Troops storm Sambisa, rescue 293 females

...towards a better life for the people

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62394

N150

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Senate passes N4.493 trn 2015 budget 9 Indonesia executes four Nigerians for drugs 56

MALARIA DAY: Lagos State Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris (left) and Category Manager, Pest Care, Health Care, and Air Care, RB West Africa, Qaiser Rashid, during a symposium to commemorate 2015 World Malaria Day at Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR Auditorium, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday.

Troops storm Sambisa, rescue 293 females zIdentities yet to be confirmed —DHQ zBoko Haram kills 22 in fresh Borno village attacks M

By Ndahi Marama

AIDUGURI — Nigerian troops, yesterday, stormed the Sambisa forest hideout of the Boko Haram

Continues on Page 5

NNPC Act gives it a ‘Blank’ cheque to spend without limit or control —PWC •Pgs 28 & 29

Mr & Mrs ANY HOPE?: May 12, 2014 picture of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram, taken from a video of insurgents obtained by AFP. A total of 276 girls were abducted on April 14 from Chibok, in Borno State. Photo: AFP/Getty Images.

COLUMNISTS: Erosion cuts off Enugu oil community for 45yrs zSEE PULL-OUT INSIDE C M Y K

Political appointments and the good of the state •P.17

May 28 or 29: When is the •P.19 inauguration day?

My husband’s dead wife’s ghost haunts me

•P.40

2—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

HANDOVER: Chairman, NATCOM Consortium, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni (right) receiving the licences and other instruments of ownership from the NITEL/MTEL Liquidator, Otunba Olutola Senbore (2nd right) as member, Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatization, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere (2nd left) and DG, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki watch during the formal handover of NITEL/MTEL assets to NATCOM Consortium at NITEL headquarters, Benue Plaza, Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Troops storm Sambisa, rescue 293 females Continues from Page 1 terrorists, and rescued 200 girls and 93 women in a daring operation.

The Defence Headquarters in a statement, yesterday, confirmed the rescue operation but said it could not yet determine if some of the girls were Chibok schoolgirls abducted over a year ago from Chibok town in Borno State.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col S. K. Usman, in a statement said: “This is to inform you that our gallant troops have been making

progress in the desired aim of ridding the nation of terrorists and their sanctuaries.

“It is heartwarming to inform you that today (yesterday), troops continued the offensive and cleared four key terrorist camps in Sambisa forest, Borno State. So far, they have destroyed and cleared Sassa, Tokumbere and two other camps in the general area of Alafa, all within the Sambisa forest.

"The troops have also rescued 200 abducted girls and 93 women.

TAKE HEART

W

BY ELLA RANDLE

ORDS are powerful means of expression…the beauty is that we have the authority to choose words that uplifts—Take Heart Quotes

Words have the power to heal or to hurt. Sometimes our speech and gestures are far more complicated when we communicate. What we say, how we say it, and the all-important why we say what we do, is enough of a complication and social stumper–that it’s no wonder “communication is the key” to any lasting relationship.

It is very important to caution ourselves when it comes to how we use that in relating to the people we are closest with. We cannot underestimate the power that dozens of seemingly harmless words or careless comments can have on a person, and we also cannot shirk the responsibility for the effects and circumstances that may result from our words and actions. The beauty is that we have the authority to choose which direction that will be.

It is easy to love when on display, but it’s in the quiet, private moments with those we care about that serve as the real test of a relationship. Are we using our words as intentionally as we can be? Is the majority of what we say truly a reflection of how our heart feels toward those we love? Do we need to speak up, or put our hands over our mouths? The answer lies in evaluating what we’re really saying, before we express ourselves to others.

They are presently being processed. Similarly, a number of equipment and weapons have been captured. We will send further details and photographs soon.”

Also confirming the operation, Director, Defence Information, Major-General Chris Olukolade, said he could not confirm the identity of the freed victims and their origins and he could not state if any of them was from Chibok until after thorough screening and proper investigations.

He said: “I can only confirm the rescue this afternoon (yesterday) of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest. We are yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened and profiled. We will provide more details later.”

Boko Haram kills 22 in Borno Meanwhile, no fewer than 22 people were killed by suspected Boko Haram members in Marguba community and surrounding villages of Beneshiekh, the headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The insurgents, according to sources, also injured many residents after setting ablaze several houses, mostly those with

thatched roofs, before looting foodstuff and livestock.

Beneshiekh is north west and about 76 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. It is located on the fringes of Sambisa forest along MaiduguriDamaturu-Kano road which have witnessed series of deadly attacks by insurgents.

This development is coming barely 24 hours after a group of insurgents laid ambush on some returning residents, killing 21 in Bultaram village of Gujba council area of Borno State while attempting to return to their sacked village to evacuate their abandoned foodstuff and livestock.

Fleeing residents recount ordeal

Our correspondent reliably gathered from fleeing residents now taking refuge in Beneshiekh town that “the insurgents came from Sambisa forest axis and stormed the villages Monday evening, wreaked havoc as they had a field day without confrontation.

“Our communities have been ransacked by a group of terrorists numbering over 100 who came in over five Hilux vehicles, motorcycles armed with AK-47 rifles,

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and local petrol bombs, killing 17 residents in Marguba community and other villages near Beneshiekh.

“I was among the lucky survivors who escaped the attacks with my wife and two kids, we are presently taking refuge in Beneshiekh.

“It is unfortunate that many people thought that with the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) at the March 28 presidential elections, things related to killings and destruction by the insurgents will end, but it appears that worse is still on the way as many communities were attacked by insurgents in the north-east after the elections.”

Contacted, the cell phone of the acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asso Emmanuel was not reachable, but a member of the civilian JTF from Beneshiekh confirmed the incident, pointing out that 22 people were killed in desperate attacks in nearby villages of Beneshiekh.

He also claimed that the situation had been brought under control as troops with support from members of vigilante youth are currently combing the area to apprehend fleeing insurgents.

Chibok girls

It will be recalled that on April 15 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State, by Boko Haram terrorists. 57 of them however managed to escape while they were being conveyed to the forests and after some days in captivity.

On October 17 2014, hopes were raised that the 219 remaining girls

might soon be released after the Nigerian army announced a truce between Boko Haram and government forces.

The announcement coincided with the sixmonth anniversary of the girls’ capture and followed a month of negotiations mediated in Saudi Arabia by Chadian president, Idris Déby.

The truce turned out to be false as Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau claimed that the girls have been married out.

It will also be recalled that the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah at several occasions stated that the truth about the whereabouts of the 200 girls of the Government Secondary School, Chibok will be made known when the attack to liberate Sambisa forest is carried out.

Before now several communities including Gwoza and Madagali where the girls were suspected to have been kept, were liberated and there were no signs of the girls with freed captives saying they don’t know the whereabouts of the girls.

Security sources told Vanguard that the vast Sambisa forest was not attacked before now because the military wanted to liberate all adjoining communities to the forest and secure possible escape routes whenever the operation to attack the forest was launched.

Moreover, intelligence reports showed that all entry and exit points into the forest had been heavily laden with landmines and other dangerous explosives which newly acquired weaponry such as minessweeping armoured tanks have been clearing.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Punished for crossing the road close to a pedestrian bridge at Ikeja Along, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTOS: Bunmi Azeez.

Benin cult war claims another life

Host communities cripple Delta Assembly over DESOPADEC Bill

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE ongoing clash between rival cult groups in Benin, Edo State capital, continued yesterday with the killing of one more person.

Five other persons had been killed in the past two weeks, bringing the total number of casualties in the cult war to to six.

The latest killing took place at 13B, New Lagos Road, when a man said to be between 27 and 30 years, simply identified as Patrick, was shot by gunmen in his barbing salon at about 10am.

An eyewitness said the gunmen simply walked into the victim’s salon and shot him at close range.

The eyewitness said: “The first gunman entered and shot him in the head; the second one came and shot him and the third one used his gun to shake the victim (Patrick) to confirm that he was dead.”

The visibly shaken eyewitness, who is the owner of the house where of the victim resided, said he had never witnessed that kind of killing in his life.

“In fact, I collapsed as a result of the incident,” said the 65-year-old witness.

Another witness, who identified himself as Godwin Enofe, lamented the killing and urged security operatives in the state to do something urgently to stem the tide.

He described the victim as jovial and always at peace with everyone in the neighbourhood.

When contacted for reaction, the state police spokesman, DSP Stephen Onwuchei, said he was yet to be furnished with reports on the development.

“For now, I do not want to isolate cases or give out information that is untrue,” he said.

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—ACTIVITIES at Delta State House of Assembly were, yesterday, crippled for hours as members of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, stormed the assembly complex in protest against a bill sent by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to scrap the state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, and replace it with five district agencies for the five ethnic nationalities slated for second reading yesterday.

Speaking to newsmen during the protest, National Coordinator of HOSTCOM, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, who led the over 1,000 protesters, said the protest was to register their displeasure over the bill which, according to him, is not in the interest of oil producing communities in the state.

He said the 2014 budget of N39 billion which, according to him, was passed in February this year and received by the commission in March, was to pay for

zWe ‘ll subject bill to public hearing—Speaker outstanding job certificates.

DESOPADEC funding

He, however, alleged that payment schedule of 30 percent of certificate value, based on the budgetary provision sent to the bank were not honoured, adding that there was no cash back up.

He said: “So where is the N39 billion, which ought to have accumulated as at December 31, 2014?”

Okareme said they had instituted a case against the

state government seeking the interpretation of DESOPADEC law and the actual derivation funds meant for the commission.

He said: “We have discovered that about 25 percent of the 13 percent is what is being budgeted for DESOPADEC yearly as against the 50 percent of the 13 percent as provided for by the law.

“We, therefore, call on the House of Assembly not to be part of the plot to short-change

the oil producing communities.”

Addressing the protesters, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya, urged them to remain calm and law abiding.

He assured them that the House would not betray the confidence reposed in them by the people.

Onwusanya said the House would do the needful and subject the bill to public hearing to enable all stakeholders make their input.

Court clears man, wife of murder charge

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI— FORMER Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Ikenna Iwuoha, and his wife have regained their freedom after over a year in prison custody.

They were dragged to a High Court over a murder case, but were set free by an Owerri High Court presided over by Justice

Duruoha Igwe.

Mr. Iwuoha told Vanguard in a telephone chat, that all the charges levelled against both of them were quashed by the high court judge.

According to the jubilant Iwuoha, his wife, who was earlier detained with him, was granted bail in December 2014.

He gave thanks to God for keeping him alive while his trauma lasted, pointing out that

he had been vindicated.

Iwuoha recalled that after hearing the matter, the judge ruled that there was no prima facie case before the court that would warrant continuation of the suit.

He also said it would amount to sheer wickedness to continue to keep him behind bars.

He was docked for murder when a murder was committed near his house in Owerri.

Police kill 4 cross-border robbers in Ogun, arrest 2

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA—MEN of Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ogun State have reportedly engaged a gang of cross-border armed robbers in a gun battle at Itoku Market, Abeokuta, leaving four of the bandits dead and two arrested.

The robbers attempted to break into Bureaux de Change shops in the market when the police engaged them in a gun battle.

The state's Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this at SAR’s Office, Magbon, Abeokuta, yesterday, while parading the two suspects.

He said the incident occurred on Sunday at 9:30pm under the

newly constructed flyover bridge in the market, while the bandits, based in Ghana, attempted to loot bureaux de change shops in the market.

According to Adejobi, those arrested, Adamu Bamako and Ibrahim Tanko, are not Nigerians and cannot speak English, but Hausa language.

He said the suspects did not have any fixed address and that the command could not identify their states of origin.

Adejobi said the command would take steps to unravel their origin and take vital information from them.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, Val Ntomchukwu, has assured residents of the state of safety of lives and property.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—7

PROSTITUTION IN LIBYA: I gave out my cousin for N10,000—Suspect

By Evelyn Usman & Esther Onyegbula

T

HE principal suspect in the kidnap of a teenager, who was taken to Libya for prostitution last year, Kelvin Okorie, said yesterday that he gave his cousin out after taking N10,000 from the suspected traffickers.

The victim, 15-year-old Precious Ugochi Okoro, a boarder at Ikenne Community High School, Ikenne, Ogun State, was reportedly attacked by cultists, while on her way to school in May 2014.

Thereafter, she was reportedly kidnapped and taken to Libya, where she said she was forced into prostitution before her release by the Police in Lagos.

Surprisingly, one of the alleged masterminds turned out to be her cousin, Kelvin Okorie, who was said to have been at the forefront of the search since Ugochi’s disappearance.

The suspect, alongside a trader at Alaba International Market, Ogbonna Njoku, were paraded before journalists yesterday at the command’s headquarters, Ikeja, by the command boss, Kayode Aderanti.

Asked why he did not disclose the whereabouts of Ugochi to her parents during the search, he claimed he was afraid of the consequences.

On his part, Ogbonna Njoku, a compact discs dealer at Alaba, claimed he was unaware that his elder brother, who left for Libya three years ago, was into such act over there.

He said all he did was in good faith, wishing that the hand of the clock could be turned back so he can act otherwise.

How I was tortured

Giving a chilling account of what transpired in Libya, Ugochi, who looked traumatized disclosed that she spent nine days on the road before reaching Libya and rested for three days before the reality of what lay ahead dawned on her.

She said: “I was taken to the connection house, where I saw over 1,000 naked Nigerian girls. I told them to put on their clothes that men were passing by. They laughed at me and called me a JJC. “Later, the coordinator who we referred to as Madam, came and said I should undress and start work. When I refused, I was beaten to a state of coma, with my clothes torn into shreds. This torture continued for days until I succumbed by sleeping with men.

“I was told I had to raise the three thousand dollars used to bring me to Libya and another 3,000 Libya dinars for accommodation and feeding.

Precious Ugochi Okoro.

The suspects.

“But to my surprise, when I finished paying with the proceeds from prostitution, I was sold to a lady, who turned out to be my saviour. It was through her I contacted my mother.

The arrest

Aderanti said after holding the teenager against her will, her abductors contacted her parents, using different telephone numbers and demanded for money, ranging from $30,000, N200,000 to N30,000 as ransom, which they directed should be paid into different account numbers.

He said: “I ordered a thorough and diligent investigation geared towards liberating the victim from her captors and arresting the masterminds of the plot.

“Numerous suspects were arrested but the breakthrough came when a decoy team of SARS, led by Abba Kyari, arrested one Kelvin Okorie, a cousin to the mother of the victim. Through him, contact was established with the gang’s member in Libya, which subsequently led to her safe return on Friday, April 24.

“Medical process were initiated at my directive to fully rehabilitate the victim and make her a valuable member of the society.”

He further disclosed that moves were on by the command to rescue other Nigerian teenagers, who were kidnapped and forced into prostitution in Libya, with the collaboration of Interpol.

Youths protest Rivers' council boss kidnap

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—YOUTHS of Ahoada in Rivers State, yesterday, marched on the streets in the area calling for the unconditional release of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Mr. Cassidy Ikegbedi, by his kidnappers.

Ikegbedi was abducted penultimate Saturday in his Ahoada residence by gunmen, who have not established contact with the family.

One of the protesters, who simply gave his name as Promise, said: “We are begging them to release him. The family members have been worried.”

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Bartholomew Madukwe

T

HE National leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, took a swipe at President-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), describing his banning of African Independent Television, AIT, from covering his activities, as unacceptable and totalitarian.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP noted that as a converted democrat, Buhari should make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following due process and seeking redress in court, if not comfortable with any action taken against him.

This came as All Progressives Congress, APC, overruled the President-elect, saying all accredited media organizations, including AIT, are free to cover his activities.

APC

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC said the incoming Buhari administration will not discriminate against any media organization.

It, however, enjoined all media organizations to observe the highest level of professional standards in carrying out their duties.

The statement said: “There is a code of ethics guiding the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and this demands that journalists ensure strict adherence to the highest levels of ethics and professionalism in carrying out

CONVOCATION: From left— Professor Jerry Gana, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council; Professor Rahamon Bello, Vice Chancellor, and Professor Babajide Alo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Research, all of University of Lagos, UNILAG, at the institution's 2014 convocation yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

AIT ban: We thought Buhari is a democrat—PDP zAs APC overrules Buhari, says all accredited media free to cover his activities zOpadokun, Ugwu-Oju, Oyetibo, others react Nigeria. was the most maligned and zSagay backs Buhari “An organization, abused President in the history their duties.

“There must be repercussions within the realms of the law, for media organizations that have wantonly breached the Code of Ethics of journalism and turned themselves to partisans instead

of professionals.”

PDP's reaction

PDP said APC and the President-elect may have one or two lessons to pick from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though

FG hands over NITEL, M-tel as NATCOM completes bid payment

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

T

HE Federal Government, yesterday, formerly handed Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, and its subsidiary, Mtel to NATCOM Consortium after the full payment of $252,521,000 (about N42.4 billion) bid price to acquire the assets and business units of the nation’s moribund premier telecommunications company.

NATCOM Chairman, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, who received the operational licences of NITEL and Mtel on behalf of his consortium, said the team would work towards investing about $1 billion, with a view to providing Nigerian subscribers standard services.

His words: “The task ahead is enormous. As you know, what we are taking over is the carcass of what used be NITEL/MTEL. “Advancement in technology has made it imperative for us to start from the scratch in rolling out services; and as you aware,

over 130 million subscribers are already in the kitty of the existing service providers.

“With these challenges, you will agree with me that we must hit the ground running and to make a success of this venture, we would be required to raise over $1 billion to inject into the venture.”

Dr. Ayeni, however, expressed optimistism that NATCOM would turn NITEL into a profitable company given his team’s belief in the Nigerian economy.

He said: “If it was about short-term gains, we would not have come into it. With our minds focused on the future and with our resolve to provide first grade services in the areas of voice and data communications to Nigerians through the deployment of the most up-to-date technology, we do not have any doubt that we will become a key player in the market within the shortest

possible time.”

He declined to give a specific date for roll-out of the company’s lines, but assured that work had started and that the lines would hit the market within a short time.

He also assured that Nigerians would once more enjoy land lines, which would be a lot cheaper than the mobile lines currently in use.

Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, who represented the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatization, Mr. Atedo Peterside, explained that in spite of the liquidation of NITEL/MTEL, their debtors must pay up.

He said: “Those who owe NITEL should not go with the impression it has been liquidated, therefore they are free to forget about their debts.

“All those who owe NITEL owe the liquidator. The liquidator will have to collect the debts because it is that money that will be used to pay NITEL creditors.”

of the country, even by APC, allowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance and the rule of law.

Metuh, in the statement said: “After carefully studying the defence posited by General Buhari’s campaign spokesperson and the smokescreen statement by APC to cover and mitigate his antimedia posture, PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy are persuaded that the action was not only unjustifiable, but also unconstitutional and completely against the spirit of liberty and the rule of law in a democracy.

