were inaugurated into the fold were, Sub Dean of All saints Cathedral Onitsha Ven. Obiora Uzochukwu, Ven. Obi Ubaka, Ven Ukpeke and Ven. Sam Adorao, and other senior priests from the Anglican Communion, Catholic and Pentecostal churches in the state.

Mr. Osaka, an Onitsha based legal practitioner also disclosed that his administration has put in place a formidable structure that will help in ensuring sustainable achievements of the Special Marshals in the state.

“One of the structures my administration has put in place for the sustenance of the achievements we have recorded over the years is ensuring that people of proven integrity are recruited into the fold, including those with new initiatives and good character for the onerous task of keeping the roads accident free and

safe,” he said.

He said that the newly inaugurated 318 members is not enough, for the State which he described as too large for such number, adding that Ekwulobia, Uga, Umunze, Agulu, Nanka are some of the towns that need Special Marshals presence to help make the roads safe.

He added that Uga and Umunze currently have only two Special Marshals,while Aguluzigbo has only one, and wondered what only such few numbers will be doing in such big and developing towns, saying that the state needs 200 more Special Marshals to go to the hinter lands.

He said that one of the problems militating against their activities in the state is lack of manpower, impatience from the people of the state who are eager to break the laws, and answering calls while driving.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 —25 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; Lucky Jupiter makes an ingress into your positive angle today with good luck to you. Financial success is closer to you than you can imagine. Give big push.

LEO; Here is a good day when influential personalities around you will be willing to assist you but you will need to take the initiative. Take good advice.

VIRGO; This is your day. The more ambitious you are along your career line the better for you. And friends are willing to give the needed supports; you’ll be lucky.

LIBRA; Your mind is truly active and if you’re more practical about it success’ll crown your efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

SCORPIO ; Coming of Lucky Jupiter into a positive angle to your Star sign is a big plus. On a day like this the more ambitious you are the better. It’s good to be loving

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

lady recently said to me - This weather is just not friendly. The sun is too much. Let the sun subside before I do it.

And I looked at her and said, supposing it starts raining now what will you do? The

The Weather truth is that the weather has never been friendly. Of course, it is not the business of the weather to be friendly to you. But your duty

TERROR MUDA

is to do everything within your power to be able to use the weather as it is. Tell me, have you ever seen a perfect weather? Whether

in “Scavenger Elite”

rain or sun, people have always complained. Yet, some people are making fortune from it, rain or sunshine. You too must do the same.

For he that must succeed does not need to look at the weather.

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; The more willing you are to listen to your partners and/or spouse the better for you today. Friends are trying to convince you that the are reliable.

CAPRICORN; Success is boldly printed on your cards today. The more push-full you are along your career/business lines the better. Embrace new method at work.

AQUARIUS; Here is a day you are not meant to ignore new ideas that come suddenly. It’s good to take matters of the heart more seriously. Listen to your spouse please.

PISCES; Lucky Jupiter is joining mighty Sun and romantic Venus bringing you to the fore for collection of well deserved honour, glory and LOVE. Certainly you’re becoming more important in many ways. Be more ambitious.

ARIES; Another lucky day for you is here. Although your being co-operative can enhance your scope, your personal ideas and initiative are guarantee for bigger do.

TAURUS; Those of you who are more consistent will have more to gain. Good ideas on monetary issues will enhance your finances. Be more family minded.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Entrance of lucky Jupiter into Sagittarius is meant to enhance your finances. The more willing you are to take good advice the better. Be loving.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What October 2015, has for me?

Dear Joshua, I am a business man dealing with both local and International clients. The month of October 2007 is very important to my business. Kindly tell me what does October 2015 have for me.

Alex, Abuja.

Dear Alex, The month of October 2015 does not mean anything negative but you will need to be wise and follow what your Star has for you as given hereunder.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

During this period, major emphasis will be on your personal enterprising endeavour particularly in the business world. Are we talking of stock speculative venture here?.

Although, you will have the needed opportunities to assert and express yourself, it’s important you know that you can not be an island on your own in the business world, thus you will need to give room for co-operation in all you do as there are indications of good people willing to come to your horizon provided you are willing to give them the chance.

Aggressive foreigners (especially males) will feature in many of your activities during the period, and if you are more co-operative(that is the way it’ll pay you I mean to your own advantage) the whole thing will work in your favour There are indications of successful movements probably inform of travelling that will put smile on your face.. Matters-of-the-heart having to do with emotional ROMANTIC/ SEXUAL LOVE will make you happy. Relationship with the minors (youngsters) and recreation activities are favoured..

Throughout the whole (four weeks) period you will need to take no friend for granted especially on money and movable possessions (being foreigner or local friend does not matter). Paying good attention to your health will do your world lots of good.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

26 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

UN BUILDING BOMB BLAST:

Four years after, as Ban Ki-Moon came calling By: Mike Ebonugwo & Victoria Ojeme

F

OR United Nations, UN, Secretary-General, Ban KiMoon, his two-day visit to Nigeria which began on Sunday was remarkable in more ways than one.

But more significant is the fact that it coincided with the fourth anniversary of the terrorists attack on the UN building in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital.

Serving as a sad reminder of the tragic incident, the UN scribe was understandably sober in speech and bearing while the visit lasted.

It was more so at the event where he had to lay a wreath in memory of the more than 23 humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of humanity.

Most of those who graced the occasion, including humanitarian workers, Nigerian government officials and some family members of those who lost their lives in that 2011 UN building bombing in Nigeria couldn’t hold back their emotions. Indeed, tears flowed freely down their cheeks as they remembered that bloody day.

Day of terror, blood and tears: Four years down the line, the incident had acquired a tragic image of its own: A black Friday of blood, tears and sorrow across global borders. Yet it began as a bright Friday morning of August 26, 2011. The UN staff had resumed their duty posts hoping to contribute and render humanitarian services.

Courier of death Unknown to them a courier of death was lurking around. Before they knew what was happening, a suicide bomber struck and the hope of some of them was brutally cut short. It all began at about 10:45 am, when a bomb-laden car was driven through two security barriers before being crashed into the building’s reception area, causing a huge explosion.

The explosion shattered the peace, lives and dreams of those unlucky to be within the building at the time. The blast also caused injuries to 106 persons, some of whom were treated in Nigeria.

They include 64 UN staff members and 50 non-UN staff.

Among these, 17 seriously injured victims were evacuated to South Africa – 12 UN and five non-UN staff – for specialist treatment. Apart from the lower floors, the powerful blast also destroyed a wing of the UN office

which is said to accommodate 400 employees and also houses 26 humanitarian and development agencies.

The attack was one of the deadliest on a United Nations office or facility in a decade. It came just days after the UN marked the eight anniversary of the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad that killed 15 UN staff, including top envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello and seven others. With the obviously unanticipated attack, reportedly masterminded and carried out by the armed extremist Islamist religious sect, Boko Haram, it suddenly dawned on the global community that Nigeria was grappling with a terrorist organisation that does not recognise international boundaries and whose unrelenting attacks had succeeded in creating a serious escalation in the security situation in Nigeria.

Security situation Indeed August 26, 2011 clearly represents a day of rude awakening for the United Nations of the tragic reality of terrorists threat in Nigeria.

Then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, had declared thus: “This is not an attack on Nigeria but on the global community. An attack on the world.”While condemning the attack, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described it as an “assault on those who devote themselves to helping others”.

He also described it as “evidence that the UN premises are increasingly being viewed as a

No country can tackle this kind of threat alone, however powerful or resourceful one country cannot

of the UN h o u s e bombing, Ban Ki Moon urged UN staff not to be discouraged by the terrorists attack.

His words: “We pay tribute to the 23 f a l l e n colleagues, women and men who were so brutally stolen from us.

We reaffirm our commitment to keep faith with their families.

Our fallen colleagues and partners will be remembered this morning •Ban Ki Moon laying a wreath in remembrance of those who died in the UN House bomb attack during his visit soft target by extremist elements around the world”. The UN head had followed this up by sending to top officials, Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro and UN security chief Gregory Starr to Nigeria to confer with Nigerian government officials on the sad development.

Boko Haram claims responsibility: While Nigerians and members of the global community were trying to make sense and come to terms with the suicidal attack, an unidentified member of the Boko Haram made an anonymous call claiming that the UN building was attacked because the United States, US, and the UN are supporting the Federal Government to persecute Muslims in Nigeria.

Chilling declaration Later a man who identified himself as Abu Darda and claimed to be the spokesman of the terrorist organisation, made this chilling declaration: “Through the wisdom of Allah, we have launched the attack with absolute precision. The attack was carefully scripted and executed.

We have said it several times that the UN is one of our prime targets”.

A man-hunt was almost immediately launched for the perpetrators. And after weeks of investigation, the Nigerian Department of State Security, DSS, had on September 2011 named one Mamman Nur as the mastermind behind the attack and offered a $26 million bounty for anyone who could assist in apprehending him. Later four men were brought before an Abuja magistrates’ court charged with organising the bombing.

They were remanded in custody to a federal high court hearing.

Tribute to fallen staff: In his address at the fourth anniversary

with moments of silence in many places. But nowhere are the memories of these colleagues more immediate, more vivid and more compelling than here in Abuja. We will remember them forever as truly the best of humanity.

“We join the families in prayers for the eternal rest of the souls of the departed and for long and healthy lives for the injured survivors. We also recognise the extraordinary fortitude and determination of the survivors, many of whom suffered terrible injury and trauma. I commend them for the courage that they continue to show in healing, and in working for a better world.” The UN scribe thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria for its commitment to rebuild the UN House which he described “as a symbol of the resilience of our extraordinary cooperation”.

Extraordinary cooperation The Secretary-General also commended the workers for their resilience in spite of the difficult conditions in which they to work. “`I know you are working hard. I ask you to work even harder. You are the face of the United Nations.

We are living in a period of frugality. I am asking you to do more with less. I am sorry to say so as Secretary-General. But be proud of your work, your mission, you are working for humanity,” he said.

Survivors recount ordeal: One of those who cheated death was a 25-year-old lady, Member Feese. She had gone to the UN Building to source materials for a Master ’s Degree thesis in a United Kingdom academic institution, but got caught up in the blast. She said the painful memory lingers. She narrates her ordeal thus: “I went to UN Building on 26th of August to

carry out research for my Masters thesis. The person I was meeting said I should stay in the reception, that he would come down to meet me. But before he person came down the blast occurred. I was taken to the National Hospital.

But after two days, the UN evacuated us to the United Kingdom in an air ambulance”.

UN scribe on global terrorism: The UN scribe during his visit also attributed the increasing spate of global terrorism to bad governance, mismanagement and injustice by leaders around the world. He said: “Why has this insecurity and extremism been able to take the root among the people? I think that comes from mismanagement, bad governance, injustice. When you are absolutely in despair, when you have absolutely no hope for your own future, when the leaders do not care about their own people, on inclusive governance, the people find some other means.

Leaders have not been paying attention, they are not speaking with the people; that makes the extremism to take the root. We have to prevent this . That is why I highly commend President Buhari. In his inaugural speech he said he will get rid of inequality, and he will get rid of corruption and run an inclusive government”.

Ban -Ki Moon who said that no country can tackle terrorism alone, called for global cooperation to end the menace. “No country can tackle this kind of threat alone, however powerful or resourceful one country cannot. The Europeans or Americans cannot do it alone, all hands must be on deck. This is what I have to say. I hope that this meeting will be of great opportunity for respective ambassadors and all the representatives of the Nigerian society. We have a common fight, a sense of unity; purpose of unity that we are one, we are one human being.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 —27

Despite going silent after breaking up with his former partner, Limpopo star, Kcee, a few years ago, Precious John, a.k.a Presh of former music duo KC Presh is battling to relaunch his dwindling career. But he still believes that breaking up with Kcee was a step in the right direction. He neither sees Kcee nor any other artiste as his rival,instead, according to him, he’s back to take his solo career to the next level. His latest follow up single, “Asalamaleku”, which is set to rule the airwaves is the magic that will accomplish his mission for him.

By Benjamin Njoku

S

INCE you staged a comeback to the nation’s music scene, your songs haven’t really enjoyed massive airplay?

Initially, I had a management problem. I had to make do with my former manager. He tried to promote my songs but he couldn’t go beyond his limit. But I have a new management now, Qtaby Management. The company is in charge of promoting my songs.

Henceforth, they are going to be responsible for promoting my new and old songs. My new song, ‘Asalamaleku’ trended about a week as number one on C M Y K

twitter.

Why did you decide to go silent at a time when the ovation was loud for you?

At that point, I needed to rediscover my career. I didn’t have a sponsor then and what I had would not take me too far. So, I decided to embark on musical tours to assist myself financially. And by the time, I completed my tour, I had enough money to do what I wanted to do, as a solo brand. People know I can sing, judging from the songs I did with my former partner, Kcee.

Then it was fast pace kind

of sound. There wasn’t much of me expressed in the songs.

I needed to know how to go about my solo brand.

You said earlier that your inability to put in place a management team affected

We joked a lot.

We never get serious even in serious issues but we still get results from that joke

the promotion of your songs, wouldn’t it be rewarding if you joined Five Star Music, owned by your former partner?

Since it’s a solo brand, it wasn’t a KCPresh project.

One would expect that if you people are doing solo, you have to do it on your own,.

That’s why it is called a solo career. If we had wanted to do anything under the brand, KCPresh, we would have done so. It’s better to step on toes and apologize later, and do thing separately?

If Kcee invites you to join Five Star Music, would you honour the invitation?

I don’t have a problem with

it. But right now, I am not looking forward to that. I am bent on taking my career to the next level. If I am invited, not now but in the future.