“We ask, is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in the last 16 years under PDP led-administration?

“Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the challenge of his new position, even as President-elect is that he has lost his private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the Nigerian people.

“We had thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following due process of the law on any circumstance.”

Sagay, Opadokun

However, Legal icon, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), said: “I agree absolutely with Buhari on the issue. AIT is not fit to be a practical organization in

which worships money and would sell its soul to the devil for money, and would abandon every ethics of its profession should not exist.

If I were in Buhari’s position, I would be harsher.”

Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Opadokun, described the faceoff between AIT and the President-elect as unfortunate because “the media has the constitutional responsibility to inform, report and equally entertain the masses.

“I feel concerned about this development, but my simple advice is that both AIT and the President-elect should forget what transpired in the past and move on.”

Ugwu-Oju, Oyetibo

President, South-East/SouthSouth Professionals of Nigeria, SESS, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, said: “We have to take it as an overzealous act by some people around the President-elect, because he is a public figure who should be accessible to the media.

“This is a democracy and the media should have unhindered access to the President-elect. He is not a private person.”

To Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), Buhari “should tread softly and be tolerant of criticisms because PDP is presently going through a process of political annihilation, by reason of which it might not be able to provide effective opposition.

“Buhari should expect very stiff, scorching and scathing criticisms from civil society groups and activists.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 9

Senate passes N4.493trn 2015 budget ...Executive should prudently manage resources —MARK

RECALL OF ENVOY: FG suspends Perm Sec

...Budget not implementable without supplementary from Buhari — LAWAN

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday passed the sum of N4.493 trillion budget for the 2015 fiscal year, but with an increment of N51 billion above the estimate of N4.425 trillion submitted to the National Assembly by the Federal Government for approval.

This came as the Senate President, David Mark, tasked the executive to be prudent in the management of the nation’s resources.

The passage followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Finance on the 2015 Appropriation Bill, tabled before the Red Chamber by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Ahmed Maccido, APC, Sokoto North, during its plenary.

But Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Ahmad Lawan, APC, Yobe North, hinted that in spite of the passage, the National Assembly was still expecting the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to send a supplementary budget to the 8th Assembly, when he assumes power from May 29, 2015.

Lawan faulted the budget passed, saying there was no balance between capital allocation and recurrent expenditure proposed just as he said the budget was not implementable without supplementary from the incoming government to be headed

by General Muhammadu Buhari.

But in his remark, after the passage, Senate President, David Mark, asked executive to be prudent in the management of resources in the country.

In the budget passed, there was no provision for fuel and kerosene subsidies in 2015 even as it increased the oil benchmark to $53 per barrel against the $52 per barrel, proposed by the executive. But it retained the crude oil production of 2.2782 million barrel per day just as it retained exchange rate of N190 to a United States dollar with also a deficit gross domestic product (GDP) of -1.12 per cent..

But it also reduced the N2,607,601,000,300 proposed by the executive to N2.607, 132,491,708 as recurrent expenditure and simultaneously scaled down the capital expenditure from N642,848,999,699 estimated in the proposal to N556,995,465,449.

The budget also put fiscal deficit at N1.075 trillion.

The parliament also approved the sum of N953.6 billion for debt service, N375.6 billion as statutory transfers and N21 billion for Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P. Education takes the lion share of the budget with N392.3 billion followed by N338.7 billion for the military and N303.8 billion budget for police commands and formations.

In the same vein, N237 billion was voted for health sector, N153 billion for the Ministry of Interior while the Ministry of Works has meager sum of N25.1 billion.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Ahmed Maccido, while briefing newsmen, after the passage of the budget, said the non inclusion of the fuel subsidies was carried out by the Federal Government, adding that the government’s action was wrong.

Presenting the report earlier, Senator Maccido noted that

the federal government had earlier tabled the budget of N4.357 trillion before the National Assembly on December 17, last year, before withdrawing it and consequently reviewing the figure down to N4.425 trillion.

“You would recall that on 17th December, 2014, the President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Hon. Minister of Finance, laid before the two chambers of the

National Assembly, the 2015 Appropriation Bill, containing the estimates of revenue and expenditure of the federation for the 2015 fiscal year with an aggregate sum of N4.357,960,000,000 only, of which N411,840,000,000 only, is for debt service; N2,616,007,426,233 only, is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the balance of N387,112,573,767 only, is for contribution to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2015.''

BRIEFING: Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa (2nd left), briefing the press on the activities of his Ministry to commemorate the 4th year of the 2nd term in office of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday. With him are: Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba (3rd right), Perm Sec, Min of Transport, Mr. Oluseyi Coker (left), MD, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Yinka Marinho (2nd right), and the representative, Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Livinus Ibe.

I did not apologise to you, Tinubu replies Bode George

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

N

ATIONAL leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has denied ever apologising to Chief Bode George, the erstwhile deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP over his incarceration for alleged contract splitting.

In a statement issued by his media office, Tinubu said George’s account of their meeting at the burial of Chief Alao Arisekola last year was a twist of the facts as he said that he, Tinubu, was only beckoned by some dignitaries to greet George who he claimed he had earlier ignored.

Tinubu said that the attempt

by George to take that greeting as an apology could only be a way for the PDP leader to walk back from his earlier vow to go on exile

should General Muhammadu Buhari win the presidential election.

Chief George had in an interview by a national weekly last weekend claimed that he had forgiven Tinubu for his alleged role in sending him, George to prison after receiving the apology at Arisekola’s burial last year.

Tinubu’s response read thus: “I was informed about a recent interview by Bode George in one of the national dailies and felt it necessary to clarify his claim that I begged him for forgiveness. I don’t know when and how I ever offended Mr. George. I have never wronged the man or even thought of it. I sought no forgiveness because no forgiveness was needed.

“I think somehow he is still trying to implicate me as instigating the criminal proceedings once lodged against him. From my recollection, Mr.

George was found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction based on convincing evidence of wrongdoing. He insults the judiciary by implying that his conviction was wrongly derived.

“Mr. George seeks to imbue me with more power than I could possibly have. I am flattered but in all humility, I must protest the false assessment. If he can remember, the government of the day was that of the PDP. I have never had nor sought much influence in those circles. ''He was charged by the government ruled by his own party for an offence concerning financial irregularities at the Nigeria Port Authority, NPA, an appointment he received from that same government. It is an incredible tale indeed to state that somehow I could direct a party that tried to dismantle the progressive political structure of my party to bring down one of its key members.''

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—THE F e d e r a l Government has suspended the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, over the unauthorized recall of the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa.

A highly-placed government official in the Presidency told Vanguard that the President ordered the suspension of the Permanent Secretary Monday morning and was directed to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for embarrassing the Nigerian government.

The source, who did not want his name in print because he was not authorized to speak on the matter said the President was “livid with anger ” when he read about the recall of the Nigerian Charge d'Affaires, without his authorization.

Nigeria presently does not have an ambassador in South Africa.

It is the second time since the appointment of the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Sheni that the Nigerian government would be brought to diplomatic ridicule over poor handling of diplomatic affairs.

In the first instance, the Ministry had claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan spoke with the King of Morocco on phone, a claim that was denied by the Moroccoan government and later president Jonathan who ordered a full investigation into the matter.

The report of the investigation is still being awaited three weeks to the end of this administration.

The report of the alleged recall of the Nigerian Ambassador to South in the wake of the xenophobic attacks on foreigners and their businesses elicited a strong reaction from the South African government which described the action as “unfortunate”.

But the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati however clarified that the Charge d'Affaires of Nigerian Embassy in South Africa has only been invited for “routine consultation”.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

LASU students want school reopened

L

AGOS—WORRIED by the continued closure of their school, students of the Lagos State University, Ojo, yesterday appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to reopen the institution.

The students’ position came one month and six days after the management of the institution, in a statement titled ''Election recess,'' asked the students and workers to vacate the university premises starting from March 25th, 2015, adding that the resumption date will be announced later.

The students, in a statement made available to Vanguard and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State University Students’ Union, Mr. Adebanjo Fatai, lamented that the state government and the varsity management was not ready to reopen the school as they have treated reopening of the institution with levity.

Fatai said that rather than reopening the institution for the commencement of academic activities, the institution management went online to publish an article, “Declared recess is still very much in force.”

He added “The students’ Union of LASU respectfully assert that the online bulletin released by LASU Management shows how irrational and reckless the Management is towards the reopening of LASU.

OSHODI/APAPA TRAFFIC CHAOS: Police Commissioner sets up task force

By Esther Onyegbula

L

AGOS—LAGOS State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, has set up a special task force to clear the endemic traffic gridlock along the Oshodi – Apapa expressway.

He told Vanguard exclusively that the task force will be saddled with the responsibility of maintaining a passable space both at the service and fast lanes of the six-lane expressway, which has been undergoing rehabilitation for long.

According to the police boss, ''We are going to deploy our men with full force to ensure that tanker drivers will no longer constitute a menace on that road. We are aware of the inconveniences and sufferings of people for long there and we have decided to take the bull by the horns this time around.

“It will be a combined effort by our men from the command headquarters in Ikeja and their counterparts from Festac, Trinity, Kirikiri, Mile 2 and Orile divisions and they will be saddled with the responsibility of making sure that, at least, we have one free lane both at the service and fast portions of the road for motorists to easily pass through.”

Vanguard noticed yesterday that already, the team may have swung into action by creating only one

AGONIZING: The ever-present traffic snarl on the Oshodi/Apapa Expressway.

passable lane at the service portion of the road from Mile 2 Bridge to Berger Yard.

Unfortunately, that has not eased the gridlock as the unrepentant truck drivers still block the express way and other lanes, forcing motorists to spend endless hours under the scorching sun on the expressway.

A motorist, whose office is at Kirikiri Area told Vanguard that the drivers have shut down many businesses, causing deaths through accidents and

exhibited tendencies that create health hazards.

According to him, the truck drivers defecate by road sides as they stay long hours and days on the road. Armed robbers prowl with ease and people are scared of passing by the road even on foot, especially at night.

Another motorist said, “If they want to succeed, they should start by controlling truck drivers from Fatgbems Filling station point of the expressway. From there, they should ensure that the drivers maintain one lane.

''Another major problem is the menace caused by a group task force officials of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, who incessantly block the tankers on the pretext of collecting tolls at any point on the express way thereby creating obstruction. ''Efforts of the Navy and Police has done little to alleviate the terrible situation. If the police task force should succeed, they should check the activities of this unruly thugs along the expressway.''

Our report is a review, not a forensic audit—PWC

T

HE forensic audit conducted by Price WaterhouseCoopers, PWC, on NNPC to ascertain the veracity of the alleged missing $20 billion from the Federation account is generating furore and counter claims among stakeholders. PWC had qualified the audit saying it did not obtain needed information from NPDC a subsidiary of NNPC. The qualification of the audit report has cast doubt on the reliability of the report. A source who has a working knowledge of the audit report at PriceWaterhouse told Vanguard that what the auditors did was a review and not a forensic audit.

He said “It is not an auditing job. It is a review of what has happened and you are expected to present a report. The qualification in the audit report is a normal qualification. When you are given a job there are procedures for doing the job based on agreement with the client. So you want to put a caveat so that others would not use it or rely on it for decision making. It is also to protect the company from any legal action that may arise from the job.''

President Institute of Chartered

Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Mr. Chidi Onyeukwu Ajaegbu (FCA) told Vanguard that an account is qualified when the auditors do not agree with the auditee on some issues. He said there are two levels of qualifying an account: modification and actual qualification. He said the qualification could be expressed on strong terms or mild terms, adding that a qualified account calls for further instigation.

Ajaegbu said the NNPC case is that of material qualification where a unit being audited did not provide the needed material substance.

He said the reason given by PWC was enough to qualify the account, adding that auditors qualify accounts to shield themselves from blame by potential users of the account when they discovered some misstatement or representation in the account.

PricewaterhouseCoopers in their introductory letter addressed to Nigeria’s Auditor General, said findings in its 199-page report were limited to available

information and did not constitute a review in accordance with generally accepted standards. The report said “The procedures we performed did not constitute an examination or a review in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or attestation standards.

“Accordingly, we provide no opinion, attestation or other form of assurance with respect to our work or the information upon which our work was based”. PWC said that the report “was solely for the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, for their internal use and benefit and not intended to, nor be relied upon, by any other third party.'' The firm concluded that the NNPC should refund to the government a minimum of $1.48 billion of missing oil funds, a figure many Nigerians believe is smaller than the likely actual figure. The report did not give strong and independent opinion of its findings despite saying the investigation was carried out using forensic techniques.

See pages 28, 29 for excerpts of the report

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—11

EKITI CRISIS: Fayose restates commitment to elders’ peace move zWe'll honour the invitation—APC lawmakers

By Leke Adeseri, South

“The meeting is scheduled to hold at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti at 11am on Thursday.

“I, therefore, call on everybody to support this peace move and no one should do anything to undermine it.

“Knowing how agitated and concerned the people of Ekiti have been on this crisis, I wish to urge our people to give this peace effort a chance and I urge all security agencies in the state to see to it that adequate security is provided before, during and after the meeting.

“I thank Ekiti people for their unflinching support for the government and appeal to them to continue to maintain peace, bearing in mind that no society can progress in an atmosphere of rancour.”

West Regional Editor

G

OVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has expressed commitment to the peace move initiated by elders in the state, led by Aare Afe Babalola, to find political solution to the crisis between the governor and 19 APC lawmakers of the state House of Assembly.

Governor Fayose said in a statement personally signed by him, that he was committed to the peace meeting scheduled to hold tomorrow at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, adding: “The peace of Ekiti State is far above all other interests and therefore everyone should support the elders' peace efforts.”

The statement reads: “Ekiti elders, under the leadership of our highly respected legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), called a meeting between the two factions of the State House of Assembly to resolve politically, the crisis in the House of Assembly and I, as the state governor, do not have any objection because the peace of Ekiti is far above all other interests.

We will honour the invitation – APC lawmakers The 19 APC lawmakers however told Vanguard last night that they will honour the invitation by the Ekiti elders led by Aare Babalola.

Wole Olujobi, the spokesman for the factional Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, said:‘’ The honourable members will honour

the invitation by Chief Afe Babalola on Thursday because APC lawmakers are also for peace as they have always demonstrated.

I

BADAN—THE pains of defeat which the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State suffered in the just concluded governorship election became more excruciating yesterday as chieftains of the party rekindled another ember of discord over transformation of the party and repositioning it for future elections.

The party has lost elections in two consecutive political dispensations as a result of unending internal wrangling.

The latest disagreement is between a notable chieftain of the party, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia, and the state executive.

Olopoenia was reacting to an earlier comment by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Kehinde Salawu, who reportedly threatened sanctions against those who are trying to put the losses behind them and forge a new PDP. He wondered where the Publicity Secretary of the party was when it was floored by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state and why he kept sealed lips when the ruling party was painting PDP

black on pages of newspapers.

Referring to the state executive members, Olopoenia said: “Everyone knows they are failed executives of the party. I do not even expect them to talk at this point in time. They should come and tell the whole world what they have done towards the progress of the party in recent times, espe-

cially in the last general elections. “ I can say that all they know is to share bags of rice and collect money from aspirants in the guise of giving them tickets, a promise which they did not fulfill 100 percent. Some of those they collected money from and failed to give tickets to contest the last election are still raining curses on them.”

A plane load of women, children die hourly in Nigeria - UNICEF

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI — The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that over 100 women and children die daily in Nigeria due to complications resulting from pregnancy and child killer diseases.

A representative of UNICEF D office Bauchi, Dr Halima Abdu disclosed this while presenting a paper at an inaugural meeting of the technical committee on Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH)in Bauchi yesterday.

According to her, Nigeria is 2% of global

‘’It is good that the governor is now realising that grandstanding and vulgarity cannot solve the constitutional crisis he has created in the state since November last year."

AGREEMENT: From left: Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Michael West; Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi; GM, External Relations, Nigeria LNG, Kudo Eresia-Eke; MD, Tianjin, Peter Lin and Assistant Company Secretary, NLNG, Ikechukwu Eke, during an agreement signing ceremony of NLNG-funded N4.5 billion construction of Bonny Model Secondary School in Port Harcourt.

Oyo PDP crisis deepens after governorship defeat

By Ola Ajayi

‘’The members will listen to the elder statesman but they will also present their case for the understanding of the peacemakers.

population but the country accounts for 10% of global Maternal, Newborn and Child Deaths.

She said “It is worrisome that six women die as a result of pregnancy related complications daily while 95 under-five children also die. 23 of these children will be infants within the first 28 days of life while 57% of these deaths are compounded by underlying malnutrition.

“The total deaths in this most vulnerable group is about a plane load each hour. In other words, each hour in Nigeria a plane load of pregnant women, newborn and children die."

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

REC frustrating our move to tribunal —RIVERS APC

By Jimitota Onoyume & Davies Iheamnachor

P

the result sheets to the set qualifications for engaging ad-hoc staff for the job. Till date, we have received only half of one of the items.

“This delay portends that these documents were not

ready as at the time the results were announced. Following our persistent petitions, they agreed to give us the documents on April 27 but we were denied the documents again.

“The REC is determined to frustrate our petition at the tribunal. They want to prevent us from approaching the tribunal. It also justifies our earlier call that there was no election in the state.”

ORT HARCOURT—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has accused the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gesila Khan, of frustrating its move to challenge the election results at the tribunal.

The party, in a chat with journalists in the state, said that its efforts to get the documents used in the conduct of the elections to enable it move to the tribunal had always proved abortive.

The state Chairman of APC, Mr. David Ikanya, said that all applications by the party to access and obtain 16 documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state were turned down, adding that it was a ploy by the REC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to stop the party from going to the tribunal.

Ikanya said: “The injustice

by INEC in the state against the APC is becoming alarming. On April 14, we INAUGURATION: From right: Delta State governor-elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; member, applied for the release of all Transition Committee, Chief Issac Ekoyoweto, and Chairman, Transition Committee, Prof. the relevant documents about Sam Oyovbaire, during the inauguration of the committee chairman and members yesterday. the elections. We requested for Photo: Nath Onojake.

16 documents ranging from

Bini leaders seek review of number of House of Assembly seats in Edo South

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE Benin Leaders of Thought,

BLT, comprising of elders, royal fathers and opinion leaders in the Edo South

senatorial district of Edo State, has called on the in-coming state House of Assembly, the

Delta LG boss ordered to render financial account Fovie explained that Section 23

By Festus Ahon & Perez Brisibe

A

SABA—WORRIED by what it described as lack of due pressure, the legislative arm of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, has ordered the council Chairman, Mr Paul Etaga, to render financial account of the council from the inception of his administration till date within two weeks or incur the wrath of the lawmakers.