What were you doing after you broke up with Kcee?

I embarked on series of tours, staging shows in Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, UK among other countries. After I was done, I then travelled to Malaysia and later returned to the UK , where I did some courses on Voice Grooming among others. I returned to the country thereafter to begin Continues on page 28

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Most times, breaking up with your partner is never rosy a stage of my career But fans insinuated then that it was a way of escape for you?

If it were a way of escape, I would not have staged a comeback to the music scene. I could have stayed back because I was exposed to a lot of good things that would have kept me back and helped me to make money. But music is what I know how to do best and that is my passion.

What is your relationship with Kcee at the moment?

It is cordial. We talk when we need to, but everybody is doing his own thing. If I am not travelling, he is travelling.

What exactly are you missing now that you are no longer together?

We joked a lot. We never get serious even in serious issues but we still get results from that joke. That’s the best part of it. It doesn’t have to be a brainstorming session all the time.

T

he Mission: Impossible films are a series of action spy films based on the television series of the same name, produced by and starring Tom Cruise as IMF agent Ethan Hunt.

The series follows the missions of the Impossible Missions Force’s main field team under the command of Hunt, who is forced to take over after the team is betrayed from within in the first film. As such, the series focuses on Hunt as the lead character as opposed to the ensemble cast structure of the television series.

Continues from page 27

How do you feel when people compare you with Kcee?

There is no king forever, even if you want to remain forever, you must die.

The industry is big, I don’t see competition in any way. He does his own brand of music while I do mine.

The sky is wide enough for birds to fly without clashing.

Synopsis

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

Schedule commencing from Friday 28TH of AUG. 2015

I would say artistes breaking up is dependent on what led to their breaking up. We have various reasons such as greed,overambition, and the urge to go solo. Some are trying to take advantage of the other person

Do you feel jealous, whenever you listen to Kcee’s hit songs?

A jealous or envious person is somebody who knows he has lost sight of where he is going to and pick on another person and starts hating him. I know where I am going to and I am seeing my destination.

I have no competitor. I am on my lane and I must get to my destination. I’m already getting there. Those are not the things I am looking at. I am focused. The Bible said’ ‘seeth thou a man who is diligent in his business, he will sit with kings’. I don’t see anybody, I only see the work I’m doing.

We heard a rumour that Dilly came to your rescue?

Dilly didn’t come to rescue me. We have

been friends for a while.

When I returned to the country, I started recording my songs. And as friends, we got talking. I told him I wanted to record my songs, and he offered to do business with me. Besides, he is a nice person. He is one of the nicest bosses I ever met in my career.

Artiste breaking up has become a recurring decimal in Nigeria.What do you think is responsible for this ugly trend?

I would say artistes breaking up, is dependent on what led to their breaking up. We have various reasons such as greed,over-ambition, and the urge to go solo. Some try to take advantage of others. Better still, one may feel, the other is slowing him down, while sometimes, it gets to a point where they would want to go solo. Most times, breaking up is not rosy.

What makes your new single, ‘Asalamaleku’ unique?

It’s Arabic, it’s a form of greeting. I am appreciating God’s creation. That’s all. I just want to convey a message to my fans. I still want to appreciate God’s creation and God’s handiwork that’s what led to my composing ‘Asalamaleku.’

What are you bringing back?

I am bringing back that part of me that people didn’t know. The singing part of me, the voice that they don’t hear that they should have been hearing. Those are just the things I want to put in peoples’ minds, that Presh is not just an artiste, he is a performer. My album will be released in the later part of 2016.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Dark: 1:10pm, 8:45pm Spooks: 1:10pm, 7:30pm Dry: 3:10pm Mission Impossible: 11:20am,1:45pm,4:15pm,6:45pm,9:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Dark : 12:40pm,5:10pm, Spooks : 10:35am,7:10pm, Trainwreck : 12:30pm,6:00pm, Mission Impossible : 11:20am,1:50pm,4:20pm,6:50pm,9:15pm Minions : 10:30am,2:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Dark : 12:30pm,2:20pm,6:55pm,8:45pm Spooks : 12:10pm,4:30pm,8:50pm, Dry : 2:50pm,6:40pm,8:40pm Mission Impossible : 11:20am,1:50pm,4:20pm,6:50pm,9:20pm Pixels : 12:00pm,2:00pm4:00pm,6:00pm Minions : 12:20pm,2:10pm,4:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Dark : 2:15pm, Spooks: 6:10pm, Trainwreck : 4:05pm Dry : 12:25pm Pixels : 11:55am Mission Impossible : 11:50am,3:55pm,6:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Dark : 10:10am,2:35pm,8:50pm Spooks : 10:00am2:20pm, Dry : 4:25pm Mission Impossible : 12:50pm,5:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Dark: 12:00pm, 2:15pm, 4:25pm, 6:35pm, 8:45pm Spooks: 11:50am, 2:05pm, 4:20pm, 6:35pm, 8:50pm Dry : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:20pm,6:30pm,8:40pm Pixels : 12:00pm,2:20pm,4:25pm Terminator: 2:20pm,8:10pm OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA Dark: 1:30pm, 2:50pm Spooks: 2:45pm, 10: Dry : 3:40pm, Train wreck : 11:05am,3:30pm,7:45pm Mission Impossible: 1:45pm, 6:25pm, 8:50pm Pixels : 10:35pm Minions : 10:45am

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—29

with Prince Osuagwu 08050498513 princeosuagwu@gmail.com

See a smartphone with detachable keyboard? ......Check out Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

By Prince Osuagwu

S

AMSUNG is flaunting its innovative capabilities.

Just few months after introducing latest flagships Samsung S6 and S6 Edge, the device maker has come up with another beaut, the Samsung Galaxy Edge+ with features that clearly point out that the new world is about mobility.

The device, which has all the looks of S6 Edge but lighter and with bigger screen, is so sleek with ergonomic edge design.

For fashion crazy Nigerians, the Edge plus seems where to go considering its stylish, slim and light body which Samsung says is made from metal and glass.

But where Samsung displayed great sense of Research and Design is in an additional wireless keyboard attachment which can automatically turn the device into an enterprise phone.

With the keyboard, users who have not come to terms with the world of virtual keyboard can still do their thing their own way.

Even at that, the phone did not

fall short of the original aesthetics because the keyboard can be detached and placed at the back of the phone when not in use.

The company said the curved design and the beautiful harmony of metal and glass combination was for durability.

The glass includes a reflective surface to highlight color characteristics, which creates unique effects and depth definition when reflecting light.

Unveiling the device recently in Lagos, Nigeria, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said that dual edge display C M Y K

technology has been taken many notches higher with the new Galaxy S6 Edge+.

“At Samsung, we pride ourselves at being the first in developing the newest technology that improves the way we live, communicate and shape the world. We pioneered large display phones and then led the way with curved glass t e c h n o l o g y.

Today, we a r e bringing these t w o technologies together, by offering a device that is intuitive and efficient with a bigger screen, allowing consumers achieve more with their smartphone,” He added The smartphone sports Live Broadcast feature, which allows users share or broadcast video in real time over YouTube. The feature also allows broadcasts to be sent directly from the camera app and friends and family can be invited to watch via text messages, email, and social networking platforms.

Another exciting video

But where Samsung displayed great sense of Research and Design is in an additional wireless keyboard attachment which can automatically turn the device into an enterprise phone

feature is the video collage, here Samsung took the photo collages a step future into videos. Users can combine multiple short videos and make them into one single video, giving each video a different look .

The Fast Wireless Charging is another impressive feature.

Samsung says it takes just two hours to fully charge a

discharged battery . With the super-fast charging feature, once the device is connected to the fast-charging power adaptor, the device is fully charged in 90 minutes when the battery is completely out.

The device combines the features of the Galaxy S6 Edge including the People Edge, Edge Lighting and Information Stream. One of the biggest improvements is the addition of app shortcuts to the Edge Screen. Users can now add shortcuts to five favourite apps and access them with just a swipe, saving you a tap or two.

Director of Hand Held Products for S a m s u n g Electronics West Africa, Mr. E m m a n o u i l Revmatas, described the S6 Edge+ as an entertainment power-house, intensifying m u l t i m e d i a experience with a big beautiful screen.

“Two years ago, we took a decision to deliver a superior display technology, great camera and best-in-class design, which led to the coming on stream of the S6 Edge. The dual edge design was like nothing else out there and the curved display resonated with our customers,” “Now, we are bringing everything you love to a big screen by improving on the features and design. The display is sharp, brilliant and the curve creates an added sense of depth. Due to the high definition screen, the colours are deep, rich and vibrant.”

‘Abuja can go online cheaper’

BY FAVOUR ANTHONY

A

s part of its plan to continue to support customers across the country, Spectranet 4G LTE, has opened a new experience centre in Abuja with a view to bringing fast internet connectivity closer to businesses and homes in the Federal Capital city.

Speaking at the launch of the shop, Mr. David Venn, Managing Director, Spectranet 4G LTE, said that the centre is designed in line with the company’s constant drive to deliver outstanding customer service at every touch point and bring numerous benefits that provide a powerful internet broadband experience.

He said that residents of Abuja and its

environ can now go online cheaper than before as they visit the SpectranetShop located within the Gwarinpa estate to explore the latest innovations of the brand and get a first-class customer service delivery ranging from product purchase, data subscription, enquiry and resolve any issues.

David said its customers will get free Gigabyte for every modem purchased and rollover data of every unused data on monthly renewal.

He said that the centrehas been structured to be interactive with the customers, such that when customers come in, all the equipment to resolve all their issues and keep them satisfied have been provided.

30 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28,

2015

93 days: The Ebola story needs to be told – Bolanle Austen-Peters Managing Director and Founder of renowned Arts and Cultural organisation, Terra Culture, Bolanle Austen-Peters is a hardworking and inspiring woman who has taken bold steps towards achieving her dreams and establishing herself as an authority. In this interview, the accomplished lawyer and businesswoman talks about her current production ’93 Days’, a movie on the deadly Ebola virus which broke out in the country a year ago. Excerpts...

By Juliet Ebirim

I

T’s been over ten years of running Terra Kulture.

How has it been?

Setting up Terra Kulture as an institution has been a most rewarding exercise often filled with adventure, frustrations and triumphs. Eleven years later, we can look back and thank God that the institution we started out with has been able to touch lives and create jobs and entertainment.

Over time I’ve have been able to develop the concept of Terra Kulture as an institution and a cultural centre that is self-sustaining. We have also over time continued to churn out fresh business ideas to help improve the revenue of the company, venturing into food, entertainment, theatre and now movies.

Our in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian cultural scene and cutting edge analysis of our customers’ needs has strongly impacted on the business of Terra Kulture. With con-

stant stream of ideas and always thinking of how to make the business better, we’ve been able to stay at the fore front of the industry. At Terra Kulture, we are constantly

We owe it a duty to those who gave their lives to tell this story of how we combated and won the Ebola battle, so for me it's philanthropy

Bolanle

thinking of what next to do, always taking on challenges and always striving to be the best in the industry . So far, I will

VAPP: FG affirms commitment to implementation

By Funmi Olasupo

A

S part of moves to end violence against persons in the country, Fe d e r a l Government have affirmed its commitment to implement the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, VAPP, 2015 which was passed into law in may 2015.

Speaking in Abuja at a one day forum on Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs themed: ‘Leave no woman behind’, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs C M Y K

and Social Development Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi said the ministry will not rest until the laws are fully implemented.

Represented by the Director, Women and Gender Affairs, Mrs. Esther Ohabame Minishelia, Dr. Ezekiel maintained that having ensured that the law was passed; the ministry will not rest until it is fully implemented across the country.

She said, “The ministry is already working with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to ensure swift implementation of the Act.

“The law prohibits all violence against persons both in private and public life and provides maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders.

“Our goal is to build a just society devoid of discrimination, protect the health, socio and economic growth; evolve evidence-based planning and government system where human, social, financial and technological resources are efficiently deployed for

Continues on page 33

say it has been a fascinating journey.

Why did you decide to venture into movie making?

My decision to become a movie producer started with the production of stage plays.

As a play Director/Producer, I have always had to work with the best actors, dancers, choreographers, stage and set designers, costumiers, make-up artists etc.

Feature film production With this vast experience venturing into feature film production becomes almost inevitable.

I think for me it’s a transition, it’s the next stage. After the production of SARO The Musical which was an instant success, I realized there is room for expansion and diversification and so I thought feature films won’t be a bad idea, so we promoted October 1 which was also an amazing success.

This year I’ve produced a short film and now working on 93 Days with Steve Gukas

and an International Director Pe m o n Rami And Dotun Olakunrin.

Why did you choose to do a movie on Ebola?

Essentially, the Ebola story needs to be told. We need to tell our own stories. Our experience with the virus needs to be televised properly which is why I agreed to work with the directors we have on board presently.

The script is beautifully written and we have people who had first-hand experience with survivors and families of those who gave their lives to ensure the virus did not spread. We owe it a duty to those who gave their lives to tell this story of how we combated and won the Ebola battle, so for me its philanthropy.

What’s the budget for the movie?

This movie will cost a whopping significant amount of money in millions.

Who are the members of cast and what informed your choice in this regard?

Continues on page 33

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—31

The Ebola story

•Out of school girls becoming parents

We hope to bring relief to out-of-school girls — Action Health Incorporation

By Anino Aganbi

A

MINAT Yusf (real name withheld) is a 16 years old girl who resides in Iwaya, Lagos. Having been denied of having any basic form of education by her parents, she ran away from her home and came to live in Lagos. She was fortunate enough to meet some girls while hawking who helped her get a place to stay in. She was a victim of rape a few years later. As a result of shame, she never spoke about this ordeal to anybody. All she wants from the government and able bodied parastatals is for them to bring aid to these communities.