The aggrieved councillors, who gave the order during their sitting, also placed five supervisory councillors on indefinite suspension for allegedly conniving with the council Chairman to stop the rendering of account of the council.

The five affected supervisory councillors include Chief Newman Ighedo, Mr Matthew Utuama, Mr Sylvester Uzoh, Mr

Samson Akpojiyovwin and Mr Boudilum Edafe.

Moving the motion which was seconded by Mr Sunday Apah during the sitting of the legislators at the council secretariat which was attended by 18 out of the 20 elected councilors, Mr Kenneth

(C) and (D) empowers the lawmakers to summon the council chairman to present monthly statements of income and expenditure and annual reports to the House for it to consider and debate in order to ensure accountability.

Bayelsa Elections tribunal receives six petitions at inaugural sitting

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—THE National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday said six petitions have so far been filed before the tribunal.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ononeze Madu, at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal, said the tribunal has limited time to deliberate on all petitions before

it and deliver judgment in writing within 180 days from the date the petition was filed.

Justice Madu said that the tribunal remains the only legitimate avenue open to aggrieved politicians to ventilate their anger instead of resorting to self-help.

According to him, “The tribunal is expected to be devoid of the procedural clogs that cause delay in the disposition of the substantive dispute and so does not enjoy the luxury of time like everyday court.”

Edo State and Federal Governments to review the present constitutional arrangement which gives Edo South senatorial district with the highest population, only 10 members in the state House of Assembly while the Central and North districts with less population have 14 each.

The BLT also called on the stae governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, to address issues that have to do with the development of a port in Gelegele, the rehabilitation of the Benin communities in Gelegele, Abiala, Iko (Ikoro) and facilitating the movement of Okao (clan head), who was appointed by the Oba of Benin, to move to his house in Gelegele.

Congratulating the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory at the poll, in a communique by its convener and Enogie of Obazuwa, Prince Edun Akenzua, BLT commended Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for leading his party to victory and urged all Binis to support him.

Why APC lost Rivers, by PDP chieftain

By Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who is also a former chairman of the Local Government Service Commission in Rivers State, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini, has attributed the failure of the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, to deliver the state to his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the total disconnect with the major institutions in the state.

The former Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Chairman, who spoke on PDP's victory, said the victory of the governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, was for the good of all Rivers people, alleging that the APC government destroyed all existing institutions in the state.

Nmerukini said that the people of the state decided to vote PDP so that all the institutions of the state that had been ruined could be revived by the incoming government.

Madam Arife for burial

M

ADAM Arife Najomo of OtorUdu, Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, is dead, aged 82.

Service of songs holds April 30, at No. 2 Olomu Close, Steel Town 111 (Camp extension), Delta Steel Company, DSC, Ovwian/Aladja, while funeral Mass comes up May 1, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Steel Town 1, followed by interment at Otor-Udu, via Egini.

She is survived by seven children, 26 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren, amongst whom is Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, Vanguard’s Maritime correspondent.

Late Madam Arife

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Fuel scarcity hits Lagos, Abuja …As NNPC blames fuel scarcity on NARTO, PTD strike

By Sebastine Obasi & Michael Eboh

A

DAY after the expiration of the three-day deadline given by Major Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, to stop lifting petroleum products due to debts owed them by the Federal Government, fuel scarcity has hit Lagos and environs.

The crisis worsened as motorists

spent an average of 12 hours at petrol stations in their quest to purchase the commodity.

Also, majority of the fuel stations had altered their pump price, selling between N100 and N130 per litre.

The prolonged scarcity had also brought in its wake, a hike in transport fares, prices of commodities and services both in Lagos and the Federal Capital

Territory, FCT. In Oshodi, Ojuelegba and Ojota areas of Lagos, commuters were seen stranded, as there were few vehicles plying the roads.

In Abuja, large crowd of pedestrians were seen at almost all the bus stops, as one of the cab drivers told Vanguard that commercial drivers are left with no other option than to hike their fares, as most of them had to

purchase fuel from the black market at a minimum of N200 per litre.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had blamed the fuel scarcity currently witnessed in some parts of the country on the strike action embarked upon by the members of National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers,

UNILAG to honour Adeboye, Onosode, Danjuma

By Dayo Adesulu

U

NIVERSITY OF Lagos, UNILAG will confer honorary degrees on Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (rtd), Deacon Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, tomorrow, for their immense contributions to humanity.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon Bello who disclosed this, yesterday, explained that the choice of the elder statesmen was due to their immense contributions to education and quality of life in Nigeria. ‘’The eminent Nigerians will be conferred with honorary degrees of the University of Lagos for

their noticeable and immense contribution to education and quality of life in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, UNILAG in its first phase of graduating

ceremony has churned out a total of 3,104 graduates, yesterday, leaving 7,496 graduands for today and tomorrow.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor

Rahamon Bello while speaking during the convocation said that the 2013/2014 convocation ceremony will span three days.

AfriGlobal unveils longevity laboratories

By Chinwe Anyanwu

F

OLLOWING THE need for improved and qualitative healthcare services in Nigeria, AfriGlobal Medicare, Indian healthcare providers, is out with series of diagnostic laboratory equipment to meet with the increasing need for comprehensive solutions to patients.

In his keynote address at the

inauguration and commissioning ceremony of the laboratory equipment, the Chief Executive Officer of AfriGlobal Medicare, Dr. Martins, who pointed out that the centre "has a mission to improve healthcare in Africa through quality and affordable diagnosis," disclosed that AfriGlobal Medicare will be committed to ensuring that Nigerians are provided with the best of the centre's many services.

He told Vanguard that AfriGlobal Medicare is targeting becoming the No. 3 integrated

chain of diagnostic centres by the year 2020 where patients come first, saying that the centre would lead other diagnostic centres with a highly skilled and motivated team.

“We have value for integrity and passion for patient care and hope to lead the industry with a highly skilled and motivated team in providing comprehensive, accurate and reliable testing with quick turn-around time and innovative solutions,” he added.

PTD, over their disagreements with major oil marketers.

NNPC in a statement by Mr. Ohi Alegbe, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, said the strike was in protest of the huge amount NARTO and PTD members claimed they are being owed by major oil marketers.

To this end, the NNPC said the truck drivers have refused to lift petroleum products from the coastal depots.

“We are, however, working towards a speedy resolution of the issues to ensure a hitch-free distribution of products across the country,” the NNPC assured.

The NNPC also appealed to NARTO and PTD to call off the strike in the interest of the country and not unleash unnecessary hardship on Nigerians.

Furthermore, the NNPC assured Nigerians that it has enough stock of petrol to service the country for 27 days at a national consumption rate of 40 million litres per day even as it has stepped up efforts to end the distribution challenges in the fuel supply system.

According to the NNPC, "we have sufficient stock of petrol at our coastal depots in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 15

Why APGA swept Anambra assembly poll —Obi

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE organising secretary of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra State, Mr. Ogonna Obi, has attributed the victory of the party at the recent House of Assembly elections in the state to Governor Willie Obiano’s dynamic and development-oriented leadership since his assumption of office.

APGA won 27 of the 30 seats in the assembly, giving it an overwhelming majority in the next state legislature.

Speaking in an interview in Awka, Obi said the governor has left no one in doubt about his determination to bring meaningful development to all parts of the state, adding that the people were already buying into his laudable programmes as exemplified during the state assembly election.

He said: “The governor has, through his four pillars of development anchored on agriculture, trade and commerce, oil and gas, as well as industrialisation and their enablers, made giant strides in all parts of the state and created the

enabling environment to boost investment confidence through partnership with development agencies.

“His unique joint security outfit is a novel and has become a reference point in the country as the outfit has successfully stemmed the tide of crime and sent criminals packing from

Anambra State, thereby creating an atmosphere conducive for businessmen and women to go about their businesses without harassment.”

According to him, the people of Anambra State voted for APGA because they want the governor to have a majority of the lawmakers from his party so he

AGM: From left, Mr. Frederick Flejou, Non-Executive Director, Mansard Insurance Plc; Mr. Tosin Runsewe, Chief Client Officer; Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Victor Osibodu, Chairman, and Mrs. Omowumi Adewusi, Company Secretary, at the 23rd Annual General Meeting of Mansard Insurance Plc, in Lagos, yesterday.

ENUGU Deputy Gov heads Transition C'ttee

By Austin Ogwuda

E

N U G U — GOVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has set up a transition committee to see to smooth handing over of reins of power to governor-elect, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who would assume office in the Lion Building, Enugu, on May 29.

The committee is headed

by the state deputy governor, Reverend Ifeanyi Nwoye.

State Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Okey Eze, confirmed the setting up of the committee, comprising the deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Victor Atuonwu, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks

Ugwoke, PDP State Chairman, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, state woman leader of the party, among others.

Also Government House source told Vanguard: “As at this moment, the process of preparing hand-over notes is in a speedy process and in the government circle, we see it as more important than making fanfare of inaugurating a transition committee .

Igbo youths want Ogbonnaya Onu named SGF

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA— IGBO youths, under the aegis of Nation of Ndigbo Youth Forum, NNYF, has said former governor of Abia State and a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, was eminently qualified and deserves to be the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF. According to the youths, Dr. Onu’s unalloyed loyalty to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari,

further places him in a vantage position to be appointed.

Addressing reporters in Awka, national president

of the group, Comrade Ndubuisi Ani, described Onu as a consistent politician.

Olorogun Muogho goes home

T

could work harmoniously with the state lawmakers.

He also said that the outcome of the state assembly polls had clearly shown the great extent to which the National Assembly poll was manipulated, expressing optimism that his party would recover the National Assembly seats through legal means.

HE BURIAL ceremony of Olorogun David Udi Muogho, the Ogbu of Udu Kingdom, Delta State, who passed on, on February 2, 2015, aged 82, commences today, with a Service of Songs on Iyeghe Street, Aladja, near Warri.

A wake-keep at his residence, lying in-state and corpse procession to various nominated places same day.

Late Olorogun Muogho was inducted a chief into the Igbu Traditional Council on March 13, 2008 and also as the Ogbu of Udu Kingdom. Late Olorogun Muogho

MPPP suspends chairman for alleged embezzlement

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE NATIONAL E x e c u t i v e Committee, NEC, of the Mega Progressives Peoples Party, MPPP, has suspended its national chairman, Mr. Dare Falade, from the office for alleged acts of gross misconduct and misappropriation of party funds.

Consequently, the party has appointed the national treasurer of the party, Mr. Olayinka Akanni, as the acting chairman.

The NEC, after an emergency meeting attended by 26 national officers from across the country, resolved that after a critical examination of the tenure of office of Mr. Dare Falade as the national chairman, it discovered that the chairman was absolutely running an exclusive administration, contrary to the terms and conditions of his office.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

2 armed robbery kingpins arrested in Enugu

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—TWO notorious armed robbery suspects whose gang specializes in robbing motorists plying EnuguPort-Harcourt expressway have been nabbed by the operatives of the No 3 Police Mobile Enugu command on April 24.

The suspects,Okechukwu Aghaebe of Nnenyi, Umuleri,Aghamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State,residing at N0 26 Nwabueze Close, Emene, Enugu State and Nwabueze Azionu of Mgbo,Awgu in Enugu State,resident at No 7 Christ Church, New Market Road Onitsha,Anambra State met their

waterloo at Ozalla,along EnuguPort-Harcourt expressway at about 10.45pm.

Police spokesperson,Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed their arrest in a statement to newsmen adding that a trailer driver had raised a distress call as the

hoodlums were robbing motorists along the route.

He said,”Operatives stationed at Ozalla stop and search point raced to the point where they arrested two of the robbery syndicate after a gun duel that ensued between them and the

operatives.

“One of the hoodlums sustained gunshot wounds. They were overpowered and arrested while some believed to have been touched by bullet escaped with injuries.

“Two locally made double barrel

pistols and ten live cartridges were recovered from them.

“The command is appealing to members of the public particularly hospital owners to report promptly to any nearby police station about anyone with injury suspected to be sustained from gunshot for necessary action.”

Master mariners set agenda for Buhari govt

By Godwin Oritse

N

I G E R I A N ASSOCIATION of Master Mariners, NAMM, has called on the incoming government to articulate a national maritime policy that will form the basis of Nigeria’s goals

and objectives.

According to the group, government entities will, by this policy, know their specific role, with a view to growing the economy.

Speaking at the group’s meeting yesterday, the president, Captain Ade Olopoenia, said that a well

articulated maritime policy would not give room to policy flip-flops because of changes in leadership of agencies.

“It will also ensure that identified challenges are addressed satisfactorily and ultimately, activities in the maritime sector will adhere to the requirement of

the International Maritime Organization, IMO, convention and other international treaties, “Olopoenia said.

He also said that the type of professionalism that had brought about some level of peace and safety in the aviation industry should be replicated in the maritime sector.

He said: “A similar process is necessary in the maritime sector that will require core maritime professionals to be brought on board to head the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transport.”

He also expressed concern at the move by government to re-establish a national shipping line, adding that such ventures did not usually involve government.

He explained that while Master Mariners supported the move, the government should only give support to the private sector by way of providing funding.

Youth group blasts Delta polls

P

OLITICAL CREDIBILITY Alliance, a youth group made up of unemployed graduates in Delta State, has written off the justconcluded elections in Delta State as a mockery of democracy, describing both the national and state polls as irretrievably flawed.

While chatting with newsmen, weekend, in Warri, the group through its leaders, Mr. Gideon Erhue and Hon. Yalaju Awani, lampooned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, claiming that the Commission to all intents and purposes became an arm of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

According to Erhue: “We have been witnessing massively rigged elections in Delta for the past 16 years of PDP misrule, but nothing compares to what transpired in the name of the recently concluded polls.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 17

T

HE hustle for position and appointments is a defining factor of Nigerian life.

The joke now, in most parts, is to ask friends if they are moving to Abuja which goes to show that although a majority of Nigerians voted for “change” in principle, few truly understand what it entails. Unlike more developed countries where those called to serve often have solid educational backgrounds in policy making, those attempting in Nigeria to gain appointments often have no real understanding of governance and policy. Instead, what is touted as “experience” is simply experience in deal making and speaking the language Nigerian politicians understand: money.

I sincerely hope the calculations currently going on will leave room for technocrats to operate. But one must really ask: why are our politicians not technocrats? Why is there a difference, a separation between the two? One doesn’t go into politics in the US or the UK because one has no other business or occupation to attend to.

Of course, politics all over the world is a game of ambition but it is also one of conviction. Now that the “transfer window” is closed, and that APC has shut its doors to PDP defectors, one can only hope it’ll soon be time to get down to the very serious business of governance.

Names of prospective nominees are circulating online; each comes with calculations based on zoning rather than real competence.

What if the best man or woman for the job is from a different zone than the one allocated for a particular office: is this person simply out of the race?

Ethnicity and power play No wonder Nigeria is still so underdeveloped if rather than competence all we do is reward ethnicity and power play.

Rather, what we need are creative, talented individuals who will put the needs of the majority first rather than see public office as a means of selfaggrandisement.

As a student of History, I think of the people, in France for example, who laid the foundation upon which today’s modern policies were built.

Colbert was a French Minister under “le Roi Soleil”, the “Sun King”, Louis XIV of 17 th century France: France became a dominant world power, enabling French supremacy for several centuries.

Some even go as far as saying that without Colbert and his reforms, modern France would not exist. Who will be the Nigerian Colbert, a person whose structural reforms will place our country on the map, preparing it for international greatness for centuries to come?

Colbert would say “pour le Roisouvent, pour la patrietoujours”, meaning: “often for the King, but for country always”. Politics is often C M Y K

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Political appointments and the good of the state about vested interests; there is no country in the world where this isn’t true. However, when personal interests are aligned with a nation’s greatness, which is when development occurs, history is made, poverty is defeated, jobs are created.

Colbert was a workhorse who did the King’s bidding but never forgot the interest of the majority.

The projects he championed certainly enriched the elite and the French government, but they definitely empowered ordinary citizens (to a certain extent as one cannot compare the standards of living in 17 th century France to what the modern age deems acceptable).

“La gloire du Roiet le bien de l’Etat” was another one of

Foreign economies

•Muhammadu Buhari, President-elect

What we need are creative, talented individuals who will put the needs of the majority first rather than see public office as a means of self-aggrandisement

fully understand what working for history and endless, perpetual greatness is all about.

If by interests of the South-West, for instance, we mean only the interest of Bola Tinubu, then we are totally misguided and incapable of seeing the big picture.

Colbert founded French research and innovation, inviting the best artisans, scientists and innovators to create new typically French products for export, thus creating the French identity and reputation for finesse and luxury goods the country enjoys till this day. Nigerians expect those serving in the Buhari administration to have the same level of dedication to their country as the founding fathers of the countries we like to visit on holiday.

Colbert catchphrases i.e. “for the King’s glory and the good of the state”. You see, “corruption” (although at the time it wasn’t deemed as such) i.e. dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, should not stop the general affairs of the state from being conducted. In fact, the state must work, roads must be fixed, airports and hospitals built, children educated and groomed into a competitive workforce, because politicians understand that whatever money or businesses they

amass can only last in a system where the needs of the majority are also met. After all, without an educated middle class with adequate spending power, who will buy the goods and services that the elite and their corporations produce? Serving the King and his interests was (and is, even today in the West) synonymous with the good of the state and its people as a whole. So, when in Nigeria I hear people talking about the Hausa-Fulani cabal being back in power, or the interests of the South-South, I say we just don’t

The issue isn’t really whether or not they make money: all politicians, all over the world, make money. The issue is what they do with it: invest it in Nigeria, or keep it in Swiss banks, helping to keep foreign economies afloat. The issue is also recruiting the best, no matter their age or where they are from.

They must work for Buhari and his legacy as a reformer and restorer of the Nigerian dream.

Integrity in public office is of course important, but it would be naïve to expect the system to sporadically change.

However, if we are to compromise and make certain concessions to the status quo for now (after all, Colbert was an extremely rich man rumoured to have made his money speculating on “special projects”) we must be clear about the sort of “middle ground” we will accept, which also goes for “soft landings” for those in the past administration.

Recovered funds must develop Nigeria and we must agree the era of government largesse and stealing with impunity is over.

What we are after now is tactical, strategic investments to make Nigeria a country we can be proud of, where “made in Nigeria” is not something we look down on.

Oby Ezekwesili and #BringBackOurGirls

L

ET me start by saying she is someone I admire.

However, Ms.Ezekwesili’s call to Obama to help rescue the Chibok girls is one of the structural reasons why Africa remains underdeveloped.