“Enable Girls Project” to advance evidence for advocacy and mobilize actions to scaleup programs for vulnerable adolescent girls in Lagos. A high level dialogue meeting will be held on September 8, 2015 with members of Lagos State House of Assembly, the State’s Executive Management Team as well as Private sectors and Civil Society stakeholders. The meeting will avail the opportunity to

Essential amenities

Formal education Like every other young girl living in the Iwaya community, they want what every other young girl who has been deprived of her basic needs wants, stability, formal education, water, empowerment and a safe haven to call home.

As part of efforts to address these problems faced by outof-school adolescent girls, Action Health Incorporated in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) is working on the C M Y K

present a multi- stakeholder Strategic Action Plan that will provide a harmonized approach to addressing these challenges to guide policymaking, programming planning/implementation and resource allocation in Lagos state. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), there are currently over five million girls out of school in Nigeria.

Many of these girls live in slum areas within a city that are squalid, lacking essential amenities and usually inhabited by the poorest of the poor.

There is need for all to Invest in programmes for out-ofschool girls’ education, health and livelihood

Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital continues to attract its fair share of immigrants with 42 designated slum areas. Living in slum areas with its lack of basic amenities and access to services remain a challenge for all concerned. Adolescent girls are by far the worst affected.

Although there are no specific data on out of school adolescent girls; research has shown that these groups do exist.

In a research carried out by Action Health Incorporation in Iwaya (2011); a densely

Continued from page 32 The cast include Danny Glover (USA), Bimbo Akintola, Gideon Okeke, Bimbo Manuel, Adebola Williams, Patrick Dibuah and Somekele Iyamah amongst others. Choosing the cast for this movie was a collective effort of the producers and directors, we had to look for people who can interpret their roles perfectly with some resemblance to the actual victims.

What has been your experience so far working on this project?

My experience so far has been an interesting one, it’s been time and resource consuming but productive, and hopefully at the end of the day our viewers will appreciate our effort.

What are the challenges you’ve encountered in the course of this production?

The most basic challenge for any production is funding, so we are working with both local and international institutions to fund this project including Ford Foundation, Nigerian Breweries, Fieldco, Axa Mansard, Lagos State Ministry of Health and so many individuals to guarantee its outstanding success.

What are your projections for the movie?

We intend to immortalize our heroes whilst also showing Nigerians that in unity we can overcome, we hope to educate the populace about patriotism and goodwill. We hope the movie makes history.

VAPP: FG affirms commitment to implementation

Continues from page 32 populated slum in Lagos, findsustainable development. ings from 480 out “The Federal Ministry of Women of school adolesAffairs and Social Development serve cent girls suras the national vehicle to bring about veyed showed speedy and healthy development of that almost 45.2% Nigerian women, men, girls and boys of girls aged 10by mainstreaming gender into the na14 had never attional development processes to entended school sure the survival, protection, develwhile none of the opment and participation of all categirls reached begories of persons in our society,” The yond secondary Perm. Sec. noted. school level.

Mrs. Esther however, stated that These girls the meeting is very timely going by have no say in Nigeria’s performance with respect to their dropping MDG-3, on promoting gender equalout of school. ity and women empowerment in othSome reasons for er to strengthen the means of implethis gap include mentation and revitalize the global the hidden costs partnership for sustainable developassociated with ment. going to schools; especially schools outside their immediate community. In most There is need for all to Invest cases, domestic responsibili- in programmes for out-ofties enables them hawk or school girls’ education, health trade just to provide support and livelihood. Out-of-school for their families. More impor- adolescent girls need Formal tantly the threat of violence or non-formal education, Sexcomes from men and boys in ual and reproductive health information and services, Vothe area.

So many of the out of school cational skills and businessgirls living in the slums to- related training and Protecday, continue to experience a tion from sexual abuse and vilot of challenges that deny olence as these will help rethem their basic rights to ed- duce their vulnerability/proucation as well as health re- tect and improve their own lated information in sexuality well being and that of their and reproductive health. communities.

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28,

2015

the lives CHEERS has been able to touch and to see that we have been able to make an impact in the lives of these people. As the Executive Director I still go out of my way to make sure that the basic things that we need to do are well accomplished. We have done a lot of things, people we have been able to touch, the lives we have been able to save, gives me joy to see that we can do more.

So no need to go back, no need to be where we are, we are moving forward to continue to create smiles on the faces of people basically Nigerian women and children.

The other time you mentioned funding as being the basic challenge so how do you generate funds?

In CHEERS we send out proposals, we check out for adverts, we do solicited proposal where we generate our own proposal and send to organisations and they do come to our aid, if they like what we have sent.

Chief Mrs. Ajia Chinyere Ogugua is the founder and Executive Director of Centre for Health, Education, Economic Rehabilitation and Social Security (CHEERS), a NonGovernmental Organization (NGO) which was established in September 2006, with the aim of ensuring the marginalized and vulnerable categories of people in the rural communities which initially opened in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, but later scaled up its operations to cover Plateau, Enugu and Nasarawa States; and whose projects areas are HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation and human rights interventions. In this interview with Funmi Olasupo, She speaks on how the organization has been able to put smile on the faces of vulnerable people living with HIV/AIDs.

W

HAT informed your de cision to set up an NGO such as this?

I started this NGO because I believe in helping people. I saw that a lot of people are suffering and going through a lot of hardship in life and don’t have nobody to come to their aid whereas we have people who can afford to eat three square meals a day.

I know a lot of people are going through challenges and the main reason for this NGO is to touch lives, to make an impact and put smiles on the faces of the people who didn’t believe that they could get help and ensure that the marginalized and vulnerable categories of people in the rural communities gain access to the fundamental rights of life such as Health Care, Education, Economic Rehabilitation, Social Security & Safe Water.

In what way(s) have you put smiles on the faces of these people you are talking about?

In CHEERS, we realized that the humanitarian problems have to be addressed by means of Collaboration, Coordination and Comprehensive measures.

We are looking forward to scaling up HIV/AIDS service delivery — Ogugua ….as CHEERS commences gender mainstream programmes them at heart- we let them know that we are together that we are all equal before God and that is exactly why we set up this NGO. Do you have any special interest for women and children, both the ones that are in the rural and urban areas?

Yes we do. We work with women and children and we also work with the youth. We are doing the girl child children, we work with pregnant women, and

Vulnerable groups We also pay attention to livelihood transformation and improvement with a beneficiary centered approach. Through our community efforts, we try to restore hope and dignity to vulnerable groups.

We have done a lot of things, we have worked with the community, we have worked with the rural dwellers in the areas, I mean the grass root where they believe the big people, the well to do, the high and mighty do not have business with, but we go to these rural areas, the communities and give them a sense of belonging and make them know that some people have

We try to restore hope and dignity to vulnerable groups...we let them know that we are together that we are all equal before God and that is exactly why we set up this NGO

we work with children that their parents have died from HIV. Our focus really on children is based on health and education, on health we focus mainly on HIV programs, AVC and PMCT like I said before we are working in rural areas we have a HIV counselling and testing centre where people come into the office to test themselves free of charge and that is one thing we are very happy we have achieved. We have a lot of people who come here to do test, people who haven’t known their status, couples who want to get married and we do their test and nobody from CHEERS collects any money and that is also one of the supports we have gotten from National Agency for the Control of AIDs (NACA), NACA has been of immense support to us, they give us test kits, technical support and with their support we are able to do HIV testing for everybody free of charge.

We also go round to the markets, Church, Mosque, Banks, mechanic villages. In fact everywhere people gather in numbers to do the test and it is still free of charge.

Presently if you are asked to rate this organization, on what level is CHEERS now?

We are still a local NGO but we have grown because our track records have also shown what we have done. We are based in Abuja and as we speak CHEERS is

operating in 9 states. We are not an international NGO, it is a Nigerian based non-governmental organisation but we have partners that we work with internationally- we have immense support from USAID. USAID has been a great pillar to us and apart from them. We have MSH an American international NGO has also assisted us.

Major challenge We have a lot of partners that we work with and I believe that together we can always create smiles on faces.

As the founder/owner of this NGO, what were your basic challenges when you were trying to put it together even at this stage it has reached today?

The basic challenge of setting up and NGO is funding. Funding is the major challenge; NGO is something that you can’t do without funding. CHEERS on our own have been able to have some support from some organisations and still at that we are still having challenges on funding so we can’t go to some certain areas or locations to render our services and without funding we won’t be able to do that.

Despite the challenge of fund as you rightly mentioned, what has been your strength to move on?

My main joy is creating smiles and it gives me that joy to see

Proposals to embassies Then we do unsolicited proposal and more often, we send proposals to Embassies too and we are also working with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, SURE-P for support and National Primary Health Care, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS. Some of these people whose lives you touched in one way or the other, in the rural areas- is there any kind of follow up to the treatment, support or assistance given to them?

Anybody that is HIV positive, we refer them to the hospitals and we don’t just stop at that we follow up and make sure they are well taken care of, we make sure they take their drugs but the issue is that we also engage them to be on our support group where we take care of our clients that are positive and they benefit from our support group.

In our support group we give them food, we send them raw food, we supply them provisions because they must eat before taking their medicine and because they are positive people run away from them and refuse to talk to them at times. Some of them have lost their jobs because they are positive we stay and look into that but we still provide essential needs for them.

Subsequently, what other plans or future plans does CHEERS have for Nigerians basically women and children?

In the coming years, CHEERS is looking forward to scaling up HIV/AIDS service delivery basically to give intensive care to women living with HIV. There are also plans to commence Gender mainstream programmes, including girl child education, women empowerment programmes and human rights interventions.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 — 33

Edo PDP crisis deepens

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of the congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, scheduled for September 2015, the crisis in the party has taken a new dimension as another group within the party, the PDP Unity League , has slammed “The New Dawn,” accusing it of hosting illegal meetings and masquerading as harbinger of a new PDP in the state.

A statement in Benin, yesterday, by Tony Alile, State Coordinator of the PDP Unity League also accused the group of craving for relevance and publicity by employing outdated tactics to denigrate certain party officers.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored this bunch of ‘expired drugs’ masquerading as the ‘new dawn’ which some may confuse to mean ‘young’ or ‘fresh’ faces. But as we approach a major gubernatorial election next year, we of the PDP Unity League feel a need to speak out against these nefarious individuals.

“These “expired drugs” are a group of old PDP politicians, who have benefited immensely and contributed tremendously to the fall of the party."

Mrs Felicia Osagbovo for burial

M

RS Felicia Osaigbovo (Nee Eguavoen) of Uhogua village in Ovia North LGA of Edo State is dead. She died on June 17, aged 76 years.

Burial takes place today at her residence, No. 1 Osa Lane, off Osayimare Street before Tipper Garrage Junction, Upper Siluko Road, Benin City.

She is survived by children, grand children and in-laws, including Mr. Norense Ogunmu of Vanguard Media Ltd.

Late Felicia Osaigbovo

Orubebe, an elevated thug — OSHIOMHOLE

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, has described Mr Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as an elevated thug and a political jobber, who is out to make noise as a means of getting his next meal ticket.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, the governor in reaction to Orubebe’s fresh attack on him, said: “Reading Godsday Orubebe’s infantile outburst saying that the governor of Edo State is a “garage boy,” easily exposes the boondocks orientation and lowly mind of someone, who almost plunged the country into political anarchy in the last general election. It easily underscores one of the reasons why the Goodluck Jonathan administration failed abysmally to understand the nexus between promise and performance, between problems and solutions, and above all between prosperity and poverty.

“Orubebe is no more than a common tout and political thug, too illiterate to know the difference between a “garage” and a “motor park,” recruited by his paymasters as Deputy Director-General of the 2015 Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation, and agent provocateur to truncate the last elections. But for the maturity

and sound leadership orientation of Professor Atahiru Jega, Nigeria would still have been reeking in utter anarchy and political protestations.

“With such indecorous conduct coming from a man who ostensibly is an “Elder’ of a Church, calls to question the whole essence of his character, personality, upbringing and spirituality. That singular conduct of his at the election is a living symphony of his egregious blunder, absurdities, incongruities and oddities, all of

which are attributes of touts always desirous to make their voices heard.

“It is due to his amnesia that he forgot to understand that as a Nigerian and Governor of a State, Oshiomhole has statutory right to go in and out of the Presidential Villa to discuss issues that affect Edo State. Former President Jonathan was President of Nigeria and not President of his party, the PDP. He was under obligation to attend to all parties and persons

irrespective of their political affiliation.

“The real problem of former President Jonathan was having people like Orubebe, who pigeonholed him as president of the Ijaw nation and prevented him from appreciating the enormity of the challenges facing the Nigerian nation. To further compound the challenges was the dénouement of his unruly and thuggish imputation during the elections, such tendentious character index that is now synonymous with this NigerDeltan."

AWARD: From left: Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, former Minister for Health,Sir. Remi Omotosho, Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Dr. Nelson Uwaga, President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management(Chartered), and Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, former, CEO, Nestle Plc., during the NIM awards,fellows and spouses day luncheon at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

DESOPADEC BOARD: Ijaw leader accuses Okowa

of bias U

By Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—NIGER Delta activist and Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Sheriff Mulade has accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of being biased against the Ijaws in favour of the Urhobos in the appointment of representatives on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC. Mulade in a statement, yesterday, hinted that despite producing the largest quantum of oil in the state, the Ijaw ethnicity was allocated two representatives while their Urhobo counterpart got four.

Expressing displeasure over what he described as a lopsided appointment into the board, Mulade said that the production of oil in the state was not based on population nor senatorial district but according to the production quantum of the oil producing communities.

According to him, “It is shocking to see that the Ijaw nation as a major oil producing area has only two members on the board while our counterpart,

the Urhobos have four representatives. Does it mean that their production quantum

is higher than ours?”

On the allocation of the commissioners on the board,

he advised that such allocation should be based on the production quantum of the various ethnicities represented.

....As Gov flags off training programme for youths

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has said his administration was committed to the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, MSMEs. Flagging off a training programme for 1,645 youths in the state at the Soghai-Delta, Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area, Okowa said that MSMEs was the best way

to tackle youth unemployment, adding that more than 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria employ less than 100 persons which put them in the MSMEs category, noting that it was a sector that can get most of Nigerian youths off the street.

He said: “By definition, MSMEs are companies that employ less than 250 persons and available statistics indicate that 97 per cent of all

businesses in Nigeria employ less than 100 persons and they account for about 50 percent of Nigeria’s productive workforce and 46.54 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. “While multinational companies and big corporations get all the public attention and acclaim for their capacity to induce foreign investment capital, MSMEs remain the backbone for economic growth and social development in any society."

DESOPADEC contractors demand full payment

A

SABA—THE Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC General Contractors, have demanded the full payment of money owed them, insisting that the 15 percent that the commission paid to them was not sufficient because they were indebted to banks, from where they secured the funds for the project.

In a statement, representatives of the General Contrators, Mr. Emma Okoh and Ugochuku Uzor, are demanding that for the equity and fairness, praying the commission should pay them 100 percent of what is owed them, since contractors that have the backing of those in government have received full payment

despite the fact that the general contractors have received certificates for full payment.

They said that despite the certificates they received for full payment, the commission still insisted on paying them 15 percent, though with a promise to pay the outstanding, noting that they were indebted to the banks.

34— Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Imo govt urged to extend maternity leave to six months

2ND NIGER BRIDGE: Oshiomhole lied on

N140bn consultancy services —Onolememen ….As Igbo group blasts Buhari over stoppage of construction

By Favour Nnabugwu and Francis Igata

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE 2015 World Breastfeeding Week has successfully rolled to an end in Imo State, with a call on the state government to extend the maternity leave of nursing mothers from three to six months.

Addressing the participants during the closing ceremony, yesterday, in Owerri, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Lizzy Asuzu, explained that the appeal had become necessary, especially as it corresponded with the prescription of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. Mrs. Asuzu, who was represented by the State Coordinator of Baby Friendly Initiative, Miss Chinwe Chukwukere expressed regret that only 8.9 per cent of nursing mothers in the state practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months, while only 28.1 per cent have embraced appropriate complementary feeding".

T

HE FORMER Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen yesterday faulted the allegation by Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration expended N140 billion on Consultancy services on the 2nd Niger Bridge Project.

Onolememen in a statement availed to Vanguard in Abuja through his former Special Assistant on Media, Mr Tony Ikpasaja deflated the allegations of the Governor, stating that the past administration could not have spent N140bn on consultancy when the total cost of the project was N108bn, thus describing the Governor ’s accusation as a premeditated art to misinform and sensitise Nigerians.

“It is also pertinent to call on Governor Oshiomhole, for the sake of our collective national interest, to tell Nigerians the source of his

information about his alleged N140 billion-consultancy cost for a project with a total cost of N108 Billion only.

“The total project cost is N108 billion (excluding Duties and Value Added Tax) with a completion period of about 48 months. This cost was arrived at, after BPP’s review of the concessionaire’s submitted cost of N138 billion.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), guided by the Transaction Adviser, Roughton International, agreed to provide a refundable Catalytic Funding of N30 Billion. By May 2015, N10bn Catalytic Funding was paid from the Federal Ministry of Works’ SURE-P Budget to fast track the early and substructural works of the bridge.”

On the deliberate action of Oshiomhole to discredit the past administration, the ExMinister of Works said, “Rather than give in to such misinformation and sensationalism, the completion of the project, vis-à-vis sustaining the interest of the international investors that have signified interests in the project should be paramount.

IGR: Ebonyi hosts indigenous artistes, others

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State government has concluded arrangement, yesterday, to host indigenous artistes from the state, who are making waves in the entertainment industry.

The artistes, especially those in music and movie industries alongside other invited non-

indigenous stars, are expected to have arrived Ebonyi State yesterday , according to the state Committee on Culture and Tourism.

Briefing newsmen in Abakaliki, the committee Chairman, Dr. Jerry Uhuo, stated that the essence of the event was to showcase to the world the hidden potential of the state using the entertainment industry as an essential

mechanism.

He observed that Ebonyi has great and hidden potential, which if harnessed, could boost the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the state.

“If we can harness the kind of potential we have, we wouldn’t have ordinarily been talking about crude oil. What we have is enough to give Ebonyi what it needed to develop."

“As a senior public officer, it is expected that the Comrade Governor would have crosschecked his facts before jumping to make such wild and spurious allegations.

Otherwise, Governor Oshiomhole should tender unreserved apology to Nigerians for misleading the public on this project.”

While setting the record straight, Onolememenn said the 2nd Niger Bridge Project was procured as a Public Private Partnership project under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. This implies that the successful concessionaire, JB-NSIA Consortium has responsibility for the Design, Finance and Construction of the project, as well as its operation and maintenance for a concessionary period of 25 years.”

Meantime, a pan-Igbo Group,Enugu Unity Forum, EUF, yesterday,took a swipe on President Muhammad Buhari, describing his directive last Wednesday,for stoppage of construction of 2nd Niger Bridge as act of marginalization.

EUF was reacting to the outcome of the meeting between the President and the Director General,Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission,ICRC, where reasons adduced for stoppage of construction ranges from the actual cost of bridge,nonissuance of Certificate of Compliance,non-compensation of the host communities and nonadherence to due process.

Speaking with Vanguard on the development, EUF President, Mr. Tahil Ochi frowned at the

idea of stopping construction work on the bridge adding that the bridge serves as a major artery to all parts of the country.

He said,”The recommendation for stoppage of work is not acceptable. If there are shortcomings between the Federal Government and the contractors, it should be addressed squarely.

“The bridge is of utmost importance to the south-east and Nigeria as a whole. We perceive this as marginalization. The All Progressives Congress,APC, led government should ensure its completion as planned.

“The change, the President is preaching should change the status of that bridge for us to have confidence in his change mantra.

He should also ensure that the revitalization of Enugu Coal to compliment energy supply in the country which was part of his campaign promise to us commences immediately.”

Another respondent,former Commissioner for Inter Ministerial Affairs,Enugu State,Mr. Beloved-Dan Anike said,”the project has been an outcry of the Igbo since after the war. I do believe that the stoppage is not politically motivated.

“If it is for technical reasons and review of the project,caution should be applied as the bridge will serve all Nigerians.

However, as at press time,the apex Igbo sociocultural group,Ohaneze Ndigbo was yet to come out with a position on the matter.

When Vanguard contacted the President General,Chief Enwo-Gary Igariwey, he said he will study the issue and make a proper position known.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On President Buhari’s corruption war?

I

trust Mr. President.

The only thing that I ask of him is that he should not forget to probe Bukola Saraki, Amaechi, Tinubu, Atiku, Kwakwanso, others. If he probes them, then he is serious in his anti-graft war. -Mr. Olawale Oyebode, Self Employed

I

f Buhari can take up Obasanjo, Atiku, Tinubu, Amaechi and Rochas, then he will do well in fighting corruption. But if he cannot, it means that he is just beating about the bush because OBJ is the reason Nigeria as a country is still under-developed. -Mr. Ernest Aneke, Worker

W

hat I can say about President Buhari’s anti-graft war is that Nigerians should not be in a hurry. There is no hiding place for the corrupt. Zero tolerance to corruption is our goal. -Princess Bolanle Aladesanmi, Businesswoman

O

ur president must be very careful so that those people surrounding him, including serving APC governors, especially the ones from S/East and S/South, do not corrupt him.

They all know themselves.

Presido, we need to expand our prison first o! -Mr. Kazeem Aremu, Worker

I

do not know how PMB would prosecute his party henchmen who are alleged to be corrupt. Most of these people helped him to come to power and Nigerians know them well.

To me, I do not think it is going to work. -Miss Sandy Faith, Student

P

resident Buhari’s antigraft war is going to rock the boat and I pray he does not sink with the corrupt ones. He will step on many toes. I just wish him success because I totally agree with him that there must be cleansing. Mr. Nelson Nwamara, Entrepreneur

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 — 35

In Jigawa, nominee for commissioner turns down post

By Aliyu Dangida

D

UTSE—JIGAWA political landscape was thrown into controversy yesterday, following the list of commissioner nominees sent to the state Assembly

by Governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.

Vanguard reports that Badaru’s list of nominees was said to include individuals with no grassroots contacts and political acumen.

Ironically, his All Progressive Congress, APC chieftain and former Accountant General, Hadi Ukashatu, kick started the trouble when he openly rejected his appointment as chairman, Board of Internal Revenue.

Alhaji Hadi Ukashatu said Badaru deliberately offered him the appointment in a fringe organization, knowing full well Jigawa lacked commercials activities that will generate revenue.

Buhari’s 1st 100 days in office remarkable — TSAV

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—FORMER Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav,

yesterday, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had recorded remarkable achievements in his first 100 days in office.

Tsav, who spoke in Makurdi, the Benue State, said the present administration had demonstrated so much zeal to tackle the country’s challenges

MEETING: Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, (left), exchanging view with the MD of LAPO Microfinance Bank Ltd, Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe during an advocacy meeting with in Abuja.

Gombe spends N20bn on education

By Ndahi Marama

Why NCC is investing in sports —MUOKA

By Dave Osho

A

BUJA—THE N i g e r i a n Communications Commission, NCC, has approved the sum of N11 million prize money for young tennis players that will emerge winners in the ongoing NCC championship going on across the country.

The Head of Public Affairs department in the Commission, Mr. Reuben Muoka, stated this at the weekend during the NCC tennis championship holding at the national stadium, Abuja.

Muoka said the Commission initiated the tennis sponsorship to create an avenue that would pave way for Nigerian tennis players to play at the global level.

He also explained that the idea behind the sponsorship was to give Nigeria an image boost at the global arena, sine tennis was one of the most popular games after football that gave individual players unusual popularity.

which, according to him, deserves commendation.

He said: “So far so good, the first hundred days in office of President Mohammadu Buhari has witnessed remarkable achievements.”

“In the area of insurgency,’he has taken proactive action by his visits to neighboring countries, G7

University of Maiduguri Prof.

Ibrahim Njodi, accompanied A I D U G U R I —THE by top management staff of the governor of Gombe university paid him a courtesy State, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan call at Government House, Dankwambo, has disclosed Gombe. that the state government has According to the governor, in the last four years, spent the amount was used for the over N20 billion towards the provision of infrastructure, educational development of building of new schools, renovation as well as provision the state.

He made the disclosure of furniture for primary, and higher when the Vice-Chancellor, secondary

M

Kogi pledges support for christian pilgrims commission

By Kingsley Fanwo

G

OVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State has pledged the commitment of the state to provide all the assistance needed to enhance the operations of the Christian Pilgrim Commission in the state.

The governor made the pledge yesterday while receiving in audience the executive secretary of National Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, and other management staff of the commission in Lugard House, Lokoja.

Wada hailed the NCPC boss for injecting dynamism into the commission, saying the the new initiative of introducing youths to skills acquisition while on pilgrimage, was in tandem with his administration’s determination to empower the youths of the state to wealth

creators.

The governor said the prevailing financial meltdown might not enable the state sponsor many pilgrims to the Holy Land this year.

He, however, assured the commission that the state would support it to achieve set objectives.

Speaking earlier, the NCPC helmsman told the governor that he was in the state to sensitize the people and government on the new innovations in the commission.

He said apart from the skills acquisition programme for youths, the commission was also ready to start paying pilgrimage to both Greece and Rome.

Opara said the decision of the commission to promote skill acquisition for the youths while on pilgrimage was to enable them to become resourceful and to also create job opportunities.

institutions in the state, adding that to further boost the educational advancement of the sector , over three thousand graduates and NCE holders were employed to teach in the state.

The state government, he further said, entered into contracts with publishers for the provision of text books and other writing materials for pupils in the state free of charge, stressing that government had also reviewed the curricula of schools in the state in order to be in line with modern day needs of the state.

Notwithstanding the existence of the state university, the governor said a state Polytechnic and College of Education had also been established for technical and middle manpower requirement of the state.

He added that a school of Islamic Studies and a Bible School would soon be opened, while a School of Journalism was also in the pipeline.

Governor Dankwambo acknowledged and thanked both past and present ViceChancellors of the University of Maiduguri for their contribution towards the development of Gombe State educationally and administratively, stressing that the visit to the state by the university management would no doubt further boost and strengthen the relationship between the government and

meeting and the USA which has seen our Military making remarkable success in their war against Boko Haram.

“Even though President Buhari has not yet appointed Ministers, the performance of the various agencies is quite commendable.

“The power supply situation has improved, fuel supply is almost stabilized and the fight against corruption is yielding the desired results. Some looters are willingly surrendering part of their loot.

“I admire the style of leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. He has taken his time to receive briefing from permanent secretaries in order to acquaint himself with the situation on ground in the various Ministries and Agencies before appointing ministers.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is doing a great job and I commend him and all Nigerians should also do that. He is God sent and a gift from God to Nigeria and Nigerians, a pride to his family and friends, and a source of inspiration to all honest Nigerians.

“He must, however, do something to check the actions, utterances and demeanour of those party men who are trying to rubbish the wind of change.”

Bauchi appoints SSG as 11th Emir of Misau

By Suzan Edeh

B

A U C H I — BAUCHI State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has appointed Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman as the new Emir of Misau.