Our “White saviour” complex permeates our political culture and understanding. Will Obama spend US taxpayers’ money to send troops or whatever machinery to Nigeria?

Obama is not accountable to the Nigerian people; quite frankly, he owes us nothing.

Rather, it is the administration, which refused to believe that any girls were taken, that owes us everything.

Nigeria has the resources and capability to defeat this scourge:

We must regain our own selfrespect before anyone internationally can take us seriously, as many of our problems are man-made, created by selfish, greedy people then endorsed and accepted by some who don’t know better and others in the citizenry who are simply waiting their turn.

•Oby Ezekwesili Boko Haram. We cannot, in one breath, accuse Westerners of over-interfering and keep asking them for help in the next.

Have you noticed that African presidents are only ever invited to see Obama in groups of three to five?

African migrants When I hear of boats capsizing in international waters, I think of the possible brilliance and untapped opportunities Africa loses to forced migration. If we developed fairer societies, Africans wouldn’t need to leave

our shores in droves. But how can we, when any and all former ministers can enter venues with gun-toting policemen, as if state apparatus were their personal property.

Private individuals using state resources for personal gain: one of the many reasons why ordinary people would rather risk their lives than stay in their own country. It is our collective shame.

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

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 THE Bank Verification Number, BVN, is another important step the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is using to strengthen the security of banking transactions and to ensure that fraudulent transactions are minimised, if not totally eliminated. The campaign is on, but the public may not realise its importance until it closes in June 2015.

Yet as the public embraces the initiative with enthusiasm, it should be aware that some fraudsters are trying to undermine the exercise by providing seemingly easier registration options for bank account holders. They request these details online and threaten that the account would be closed if the owner does not provide them the details. Their target is the account holder’s money. The best way of enrolling remains direct communication with one’s bank.

BVN uses biometric technology to register customers in the financial system. It records these physical features which are unique to individuals - fingerprints and the face. The record would be used to identify the person afterwards. Once a person’s biometrics have been recorded, and BVN issued, the account would be accessed through BVN. The major

Importance of Bank Verification Number objectives of the initiative are to protect bank customers, reduce fraud and strengthen the Nigerian banking system.

Biometric enrolment is helpful to people who cannot read and write. Their finger prints and pictures would serve the same purpose as signatures. Multiple account holders would be covered with a single registration in any of the banks where they have accounts.

BVN will help the banking system reduce situations where loan defaulters, for instance, move from one bank to the other and the banks extend new credits to them, without knowing their history. Banks would be able

to track transactions across all banks in Nigeria with more ease.

As CBN implements the BVN initiative, it has to ensure the security of the data, from rogue bankers and also importantly from damage, as has been the experience with other sectors that engaged in biometric enrolments. It should also create measures to punish banks that might exploit the information they have to blackmail customers with whom they have disagreements.

BVN is a great initiative that would reduce illegal banking transactions and improve national financial intelligence gathering. The interests of account holders should be accorded importance so that their increased confidence in the banking system would improve the financial standing of banks. Customers will use banks more when they know that their transactions are safe. BVN offers vast opportunities to protect customers, banks and the entire financial system.

The CBN should enhance the security of BVN to protect the entire financial system. It should be on the watch for technologies to keep improving BVN capacities.

OPINION

Off-loading the presidential fleet (2)

By Eric Teniola

Continued from yesterday's pg 18

T

HE President, Prime Minister of Singapore and government officials typically travel on regular scheduled commercial flights run by Singapore Airlines.

However, on rare occasions or short trips, government officials may travel on one of the few passenger-configured Fokker-50 operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737 (BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force’s 21 Squadron, which is based at AFB Waterkloof near Pretoria; the executive capital,that is the seat of the executive branch of the South African government.

21 Squadron also operates a fleet of two Falcon 50 and a Falcon 900B Fleet,550/1 Citation 2, and a Global Express XRS is hired to escort the President on long flights as a back-up aircraft. The Falcon 900 is normally used by the Deputy President and highranking cabinet ministers.

The President of Zimbabwe travels in a charted Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, which is part of the national airline’s fleet. Occasionally, the President shares the plane with commercial passengers on scheduled flights.

The Tanzania Government Flight Agency operates a Gulfstream G550 for VIP transports. There are other two other VIP

aircraft a Fokker F-50 and F-28 for internal and regional destinations as well.

The President of Ghana flies on a Falcon EX 900 jet.

The Botswana Defence Force operated a Gulfstream IV transport but has since been sold and the Botswana Defence Force now operates a Global Express OK1.

The government of Burkina uses a special Boeing 727. A Falcon 900 has been added, and is the type frequently in use now.

The Egyptian government operates an Airbus A340-200 as a VIP transport. The first presidential airplane was given as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.

The Pope is one of the richest and famous men on earth. He is the Head of the Catholic Church that has followership all over the world.

Typically, the Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia fixed-wing aircraft when travelling to or from more distant destinations.

Traditional protocol dictates that a Pope flies to a country he is visiting on a chartered Alitalia jet and to return on a jet belonging to a flag carrier from the visited nation; this may vary when he is touring multiple nations.

Can we maintain the Presidential Airfleet in the face of our dwindling economy?

The answer is no

The Nigerian’s Presidential Air fleet is being maintained by over 10 billion naira budget annually.

Poor states like Osun,Gombe, Ebonyi, Ekiti get less than 2 billion naira every month from the Federal Mobilisation Fiscal Commission as allocation. The Presidential Fleet of Nigeria has the third largest Air fleet in the country coming behind Arik which has twenty-two and Aero Contractors which has fourteen. The Presidential Air fleet has ten Aircraft. They include,two falcon 7X jet, two Falcon 900jets, Gulfstream 550,one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), Gulfstream IVSP. Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawk Siddley 125800 jet.

Each of the two Falcon 7X Jets purchased in 2010 cost $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m,Boeing 737 BBJ at $58m,Cessna Citation is $7m and Hawker Siddley 125800 at $125-800 at $15m.

In addition,the Federal government last year submitted several new items to be purchased by the Presidential Air Fleet to the National Assembly for approval. The items listed as new in the PAF budget are- the completion of hanger project (N405,500,000.00), tyre bay tools and equipment (N 106,000,000.00), Towberless tow tractor for aircraft towing (N 58,740,000.00), hanger sweeper (N 31,870,000.00), luggage conveyor belt truck (N28,898,000.00) and

Harlan tow aircraft equipment towing (N27,590,000.00).

Other news items are- CCTV and surveillance equipment (N18,000,000.00), aircraft tools and equipment (N11,480,000.00), battery workshop equipment (N5,050,000.00), complete tool box for general works and vehicles ( N (360,000.00), heavy duty crocodile jacks (N 300,000.00), aluminium ladder N285,000.00), safety boots (N52,500.00) and foldable ladder (N50,000.00).

The question before us is can we maintain the Presidential Airfleet in the face of our dwindling economy? The answer is no.

The alternative is to sell some of the aircraft so as to reduce cost.

It is even timescheaper to charter planes for some of our top officials than to maintain the Presidential Airfleet as it is now. The other angle is to let the Nigerian Air force face other challenges, instead of the present rivalry among senior officers over posting to the presidential air fleet.

I think we have many projects to tackle.

Instead of the temporary comfort of our leaders. All these are for the consideration of the incoming government of Major General(rtd.) MuhammaduBuhari.

In his Essays of Innovation, Francis Bacon wrote: "And he that will not apply New Remedies, must expect New evil; for time is the greatest innovator.”

Concluded •Mr. Teniola, a former director at the presidency , wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

May 28 or 29: When is the inauguration day?

O

CTOBER 1 was the most significant date on the Nigerian national calendar. It is, in a sense, still the most significant date in our national history. It was the day, in 1960, that Nigeria gained independence from Britain. It has ever since remained Nigeria’s national holiday during which Nigerians celebrate freedom from colonial bondage. Given its special status, important events in the life of Nigerians and Nigeria are often attached to that date. It was the day Shehu Shagari was inaugurated as Nigeria’s first executive president in 1979.

Promotion to new ranks in certain public and private sectors often takes effect from that date, as are other significant events such as the age of eligibility for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board. Thus, the significance of October 1 as Nigeria’s most significant date has spread beyond its political origin to cover other aspects of life in the country.

But a huge chunk of the significance and aura attached to October 1 was taken when after his inauguration as president on May 29, 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo, thereafter

consecrated the latter date as the day on which a newly elected or re-elected Nigerian president takes office. At the time this happened, some Nigerians saw it as part of Obasanjo’s own selfaggrandising personality, an expression of his messianic pretensions. Or for what else, it was imagined, could one man effect such a change in the national calendar? Obasanjo’s own comments and what looked like serious emotional investment in that date, underlining its significance as the opportunity arose, might have added to the impression that he deliberately sought to promote May 29 over and above October 1. But then Obasanjo’s inauguration on May 29 was a matter he could not have helped.

Necessity had a role to play in this.

Having painted itself into a corner in the crises that followed the annulment of the 1993 elections and the eventual death of Sani Abacha and Moshood Abiola, the military was impatient to leave. Nigerians on their part could not wait to see the exit of the military. The military could not afford to stay a day longer than could be accommodated on its selfimposed transition timetable.

Every single day counted and the military that had obviously lost

face and relevance at that time could not afford to destroy its reputation any further by risking any elongation in government, justified or not.

That could have only brought back memories of the failed handover promises of the Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha regimes, to say nothing of the Yakubu Gowon 1974 transition date which the ruler later reconsidered and thought ‘unrealistic’. Thus Abdulsalam Abubakar could not have hazarded any change or elongation in date. Certainly not till October, six additional months, if he was to maintain the October 1 traditional date of inauguration.

And so it was that May 29 has come to replace October 1 as inauguration day in Nigeria’s post military era. In the years since this happened, the Peoples Democratic Party has been in power and there has never been any doubt as to when a new president takes office. But following the defeat of Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election, a new civilian president will take office in the person of a retired general,

But then Obasanjo’s inauguration on May 29 was a matter he could not have helped.

Necessity had a role to play in this

How not to politicise the Chibok girl’s imbroglio

By Uche Nwadialor

I

T is about twelve calendar months since more than 200 young girls between 15 and 20 years of age were allegedly abducted by a group of extremist Islamic militants from the famous Government College in Chibok, community of Bornu state. This dastardly invasion of the students of that institution most of who had just finished their senior school certificate examination has been described as the first of its kind in the annals of history of the country called Nigeria.

That incident which occurred precisely on April 14, 2014 had thrown the whole country into mourning and has forced many parents and guardians to withdraw their wards not only from that institution but also from institutions in that part of the state for fear of a repeat of the episode. We are all aware that this event has affected the development of education in the North-eastern states of the country. Soon after the notorious but faceless Boko Haram organisation issued a statement claiming responsibility for the abduction of the innocent girls.

The socio economic and political consequences of the Boko Haram challenge which started since 2009 has since attracted global interest due to the strategic position of the African giant in international politics, economy, sports, entertainment and what have you. Critics of the Nigerian government including a

C M Y K

section of the international community have condemned what they described as the lackadaisical posture of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration in the face of the Nigerian extraction of the Islamic state movement spread across the world. Judging from the reactions of the various religious ethnic and political leanings of the country including the government itself, it would appear that no single Nigerian has come out to justify the cause of the Boko Haram group. Islamic scholars and leaders in northern Nigeria, including the Christian council of Nigeria have collectively

Therefore, it has become necessary for the BBOG led by Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, the former Education Minister and their allies in diaspora to endeavour to focus on prayers for the nation at this trying period rather than weeping up political sentiments

Mohammadu Buhari. There now appears to be some confusion as to when the inauguration would be.

Is it May 28 or 29 ? Patricia Akwashiki, the Information Minister, appeared to have stirred up a little controversy around the handover date by her explanation that the handover date would be May 28.

The clear implication of this is that President Goodluck Jonathan would not attend the inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari. Given the acrimonious atmosphere of the elections, this could not be that surprising. But in the aftermath of the election and Jonathan’s concession of victory to Buhari, his proposed handover date is definitely being seen as a tactical way to avoid witnessing Buhari’s hour of triumph if not a definite snub.

This would seem to contradict his much praised spirit of sportsmanship, a generosity of heart to which many in Nigeria and abroad attributed his readiness to accept defeat where a typical Nigerian politician would have thought nothing of holding the country to ransom by contesting the outcome of the election.

It may be within Jonathan’s right to choose to attend or not attend Buhari’s inauguration.

He may, in fact, not see any reason to do so given Buhari’s own refusal to congratulate him when he had defeated him in the 2011 election. Buhari also did not congratulate either of Jonathan’s predecessors that had defeated the president-elect on the two previous occasions he contested for president before his first encounter with Jonathan.

This is without considering the violence that trailed his defeat.

Which then means that Buhari has never conceded victory to his opponents in his three failed bids to become president. This is not an enviable record for a supposed democrat. For these obvious reasons and others that

disassociated themselves from this call for a third world war even as the Boko Haram have proposed the Islamisation of the Nigerian state. The inability of the Nigerian armed forces to contain the Boko Haram menace since the past six years or so, is seen by some critics as the result of Goodluck Jonathan's weakness or lack of force or is it firmness similar to those military traits exhibited by ex-president Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo and which is also expected of the president elect. Rtd General Muhammudu Buhari. Perhaps, these critics are indirectly advocating the recruitment of Nigeria’s presidents from the retired military class which is an invitation of our stinkingly wealthy retired generals into full time partisan politics, irrespective of their ability to capture the eligibility clauses in the 1999 constitution. Very often, one is tempted to think that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was losing grip of the excesses of some members of his team, a situation of which General Olusegun Obasanjo would have been able to address even as political pundits see Obasanjo as having employed rain doctors to drench the truck of salt he had contributed to pay for. But in a humorous conversation with a friend of mine living at Kirikiri, Oja, Lagos, expressed an exceptional sentiment about the obvious setback suffered by the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ekiti state where nearly every family have produced a university professor. In resistance to what Olatunde described as the enthronement of mediocrity, but here we are, one cannot eat his cake and have it. Goodluck Jonathan, could not have been a democrat and at the same time a dictator. The president himself was virtually

may be personal to him, Jonathan may be within his right should he decide not to attend Buhari’s inauguration, especially since there is no legal or constitutional demand that he must. However, in matters like this, convention and not law should take precedence.

What is more, the future must be taken into consideration.

Nigerian politicians must begin to lay a solid political foundation for the future. It is inconceivable that a President Buhari would refuse to concede victory in the hypothetical event that he is defeated in the 2019 election if he is still interested and eligible.

That would be worse than terrible. He could afford to play the sour loser in his previous bid, but that is no longer possible after March 28. To this end, Goodluck Jonathan must look beyond the moment and be seen to be laying a good foundation for the future by attending Buhari’s inauguration.

Many thought he would not accept defeat when he did.

Perhaps some of his hangers-on expected him to put up a fight after Buhari was declared winner of the election. His concession speech was eagerly awaited, even by Buhari. By making that call to Buhari conceding victory, Jonathan helped to lay the foundation of a new democratic practice. Kayode Fayemi pioneered it and Jonathan followed. Henceforth, a defeated politician knows there is such a thing as conceding victory and the manner of doing it. Should Jonathan refuse or fail to attend Buhari’s inauguration he may have helped to lay another booby trap for democratic practice, one in which a defeated candidate in an election can register their rejection of defeat by refusing to show up at their successor’s inauguration even after supposedly conceding.

shedding tears over the disappearance of these girls like any other patriotic Nigerian.

It is not reasonable to say that the president knew much about the Boko Haram terrorists and that he was dragging his feet in the fight against them in order to postpone the 2015 polls to further prolong his stay in office as was being speculated in some quarters or even to insinuate that the mere obstinacy of the insurgents has caused this political misfortune. After all various, developed countries have donated both moral and financial support towards bringing back the Chibok girls to no avail. One continues to wonder to whom the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) appeal is being directed to.

Is it to the president or to the Boko Haram?

The Nigerian armed forces equally cannot justifiably be held responsible by any standard of the seeming delay in sacking the Boko Haram insurgents, bearing in mind, that the terrorists have no fixed abode or battle field and that the guerilla warfare is no respecter of military tactics.

Therefore, it has become necessary for the BBOG led by Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, the former Education Minister and their allies in diaspora to endeavour to focus on prayers for the nation at this trying period rather than weeping up political sentiments. However, it is the hope of all Nigerians that the president- elect Rt. Gen Muhammadu Buhari will use his experience as a former military president to right the wrongs of the armed forces in our bid to eradicate the Boko Haram challenge in record time.

•Mr. Nwadialor, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

— 21

NSE market capitalisation drops N88bn amid sell pressure

A

Media launch, from left: Mr Kingsley Umedia, Business Executive, Personal Banking, Ecobank; Mr Patrick Akinwuntan, Group Executive, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI; Mr Tony Okpanachi, Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank and Mr John Nwosu, MD/CEO, Jetlink Limited during the Ecobank Advantage Banking Media launch held in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Oil sector deregulation, best option for economy — MOMAN

M

ajor Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has said that deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry remained the best option to move the economy forward.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr Obafemi Olawore, made the assertion in Lagos. Olawore said that deregulation would bring in investments into the sector, adding that only deregulation would encourage the establishment of private refineries in the country. According to him, the Federal Government should summon the courage to fully

$137.80

1.70

$2,951.00

33.00

13.10 .

-0.21

$65.04

0.21

57.05

0.06

CURRENCY

BUYING

CENTRAL

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

196 196.5 299.8016 300.5664 214.3848 214.9317 204.7639 205.2863 1.6472 1.6514 0.3042 0.3142 271.392 272.0851 31.5891 31.6701 52.2639 52.3972 28.7323 28. 8056 273.2828 273.98

197 301.3312 215.4786 205.8086 1.6556 0.3242 272.7774 31.7511 52.5305 28.8789 2734. 6771

CBN Exchange Rate as at 28/4/15

deregulate and remove subsidy or embark on continuous subsidy regime payment as at when due.

“If government likes, they can introduce gradual removal of subsidy but it should not go beyond 6 to 18 months period. If fully deregulated with rules, you will have the serious investors coming in to invest adequately,” Olawore said.

According to him, deregulation is the answer and the government must talk

“If government likes, they can introduce gradual removal of subsidy but it should not go beyond 6 to 18 months period. If fully deregulated with rules, you will have the serious investors coming in to invest adequately”

to the people and let them understand the advantages. “The government must also show that in the areas where there have deregulation, people are gaining and that whatever comes in as funds will be used for the benefit of the people.

People should know that the subsidy refund is not dash money. It is what you have paid for and somebody is paying you back because you have been told to sell below the market price. We were hoping that we will be paid back on time but the refund is delayed infinitely.

Banks are on us demanding for their money and interest,” he said.