The new Emir of Miasu was until his appointment Secretary to the State Government and was appointed SSG on July 3, 2015.

Appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Sulaiman as the 11th Emir of Misau came after the death of the Alhaji Muhammadu Manga, the 10th Emir of Misau who died on August 17, 2015.

According to a press statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, Hashimu Yakubu, the new Emir of Misau has held various positions in the state civil service, including being Principal Private Secretary from 1980-1983.

It said: “ pursuant to the powers conferred on him by section (3) of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, His Excellency Mohammed Abdullahi Abubkar has approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman as the 11th Emir of Misau.

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

C M Y K

BUSINESS: From left— Dr. Oba Otudeko, Chairman, Honeywell Group; Dr. Donald Kaberuka, outgoing President, African Development Bank; Alhaji Bello Maccido, Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings Plc; and Mr. Bisi Onasanya, Group Managing Director, FBN Plc, at a business dinner in Lagos.

NBA CONFAB: Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State (left) and Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State at the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA's weeklong annual general conference in Abuja.

SON SEMINAR: From left— Dr. Joseph Odumodu, Director General/ Chief Executive, Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON; Dr. Frank Jacobs, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, and Mr. Ezra Zubairu, Director, Policy and Programmes Monitoring Federation Revenue, during the sensitization seminar on integration of SON’s e-certificates in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

DINNER: From left— Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale; her husband, Mr. Kolawole Ayanwale, Group CEO, Centrespread FCB; Mr. Su Jiansen, outgoing MD; Mrs Bakare-Balogun Olutoyin, Pharmaceutical Director, both of Tasly World Nigeria Co. Ltd; Engr. Jaye Balogun; and Mr. David Deng Bin of Tasly, at a sendforth dinner in honour of Jiansen in Lagos, Wednesday.

INNERWHEEL EMPOWERMENT: From left— Mrs Olayinka Ayanwale, Chairman, Inner Wheel District 911; Miss Omolara Ayodeji, trainee; Mrs Osanike Ajadi, immediate past National Representative, and Mrs Zainab Ikheloa, Head, Vocational Training Centre, during the vocational training and empowerment of trainees by Inner Wheel District 911 in Lagos.

NESTLE SYMPOSIUM: From left— Mrs Bola Ofowe, Tender Business Manager, Nestle Infant Nutrition; Dr. Rizwan Yusuf, Category Manager, Nestle Nutrition; Dr. Yvonne Olaloku, Field Operation Manager, Nestle Infant Nutrition; Dr. Oluwabiyi Olufunmi, keynote speaker and Head Paediatrician, Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos; and Dr. Mustapha Akinwale, Head Paediatrician, Randle General Hospital, Surulere, at the Nestle nutrition scientific symposium in Lagos, Wednesday.

VARSITY OUTREACH: From left— Jide Atandeyi, Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Akure Branch; Dr. Oladele Isiaka and Engr.

Valerie Agberagba, Executive Director of SCIETECH, at SCIETECH's university outreach on Developing the Next Generation held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA.

CONV ENTION: From left— Pastor Matthew Adebanjo, Head, St. Michael Christ Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, Abaranje, Lagos; Dr. Babafemi Aladeselu, guest speaker; and Dr. Stephen Adenikan, Chief Host, at the seven days and nights prayer convention of C & S Movement Church, Imole Ayo Circuit, in Igode, Ogun State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

C M Y K

— 37

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Golden rules about flying with kids

T

OWARDS making flying smooth in the holiday season, mega carrier, British Airways has offered parents some basic reminder steps to ensure a pleasant flying experience for passengers, including children.

According to the Country Commercial Manager for West Africa at British Airways, Kola Olayinka, British Airways has always been concerned about ensuring a comfortable flying experience for every passenger to prevent stress on board.

Offering advice on how to enjoy a good flying experience, Olayinka explained that, ‘’When travelling with children, it is important to have a careful plan and take certain precautionary steps that will ensure that a child is relaxed, occupied and comfortable.”

He added that, being in a confined space with a noisy youngster can be awkward for parents and irritating to fellow flyers. “Most children are naturally quite excited about flying. The trick is to harness that interest, without them getting over-excited, while ensuring they do not become fretful in an unfamiliar environment.”

Unfamiliar environment Olayinka thereafter proposed steps to enjoy flying with children without stress to include booking online before one leaves for the airport; take advantage of all the concessions offered to families such as being allowed to take strollers to the door of the aircraft when boarding.

He said families also get priority when boarding, so those travelling with their families can wait until other passengers have disembarked before doing so with their families.

Other advises given by Olayinka include having to understand air-pressure, “ the pressurisation in passenger aircraft is likely to be your child’s main source of discomfort. During ascent and descent, giving the child food or drink will trigger his or her swallowing reflex, which will help the ears equalise.

He added that it is better not to sit kids on the aisle, as they may bump passing trolleys, which have hard edges and hot water.

Finally, Olayinka advised parents to remember that the aircrew are their allies and it is in their interest to ensure that they have an enjoyable flight, urging them not to be reluctant to ask for help.

C M Y K

The Arugba (Votary Maid) surrounded by devotees and the people as she made her way to the Osun river with the ritual calabash on Friday during the celebration of this year's Osun Osogbo festival.

Devotees, tourists celebrate yet another Osun festival

By Jimoh Babatunde

T

HE frenzy of activity in the ancient town of Osogbo last week Friday was indescribable as devotees of Osun as well as lovers of culture trooped out for yet another celebration of goddess of Osun river.

The celebration of the Osun festival dates back to the 13th century and has grown to become the most famous of all traditional festivals in the South-Western part of the country.

Recognised festival One can not but agree with Otunba Gani Adams who said Osun Osogbo is the most recognised festival in the history of Nigeria.

“Osun Festival has proved to Africans in the Diaspora that it is an event which is one of the best in the world. There was a challenge last year because of the Ebola virus, but Osun Festival is celebrated with pomp this year. You can see it from the large turnout of the people here”, he said.

As early as 7am on that faithful Friday, the major streets leading to the groove from the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo land, had been taken over by large crowd positioned to have a clear view of the Votary maid (Arugba).

The Arugba is usually the centre of activities on the final day of the two week long festival. As she made her way from the palace at

the Oja-Oba to the groove with the ritual calabash meant to appease and worship the Osun goddess, the crowd went wild in jubilations offering prayers as she lead the people to the Osun shrines.

They sang, danced as they followed the Arugba and the Oba to the groove, Chief Gabriel Oparanti, the second in command to the Ataoja, said the festival has been celebrated since Oba Larooye founded Osogbo many centuries ago. He revealed that the goddess of the river was a living being, and the annual festival was to appreciate it for its covenant which it never breaks.

“The goddess has been so faithful to us and there are many testimonies to prove its faithfulness to us”.

On the continued progress and development which Osun groove

Osun Festival has proved to Africans in the Diaspora that it is an event which is one of the best in the world

has achieved since the Osun festival started, the Osogbo high chief stressed that the festival will continue to attract multitudes due to the covenant between the goddess of the river and the founding fathers of the town.

He said “Year in year out the Osun Osogbo festival attract mammoth crowd, with unprecedented list of eminent personalities gracing the festival which is celebrated at the shrine, located in the outskirts of the capital of Osun state.”

“There was an everlasting covenant between the goddess of the river and the founding fathers of Osogbo land. It was a unique covenant and the covenant cannot be broken. Since we have always honoured our own part, the goddess of the river has to honour its.

Little wonder why Osun festival has turned to an international festival that is now celebrated not only in Osogbo or Nigeria, but in some other foreign countries of the world like Brazil and France” he said.

For Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, the Araba of Osogbo, while expressing happiness at the turn out of devotees and tourists, said there is no doubt in the ability of the goddess of the river to give to people whatever their requests.

“My mother was barren for several years and she later went to river Osun where she was promised a child if she could drink the water from Osun River, and I was told that my mother conceived that same month and I am the product of that covenant, that’s why I was

named Osundagbonu.”

He revealed that he derived his first name, Osundagbonu from the goddess of the river, having been given birth to after a promise to his mother by the priestess of the river.

Jimoh Buraimoh, an Osogbobased artist and key stakeholder of the festival, is particularly happy that this year’s festival is better than last year’s. “I am happy because this year’s event is better than last year,” he said. “The Ebola crisis almost denied us the opportunity last year; but you can see that all that has now changed.”

ForNikeOkundaye,anotherglobally respected artist of the Osogbo art school: “We are all happy because if you come here, you will see that everybody in Osogbo is happy. The festival this year is well organised because we were not happy with what happened last year.”

Culture and tradition Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, speaking later with some reporters said thegrowingnumberofpeoplefrom several cultures identifying with the festival shows how much of a world-acclaimed event it has attained. This, according to him, is critical in the preservation of culture and tradition.

“Thereistheneedtofullyappreciate and register my gratitude to UNESCO for not only designating theOsunGroveasaWorldHeritage Monument,butforalsoelevatingthe festival beyond the shores of Osogbo,OsunState,Nigeria,tothewhole world,” he said. He also used the occasion to urge the Osun people, and Nigerians, not to emulate the attitude of people who throw away theirculture.“Yourcultureistheonly way that you can show

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—39

Ekiti PDP chair arrested over dud cheque

By Rotimi Olaleye

C

HAIRMAN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, Idowu Faleye, was yesterday arrested by police in connection with the dud cheque issued for the payment of the rent of the state secretariat.

Faleye was reportedly arrested at 5p.m., Wednesday, by a special police squad from the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

However, Faleye, who debunked the allegation, said he was only invited by the police about the controversial cheque and was released, because he was able to authenticate that his signature was not appended to the cheque.

The PDP boss said he had exonerated himself of complicity in the matter, saying the police freed him immediately he wrote his statement.

Faleye said it would be misinformation for anybody to link him with the controversial cheque he never signed, describing the rumour as the handiwork of his political adversaries.

Teenager accused of killing 18-yr-old over girlfriend

By Onozure Dania

L

AGOS—MAGISTRATE O. O. Fowowe-Erusiafe of an Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Oyingbo, yesterday, remanded 19-year-old Ibrahim Ogunkoya in prison custody, for allegedly stabbing one Toyin Eniolan, 18, to death.

Ogunkoya, a footballer, was arraigned on a twocount charge bordering on conspiracy and murder, preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Gbemileke Agoi, had earlier told the court that the defendant stabbed Eniola in his armpit because he had snatched his girlfriend.

The defendant's plea was not taken; the court adjourned the case to October 19 for hearing.

33-yr-old man commits suicide in Ondo over job loss

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—THE decomposing body of a 33-year-old man, Gbenga Ogundana, has been discovered by Police detectives in Akure, Ondo State capital, after he reportedly committed suicide over loss of his job.

Vanguard gathered that the body was discovered in his rented apartment located at Orisunmbare Street, Cultural Centre, Akure, four days after

he allegedly poisoned himself.

Vanguard was informed that neighbours of the deceased had earlier reported to his elder brother, Segun, that the whereabouts of his brother was unknown.

Reports had it that his elder brother, Segun, called the deceased’s phone line without success. On arrival at the house, Segun discovered that the doors and window of his brother ’s room were locked from within.

He, and other neighbours, went to the police station and with the help of detectives, the door was forced open and the decomposing corpse discovered on the bed.

The remains were later evacuated and deposited in the general hospital morgue by the police detectives for post-mortem examination Vanguard learned that the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, CIID, of the state police

command was currently working to unravel the mystery surrounding his death.

A police source said that findings so far suggested that the deceased might have poisoned himself, having lost his job a few weeks ago.

The command’s spokesman, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident and said detectives had launched an investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding the death.

Residents of Majidun and Ogolonto, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, protesting killing of three members of their community by security agents at the Lagos House Assembly premises, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

DRUG BUST: NDLEA arrests another Arik Air staff

By Daniel Eteghe

L

AGOS—OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday, arrested another Arik Air staff, Mr. I kechukwu Oliver, an alleged accomplice in the smuggling of 20 kilogrammes of cocaine by Mr. Chika Udensi.

Udensi, a staff of the airline was arrested by the United Kingdom Border Force at Heathrow Airport, London, last Monday, with the drug.

The suspect, Oliver, who works as a catering loader, was found to have undermined airport security by concealing the cocaine in catering supplies.

Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, said preliminary investigation revealed that both Oliver and Udensi had been infiltrated by a drug cartel.

Ofoyeju said Oliver revealed to anti-narcotic officers that it was Udensi that introduced him to illicit drug smuggling.

He said 35-year-old Oliver, who hails from Isialagwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, was normally paid N400,000 for smuggling drugs.

Oliver's story

Narrating his ordeal, Oliver said he was brought into the illicit drug deal by his colleague, Mr. Chika Udensi, a senior member of Arik Air cabin crew, who was arrested in London on flight W3101.

He said: “It was Chika that introduced me into the drug deal. Whenever Chika gives me the drug, I will hide it in catering supplies.

“Chika knows where to collect the drug inside the flight. They pay me N400,000 per bag. I was expecting N1.2 million for the three bags that I smuggled into the aircraft.”

The graduate of Business Administration was employed

by Arik Air in 2009.

Giade reacts

Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, has ordered that henceforth all airport workers must be extensively screened.

The NDLEA boss stressed that all catering trucks, luggage trucks, aviation fuel tankers, machines and personnel, whose duty directly or indirectly relate to the tarmac and flight

operations, shall be subjected to full screening.

He also noted that as part of investigation, the rented apartment of Mr. Chika at Pastor Ojediran Street Ejigbo, Lagos, was searched by operatives of the NDLEA. Giade said: “Chika lives there with the mother and siblings, while his wife and children are based in Canada.

“The latest Range Rover car belonging to the prime suspect parked on the airline’s premises has also been moved to the NDLEA office as exhibit.”

Giade explained that the 20 kilogrammes of cocaine found with Chika in London was concealed within laptop bags, adding that the quantity and estimated street value of the cocaine was over N100 million.

Police rescue pregnant teenagers, babies from Enugu ‘maternity home’

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—FIVE pregnant girls and nine babies, under one year old, have been recovered from a maternity home, identified as Daughters of Divine Home Pro-live, located on Aria Road, by Cemetery axis of Enugu metropolis.

The recovery followed information received by the operatives of the Central Police Station, Enugu, who stormed the home on August 21.

According to police source, the victims are helping the

operatives of the Anti-Child Trafficking Unit of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, CIID, in its investigations.

However, the alleged owner of the home, a Reverend Sister, maintained that she has the approval of relevant authorities to run the home. Said approval had not been produced at press time.

One of the babies recovered from the home was said to be the child of a second year student in a university, who alleged that she gave birth at the home for safe keeping.

40 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Shawwal 29, 1436 A.H.

AHMADIYA CONFERENCE 2015 IN LONDON

•Muslims taking bai'at from the Ahmadiyya World Leader, Hazrat Mirza Masroor at the event.

Hazrat Masroor and his wife (right) presenting an award of excellence to a member during the Jalsa.

Dr. Mashuud Fashola, Amir Ahmadiyya Nigeria presenting a gift from Etubom Council in Calabar to Ahmadiyya World Leader, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad at his residence in London.

Alhaji Murtala Gbadeyanka Busari, CEO, MITV and Star FM, Nigeria, Director of Affairs, Abdul Majid Tahir and Dr. AbdulGaniy Enahoro, Naibul Amir, South East, Nigeria, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat at the event.

The 750 year old Quran on display at the Jalsa ground.

•Sierra Leone President, Victor B. Foh, (2nd right) and other delegation from the country at the event in London.

Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, the biggest Mosque in Europe.

Qasim Akinreti, Asst Director, News, Voice of Nigeria, Pam Moon, Christian and Researcher, Ishola Balogun, Vanguard Media Ltd, Nigeria, Muslim, Barry Shortzy, a Jew and Saheed, MITV during interfaith dialogue at the event.

•Muslims at the 2015 UK Jalsa Salana during the closing ceremony.

C M Y K

From left: Sunkami Ajao, Reporter, MITV; Alh Qasim Akinreti, Asst Director News, Voice of Nigeria; Mallam Naseer Bajwa, Imam Baitul Futuh Mosque, London; Mr Tunde Okunola, GM, MITV, and Ishola Balogun at Baitul Futuh Mosque, London

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—41

We have subsidy package for telcos —Danbatta

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE EXECUTIVE Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof.

Umar Garba Danbatta, has said the Commission is planning a subsidy package to encourage the service providers in the telecom sector to expand their infrastructure base and provide better quality of service to subscribers.

Danbatta disclosed this on Tuesday, during the Universal Service Provision Fund, USPF, interactive meeting with states’ School Knowledge Centre, SKC Desk officers at the NCC conference room, Abuja.

He said the Commission under his leadership is determined to improve quality of service delivery in the nation’s telecom sector, while taking into cognizance specified international standards set by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU.

Chief Godfrey Iloha buried

ABIA @ 24: Gov Ikpeazu vows to change

citizens' lives

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu has told the people of Abia State that his mission in government was to uplift their living standard.

Addressing the people on the occasion to mark the 24th anniversary of the creation of the State, Governor Ikpeazu said he would do this by improving on

the quality of governance, driving a new innovation and creating new opportunities for the citizenry through a total overhaul of the public service system.

In a state wide radio broadcast, the governor commended the people for their sacrifice and support in nurturing and growing the state to its current level of development.

Also, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Martins Azubuike has commended Abia

people for their interest in the effort to develop the State, and urged them to remain stead fast.

Azubuike called for support for the administration of Governor Ikpeazu, and expressed hope that he would take the state to a higher height even as he expressed satisfaction with the projects already embarked on by the governor to move to develop the state.

Governor Ikpeazu also commended Abia people for

FUND RAISING: From left, Bauch State governor, Mohammed Abdullahi; Chairman, Jaiz Bank Plc, Alhaji Umaru Abdul-Mutallab; Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzo Kalu, during Advocacy and Fund Raising for Internally Displaced Persons in the North East, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

“demonstrating an unflinching faith and belief in the state even in the face of daunting challenges”, saying that the progress recorded by the state in its 24 years of existence would not have been possible without the devotion and commitment of the citizenry towards the vision of the state.

The governor further applauded the founding fathers of the state, both the dead and the living, who fought doggedly for the creation of the state out of the old Imo State in 1991, praying that “history shall remember them for their patriotism and visionary leadership” and described them “as men of good conscience”.

According to Ikpeazu, the founding father envisioned a state that would be guided by the principles of justice and equity as enshrined in the Abia Charter of Equity, pointing out that “this dream must be kept aflame and the labour of our heroes sustained”.

In his own message to mark the occasion, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April general election in the state, Dr. Alex Otti felicitated with the people and urged them to devote the period of the celebration to pray for the emancipation of the state from the stranglehold of the political slave masters, who, he said, had in the last 16 years, plundered the fortunes of the state, leaving the people more impoverished than they met them.

Mbazulike Amechi challenges Buhari to probe APC members Late Chief Iloha

C

HIEF GODFREY Iloha, a native of Oma Eke, Udi LGA, Enugu State, who died January 14, 2015, had since been buried.

Women convention

W

O M E N

FOUNDATION of God’s Delight Gospel Assembly, in Udu LGA, Delta State, is holding the 2nd anniversary of the women convention slated for August 30 to September 6, 2015.

In a statement by Pastor Faith Johnmark-Ighosotu, President of God’s Delight Gospel Assembly Women Foundation and Sister Amaka Nwankwo, women leader, there will be a rally on Sunday August 30, followed by Sports day, Health talk and visitation to the orphanage.

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—FIRST Republic Aviation Minister and nationalist, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to show Nigerians and the world that he is sincere about his anti corruption stance, by extending the probe of corrupt past political office holders in the former President Jonathan’s administration to his party men and alleged sponsors his election.

Speaking with newsmen at Nnewi shortly after the 5th Nnewi Economic Summit and Launch of Compendium of Nnewi Industrial Activities, organized by the Nnewi Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, NCCIMA, at Nnewi, Chief Amechi also warned that no section of the country or anybody in the country, no matter how highly place will push Ndigbo into a position of irrelevance or the situation of 1967.

While pledging his total and

unreserved support for the anti corruption stance of the President Buhari and probing of past political office holders, contractors and individuals alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices in the country, Chief Amechi urged the President to also be bold to probe

those who sponsored his election, saying they are the worst corrupt people in the country.

“I am totally and unreservedly in support of President Muhammadu Buhari, in the fight against corruption. I support the the probe of past political office holders, but all I'm saying is that,

if you go back to PDP government, we had corrupt elements, if you go to APC, their Governors who funded the President in his campaign and subsequent election are the most corrupt people in the country."

Ahead of 100 days in office, Ugwuanyi orders contractors to speed up projects

G

OVERNOR IFEANYI Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called on contractors handling the on-going projects in the state to speed up actions to enable the state actualize its target of completing some of the projects before its 100 days in office.

The governor gave the directive through the State Commissioner for works and infrastructure, Engr.

Patrick Ikpenwa during his official visits to the new Government House building project and the Airport Roundabout-Emene Road project to inspect the on-going external

works and rehabilitation work, respectively.

The Commissioner who was accompanied to the sites by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele, disclosed the commitment of the governor towards the completion of the projects and his desire to showcase them along others projects during his 100 days in office.

He expressed optimism that the contractor handling the Government House project, Arab Contractor O. A.O Nigeria Limited will heed to the directive and

speed up action so that the governor ’s desire will be achieved.

“We are here to inspect one of our projects, and this particular one is the Lion Building. As you can see , the project is about 95% completed. At present, we are working on the external works and you can see that it is about being concluded. It might interest you to know that this is one of the projects that the governor of Enugu State is interested in showcasing in his 100 days in office."

42— Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Anambra PDP chieftain urges party to change name

By Naomi Uzor

A

CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Coordinator, Reality Campaign Organisation of Nigeria, RECOONS, for Onitsha North Local Government Area, Hon, Okwudili Ozor, has urged the National Executive and Working Committees of PDP to rename the party.

Ozor, who made the call while examining the failure of the party in the 2015 election, said: “Change of the party's name to National Democratic Party or any other nomenclature that reflects the broad objectives of its founding fathers, will send the right signal that the party is desirous of wearing a new face in its bid to become a virile opposition.

“Now is the time for the party to bring in young and vibrant Nigerians to the leadership level of the party to drive a revolution and redefinition of opposition in the country."

Speaking on PDP’s chances of winning Anambra governorship election in 2018, Ozor who was a one-time deputy chairman of the party in the local government area said all the three or four camps in the party must now unite under the umbrella of leaders like Senator Andy Uba or Chief Arthur Ezeh.

Stop meddling in Anambra govt institutions, LP tells Obiano’s wife Rather, LP reminded her of the need to draw a thin line between her office (the office of the wife of NITSHA—ANAMBRA the governor) which has no State chapter of the Labour constitutional role in the Nigerian Party, LP, has advised the wife of constitution and other institutions Governor Willie Obiano, Mrs. of governance in the state.

State Chairman of the party, Comrade Luke Ezeanokwasa who gave the advice in Awka, while speaking to newsmen, said their investigations revealed that just recently, Mrs. Azuka Enemuo, the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters resigned her appointment due to intimidation emanating from the governor’s wife and her cronies.

According to Ezeanokwasa, “The governror’s wife went as far as illegally treating and endorsing files meant to be endorsed by the then Commissioner Enemuo FORUM: From left, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, in a and we in the Labour Party handshake with the Principal of Queen’s School, Enugu, Mrs. Ezigbo are hereby advising Mrs. Nzeakor; as the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uchenna Eze; Senior Obiano to borrow a leaf from Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Sam Ugwu, Permanent the wives of the former Secretary, Post Primary Schools Management Board, PPSMB, Mrs. governors in the state who Favour Ugwuanyi, look on, during his arrival for the Enugu State in their respective tenures Education Forum, at Queen’s School, Enugu’s auditorium…yesterday. in office as first ladies of the state engaged in charitable

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

O

Ebelechukwu Obiano to stop using her position as the first lady of the state to interfere unduly with the running of the institutions of governance in the state by intimidating and harassing government functionaries.

Industrialists in Onitsha protest, block entry, exit gates at SON's Awka office

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—SOME Onitsha based industrialists,

intimidation, yesterday, protested against called the Standard Organization of harassment, alleged demand Nigeria, SON, over what they for bribe, before issuance of MANCAP Certificate and deliberate frustration of their industries for allegedly, The event tagged 2nd August refusing to part with millions Meeting/Empowerment and of naira bribe.

The industrialists and their Award of Scholarship is scheduled to hold on September, workers numbering over 200 5, 2015 at Teslim Balogun stormed the S.O.N office at Stadium, Surulere, Lagos at 11.00 Awka, the Anambra State am prompt. capital as early as 9.30am, The high profile event which with placards, blocked the will be graced by prominent sons entry and exit gates of SON, and daughters of Imo State chanting anti SON songs, among them, the first lady of Imo State, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha which attracted the attention of as chief host, will be chaired by motorists and travelers who Chief, Dr Damian Emeka use Awka- Enugu Express way Obianigwe, the CEO of Fano and disrupted vehicular Shopping Agencies Ltd, with movements on the ever busy Chief Geoffrey Omeire as co- high way that leads to Enugu. chairman and Chief Onyeka The protesters displayed Onwenu as chairperson. placards with inscriptions, as The Deputy Governor of Lagos 'Standard Organization of State, Dr. Oluranti Adebule will Nigeria, S.O.N is corrupt;' be the Special Guest of Honour while Alhaja Sade Tinubu Ojo, 'S.O.N- stop frustrating the Iya-Oloja of Nigeria, will be indigenous industries for personal gains; 'With S.O.N as the Mother of the Day. Others expected to grace the presently constituted, there is occasion are Chief Joe Ajaero, no hope for successful Chief Nkechi Obi (OON), Dr. campaign against substandard Stella Okoli, M/D, Emzor goods'; 'President Buhari, your Pharmaceuticals, and Pastor government cannot Okey Anoruo, President, Imo comfortably work with the State Towns Development present leadership of S.O.N'; Association, Lagos. among others.

Imo women hold August meeting in Lagos

T

HE members of the women’s wing of Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos, ISTDAL, is set to celebrate their second August Meeting in Lagos. According to the

chairperson, planning committee, Chief Mrs Lilian Amakor, the occasion will be used to touch the lives of less privileged people through the award of scholarship and empowerment.

Orubebe worst sycophant ever —Idahosa

B

ENIN CITY—SPECIAL Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Political Matters, Chief Charles Idahosa yesterday described the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe as the “ worst sycophant ever, who should be resting in jail today after his failed attempt to disrupt the announcement of the presidential election.”

The Political Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Charles Idahosa, who was reacting to the attack on the governor by Orubebe, said Oshiomhole “is too big to play sycophancy for anybody,” asserting that “it is shocking and laughable that Orubebe is

activities, without interfering with the institutions of governance in the state”.

Flanked by the state secretary of the party, Richard Onuorah and state chairman of Citizens’ Popular Party, CPP, Chief Charles Akudo, Ezeanokwasa also alleged that a contract was awarded by the state government for the decoration of major cities of Nnewi, Awka and Onitsha with trees and light at an initial estimated cost of about N250 million, to a firm linked to the wife of former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Lady Prisca Umeh, but Mrs. Obiano later hijacked the contract and inflated it to the tune of N600 million and re-awarded it to a firm linked to her own cronies.