The executive secretary also said that the foreign exchange element affected the business.

“When you buy a product at 160 to 1 dollar, for instance, and you don’t get the money until the exchange rate has been raised to 240, it means that you incur a huge loss. Who bears that? He said that there was need for government to pay as at when due for marketers to underscore the need for a hedge fund that would enable importers to cover such losses.

ctivities at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Monday opened for the week on a negative trend with the value of equities dropping by N88 billion due to sell pressure.

Market capitalisation of listed equities lost N88 billion or 0.74 per cent to close at N11.663 trillion against N11.751 trillion recorded on Friday. Also, the NSE All Share Index shed 168.00 points to close at 34,317.72 points compared with 34,485 .72 points recorded on Friday.

A breakdown of the transactions showed that ýLafarge Wapco led the gainers’ table, increasing by N4.10 to close at N93.50 per share. It was trailed by Mobil Oil with a gain of N2.95 to close at N155, while Cadbury Nigeria appreciated by N2 to close at N42 per share. Nigerian Breweries advanced by N1 to close at N152, while GT Bank grew by 52k to close at N28.63 per share.

On the contrary, ýSeplat topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N19.90 to close at N378.10 per share. Nestle came second with a loss of N15.50 to close at N915, while Guinness lost N7.96 to close at N160.04 per share.

Total Nigeria and PZ Industries dropped by N6.95 and N1.38 each to close at N155.50 and N29.88 per share respectively.

A review of the transactions showed that investors traded 200.966 million shares worth N2.19 billion transacted in 4,151 deals against 429.103 million shares valued N4.15 billion exchanged in 4,691 deals on Friday.

The Financial Service sector drove the volume of shares traded, accounting for 138.12 million shares worth N1.09 million achieved in 2,323 deals. The banking sub-sector was the most active in the sector with a total of 94.79 million shares valued N887.68 million in 1,458 deals. UBA was investors’ delight, accounting for 54.77 million shares worth N279.66 exchanged in 474 deals. It was followed by Zenith Bank having sold 11.60 million shares valued N255.08 million in 201 deals.

The Conglomerates Sector followed with a total of 30.39 million shares worth N123.81 million in 274 deals.

Warri P or erminal B priv atization ent er s RFP S Por ortt TTerminal privatization enter ers Sttage

T

he Privatisation of Terminal B of Warri Port, Delta State, has entered the Request for Proposal, RFP, stage as the National Council on Privatisation has directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises to call for the proposals from pre-qualified bidders. The bidders are: Bright Ocean Integrated Services, Transnet Rosehill Group, Solent Stevedores International, Neon Adani Ports Consortium, Marine Infrastructure Consortium, Ecomarine Consortium and Global Infrastructure.

The Council under the Chairmanship of Vice President Namadi Sambo directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to issue the RFPs to the prequalified bidders.

It will be recalled that following the approval of the NCP, advertisements seeking EOIs from prospective Concessionaires for Terminal ‘B’ Warri Old Port were placed in some selected National Dailies on June 23, 2014 and bids were received on August 7, 2014.

At the close of the submission, 13 EOIs were harvested and subsequently evaluated. The evaluation was based on responsive test and detailed assessment test of the 13 EOIs. Only seven applicants passed the assessment.

The evaluation committee recommended 70% as the minimum pass mark and further recommended that the seven successful applicants that met the minimum pass mark and above be prequalified to move to the next stage for the issuance of the Request for proposal (RFPs). istributes improved vitamin

C M Y K

‘A ‘A’’

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Just as the financial system has evolved, so too has the supervisory framework which will also promote stability of the financial system

,

Global insurers assessing Nepal earthquake loss

G

lobal insurers and reinsurers with presence in Nepal are sending their teams to assess the damages brought about by the massive earthquake that struck the nation last Saturday. Analysts said most of the claims will come from home insurance policy that provides cover for any damage to property and contents caused by natural or man-made calamities.

Among the insurance companies that are sending their teams in Nepal are the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) Re, the largest international reinsurer in Nepal, and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. The Indiangovernment-owned GIC Re said it has formed a special team that will be tasked to assess the loss caused by the earthquake in Nepal. “We will have loss estimate in the next two-three days. We have kept surveyors as the backup,” said GIC Re Chairman and Managing Director AK Roy. A special team has also been formed to handle insurance cases and settle claims on priority, said Roy. The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Nepal or Beema Samiti requires companies to cede 50% of insurance within the country.

Another insurer in Nepal, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, has set up a dedicated helpline number for customers that were affected by the tremor that struck Nepal’s northern and eastern regions.

The number of fatalities in Nepal has already crossed 3,200 as of Monday and government officials said the death toll will continue to rise in the coming days.

Nepalese on Monday continue to live with fear as huge aftershocks continue to rock the capital Kathmandu.

US Geological survey has predicted more aftershocks in the coming months. According to their website, USGS expects 3-14 aftershocks of the more than 5 magnitude on Richter scale and said that there is a 54 per cent chance of a magnitude 6 or greater aftershock.

The USGS added that in the following month and then the following year, USGS expects several magnitude 5 and greater aftershocks, with a significant chance of magnitude 6 and greater aftershock.

Firm harps on youth entrepreneurship

By Providence Obuh

H

oneywell Flour Mills Plc has reiterated its commitment to further support the Nigerian youths in discovering themselves to be more useful to the society through talent development and skills acquisition.

Speaking at a prize presentation to winners of the 2015 edition of Vision of the Child (VoTC) co-sponsored by Honeywell, Managing Director, Honeywell, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola said that it is essential for parents to help bring out the unique talents in their children with a view to equipping them to be able to take advantage of future opportunities.

Jaiyeola said, “At Honeywell, we have a number of programs aimed at developing young adult, developing the youth and children. Not only do we have a brand that is targeted at children but beyond that for us there is never a prize that is too much to pay. Working with children is amazing. It is amazing to know the kind of thought that pass through their minds, it is amazing to know that children sometimes know so much that you can never imagine. So, for us at Honeywell, there cannot be a better time than now to work with these set of young and upcoming children who are leaders of tomorrow”, he said.

He added that the modern day economy is driven largely by hand-works exemplified in small and medium enterprises, he said unemployment will reduce considerably if youths shun the quest for non-existing white collar jobs and rediscover themselves by tapping into their creative talents and innate abilities.

He commended the organisers of the VoTC initiative, saying their efforts will greatly benefit society. He urged everyone especially corporate organisations to support the initiative. Honeywell, according to him, will continue to support noble causes that add value to society and to youths in particular, especially in the area of talent development and skills acquisition.

C M Y K

,

INSURAN Sound regulatory system critical to stablility of insurance sector — NAICOM

By Rosemary Onuoha

T

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has said that a sound regulatory and supervisory system is necessary for maintaining a fair, safe and stable insurance sector for the benefit and or protection of the interests of stakeholders.

Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, (Technical), Mr. Mohammed Kari, who stated this, said that just as the financial system has evolved, so too has the supervisory framework which will also promote stability of the financial system.

Kari said that NAICOM is saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring effective administration, supervision, regulation and control of insurance business in Nigeria as provided in Part II, Section 6 of National Insurance Commission Act of 1997.

According to him, where operators lacked the vision to see impending crisis, regulators have come in to save the day.

“In various jurisdictions; especially the developing economies with weak operators; the regulator, performing his statutory function has been tagged as overbearing and a spoil sport by these uninformed observers, for constantly introducing checks and balances in the management of insurance institutions.

Ironically more often than not most regulatory measures are introduced to protect the policyholders,” Kari said.

On the level of progress made on Risked Based Supervision, RBS, Kari said that, RBS Roadmap to guide implementation has been developed; Risk Based Supervision Implementation Committee (RIBSIC) was constituted; enhancement of Solvency Management Framework including consideration of Solvency II equivalence and early warning system; on-going consolidation of all guidelines

Ironically more often than not most regulatory measures are introduced to protect the policyholders

issued by the Commission; setting up group-wide and consolidated supervision structures; as well as training and capacity development of staff of the Commission and the market operators on an ongoing basis.

While NAICOM is making all efforts to build the appropriate expertise to ensure that success is achieved, Kari said that the market is also expected to sit up and build up internal proficiencies and structures that would make the implementation seamless.

Kari said that going forward, the spirit enshrined in the principles laid down in the Solvency II framework shall guide the sector and focus shall be placed on insurance companies risk management practices and model; effective compliance function; regulatory reporting and compliance; training on an on-going basis; as well as collaboration.

“The market association shall be required to participate actively in the implementation process and make contribution through Industry Working Groups (IWGs) as recommended in the RBS Roadmap. We need to once more emphasis the need for market collaboration as we go forward, these changes cannot be surmounted by operators individually, resources, studies and experience need to be shared,” Kari said.

VISIT: Mr Tokunbo Modupe, Chairman TPT International (2nd right); Mr Goddie Ofose, Chairman Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (2nd left); Mr Raheem Akingbolu, former Vice Chairman of BJAN (right) and Mr Akinwumi Dickson, Treasurer during a courtesy visit of BJAN team to Mr Modupe in his office in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

,

CE & YOU

Where operators lacked the vision to see impending crisis, regulators have come in to save the day

— 23

,

Public analysts tasked on improved service delivery

A

CONFERENCE: From left: Mr Rotimi Edu, Vice Chairman, Quicklink Insurance Brokers; Mr. Demola Bukola, NCA Re, Abidjan; Miss Awa Harouna, NCA Re, Abidjan; Mr Shakiru Oyefeso, MD, STACO Insurance Plc and Mr Tinubu, MD, SCIB Nigeria at the 2015 WAICA Conference in Accra, Ghana.

Royal Exchange provides free cover for the blind

A

s part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Royal Exchange Plc is providing free health insurance to the staff and pupils of the Pacelli School of the Blind & Partially Sighted Children for a one year period at the first instance.

The company also donated educational learning aids to the pupils of the school recently.

Speaking during the official presentation of health insurance certificates and the educational materials to the school, Group Managing Director of Royal Exchange , Mr. Chike Mokwunye, said “In Royal Exchange, one of the main objectives of our corporate

social responsibility is to impart knowledge and assist the less privileged in the society, whenever the need arises, and as a responsible corporate citizen, we must be willing to offer a helping hand to those in society who need the support to become better citizens tomorrow.

“As children who already are at a disadvantage due to no faults of theirs, our aim is to make sure they learn valuable vocational and educational skills which in turn would make them more than capable of leading normal lives as responsible citizens who can fend for themselves and not be dependent on the larger society for any form of assistance”.

Ogunbiyi to speak on issues in pension industry

G

roup Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi will be the key speaker at the second edition of the Businesstoday Online Insurance and Pension Industry award 2014.

Ogunbiyi, who is a regular speaker at top events in the insurance industry around Nigeria and Africa, will deliver the theme paper titled, “Insurance Industry and Issues in Pension Management in Nigeria”.

The event which would kick off at 11:00 am prompt at Protea Hotel, Isaac John, Ikeja, Lagos on the 5th of May 2015 would enable operators and individuals in the insurance and pension industries deliberate on management of pension funds in Nigeria.

Also expected to speak at the event is the Director General of Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Sunday Thomas, who is also the chairman of the event as

well as the special guest of honour, Mr. Paschal Egerue, Chairman of Enterprise Trust Insurance Brokers Limited.

Also recognition awards will be presented to His Excellency, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, being the first governor in Nigeria to enforce the contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel for his transformational leadership of the Nigerian insurance industry under his tenure as Commissioner for Insurance.

Discussants are drawn from the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM); Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA); Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC); Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, (CIIN); Nigerian Union of Pensioners and Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp).

Mokwunye also commended the Principal, teaching and other ancillary staff of the Pacelli School for their humanitarian efforts in ensuring the students have the best education available to them.

While receiving the educational materials and health insurance cover on behalf of the staff and pupils of the School, the Principal, Rev. Sis. Jane Onyeneri, (HHCJ) thanked Royal Exchange for coming to the aid of the staff and more importantly, the pupils, through the provision of writing frames, mobility frames, stylus and other recreational materials which would enhance the learning of the students.

In her words, “The offer of health insurance to all the pupils of the school, including the teaching and non-teaching staff is a noble gesture which will go a long way in ensuring that the students and staff are in the best of health throughout the year, while the students will also make good use of the learning and mobility tools provided by Royal Exchange”.

The GMD was accompanied during the presentation by Mr. Richard Borokini, Managing Director, Royal Exchange General Insurance Company and Mr. Wilson Okoh-Esene, Ag. Head, Corporate Communication.

Royal Exchange Plc started operations in 1921 and continues to be driven by innovation and a determination to offer services that are of exceptional value to its customers. Following the recapitalization exercise in 2007, the company was reorganised into a group structure comprising Royal Exchange Plc as the holding company and five subsidiaries.

cting Registrar of institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria, (IPAN) Mr. Durosinlorun Abdusalam has charged public analysts to be on top of their game in order to have cutting edge advantage above competitors.

Abdusalam also said that public analysts must give satisfactory service that will compel clients to return as well as win new ones because they are in the business of service provision.

Abdusalam stated this at the 21st mandatory training workshop of IPAN, titled, ‘your laboratory, your business’ which took place in Kwara State.

According to him, there is need for analysts to keep abreast of happenings in the industry because the dynamism of science is transcendental.

He said, “We daily come across new discoveries, new innovations, new technologies, new knowledge all churned out with renewed vigour and great passion, such that keep the wheel in continuous motion that any serious-minded businessman/woman can There is need ill-afford to remain at inertia. for analysts to Therefore, to have any keep abreast chance of sustained success, today’s enterprises must be of happenings agile and aggressive than in the ever.

“When looking at best industry practices for running a because the laboratory, things as seemingly diverse as staff dynamism of development and retention, science is inventory management, procurement and efficient transcendental use of training stipend need to be looked at together.

Successful companies tirelessly monitor performance and quality, and are psychologically and structurally ready to capitalize on every new opportunity to transform and grow. These successful enterprise have discovered that four drivers are critical to sustained business transformation; business intelligence, innovation, automation and integration.

When all the four drivers are working together, business transformation is not just a strategy any more, it’s a state of being,” Abdusalam stated.

Abdusalam said that for public analysts to attain the status of successful entrepreneurs in spite of the hostile economic clime, the Institute strives to expand the horizon for its members through collaboration with relevant organisations.

He said, “We also explore new areas of opportunities for professional practice for business purposes in addition to the regular training programmes, workshops, business luncheon and mentors forum to enhance human capacity and the import of ethical practice is not lost as discipline

GAINERS FOR EQUITIES

LOSERS FOR EQUITIES

24—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 —25

DIARY zICT Africa Cape Town, South Africa July 15-16, 2015 z eLearning Africa 2015 Lagos, May 20-22, 2015

Preview Drumi Foot-powered washing machine

•Tech-preneurs

Nigeria, Ghana to lead Africa’s Tech-preneurship •MEST, Samsung partner on tech mentorship investment •Deal to consolidate $15m support

By Prince Osuagwu & Emmanuel Elebeke

N

I

deal for small, off-the-grid homes as well as extended camping trips, the Drumi portable washing machine eschews electricity in favor of a foot-pump.

The 22-inch tall Drumi is portable enough to fit in the trunk of a car, yet it can hold up to five liters of water—enough to wash several items of clothing. Once the clothes have been added to the unit along with water and detergent, the interior drum is spun by stepping on the foot pedal, which agitates the clothes and removes the dirt. Once the clothes are deemed clean, the wash water can be released and the dry clothes spun again to remove excess water and speed drying.

C M Y K

IGERIA and her sister country, Ghana may become clear leaders of Africa’s technology entrepreneurship should Samsung’s recent partnership with Meltwater Entrepreneural School of Technology, MEST, yield the expected results.

The two organizations have commenced a partnership deal aimed at providing more opportunities, resources and tools to Nigerian and other West African entrepreneurs.

The deal will see MEST train, invest and incubate aspiring African software entrepreneurs, to add to the already 200 individual entrepreneurs who have graduated from the training

I N S I D E

program and over 20 tech startups launched via seed funding and mentorship.

Already MEST said these supports have already gulped a whopping $15 million.

It however expressed optimism that the new deal will prepare the beneficiaries to become globally successful technology entrepreneurs. Samsung is expected to play pivotal role in each phase of the MEST programme.

Training: During the training, MEST will recruit top talented Nigerian and Ghanaian university graduates. According to MEST, once enrolled, Entrepreneurs-In-Training (EITs) receive a full scholarship to an intensive program that blends hands-on training in software development with business and

‘The Apps have it’ New research says poor app quality turns off 55% of customers PAGE 26

communications education.

During this period, EITs are also tasked with forming new business ideas based on the tech skills they’ve built, with the guidance of teaching fellows and staff.

On the other hand, Samsung will be involved from the early stages, starting with company ideas and pitching processes

Under training, MEST will recruit top talent Nigerian and Ghanaian university graduates

CardCentre invests in multimillion SIM card manufacturing plant in Nigeria PAGE 26

during the MEST training portion and will support MEST by providing in-kind as well as subsidized devices and tablets that can be used to test out and further develop their solutions.

EITs it is said, will also have the opportunity to apply for internship positions at Samsung when available during MEST internship breaks in Lagos, Nigeria campus.

Investment: Upon graduating from the MEST training program, EITs stand to receive an initial round of seed funding from MEST (ranging from $50$250,000) to pursue their business. Investment hinges on EITs’ “final exam” and is based on specific Key Performance Indicators, KPIs as well as the commercial viability of the business idea.

Samsung Enterprise Business Partners in Nigeria will also have the opportunity to invest as well as have a minority stake in a new or existing company coming out of MEST. Incubation: Under the incubation plan, teams that receive investment are given subsidized office space, 24/7 electricity and internet, and Continues on page 27

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Over 275,000 Gmail accounts install MailTrack.io

By Prince Osuagwu

O

VER 275,000 Gmail accounts and 30 million sent emails are now said to have the imprints of mobile messaging double- check app, MailTrack.io. The app takes the doublechecks from mobile messengers to Gmail.

Created in Barcelona in the end of 2013, MailTrack.io was idealized

by Nacho GonzálezBarros, a famous serial entrepreneur in Spain who created websites such as InfoJobs.net and Niumba.

MailTrack.io is a free application that tells its users when their emails have been opened. The extension takes the double-checks from programs such as WhatsApp and Telegram and place them inside the Gmail app. The concept translates the technology from the mass email marketing industry, wellknown in programs like MailChimp, to the popular format of the checks in individual emails.

As a business strategy, MailTrack follows the freemium model by offering the double-checks for read confirmation in Gmail for free. In the next months, the startup will release its professional version under MailTrack.io for Work, making the double-checks available also for professional email address hosted by Google Apps for Work.