However, a senior official of the state government debunked the allegations and said there was no single truth in them as the governor's wife or Chief Umeh's wife has never interferred in governance or contracts as alleged.

today referring as sycophancy the honest attempts made by the governor to save the nation from collapse in the hands of Jonathan by mediating on labour and other economic matters in that administration.”

According to him: “Orubebe in the full glare of the whole world displayed the highest level of sycophancy when he tried to disrupt the counting of the presidential election just to please his boss, Jonathan.

"He became a huge embarrassment to his family and Nigeria as a whole after that incident. Orubebe had done everything possible to please Jonathan to remain in power, but God has said no and he is frustrated today."

Addressing newsmen in front of S.O.N office, spokesman of the companies and Managing Director of D&KGolden City Investment Limited, Mr. Benjamin Nwaizu said that a director of S.O.N came to Anambra State and demanded some millions of naira as a condition for them to be given the MANCAP Certificate, and threatened that if they failed, "another company from South Korea that is producing the same goods that we are producing which has offered them millions of naira will be given the certificate.

“He kept requesting for the amount, but I said we cannot afford it, and he threatened that in the next four months, we would see how our company would go down, that when he visits our factories, he would make sure that he evacuates all the machinery, raw materials and goods there.

I thought that it was not a serious threat, but to our greatest shock, on October 28 and 29, 2014, the man came with police men numbering over 20 and vacated all the goods, uprooted all the machinery in the companies, and charged us at the Chief Magistrate Court Onitsha."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015—43

be Haram.’’

One of the founders of BBOG, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, said in her welcome speech that hope cannot be lost.

She reiterated the commitment of the group and herself to continue to stand up strong for the release of the remaining 219 girls.

... march in Lagos

NBA CONFAB: From left— Nana Lithur, Ghana Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection; Stella Ugbonna, pioneer Chairperson, Nigerian Women Lawyers Forum; Onari Duke, wife of the former Governor of Cross Rivers State, and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, former member, House of Representatives, during a session on The Office of the First Lady at the Annual General Conference of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja, Wednesday.

500 DAYS AFTER: Onaiyekan, Sheikh Khalid

urge more attention on Chibok girls

By Olasunkanmi Akoni, Laide Akinboade-Oriere & Monsur Olowoopejo

A

BUJA—TWO prominent religious leaders, yesterday, called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to pay more attention on efforts to get the remaining 219 Government Secondary School, Chibok, girls who were abducted on April 14, 2014, released.

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan and Imam of Apo Mosque, Sheikh Nura Khalid made the appeal in Abuja, at the 500 days commemoration of the abduction of the Chibok girls organized by BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, campaign group.

They both agreed that religious leaders are not doing enough to call for the release of the abducted girls and preach peace.

We've forgotten them—Onaiyekan

Onaiyekan said: “The church has always expressed its sympathy about the abduction.

Though it might be much, we have always prayed for the release of the girls and the crisis in the North-East. “ What they (Boko Haram) do and preach is contrary to Islam.

We must do as much as we can to tell others that they are wrong.

“I have asked the question why Imams and Sheikhs are not talking as much as they should and I was made to understand that in practical terms it is not that easy because many Imams have been slaughtered.

“We cannot remain like this, which means some people must ready to put their lives on the line and keep talking.”

The Cardinal expressed disappointment at the low turnout of people at the venue of the event.

He said: “I thought this place would be congested but I was terribly disappointed. The whole thing does not seem to hit the hearts of Nigerians unless we are lucky that the media carries it tonight and amplifies it so the country hears that something happened here today.

Call from Rome

“This morning, when I woke up, I did not have the plans of coming. I was about going to take my bath when a phone call came from Rome, the Radio Vatican, on the 500 days remembrance of the Chibok girls and I was ashamed to say that I have not seen too much around and I told him that there was going to be a march today and by the grace of God, I was going to be there.

“Having made the promise to the Radio Vatican and to the world, it will be a mortal sin not to keep my promise.

“I was telling them on the Radio Vatican that I hope that the 500 days will be a symbolic catalyst to move Nigerians community into recognizing that we have a serious problem.

“My heart bleeds for the young ladies. The fact that they called me from Rome means that they have not forgotten; it is we that have forgotten.”

Boko's wajib not haram—SHEIKH

On his part, Shiekh said: “We are not doing enough. We are doing little or nothing. In as much as the Chibok girls are far away from their families, we are

not doing enough. We must start doing something.

“Second, I cannot say our religious leaders are doing enough when there is inadequate education or security in Nigeria. So we must act now.

We must stand together as a nation. I want to tell the world that we Nigerian Muslims are always ready to unite with our Christian brothers and sisters to fight for the soul of Nigeria.

“I want to challenge all the Imams that we should fight for the freedom of the Chibok girls.

We must tell the world that Boko Haram will never succeed and they are not winning and Nigeria will win this battle.

“Chibok girls are a symbol of peace in Nigeria because their

freedom is what symbolizes that we are living in peace in Nigeria. In as much as they are in captivity, Nigeria is at war.

Even if no one is killed, without bomb, without shooting guns, if Chibok girls are not back to their families, Nigeria is at war.

Makes a vow

“Therefore, we must continue this cause. I want to make a promise, I am on my way to Saudi Arabia. When I come back, I am going to start a voice that you will want to hear.

“We are going to start telling the world that Boko is Wajib.

The word wajib is the opposite of Haram. Haram is forbidden, Wajib is obligation. Boko is no more Haram; Boko will never

Members of the BBOG, who also marched in Lagos and visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, decried the fate of the girls 500 days after.

They urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to treat the matter with levity.

The protesters, who were clad in their usual red T-shirts and black trousers, defied a downpour to march down to the office of the governor, displaying placards and banners with various inscriptions.

Reading the BBOG statement, Mrs. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, said: “It is 500 days since our girls were abducted and we are committed to making sure that residents of Lagos State and Nigerians do not forget them.

“Chibok might seem very far away (from Lagos) but injustice to one is injustice to all.”

The group therefore, urged Ambode to “mandate the state Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, to enumerate the IDPs in the three official camps in the state and ensure that their needs are met, including rights to education and healthcare.

Responding, Ambode said: “The Lagos State government is committed to the up-keep of the IDPs in the state. I will do everything in my capacity to ensure that they live the life that an average resident of Lagos lives.

“We will do more to support all that the BBOG stands for. I want to say categorically that my administration fully identifies with the position expressed by President Muhammadu Buhari that the girls will be brought back alive.”

Navy chief accuses personnel of aiding oil theft

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—CHIEF of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok Ekwe-Ibas, yesterday, accused naval personnel of aiding and abetting oil theft and other maritime crimes in the nation’s waterways.

The naval chief made the accusation during his visit to the Nigerian Navy Engineering College, Ogorode, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, where he addressed ratings and officers across all naval formations in the state.

According to Ekwe-Ibas, who was on his first official visit to Delta as Chief of Naval Staff, “some persons had some wild ideas extraneous to the core professional duties when they were joining the Navy and their indulgence in some of these wild

dreams is tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Navy.

“We are to defend the marine space, assist other agencies in the waterways and maintain internal security. In the course of our duties, some of us have had to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Navy.

“We aid and abet illegal bunkering, aid and abet crude oil theft, we indulge in illegal escorting, constituting corruption.

“These are fraudulent acts that can land you in jail. Some of us have been very diligent.

The good ones must bring out the bad elements so that we do not tarnish the white uniform we are wearing.

“Central Command accounts for the largest losses to oil theft.

The guys perpetuating these illegal acts are within our

means, they do not fly in the air.

“They navigate the waterways and we must stop them. Keep away from illegal bunkering and crude oil thieves.

“Keep away from illegal bunkering and crude oil thieves. If you indulged in it yesterday, let it be the last time.”

He warned against molestation of civilians by the Navy, stressing that the job of the Navy is to protect innocent civilians and not to batter them.

On welfare, he said Navy suffers the worst accommodation problem in the Nigerian military, assuring that there were efforts to upgrade existing accommodation and erection of new structures.

He also hinted on continuing registration efforts to establish a Navy University for improved capacity building among personnel.

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

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45 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

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Virginia shooting: TV station mourns murdered journalists M

EMBERS of Staff at a US TV station in Virginia have held a minute’s silence in memory of the two journalists shot dead by a disgruntled ex-colleague live on air.

“We will, over time, heal from this,” WDBJ7 anchor Kim McBroom told viewers, holding hands with two colleagues.

Vester Flanagan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound hours after he shot dead reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward on Wednesday.

The attack has prompted renewed calls for stricter gun control laws.

Memos from the station reveal Flanagan, who used the on-air name of

Bryce Williams, had been ordered by the station’s bosses to seek medical help before he was fired in February 2013.

He filmed the attack and posted it on social media. In a 23-page fax he sent to ABC News, he described himself as a “human powder keg”.

Colleagues at WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia, held a moment of silence at 06:45 (10:45 GMT) on Thursday - 24 hours on from the exact moment the reporter and cameraman were shot dead as they broadcast live from a shopping centre in Moneta.

“Joining hands here on the desk,” said Ms McBroom. “It’s the only way to do it.”

Dozens of refugees found dead in Austria

N

O fewer than 50 refugees have been found dead in a truck in Austria, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Balkan leaders gathered in Vienna to decide on how to collectively tackle the biggest refugee crisis to hit Europe since World War II. The vehicle, which contained between 20 and 50 bodies, was found on a parking strip off the highway in Burgenland state, police spokesman Hans Peter Doskozil said at a Thursday press conference with Interior Minister Johanna MiklLeitner.

“This tragedy affects us all deeply,” Mikl-Leitner said.

“Human traffickers are

criminals. Anyone still thinking that they’re kind helpers cannot be helped.”

It was not immediately clear how the people in the truck had died, since bodies had begun to decompose.

Nor was it clear how long they had been there.

“We can assume that it could be 20 people who died. It could also be 40, it could be 50 people,” the police chief said.

The truck, which had Hungarian number plates, had apparently been standing off the highway since Wednesday.

A Hungarian government official said a Romanian citizen had registered the number plate in the eastern Hungarian town of Kecskemet.

UK jihadist Junaid Hussain killed in Syria drone strike

A

BRITISH man described as a “top cyber jihadist” has been killed in a military drone strike in Syria.

They said Junaid Hussain, a convicted computer hacker from Birmingham who fled to Syria in 2013, aged 20, had been a “high-value target” within the Islamic State group.

The US called it a serious blow to IS. Michael McCaul, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said his

death sent an “unmistakable message”.

“We need to maintain vigilance and good intelligence to stop future plotting, and ultimately we must destroy the group’s terrorist sanctuary,” Mr McCaul said.

Earlier, a UK government spokesman said: “We are aware of reports that an Isil terrorist of British nationality is believed to have been killed in a coalition air strike in Syria.”

The funeral ceremony of two Iraqi generals who died in an ISIS bomb blast yesterday in Ramadi, Iraq.

Outside the channel’s black ribbons have been headquarters in Roanoke, placed in memory of the bunches of flowers and two slain journalists.

US warns S/Sudan’s President, rebel leader over peace deal

T

HE US has warned South Sudan’s leaders not to violate the peace deal aimed at ending a brutal civil war in the world’s youngest state.

The US would “hold to account” leaders who breached the deal, and would support sanctions against them, said state department spokesman John Kirby.

The US did not recognise President Salva Kiir ’s reservations about the deal, he added.

He signed the deal on Wednesday. Rebel leader Riek Machar signed it last week.

Fighting between forces loyal to the two men over the last 20 months has forced more than 2.2 million people from their homes in South Sudan, which broke away from Sudan in 2011.

The deal envisages Mr Machar returning to the government as vicepresident.

His dismissal from the post in 2013 was one of the main triggers of the civil war.

Mr Kirby said the US did not “recognise any separate reservations made about the agreement”.

“To end the fighting we call on all parties to adhere to the permanent ceasefire within the next 72 hours and begin the process of implementing this agreement,” he added.

Mr Kiir listed 16 reservations when he signed the deal in front of regional leaders in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

They included concerns over a power-sharing government, and control of the army.

China blames Fed for global market rout, not yuan

C

ONCERNS over a possible U.S. rate rise by the Federal Reserve may have sparked a global stock market rout rather than the devaluation of China’s yuan currency, a senior Chinese central bank official told Reuters on Thursday.

Yao Yudong, head of the bank’s Research Institute of Finance and Banking, said the U.S. central bank should delay any rate hike to give fragile emerging market economies time to prepare.

He said Beijing’s decision to let the yuan fall in value against the dollar should not make it a scapegoat for the sell-off.

“China’s exchange rate reform had nothing to do

with the global stock market volatility, it was mainly due to the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve monetary policy move,” Yao said.

“We were wronged.”

Yao’s comments, which came on the same day that state media issued a number of commentaries defending China’s policy making, show Beijing’s sensitivity to suggestions it may have fumbled economic policy. The ruling Communist Party has drawn much of its legitimacy in past decades from fostering economic growth and raising incomes, and wants to be seen as a responsible player in the global economy.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Beijing 2015: Bolt blows away Gatlin to win sprint double

BY BEN EFE, with agency reports

W

J

A M A I C A N athletics star, Usain Bolt proved that he is the undisputed sprint king when he took down rival Justin Gatlin with a world leading time of 19.55 seconds, to win the 200m yesterday.