I

n June 2014, MailTrack.io completed a seed investment round of $460,000.

According to GonzálezBarros, the main objective of the startup this year is to develop extra features for MaiTrack.io and take them to new platforms, including iOS, Android and Firefox.

“The increasing interest on the email as a productivity tool has been attracting entrepreneurs and investors everywhere.

Our ambition is that MailTrack.io becomes a must-have solution for everyone that uses it,” he explained.

‘The Apps have it’

New research says poor app quality turns off 55% of customers

By Laju Iren

B

EFORE now, service delivery was purely a function of the physical features of an organization; companies focused on marketing technique, customer service, branding strategies among others. But with a large percentage of business transactions now being done online, businesses desiring to succeed must make their apps as friendly as they want the organization to be perceived.

New research from Oracle reveals that nearly 55% of people say a poor mobile app experience would make them less likely to use a company’s products or services. The study ‘Millennials and mobility: how businesses can tap into the app generation’ focused on individuals who reached adulthood at the turn of st the 21 century.

Oracle submitted that 39% of millennials would also be less likely to recommend a company’s products or services to others following a poor app experience, and 27% admit it would even give them a negative view of that organization’s products or services altogether. These findings make it clear that if companies cannot provide current and prospective customers with engaging mobile app experience that also accurately reflects the values of their brand, they risk alienating

the millennial generation and seeing their competition pull ahead with a more convincing mobile offering.

Vice President, Mobile Strategy and Product Management at Oracle, Suhas Uliyar, said: “An engaging and personalized user experience has become the new weapon in the battle to attract and retain millennial customers. Businesses that cannot add value for customers with a more convenient, functional, and relevant mobile experience have little chance of coming out on top.”

Unsolicited communications Another notable finding in the report is that millennials are turned off by unsolicited communications in the form of push-notifications that aren’t relevant to their individual needs, but are happy to receive support in the form of value-added communications from businesses. About fifty-six percent of people would prefer not to receive push-notifications, similarly, the same percentage rarely act on the pushnotifications they do receive, even though nearly fifty percent admit these are personalized to them.

Seventy-three percent like the ability to purchase a company’s product or service using a mobile

•App World app. Likewise, Seventy one percent like the ability to manage billing for services, and Sixty five percent like being able to flag issues or complaints to a business via a mobile app. To this point, Uliyar added: “The ability to manage bills or flag service issues to a company via a mobile app implies an agreed-upon relationship between a customer and brand or service provider.

The story is completely different in the case of push-notifications.

Organizations will need to provide app-based services that deftly tread the line between helpfulness and being

overbearing if they want to tap into young peoples’ affinity for using mobile and tablet apps without alienating them.”

On a global scale, the research points to a telling discrepancy between smartphone and tablet app use among millennial. While young people use tablets on a considerable scale, smartphones remain their device of choice for accessing mobile apps. For example, sixty-one percent of millennials have uploaded media content using a smartphone app, but only about thirty-five percent have done so with a tablet.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

CardCentre invests in SIM card plant in Nigeria

By Emeka Aginam

C

ardCentre Nigeria Limited (CCNL), a subsidiary of Chams Plc and leading producer of cards in Nigeria, has invested in the construction of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card manufacturing plant as part of the Chams Group’s contribution to the development of local content in the telecoms sector.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Chams PLC, Mr. Demola Aladekomo who disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard Hi-Tech recently, said that by the time the manufacturing plant begins production, Nigerian telecoms service providers will no longer need to import full body SIM card.

Aladekomo said he even took advantage of the last Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Spain, to discuss the project with

•Sim cards

two European firms, and with everything going according to plan, the production of SIM cards in Nigeria by CardCentre will commence by the end of the third quarter this year.

He added that the project will contribute positively to capacity building in the telecoms sector and also help to reduce unemployment in the country.

“We are already discussing with our European partners. We had positive discussions with them at the 2015 MWC in Spain and expect to sign agreements with them by the end of May so that by the end of third quarter, we would have finished building the plant and begin production immediately.”

Aladekomo noted that having pioneered identity management and payments system in Nigeria, the Chams Group is better positioned, through CardCentre, to get the go-ahead on the project from the federal government.

According to him, “Over dependence on foreign goods is killing local companies. We have

the state-of-the-art technology to produce the body here in Nigeria. The chip can be imported while the body can be manufactured locally with SIM Card Milling and Embedding Machine.”

Cardcentre specializes in printing and personalization of card/ smart card products, PVC pre-printed cards, PVC based ATM/Debit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Verve and Genesis as well as GSM SIM cards. it is currently the first and only private-owned EMV perso plant in Nigeria with laser engraving module to personalize all PC/PVC cards. In 2007, CCNL partnered with parent company, Chams, to set up the largest card personalization plant in Abuja to produce 56m permanent voters cards in 90 days for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This earned it the world record for producing largest volume of cards within the shortest possible time.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—27

Nigeria, Ghana to lead Africa’s Tech-preneurship Continues from page 25 access to MEST’s global network of advisors comprised of renowned venture capitalists and entrepreneurs from around the globe, all of whom support the distribution, marketing and sales of these newly incubated companies. In addition to this support, the MEST-Samsung partnership will help open doors for MEST incubator companies both consumer and B2B focused to partner on distribution of mobile applications and crossmarketing services.

Similarly, Samsung will work with MEST-incubated companies and facilitate introductions of market-fit and market-ready MEST startups to Samsung Enterprise Business

Partners and Samsung Information and Mobility Business teams to further explore specific commercial and technical partnerships to pilot and scale these products/services through strategic projects addressing market needs in verticals such as education, financial services, healthcare, retail, transportation and hospitality.

Director, Enterprise Business for Samsung Electronics West Africa, Charles Ojei, said, “Startups incubated at MEST are developing innovative applications that can add value to end-users in West Africa and promote the adoptions of Samsung products, solutions and services. “MEST is among the first in the African continent

to train software entrepreneurs for two years as well as guide them through investment programs that yield actual results.

Samsung is very excited to be involved in this full-circle program and look forward to supporting at each phase in a mutually beneficial relationship that is win-win for both parties.

The MEST model builds local talent and capacity, enhances the tech ecosystem and also creates sustainable jobs and wealth within the community, and we are proud to be a part of that.”

For the Managing Director, MEST Incubator, Neal Hansch, “the major objective for MEST in 2015 is bringing on board strategic partners who can support our mission to empower

hundreds of tech entrepreneurs in Africa. “We can’t think of a better or well-equipped partner in the space and we are very honored to have Samsung formally join us in our efforts and further catalyze growth in the African tech market.”

Since its inception, MEST said it has invested $15 million in supporting West African entrepreneurs with 200 individual entrepreneurs graduated from the training program and over 20 tech startups have been launched, via seed funding and mentorship from MEST. Beyond the training and investment program, MEST added that it also play active role in nurturing the nascent but growing space that is the African tech ecosystem, and holds

frequent meet-ups, hackathons, and other opportunities for the community to cross-pollinate ideas and resources.

The two organizations said they plan to roll-out a series of cosponsored events in Ghana and Nigeria, where new ideas and technology will have the opportunity to prosper.

According to them, the two partners are formally kicking of their partnership at Mobile West Africa. This will be highlighted with a co-branded exhibition booth and will be promoting the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge as well as MESTincubated Suba, a free mobile app that allows people to share photos at events, giving everyone in attendance access to photos without having to be on a ‘friend’s list’.

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

NNPC Act gives it a ‘Blank' cheque to spend without limit or control —PWC President, Goodluck Jonathan’s order that the forensic audit report of the NNPC be made public is generating furor in some quarters and curiosity in others. Here is the executive summary of the findings of the report unedited as submitted to the federal government by PWC

•Actual revenue generated $69bn •Corporation operates an unsustainable model.

•Forty six per cent of proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues spent on operations and subsidies.

•International crude oil prices averaging $122.5 per barrel •$3.38 billion was spent on kerosene subsidy for the review period.

•Presidential directive needed to stop kerosene subsidy •Refund $1.48billion •Over claim for subsidy $98million •Unpaid signature bonus for divested assets $1.75bn •No access to NPDC’s full accounts and records •Clarity required if deductions should be made by NNPC as a first line charge

B

ASED on the work conducted by our team from the commencement of this mandate up until January 29, 2015, our conclusions are as follows: Total gross revenues generated from FGN crude oil liftings was $69.34bn and not $67 billion as earlier stated by the Reconciliation Committee for the period from January 2012 to July 2013. Total cash remitted into the Federation accounts in relation to crude oil liftings was $50.81bn and not $47bn as earlier stated by the Reconciliation Committee for the period from January 2012 to July 2013. NNPC has provided information on the difference leading to a potential excess remittance of $0.74 billion (without considering expected remittances from NPDC).

Expected remittances Other indirect costs of $2.81billion which were not part of the submission to the Senate Committee hearing have been defrayed to arrive at this position.

The resulting potential excess remittance indicates that the Corporation operates an unsustainable model. Forty six percent (46%) of proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues for the review period was spent on operations and subsidies. The Corporation is unable to sustain monthly remittances to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and also meet its operational costs entirely from the proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues, and have had to incur third party liabilities to bridge the funding gap.

Furthermore, the review period

recorded international crude oil prices averaging $122.5 per barrel (Average Platts prices for 2012). As at the time of concluding this report, international crude oil prices average about $46.07 per barrel 2, which is about sixty two percent (62%) reduction when compared to the crude oil prices for the review period. If the NNPC overhead costs and subsidies are maintained (assuming crude oil production volumes are maintained), the corporation may have to exhaust all the proceeds of domestic crude oil sales, and may still require third party liabilities to meet costs of operations and subsidies, and may not be able to make any remittances to FAAC. The corporation is unable to sustain monthly remittances to the Federation: The Corporation is unable to sustain monthly remittances to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and also meet its operational costs entirely from the proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues, and have had to incur third party liabilities to bridge the funding gap.

Furthermore, the review period recorded international crude oil prices averaging $122.5 per barrel (Average Platts prices for 2012). As at the time of concluding this report, international crude oil prices average about $46.07 per barrel, which is about sixty two percent (62%) reduction when compared to the crude oil prices for the review period. If the NNPC overhead costs and subsidies are maintained (assuming crude oil production volumes are maintained), the corporation may have to exhaust all the proceeds

President Goodluck Jonathan...nothing to hide of domestic crude oil sales, and may still require third party liabilities to meet costs of operations and subsidies, and may not be able to make any remittances to FAAC. We, therefore, recommend that the NNPC model of operation must be urgently reviewed and restructured, as the current model which has been in operation since the creation of the Corporation cannot be sustained.

The report reflects the fact that $3.38 billion was spent on DPK subsidy for the review period. We also confirmed using third party vessel tracking platforms that all vessels carrying NNPC cargoes arrived in Nigeria within the periods disclosed by PPPRA. A major consideration centers on the ownership of oil and gas assets controlled by NPDC. Subject to additional information being provided, we estimate that the NNPC and NPDC should refund to the Federation Account a minimum of $1.48billion as summarised in the next page. A determination is required as to whether all or a portion of ‘other costs not directly attributable to crude oil operations can be defrayed by NNPC. 2 US Energy Information Administration data on indexmundi.com.

Investigative Forensic audit of crude oil revenues and remittances by NNPC (January 2012 – July 2013) Expected refund by NNPC to the FGN: Description Summary of expected remittance to the Federation accounts by NNPC/ NPDC $billion.

Comments: Duplicated PMS subsidy claim 0.02; Duplicated

We did not have access to NPDC’s full accounts and records and we have not ascertained the amount of costs and expenses which should be applied to the $5.11billion Crude Oil revenue

DPK subsidy claim 0.04; Subsidy computation errors 0.04; Subsidy claim on un-incurred DPK cost 0.21; Over-claim of subsidy for the review period 0.98bn; Unsubstantiated costs and errors in cost schedules 0.78.

Additional cost provided between 12 January 2015 and 29 January 2015 (2.81). (Incurred deficit)/Expected refund by NNPC/NPDC to the FGN (0.74); Unpaid signature bonus for divested assets $1.75bn; unpaid NPDC self assessed taxes and royalties 0.47 I

Federation accounts Updated Expected refund by NNPC/NPDC to the FGN $1.48; Amounts to be refunded by NPDC to the Federation accounts out of NPDC net revenues (dividends)3.I; DPK Subsidy claims for the review period II. We did not have access to NPDC’s full accounts and records and we have not ascertained the amount of costs and expenses which should be applied to the $5.11billion Crude Oil revenue (net of royalties and PPT paid) per the NPDC submission to the Senate Committee which should be considered as dividend payment

by NPDC to NNPC for ultimate remittance to the Federation Account.

Between January 12 and January 29, 2015, NNPC provided transaction documents representing additional costs of $2.81 billion related to the review period, citing the NNPC Act LFN No 33 of 1977 that allows such deductions. Clarity is required on whether such deductions should be made by NNPC as a first line charge, before remitting the net proceeds of domestic crude to the federation accounts.

If these are deemed not to be valid deductions, then the amount due from NNPC would be estimated at $2.07 billion (without considering expected known remittances from NPDC) or $4.29 billion (if expected known remittances from NPDC are considered). The Corporation provided details of expenses to the tune of $12.97 billion related to the review period, funded from the proceeds of domestic crude oil revenues.

This is summarized: Revenue generated from domestic crude liftings (January 2012 to July 2013) $28.22bn; Revenue remitted from domestic crude liftings January 2012 to July 2013 $15.99; Unremitted domestic crude revenue $12.23bn; Costs incurred by NNPC$12.97billion; Verified PMS and DPK subsidy $8.70bn; Demurrage claims by counterparties on product-exchange arrangements ($0.14bn); Verified Crude oil and product losses ($0.83); Verified pipeline maintenance and management costs (0.49).

Domestic crude Other costs incurred by NNPC not directly attributable to domestic crude (subsequently provided in 2015) ($2.81bn); NNPC potential excess remittance ($0.74bn); A consideration of the total costs incurred and the amount remitted potentially led to an excess remittance of $0.74bn by the Corporation during the review period as detailed in above: Summary of crude oil revenue and remittance by NNPC (January 2012 - July 2013) Revenue generated per reconciliation committee $67.00bn; additional revenue generated upon our investigation $2.34bn; Actual revenue generated $69.34bn; Costs directly attributable to domestic crude ($1.46bn); Total other third party financing arrangement ($1.06bn); Equity crude oil processing cost ($0.13bn); unremitted revenues – NPDC ($5.11)bn; PMS and DPK subsidy ($8.70bn); Amount due $52.88bn; Other costs not directly related to domestic crude oil operations- ($2.81billion); Salaries and benefits ($1.52bn); monthly operations ($0.48bn); Other third party payments (including training course fees, estacode, and consultancy fees, and other vendor payments) ($0.81bn), Expected remittance $50.07bn; actual remittance $50.81bn; Potential excess remittance to the federation for the review period ($0.74bn).

The Corporation represented that the potential excess remittance of $0.74 billion was funded from proceeds of PMS sales for which the suppliers of the PMS are yet to be paid in cash or crude oil. As at the time of concluding this report, details of the affected suppliers that funded this potential excess remittance are yet to be provided by the Corporation. The analysis above and resulting potential excess remittance suggest the existence of liabilities to third parties incurred by the

Continues on page 29

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—29 reviewed, we identified possible errors in the computation of crude oil prices at the NNPC that resulted in a $3.6 million shortfall in incomes to the Federation account. The major beneficiaries were Fujairah Refinery $805,545, NNPC (KRPC/WRPC) – $697,995 and NNPC (COMD) - $2,107,275. Subsequent to our identification of this issue, NNPC has amended the errors, and have reflected the amendments in the remittances to FAAC in October 2014. Our review of the DPK sales process revealed that NNPC sells DPK to bulk DPK marketers in Nigeria at N40.90 per litre at a location on the coastal waterways (off shore Lagos). The expected/ official regulated retail price of DPK in Nigeria is N50 per litre.

This retail price of N50 comprises the Ex-depot price of N34.51 and aMargin of N15.49. NNPC should be required to explain the reason for selling DPK at N40.90, rather than the regulated Exdepot price of N34.51.

NNPC Act gives it a ‘Blank' cheque to spend without limit or control —PWC Continues from page 28 Corporation.We recommend the Corporation be required to disclose details of all existing liabilities and impact on proceeds of future crude oil sales. The Corporation is expected to operate in accordance with the NNPC Act LFN No 33 of 1977 which states in Chapter 320 Part I subsection 7(4) as follows: “The Corporation shall maintain a fund which shall consist of: (a) such moneys as may from time to time be provided by the Federal Government for the purposes of this Act by way of grants or loans or otherwise howsoever; and (b) such moneys as may be received by the Corporation in the course of its operations or in relation to the exercise by the Corporation of any of its functions under this Act, and from such fund there shall be defrayed all expenses incurred by the Corporation.”

Loss making subsidiaries Accordingly, all the Corporations costs, and those of its loss making subsidiaries have been defrayed in the analysis provided by the Corporation for the review period. However, the profit making subsidiaries and dividends received have been excluded from the analysis provided. This suggests that there are other sources of net revenues available to the Corporation not currently disclosed.

A proper estimate of the actual potential excess remittance/ under-remittance can only be arrived at if all revenues and all costs of the Corporation and all its subsidiaries are accounted for in a consolidated position. A detailed review of this was beyond the scope of our mandate.

We, therefore, recommend that NNPC be required to disclose the consolidated position of the Group and its subsidiaries, and expected remittances to the Federation accounts be determined from the available consolidated net revenues.

Furthermore, the nature of costs that are allowable should be predetermined by all relevant parties.

We also recommend that the NNPC act be reviewed as the content contradicts the requirement for NNPC to be run as a commercially viable entity. It appears the act has given the Corporation a “Blank” cheque to spend money without limit or control. This is untenable and unsustainable and must be addressed immediately. The Corporation should be required to create value, and meet its expenses entirely from the value created. Proceeds from the FGN’s crude oil sales should be remitted entirely to the Federation accounts. Commisions for the Corporation services can then be

paid based on agreed terms.

Comments: We did not obtain any information directly from NPDC, but in accordance with NPDC former Managing Director’s (Mr Briggs Victor) submission to the Senate Committee hearing on the subject matter, for the period, NPDC generated $5.11billion (net of royalties and petroleum profits tax paid).

We have relied on the Legal Opinion provided to the Senate Committee by the Attorney General (AG) on the subject of the transfers of various NNPC (55%) portion of Oil leases (OMLs) involved in the Shell (SPDC) Divestments which impact crude oil flows in the period. The AG’s opinion indicated that these transfers were within the authority of the Minister to make. Thus, these assets were validly transferred to NPDC. The same AG’s Legal Opinion also indicated that NPDC was to make payments for Net Revenue (dividend) to NNPC, which should ultimately be remitted to the Federation Account. A sale will mean the following should be due to be remitted to the Federation accounts Petroleum Profit Taxes (PPT); Royalties; Signature bonus payment; Dividend from profit for the period (according to dividend declared in line with NPDC’s dividend policy).

We have not obtained any information that suggests that NPDC has been assessed for PPT and Royalty for the review period.

However, as disclosed by the former MD of NPDC at the senate hearing, NPDC had done a self assessment of PPT and Royalty and had unpaid self assessed PPT and Royalty to the tune of $0.47 billion related to the review period.

Review period In January 2015 (subsequent to our initial reported conclusions), we were availed with copies of Deeds of Assignment for OML’s 26,30,40,42. We were not provided with copies of Deeds of Assignment for OML’s 4,38,41,34. We were also provided. Investigative Forensic audit of crude oil revenues and remittances by NNPC (January 2012 – July 2013) with information which indicated that the various NNPC (55%) portion of Oil leases (OMLs) involved in the Shell Divestments related to the eight (8) OML’s aforestated, were transferred to NPDC for an aggregate Sum of US$1.85billion.

So far, only the amount of US$100m had been remitted in relation to these assets. This means that the amount of US$1.75billion is yet to be remitted in relation to this transfer.

In addition, by a comparison of

Map of Nigeria the aggregate amount of US$1.85billion determined by DPR as the transfer value , and the (arm’s length) commercial value paid for by 3rd parties for between 30% to 45% divested by Shell, we arrive at an estimated Alternative Commercial Valuation of US$3.4billion for the NNPC 55%. The point here is that while we appreciate that this is a government entity to government entity transaction, we had expected a transfer basis higher than the US$1.85billion commercial value determined by DPR. We have not performed a professional valuation and therefore recommend that the valuation done by DPR be reassessed.

NNPC explained that these OML transfers were in the bid to encourage local participation in the Nigerian upstream Oil and Gas Industry. We also expect that NPDC should remit dividends to NNPC and ultimately the Federation accounts, based on NPDC’s dividend policy and declaration of dividend for the review period.We did not have access to NPDC’s full accounts and records and we have not ascertained the amount of costs and expenses which should be applied to the US$5.11billion Crude Oil revenue (net of royalties and PPT paid) per the NPDC submission to the Senate Committee hearing in order to arrive at the Net Revenue (in line with the AG’s Opinion), which should be subjected to dividend remittance.We are also not aware that NPDC declared dividend for the review period.

These matters need to be followed up for final resolution in terms of the NPDC Net Revenue (dividend) for Crude Oil relating to the transfers, PPT and royalty unremitted, and the transfer price valuation and remittance. II. We determined from information obtained from PPPRA that $3.38 billion relating to DPK subsidy cost was incurred by the NNPC for the review period.We obtained a letter, dated October 19, 2009 written by the Principal Secretary to the President, to the National

Security Adviser (The following were in copy: Honourable Minister for Petroleum Resources, Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Group Managing Director NNPC, and the Executive Secretary PPPRA), confirming a Presidential directive of 15 June 2009 instructing that subsidy on DPK be stopped (Exhibit D7).We also obtained a letter dated 16 December 2010 from the Executive Secretary PPPRA to the CBN Governor clarifying that PPPRA had ceased granting subsidy on Kerosene since the Presidential directive of 15 June 2009 (Exhibit D8).

Furthermore, Kerosene subsidy was not appropriated for in the 2012 and 2013 FGN budget.

However, the Presidential Directive was not gazetted and there has been no other legal instrument cancelling the subsidy on DPK. In a Presidential media chat on 24 February 2014, The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ebele Jonathan, asserted that kerosene subsidies have not been disallowed.

We, therefore, recommend that an official directive be written to support the legality of the kerosene subsidy costs. This should also be followed by adequate budgeting and appropriation for the costs.

Other Findings: For the period

The accounting and reconciliation system for crude oil revenues used

by Government agencies appear to be inaccurate and weak

Kerosene subsidies The Corporation should also be required to explain the reason for selling DPK to bulk DPK marketers at a location on the coastal waterways (off shore Lagos) rather than at the incountry depots.

NNPC explained that the contract the Corporation executes with the kerosene marketers confirms NNPC (PPMC) is responsible for the delivery of DPK to marketers at their assigned depots on shore. The Corporation further explains that the kerosene marketers, however, opt to receive the product off shore Lagos. The Corporation further explains that the DPK sales price per litre off shore Lagos includes the following: Approved sales priceN 34.5; Bridging allowance N5.85 Marine Transportation Allowance 0.15; PPPRA Admin Charge 0.15 Total 40.66 Unexplained charge 0.24; Sales price off shore Lagos 40.90 The accounting and reconciliation system for crude oil revenues used by Government agencies appear to be inaccurate and weak. We noted significant discrepancies in data from different sources. The lack of independent audit and reconciliation led to over reliance on data produced from NNPC. This matter is further compounded by the lack of independence within NNPC as the business has conflicting interests of being a stand-alone self-funding entity and also the main source of revenue to the Federation account.

Our approach to this mandate: It is important to note that although PwC has reviewed documents submitted by the key stakeholders involved, our work was conducted independently, and our findings are based on the review of documentation, analytical reviews of data, and interviews conducted. Due to this approach, our findings and the way we presented them in this report may not necessarily reflect the formats of the various submissions made by the different stakeholders.

30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 31

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Flying Eagles se rida sett FFrida ridayy deadline ffor or fforeign oreign pr os pros

A

deadline for foreign invited professionals of the Nigeria under-20 team will be set on Friday according to the team secretary Ibrahim Aliyu Auwal.

Aliyu said that the team, which will hopefully depart for Germany next Wednesday, will be camped in Nuremburg and all invited foreign players are expected to join them for camping ahead of the World Youth Championship.

However, following doubts that some players might not be released by their professional sides the soft spoken secretary said the team will meet on Friday after their arrival in Germany to set a deadline for the invited foreign based players.

“We will set a deadline on Friday and stand by it as we will be flexible to all of the players in our decision,” he said.

“We might consider different dates for the players based on the demands of their various teams as already some teams have made it known they will release their players mainly based on their position in their leagues we have to respect that.

“We don’t want to soil their relationship with their clubs but at the same time we don’t want any distraction, hence the reason why we have to set a deadline to avoid any player holding us back in our plans”.

F

Chukwu: Keshi avoid past mista

ormer Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu has advised returning Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, to avoid making the same mistakes that characterized his previous stint

ITF Futures: Nigerian players cruise on in Abuja

N

igerian players commenced their campaign in the ongoing Tombim Abuja Open on a bright note, as no fewer than five of them defeated some highly rated foreign opponents to advance to the second round of the competition holding at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

Eyeonthesports.com reports that Moses Michael, winner of last year ’s Abridged Governor’s Cup, caused the first upset at the Circuit, defeating Kokou Missodey who is ranked 1564 in the world, in straights sets of 6-1, 6-2 in their first round match.

Just as Michael cruised to the second round of the moneyspinning tournament, Henry Atseye also routed Borges Pereira Kevin of Brazil, 6-1, 61 in a one-sided affair at the Package B of the National Stadium in Abuja.

Playing at the centre court, Atseye gave his opponent no breathing space as he quickly stroked to a 4-1 lead before finishing him in less than two hours under intense heat.

Otu ensured a hat-trick of

wins for Nigeria as he was responsible for the scalp of Merunka Stefan, a Croatian player ranked 2184 in the world.

Albert Bikom, just back from France, also ensured a massive representation of Nigeria in the second round with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Kshitij Kamal of India.

In arguably the toughest match of the day, Nigeria’s number one male tennis player, Clifford Enosoregbe, lived up to pre-tournament billing as one of Nigeria’s best, when he ousted 2014 Governor ’s Cup Lagos Championship losing finalist, Duncan Mugabe, 76 (3), 6-2.

The players twice broke each other in the first set, before Enosoregbe toppled his opponent in a 5-3 lead.

But, Mugabe twice broke Enosoregbe and served out to lead at 6-5.

The 2014 Dala Hard Court winner served to tie the match at 6-6 before winning the tie break with seven games to three.

with the team.

‘Chairman’, as Chukwu is fondly called, said Keshi made a lot of mistakes with the team before, and must look to avoiding same mistakes this time.

“Keshi made a lot of mistakes in the past and now that he has returned I hope he had learnt from them,” said Chukwu. “It is not easy being the Super Eagles coach trust me and I know you make some mistakes.

“If you get the opportunity to return,

Leicester vs Chelsea: Kramaric ready to ‘explode’ against Chelsea

J

ose Mourinho may have responded to the “Boring, boring Chelsea” chants with aplomb with his comments on Arsenal’s title drought, but a new sledger has entered the arena ahead of the Blues’ clash with Leicester.

Having been tearing up the Croatian league with HNK Rijeka, Andrej Kramaric attracted interest from a number of the Premier League teams.

It looked at one stage as if Stamford Bridge would be his next home, but instead he opted for a switch to the East Midlands.

“I rejected Chelsea and chose Leicester because I wanted to feel real football”, the 23-year-old is quoted as saying.

His arrival at the Foxes camp hasn’t been as explosive as had been hoped, with just two goals to his name, but now could be the time for the four-capped striker to come alive.

After racking up four straight Premier League wins, Nigel Pearson’s men have

climbed out of the relegation zone, and are hitting form at the right time.

A price of 9/2 probably reflects the host’s chances accurately, with Chelsea coasting towards the title, and reports suggesting Pearson is looking to save his first string for more winnable encounters in the near future.

Whether that is true or not, he is likely to be without David Nugent and Jamie Vardy to lead the line at the King Power Stadium.

The Croatian is likely to want to show Chelsea that he is worthy of Premier League football, and not just a pawn to buy and loan out, the probable outcome had he chosen west London as his new home.

He can certainly deliver in the big games, having bagged a hat-trick in his final season at Rijeka against arch rivals Hajduk Split in the fiery Adriatic Derby, and could step up to spoil Chelsea’s title party.

At 10/1 to break the deadlock, or 7/2 to bag at anytime, there looks to be few options better to back, as the Foxes continue their charge towards top-flight safety.

ALSO IN THIS EDITION

VOL. 1 NO 30

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

How dirty Anambra's abattoirs forced commissioner to stop eating meat PAGE 4

Agency wants producers, marketers to improve quality of locally made products PAGE 5

Anambra awards N1.5bn anti-erosion contracts PAGE 6

•The gully erosion being sand-filled by indigenes of Eha Ndiagu, Nsukka Local Government Area to reopen the access road, abandoned since end of Nigeria-Biafra civil war, 45 years ago.

Anambra pensioners bemoan unpaid PAGE 7 entitlements

Erosion cuts off Enugu oil community for 45yrs

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

R

ESIDENTS OF Eha Ndiagu, an oil bearing community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State are groaning over lack of access road to the community since the end of the NigeriaBiafran civil war about 45 years ago.

For anybody in the community to get to the Nsukka Local Government headquarters, such a person must go through Ikem, in Isi Uzo Local Government via Obollo Afor in Udenu Local Government, before reaching Nsukka through Ovoko in Igboeze South Local Government Area.

Investigations by South East Voice showed that apart from the high cost of such journey, a lot of man-hours are lost as C M Y K

the journey which ordinarily would not take more than an hour usuallytake a whole day.

After many decades of agony, the people had since resigned their fate to God and adapted to primitive living conditions.

“We seem to have been abandoned by all the tiers of government. Our people are even considering making request to be merged with the people of Benue State, since we have not been assisted by the state government by way of provision of social amenities,’’ a retired teacher and community leaders in the area, Mr. Uwakwe Agbo, told South East Voice.

Agbo said that apart from high cost of travelling, hundreds of sick people and pregnant women had also died over minor sicknesses that could have been treated in hospitals at Nsukka or Enugu

as there were no vehicles to convey them. ‘’Sometimes, we try to take sick people to Nsukka on commercial motorcycles, but

After many decades of agony, the people had since resigned their fate to God.

most of them end up dying before help could come to them in hospitals. ‘’Eha-Ndiagu is predominantly a farming community and famous for the production of yam, cassava, tomatoes and cashew nuts, but our farmers have no means of transporting them to the cities where they can make maximum profit. ‘’ Although there are public secondary schools in Eha Ndiagu, they are inhabited by rodents. Reason, officials posted to our schools are unwilling to come to EhaNdiagu after their first visit on motorcycles. The result is that the schools are without teachers except those who are indigenes. ‘’Besides, the unfortunate situation is adversely affecting the exploration of oil found in the community since 1956. The

road has been in a state of disrepair since after the war in 1970 and over time, it began to deteriorate until it became completely washed away by soil erosion that has created yawning gullies and tunnels on the road making it impassable by vehicles,’’ Agbo said.

The Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Mr. Charles Ugwu, described the EhaNdiagu situation as unfortunate when South East Voice approached him for comments on the issue.

Ugwu said there was nothing a local government could do to fight the erosion in area.

“The road belongs to the state government and we have drawn their attention to the plight of Eha-Ndiagu people and we are optimistic that something would be done on it soon,’’ he said.

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 and the national economy at large. We are laying a solid foundation for a future where we talk more of entrepreneurial programmes in our universities."

UNN entrepreneurship research centre remain comatose for yrs

T

HE CENTRE for Educational Development Research of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, which has the mandate to promote entrepreneurial culture and mind-set, skill acquisition, selfemployment, economic independence and selfactualisation for Nigerian youths, had remained comatose for some years now.

The inactivity which had negatively rubbed off on its mission of training, business enhancement programmes for artisans and small scale business operators, workshops to teach and spread the message of entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity, and development research stemmed from the total withdrawal of financial support to the centre by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. In those years, the centre witnessed a beehive of activities with high human traffic seeking to acquire one skill or the other.

Then, CBN, which was the major financier, was happy with the results coming out from the centre. Funding of programmes/ trainings was a regular thing until the management of the centre changed hands leading to erosion of confidence and trust between CBN and the institution which led to a lull in activities.

Result-oriented management However, things are now changing for the better for the centre with the setting up of a new and result oriented management led by Professor E. O. Ezeani by the institution. To recreate CEDR, the new management hit the ground running by organising 2015 edition of Entrepreneurship Week with the theme, 'Graduate Self-employment: A Veritable Tool for Nation Building, last week.

This was buoyed up by the assurances given to the CBN by the university that old things had passed away and that all had become new.

The event, which was attended by thousands of students from the university was designed to expose and motivate the youths on the need to become employers of labour instead of job seekers.

The entrepreneurs that were on hand to tell their success stories include Dr. Poly Emenike, MON, Chairman/CEO, Neros Pharmaceticals Ltd, Chief A. C. Okafor, OON, Chairman/ CEO, Chikason Group of Companies, among other business tycoons.

In his address, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof.

Julius Okogie, represented by a Deputy Director at the Commission, Dr. Abdulkarim C M Y K

Obaje, commended the organisers of the event on the choice of the theme, which he said was apt and significant in line with the Federal Government’s policy of making entrepreneurship education and self-reliance the cardinal agenda in the delivery of functional education at the tertiary level.

Okogie reiterated the readiness of the Federal Government and its agencies to support all institutions, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, the private

•From left, rep of Nigerian University Commission, NUC, Executive Secretary, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, former DVC Administration, Professor Malachey Okwueze, one of the guest speakers, Poly Emenike & Director of CEDR, Professor Emmanuel Ezeani, during the exhibition of works of arts produced by the students. sector and other stakeholders in finding sustainable ways of entrenching the culture of entrepreneurship among university students.

His words: “The rising rate of unemployment among Nigerian graduates has informed government’s decision to regularly review the relevance,

practice and delivery of higher education in the country.

"This review has established an obvious gap in the entrepreneurship background of the students irrespective of areas of specialisation.

“This is just the beginning of the long walk to economic and social freedom for our graduates

This is just the beginning of the long walk to economic freedom for our graduates.

We are laying a solid foundation for a future where we talk more of entrepreneurial programmes in our universities

Reduce bride price, Akonobi, ex-military governor of Anambra, pleads with Igbo parents

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA — FORMER Military governor of old Anambra State, Col. Robert Akonobi (rtd), has pleaded with Igbo parents to reduce the bride price of their daughters so that ‘’our young boys can marry them.” ‘’To me, this topic (bride price) has been dealth with in the past by Ndigbo, who came out with a reduced bride price, to enable our young boys marry our young girls,” Akonobi said.

Akonobi also cautioned that men should study their proposed wives closely and longer before engaging into marriage because "once you marry, no one else can put it asunder."

He spoke at the industrial city of Nnewi, Anambra State during the traditional wedding ceremony of the daughter of a business mogul, Chief Louis Onwugbenu, Onyinye and her husband, Bosah Chukwuogo, weekend.

Nnewi was agog as dignitaries from all works of life trooped to the residence of Chief Onwugbenu for the memorable event. The dignitaries who were from both the military, political and manufacturing circles, including Col Akonobi, Hon. Clement Nwankwu, former member of the House of Representatives; Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of Gabros International Limited and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited, Chief Gabriel and Innocent Chukwuma respectively, among others.

The issue of high bride price was discussed extensively on the occasion.

Hon. Nwankwu, in his own speech, prayed that Chief Onwugbenu and his wife would live long to enjoy the

fruits of their children, especially those who married from outside their areas.

Also, speaking, Mrs. Onwugbenu expressed gratitude that her daughter’s

‘’To me, this topic (bride price) has been dealth with in the past by Ndigbo, who came out with a reduced bride price, to enable our young boys marry our young girls.”

•Guests...

•Bride and bridegroom at a wedding feast. hand was given out in marriage and prayed that her in-laws who came all the way from Awka to marry her daughter, would go back home safely.

Father of the bride, Onwugbenu, in his own speech, said he had already blessed his daughter and her husband to go and make a good home.

On the bride price controversy in Igbo land, Onwugbenu declared: “We do not charge money as bride price for someone to marry my daughter. To me, what is important is that my daughter should live in peace with her husband. Let her husband’s family members accept her as part and parcel of their family.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 3

Anambra Business Coalition trains 100 health professionals

BY FRANCIS IGATA

O

NITSHA—ABOUT 100 health professionals were, last weekend, trained in various health fields by members of Anambra Business Coalition, ABC, a Public Private Partnership, PPP, formed by the state government in collaboration with RISE Health Corporation, RHC, a non-governmental organisation, based in the United States of America, USA. At the training session which covered Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, proper usage of a defibrillator machine, and the use of an epinephrine

pen for anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions, the participants were highly motivated and eager to learn during both the video and live lectures that also involved hands-on-skills workshop.