He had won the 100m on Tuesday, making him undefeated since 2008 when he broke three world records at the Bird’s Nest Stadium during Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Ahead the championships, Bolt was a major doubt but according to him, he never doubted his ability to win his fourth world championships titles in the sprints. Bolt left the chasing pack behind at the curve and even had time to celebrate before breasting the tape.

Gatlin finished 19.74 seconds, while South Africa’s Anaso Jobodwana finished third with a national record of 19.87 seconds.

“I told you guys I will

Bolt Out of the Blue... A side-on view of the men’s 200m final on Thursday as Bolt breezes to his second gold medal of the World Championships do it. There was no doubt,” said Bolt.

“When it comes to 200m, I am a different person,” said Bolt.

“I was only beaten there once,” he said.

He was beaten by Tyson Gay at the 2007 World Championships in

Osaka, Japan in 2007.

“For me it’s a great present, to me and to the country,” he added.

Bolt said he went in to win the final and not thinking about any time.

“I knew I was not in for a world record,” he

continued.

USA Allyson Felix won the women 400m with a time of 49.26 seconds.

Shunae Miller was second with 49. 69 seconds, while Sherica Jackson was third with 49.99 seconds.

AAG: Amoo sees gold despite loss of key players

N

IGERIA’s Under23 Olympic team assistant coach, Fatai Amoo stated that the team is capable of winning gold at the All Africa Games, billed for September 4-9 despite missing key players.

The team coach by Samson Siasia, will open its Games account on September 4 with a match against Senegal.

Amoo said though the side will sorely miss key players due to injuries and absence.

“We have 50/50 chances of success at the

•Amao Games just like the other members of the group.

“Of course, we know the importance of the first game and the

importance of starting a campaign on a good note.

“Senegal are force to be reckoned with in the continent especially given their performance at the World Cup coupled with the fact that they will be hosting the Caf Olympic q u a l i f y i n g championship later in the year.

“We do not want to make excuses but the reality is that we may not have a seizable number of our players who started the process

Afrobasket 2015: D’Tigers zoom into semi-finals

N

IGERIA’s team at the Afrobasket 2015, D’Tigers beat Gabon 88-64 to become the first team to enter the semi-finals of the championship, ongoing in Tunisia.

Al-Farouq Aminu, Michael Umeh and Michael Gbinije combined for 43 points as Coach Will Voigt’s men controlled most C M Y K

Ighalo’s Watford plan to frustrate City

of the contest.

A day after performing one of the biggest upsets in the tournament so far by eliminating Cape Verde, Gabon seemed powerless to oppose Nigeria’s determination to make the last four in the tournament.

Aymar-Kabrel Boundou, Therence Mayimba and Stephan Lasme, the only

Gabonese to score in double digits, combined for 45 points, but they were unable to avoid elimination. As a result of the win, Nigeria reached the Semi-Finals of the African Championship for the second time since 2011. D’Tigers will now face the winner of the QuarterFinals between Senegal and Algeria.

as well as imbibed the team’s chemistry and philosophy.

“After our qualifier in Congo some of them went out to seek greener pastures elsewhere and not yet back.

“Though the exercise is positive for the country for players to go out to enhance their potentials to come to play for the mainstream side, Super Eagles.”

Flying...

D o r e n A m a t a scaling the heights.

She has qualified for the finals of the women high jump.

ATFORD boss Quique Flores has said “everything is possible” ahead of his side’s trip to in-form Manchester City on Saturday.

The Premier League newcomers will be looking to cause an upset at the Etihad, but City currently have a 100 per cent record and have thus far looked unstoppable.

“They have a lot of tools, and a lot of players with different characteristics the power of (Sergio) Aguero, the intelligence of (David) Silva, the football of Yaya (Toure). We will try to solve this,” “For us it is very important to prepare a good plan and a good strategy, with the idea to be competitive. In football everything is possible.

Ogba: Our athletes will win medals in Brazzaville

A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria (AFN) president, Evangelist Solomon Ogba yesterdaycongratulatedhigh jumper Doreen Amata and Triple Jumper Tosin Oke for makingthefinaloftheirevents in the ongoing Beijing 2015 IAAFWorldChampionships.

Evangelist Ogba argued that the performances of Amata and Oke vis-à-vis athletes from other African countries at the World Championships were clear indicationsthatTeam Nigeria track and field team would win the athletics events at next month’s Brazzaville 2015 All African Games. “ I am delighted with the form of Amata and Oke and

I am positive they will make podium appearances at the All African Games and possibly win the gold medals in their respective events”.

Ogba said it would be impossible for anybody to predict the outcome of a sports event, but he was positivethattheathleticsteam would strive to surpass its performanceatthelastedition of the Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

“Sports is highly unpredictable but we are positive and working hard to ensure that we perform well at the Games. The athletes, both the ones in Beijing and the ones in Nigeria are working hard to ensure that we succeed.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015 — 47

Injury blow for Taifa Stars goalkeeper Eaglets set for Korea N

A

ISHI Manula, one of the three goalkeepers of the Tanzania national team, the Taifa Stars has been ruled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations match between Tanzania and Nigeria billed for September 5, at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam.

Manula who is Azam Football Club first choice goalkeeper sustained injuries during last Saturday’s Community Shield Cup match against Young Africans. The safe hands who led his club to the East and Central Africa Club championship title was left out of the party when the national team squad travelled to Kartepe in Turkey last Sunday due to the injury.

Baraka Kizuguto, spokesman of the Tanzania Football Association confirmed the development which he described as a big blow.

“Manula’s absence is a big blow to the team considering the fact that he led Azam FC to clinch the East and Central Africa Club championship (the Kagame Cup) in Dar es Salaam.”

Taifa Stars are now left with two goalkeepers: Ali Mustafa of Young Africans and Saidi Mohamed of Mtibwa Sugar.

The Tanzanians who have been training in Tukey since the beginning of the week will take on Libya today in a tune-up match. Interim coach, Boniface Mkwasa has said the Libyans will give his boys the desired test ahead of the September 5 match against the Super Eagles.

•Manula

Eagles get Emenike boost F

I T- A G A I N E m m a n u e l Emenike will be back to action for Al Ain against Al Jazirah in a UAE league match today, officials have disclosed.

This will be cheering news for Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh as Emenike is one of 18 foreign pros called up

by Nigeria for next month’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.

Al Ain coach Zlako Dalic said Emenike, who had a muscle pain which kept him out of the club’s league opener, will see action on Friday.

“We will play Emenike in Friday’s game for 45 minutes because he did not participate in the team’s training for some days thus he has not attained the required level of readiness that will enable him play a full game, and after the game, he will be release to join his national team,” he announced.

Contingent Continues from BP was spent to ferry the kits down to Nigeria.

Yakmut also revealed that the NSC has pencilled down a total of 573 athletes and officials from 20 sports federations to represent the country at the continental fiesta in Congo.

Also, the NSC has enlisted the services of Marks Air as the official Airline to ferry the nation’s contingent to and from the games and at 35% discount.

The NSC boss who revealed this in Abuja, gave the breakdown of the athletes to include; C M Y K

IGERIA’s Golden Eaglets are set to depart the country on Sunday for a 4-nation invitational tournament that will pitch them against Brazil and Croatia preparatory to the U17 World Cup in Chile.

The tournament, originally scheduled for April, was severally moved because of a MERS epidemic in South Korea.

The Eaglets, who have already submitted to the

201 male and 178 female athletes with 79 coaches and 40 medical personnel.

Also listed for the c o n t i n e n t a l championship are; 25 para athletes, 11 federation presidents ,12 federation secretaries, a Chef d’ mission and deputy Chef de mission and 20 journalists to ensure full coverage of the games.

According to Yakmut, Marks Air which flies the Boeing series has the capacity to fly about 400 athletes and officials at the same time.

NFF a provisional squad of 35 players for the World Cup, are expected to fly out with a squad of 18 players.

The four-time world champions are drawn against USA, hosts Chile and Croatia at the FIFA U17 World Cup in October.

•Amuneke

UEFA Best Player: Messi beats Ronaldo

L

IONEL Messi was named the UEFA Best PlayerinEuropeforthe201415 season for helping Barcelona to a Treble of trophies.The Argentine star defeatedtheotherfinalists,his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the award a year ago, after a live vote.Messi received the accolade after Thursday’s Champions League group stage draw was made, as the holders were placed against BayerLeverkusen,Romaand BATEBorisov.Messilastwon theawardin2011,thefirstyear thatEurope’sgoverningbody awarded the honour.

•Emenike

Atete tasks NNL to monitor season-ending games

A

S teams seek promotion tickets to next season’s Glo premier league, management of J. Atete Football Club of Warri has appealed to the leadership of the Nigeria

National league board to pay closer attention to the remaining games of the season.

Indeed CEO and captain of J. Atete, Julius Atete passionately pleaded with the NNL

not to compromise in areas of officiating so as to ensure that the best four clubs get promotion from the Nigeria National League to the premier cadre.

Atete whose team is in

Real to meet PSG Continues from BP Trafford.

He will get that opportunity in Group A after his new club were pitched against Rafael Benitez’s side, with Shakhtar Donetsk and Malmo – PSG talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first club – completing the group.

Manchester United’s return to the group phase will see them go head to head with Eredivisie champions PSV. Louis van Gaal’s side were not involved in last

season’s competition, but rejoined the continental elite on Wednesday with a comprehensive 4-0 second-leg victory over Club Brugge – completing a 7-1 aggregate triumph in their qualifier.

Their quest to reach the final in Milan sees them drawn in Group B with top seeds PSV, the pair joined by CSKA Moscow and Wolfsburg.

Defending champions Barcelona were the first name drawn in Monaco

on Thursday, with Luis Enrique’s men to face Bayer Leverkusen – a side they beat 10-2 on aggregate in the 201112 Round of 16 – Roma and BATE in Group E as they look to become the first side to successfully defend the title.

Jose Mourinho will return to the club he won the trophy with in 2004 as Chelsea face Porto in Group G, while in Group F Bayern Munich will meet Arsenal for the third time in four seasons.

contention for promotion stated after Saturday’s 1 nil victory over Insurance FC of Benin at Otu Jeremi, near Warri said only the most qualified referees should be appointed to handle the remaining fixtures.

“There is no ruling out the fact that some desperate club officials could attempt to buy or sell some of the fixtures hence the NNL must appoint the best referees.

The referees should also be closely monitored so that the league is not jeopardized. There should be sanity and there should be no biased officiating in favour of clubs seeking promotion or clubs struggling to avoid relegation”, alerted Atete whose team is on 21 points in group B2 where MFM of Lagos is leading.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

Chelsea to battle Porto in Champions League •As Man U draw CSKA Moscow

A

Bolt beats Gatlin again

e 46 g a —P

NGEL di Maria will return to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League group stage after Paris SaintGermain were drawn alongside the 10-time European champions in Group A. The Argentina international left the Santiago Bernabeu in 2014 for Manchester United, but never faced Real while at Old Continues on Page 47

AAG: Nigeria to send 573-man contingent to Congo

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

T

DOUBLE CHAMPION: Jamaica sprint star, Usain Bolt breasts the tape at 19.55 secs. ahead of America's Justin Gatlin in the men's 200mtrs final in Beijing yesterday.

HE National Sports Commission (NSC) has revealed that it spent the sum of $166,550 dollars (about N32.8m) to purchase kits for the Nigerian contingent to the forthcoming 2015 All Africa Games coming up in Congo next week.

Director General of the NSC, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut, said the kits were procured at a discount of 40% adding that the kit sponsors, a Chinese sports wear

company, Peak has promised about $250,000 dollars discount in s u b s e q u e n t transactions.

He however added that another $40,000 Continues on Page 47

UEFA Best Player: Messi beats Ronaldo — Page 47

2015/16 UEFA Champions League draw Group A: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo Group B: PSV, Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg Group C: Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, Astana Group D: Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach Group E: Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, BATE Group F: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Olympiacos, Dinamo Zagreb Group G: Chelsea, Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Maccabi Tel-Aviv Group H: Zenit, Valencia, Lyon, Gent

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Fall (6) 5 Principal (6) 9 Go in (5) 10 Simpler (6) 11 Victor (6) 12 Round-up (5) 14 Curdle (4) 17 Youth (3) 18 Trust (4) 20 Chartered (5) 22 Declined (5) 23 Recovered (7) 24 Untidy (5) 26 Lukewarm (5) 29 Inactive (4) 30 Marry (3) 32 Only (4) 33 Paled (5) 35 Reiterate (6) 36 Gasped (6) 37 Singer (5) 38 Tiller (6) 39 Sinew (6)

DOWN 1 Ditch (6) 2 Clergyman (6) 3 Ogle (4) 4 Enlist (5) 5 Stitched (5) 6 Threesome (4) 7 Streamer (6) 8 Deserved (6) 13 Dawdled (7) 15 Existed (5) 16 Abrupt (5) 18 Hell (5) 19 Danger (5) 21 Age (3) 22 Damp (3) 24 Reflect (6) 25 Inclined (6) 27 Mailed (6) 28 Benumb (6) 30 Irrigate (5) 31 Storehouse (5) 33 Destiny (4) 34 Challenge (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Shoot 7, Useful 9, Via 10, Bar 12, Train 13, Dear 15, Meter 17, Rubble 19, Yank 20, Ratio 22, Elf 24, Dangled 27, Tea 28, Aisle 31, Clap 33, Starch 35, Later 37, Eros 38, Relax 39, Den 41, Ill 42, Airman 43, Stone.

DOWN: 1, Judder 2, Depart 3, Rub 4, Site 5, Harry 6, Oriental 8, Lamb 11, Relegated 14, Raid 16, Tell 18, Boat 21, Affluent 23, Fear 25, Nest 26, Dice 29, Shrimp 30, Easing 32, Plain 34, Area 36, Axle 40, Nip.

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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