The training programme, which is aimed at boosting manpower development in the health sector reforms in the state, was part of the PPP arrangement contained in the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, recently entered into by the Anambra State government and RHC. The MoU, according to Governor Willie Obiano, was not only to stem the tide of “Brain Drain Phenomenon,” which had led to the exodus of highly

•Participants at the training session conducted by officials of RISE Health Corporation, USA

The training programme, aimed at boosting manpower development in the health sector was part of the PPP arrangement with Anambra government and RHC

skilled healthcare professionals from the country to seek “greener pastures,” but also to institute proper training arrangements that would boost manpower development within the sector in the state.

Obiano acknowledged that our health professionals, who are leaving for developed countries were looking for greater career opportunities, higher salary scales and better living conditions, which explained why his administration was out to find

a lasting solution to the menace, which according to him, was currently crippling the country’s health sector due to a lack of qualified healthcare workers to properly cater for the growing population.

He stated that as one of the primary objectives of its Hospital Re-engineering Project, HRP, ABC, PPP, the state government and RHC were to provide over 30,000 professional training hours to build the healthcare workforce in the state by the end of 2017.

600 PHCs tackle child-killer diseases amidst 'dramas' by new mothers in Imo

BY ANGELA NKWOAKPOLU

I

N ITS resolve to fight child-killer diseases, Imo State government sometime ago directed that all the over 600 primary health centres,PHCs, in the state would serve as centres for all primary healthcare activities in the state. ‘’The 600 health centres in the state will serve for the purpose of all primary healthcare activities, including routine immunisation, ante-natal, maternal and child care activities, including deliveries,” the government said.

According to the government, the epidemiological assessment had revealed that there had been reported cases of measles in Oguta, Oru West, Ohaji/ Egbema, Oru East, Orlu and Ehime Mbano local council areas of the state The government was, however, irked that out of the the 37 cases reported in Oguta Local Government Area, five children died, while one out of the 45 cases in Oru West council area also died.

Routine immunisation “These out-breaks were traceable to reduced immunity. It said for effective implementation of routine immunisation activities, the state government developed a policy to make it compulsory for all communities to own a health centre. Immunisation ensures that the child resists killer diseases,’’ it added.

For every new born baby, there are certain drugs administered on the child to boost his or her immunity, and very important for ensuring the baby's survival to adult age. Immunisation is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an C M Y K

• ...immunization exercise at a centre. infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine.

It stimulates the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunisation is a proven tool for life-threatening infectious diseases.

However, beyond the actual act of administering the drug, there are silent intrigues that play out amongst the women, (who in this case are mothers to the infants) and the care-givers (this includes the nurses/midwives). Perhaps you always wonder what transpires at such gatherings.

For new mothers, immunisation is a new experience. They normally arrive early to ensure they do not miss out on any vital detail and this is where the drama begins. On arrival at the health centre, grading of each participant begins, without any spoken word!

Ideally, immunisation is only handled at the primary health centres and hospitals that handle child deliveries and can administer drugs to at least 10 infants to avoid wasting of drugs.

For most new mothers (Primid) the norm is to stay at home for about three months, in an ideal situation, especially among the Igbo. For such women, all they do is stay home, learn the ropes on balancing their acts as wives and mothers, nurse their newborns (especially in this area of giving the baby only breast milk for six months; a term popularly called exclusive breast-feeding, and or being baby-friendly).

New mothers are also identified by their shyness to breast-feed their babies in public, either because they are wrongly-dressed or do not know how to nurse their babies without being naked!

For many new mothers, the immunisation visit serves as an escape route from the sit-at-home mode. It is not uncommon to see such women to be the first to arrive the centre, beautifully adorned.

In their quest to out-do everyone else, they wear clothes, all kinds of beautiful dresses to look girlish again. For most of these new mums, the past months of bearing long tummies, courtesy of the nine months pregnancy, has been quite an experience and retaining their pre-pregnancy state in terms of great shapes is a top wish, hence at the first chance of stepping out which may be as late as six weeks, immunisation is a breather many look forward to.

On arrival at the health facility, older women, especially nurses can make out such ladies. Simply because in their bid to show that they are now mothers, they tend to over-do things! They are easily identified by their buying sprees, they will buy almost anything shown to them as avenues of achieving a flat tummy or shedding excess weight, no

thanks to unscrupulous business men and women!

They bring all sorts of things and give the notion that within a few days, flat tummy is achievable, selling nothing but cheap lies and deceit!

New mothers are also identified by their shyness to breast-feed their babies in public, either because they are wronglydressed or do not know how to nurse their babies without being naked!

When this scenario plays out, the older women in child-bearing giggle and make non-verbal signs to convey their amusement among themselves.

Before drugs are administered, there is what health providers call “health talk.” It addresses most issues confronted by new mothers ranging from care of newborn babies, coping with body changes, sex, family planning or child-spacing as some prefer and so much more!

While teaching, questions are asked, reprimands made where necessary (like a woman who asked if it was safe for her husband to also suck her breasts for breast milk), and jokes shared.

Interestingly many waiting mothers (women yet to conceive) also attend to tap into the faith or blessings of the new mothers.

Others, who attend are marketers of disinfectants like Dettol and diaper like Pampers, which graciously give trial samples to the women; a gesture many of them look forward to.

Then comes in the marketers of girdle (to make the tummy flatter), clothes, soaps, jewellery and creams. Simply put, it is a gathering of all sorts!

Not forgetting staff of the National Population Commission, NPC, who attend to ensure the new-borns are duly registered to enhance proper planning and allocation of resources.

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Ihiala community groans over lack of roads, havoc by tipper drivers

BY OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

I

HIALA—THE people of Umuezeawara Community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State are groaning over lack of access roads.

Residents of the area claimed that the village had lost over 45 persons in several road mishaps due to the reckless manner of tipper drivers that pass through the area to dig sand from excavation sites at the Atamiri River.

They claimed the road which stretches from Okija junction through Ihiala to Egbema in Imo State and down to Rivers State,

was first constructed during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and had not been rehabilitated since then.

I feel troubled about what my village is going through. In fact we lack words to express the havoc being caused by these, truck drivers."

•One of the tippers on the dirt road, first constructed in 1980 by President Shagari.

•Chief James Chukwudolue

According to them, the people had sent several appeals for intervention to Governor Willie Obiano and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha without any positive response.

A hydro geologist, Dr. Emmanuel Nwabineli, who spoke on the state of the road as well as sand excavation from the Atamiri River, captured the situation thus: “As a professional and an environmentalist I can tell you that our environment is under threat.

I know the size of the river in the

How dirty Anambra abattoirs forced commissioner to stop eating meat

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

Erosion and loss of vegetation

A

WKA—IF the environment around abattoirs in most parts of Anambra State is anything to go by, most people in the state concerned about their health would soon stop eating cow meat slaughtered in those abattoirs.

However, one person who has already stopped eating meat as a result of the worrisome condition of most abattoirs in the state is the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike.

Akabuike, while bemoaning the condition of abattoirs in the state said that when the present administration in the state assumed office, the governor, Chief Willie Obiano became concerned and directed him (the health commissioner) to do something about it.

After visiting some of the abattoirs, the commissioner said he was so much worried that he immediately stopped eating cow meat.

“After going through our abattoirs, I decided to be eating fish and the reason is because it is suicidal to eat meat coming out from the dirty abattoirs,” he said.

As a result of the condition of the abattoirs, the state government decided to set up a committee to improve their conditions.

He said: “When the report is submitted, we will come up with a comprehensive programme on how to improve our abattoirs. It is likely that we will build standard abattoirs and phase out the existing ones.

“What we have in this state are not abattoirs. We have ideas of what we should have as abattoirs C M Y K

past, but the level of degradation occasioned by the excavation of sand is a potential danger that would soon come.

"We have sent petitions to the Federal Ministry of Environment and also to the state government on the matter. You know that before one begins to excavate sand at any point, you must carry out Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA. But this was not the case in this place.”

Nwabineli said that the community had protested for attention, adding that their appeals were yet to be addressed.

He also said that, apart from the hazards and risks faced by the road users, their vegetation was at risk as constant excavation continued to wash down the soil surface into the river causing erosion and loss of vegetation.

•Section of Kwata Abbatoir in Awka, Anambra State and we are working towards it.

It is cheaper to build new abattoirs than to rehabilitate the existing ones that do not have good source of water supply, no proper drainage system and no clean environment for operations.”

At the popular abattoir at the Kwata area of Awka, the operators told South East Voice that in spite of monies they pay to the authorities for operating at the abattoir, they clean the area themselves on a daily basis. A visit to the abattoirs showed that the operators use the same platform for slaughtering cows for bathing and watching their clothes.

The stench from the abattoir could also be smelt around the

nearby Udoka housing estate and the dirty water from the abattoir flows into the streets. Many people residing around the ab-

It is cheaper to build new abattoirs than to rehabilitate the existing ones

attoir have had to relocate when the stench became unbearable.

Despite the dirty environment, hundreds of meat buyers converge there everyday to make their purchases.

Also at another abattoir at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area on Onitsha – Enugu express way, a section of the community living close to the abattoir has abandoned their houses and relocated to other villages.

The controversial Umunya abattoir was brought into the community by a prominent son of the area and despite opposition from his people, he allegedly used his connection in government to ensure that it is not relocated.

The villagers claimed over 120 Mercedes 911 tippers pass through the road daily to excavate sand, hence the agony and lamentation by the people. Traders at Afor Igwe Market in Umudara village also, lamented the hardship they faced on every market day.

Mr. Lious Okani from Umuezeawara said: “Before these tipper drivers started using the road, we had no problems we had enough space to do our trading, but suddenly, deep potholes began to form on the road and started expanding, encroaching into the market.

“I lost my seven year old son Chukwuebuka to the accident that occurred few months ago.

He was returning from school when one of the tippers knocked him down and he died on the spot.

“The worst is that the driver ran away with his tipper and all my efforts to find out the particular driver that killed my son proved abortive because hundreds of them pass through that road on daily on top speed.”

Also, Mr. Oddy Chukwube, chief press secretary to the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, while describing the situation as worrisome, painted the picture thus: “I feel troubled about what my village is going through. You can even see it yourself. In fact we lack words to express the havoc being caused by these, truck drivers."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 5

Foundation moves to sustain the legacies of Fr. Stan Anih

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—A non-profit making organisation, Prof. Stan Chinedu Anih, PROFSCA,Foundation, has held a one-week memorial activities to mark the first anniversary of its benefactor, Rev. Fr. Stan Anih, who was renowned for his ecumenical activities in communities in Enugu State and beyond.

Anih was until his death on April last year, founder, Ecumenical Secondary School, Thinkers Corner, in Enugu as well as the African Thinkers Community of Inquiry College of Education, ATCOICOE, Enugu and the

Coal City University, among others.

In a symposium, entitled,

Fr. Stan Anih worked for the development of Igbo language.

He wanted Igbo language to be among global languages

•Prof Ukwu Ukwu making a speech during the foundation's one-week memorial activities “African Intellectualism and Creative Ingenuity-Next Level,” the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ukwu.I.Ukwu said: “The Foundation to commit its resources, identify best brains available in the globe as well as ensure that intellectual and practical steps are taken towards solving Africa’s

major problems beginning with capacity building to resource attraction and allocation in order to positively transform our immediate communities, towards uplifting the ideals of tolerance among religions which Fr. Anih preached.

He said: ”When Fr. Anih was

alive, he never demonised other religions. He saw their practice as a quest for good.

“He worked for the development of Igbo language. He wanted Igbo language to be among global languages.

That is why he worked assiduously to produce an Igbo dictionary.”

Agency wants producers, marketers to improve quality of locally made products

BY ANAYO OKOLI

improving the quality and consistency of the products.

According to Oluwaseun, some of the artisans he interacted with

U

MUAHIA—IMPRESSED by the quality of leather products such as shoes, bags, belts, purses and others produced by artisans in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, the Department for International Development, DFID, has advocated for a synergy between producers and marketers to further improve the quality of the locally made products.

The DFED believed that improved quality of the leather products from Aba would contribute immensely to the growth of the Nigerian economy as there is the potential of exporting these leather products to other countries, including Europe, which would make them more competitive at the international market.

The two-day workshop sponsored by the DFID for stakeholders in the finished leather sector industry of Nigeria’s economy to brainstorm on how best to improve the quality of the leather products from Aba in partnership with the Leather Product Manufacturers Association of Abia State, LEPMAAS, and the Growth and Employment in States, GEMS1.

The workshop also advocated originality in product designs to be in good competition with their foreign counterparts.

A renowned Lagos-based designer, Mr. Ayotola Oluwaseun, who was part of the workshop lauded the Aba-made products on display, adding that emphasis should be placed on

Let us make products that scream Nigeria, so that when we take it to the outside world, they would see that the product is different

produced very limited quantities because they did their productions manually and called for the procurement of machinery that would help them to be consistent at every point and to enable them improve on the quality of their products.

“I am impressed with their products, because it shows some level of craftsmanship, but emphasis should be placed on improving the quality and consistency of their products, which is a key part,” he noted.

Oluwaseun also advised the artisans to create their own designs instead of copying the signatures of foreigners.

“Let us make products that scream Nigeria, so that when we take it to the outside world, they would see that the product is different,” he added.

Mr. Thank-God Injima of Nwadiche Shoes, Aba, in his

•Shoe manufacturers in Abia State.

remarks, asked local shoe buyers and marketers to have confidence in local manufacturers, by being proud of locally made goods.

He condemned the use of foreign labels on Aba-made products which he attributed to inferiority complex, and urged them to be proud of what they produce.

“If we cannot be proud of our own products, then we are encouraging our artisans and local manufacturers to use foreign labels on their products.

“I was surprised to hear a senator confess in Abuja, in one of the trade exhibitions I attended recently, that he booked for some bags to be imported from China, but a friend of his, informed him that he could source those items in Aba, which he succeeded in getting; but instead of being proud to say that the items were produced in Aba, he

claimed that he sourced them from China, thereby depriving Aba and the country of the credit,” he lamented.

Another Lagos-based leather designer and brand owner, Gbemisola Isho, who was visiting Aba for the first time, explained that she was there to explore ways of producing a wholly Nigerian product at a cheaper price.

Imported products She noted that it had become very difficult to get Nigerian products out there in the markets because Nigerians are in competition with imported products, which according to her were not necessarily better than Nigerian products, but because they were cheaper and most people did not understand that.

“And because our products are made here and most of them are hand-made, they are more expensive, than some imported products,” she explained, and commended Growth and Employment in States, GEMS 1, for facilitating the programme to encourage collaboration among stakeholders in the sector.

“I am happy to be part of this programme, because it will give me the opportunity to have a complete product that is made in Nigeria. I also came to find out if working with Aba artisans, would reduce my cost of production and also compete favourably with similar imported products.

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

BY PETER OKUTU

New agricultural equipment abandoned in Ebonyi State Secretariat

A

BAKALIKI—BRAND new agricultural equipment imported by the Ebonyi State government for distribution to farmers have abandoned to rust away at the state Civil Service Secretariat, Unity Square, Abakaliki, the state capital.

The equipment, which were worth millions of Naira include tractors, harvesters, planters and reapers were heaped at an open space in the Unity Square even as the farmers who were supposed to be the beneficiaries were wondering why the equipment

The equipment, which were worth millions of Naira include tractors, harvesters, planters and reapers were heaped at an open space in the Unity Square, Abakiliki

were purchased in the first place.

The state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Dr. Ifeanyi Ike told South East Voice that the delay in the distribution of the farming equipment was due to the technicalities involved in the coupling them together by the experts.

Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Romanus Nwasum, who declined to disclose the cost of the equipment, added that they were brought in by his Ministry in February this year pointing

out that they would be distributed to farmers during the flag-off of this year ’s farming season in the state.

However, the tenure of the present administration in the state will end on May 29, hence the equipment might not be distributed in the life of the Chief Martin Elechi-led government.

The equipment, especially tractors, were said be depreciating fast as they were left in an open place with their parts seen littered in different corners of the state secretariat instead of in an agricultural ware-house

where they would not only be safer but maintained.

Farmers, who spoke with South East Voice on the condition of anonymity, condemned the wastage of the agricultural equipment at the state secretariat instead of allowing the primary benefactor access to them.

“It is indeed an eye-sore seeing these agricultural equipment worth millions of Naira lying waste at the secretariat.

“How can we become the food basket of the nation when agricultural equipment worth millions of Naira are allowed to lie waste in the open and under the harsh effect of both the sun and the rain,’’ he said.

Anambra awards N1.5bn anti-erosion contracts

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

E

KWULOBIA—THE Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, in Anambra State, has awarded four erosion control projects in four different locations in the state at the tune of over N1.5 billion.

The erosion control projects, under the supervision of the World Bank, were all awarded to reputable indigenous contractors, according to a press statement from the Head, Public Relations/Media, Ministry of Environment , Awka , Emmanuel Ifesinachi (JP).

Speaking in his office at Awka while signing the contract agreement documents on behalf of the Anambra State Government, the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Anambra State, Engr. Godwin Ebih disclosed that the Umudunu-Abagana gully erosion project, valued at about N570m was awarded to Agonic Associates Nigeria Ltd while the Neros Plaza / St Thomas Aquinas gully erosion site at Awka costing N344.9m won by Anchor Nuel Resources Ltd.

Gully erosion Other erosion projects, according to the Project Coordinator, are the Amachalla gully erosion, Awka would be handled by Pachucs Engineering Ltd at an agreed amount of N372m, and that of Omagba gully erosion at Onitsha costing about N219.1m is to be done by Nic & Nic Engineering Ltd. Engr. Ebih explained that the bidding exercise was competitively and transparently done to get best out of the lots bidders, stating C M Y K

•Gully erosion at Ozobulu, Anambra State, after a federal road construction. that the contractors, after signing their agreement papers, would proceed to take possession of their respective contract sites with the aim to start off with the preliminary preparation and logistics arrangements while the implementation of resettlement action plan (RAP) is concluded in no distant time.

The Project Coordinator reminded the contractors that the contractual duration is 12 months but that they were expected to execute 80% of the job by the end of April, 2015, that is before the rains set-in properly.

He stated that the projects would be supervised by the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) with the help of StopGap Supervision Team and the World Bank itself to ensure that standard and acceptable jobs are delivered to the communities.

He assured them that payment of jobs at any stage of the projects

would not be a problem but that they should aim at excellence and credible performance which would attest to their companies for future job engagements.

Also speaking the representative of the State Government and the Special Assistant to the State Government on Donor Agencies, Mrs. Chinwe Iwuchukwu commended the contractors for emerging victorious, stating that the need to attend to pressing issues in the State had made the State Governor, Chief (Dr.) Willie Obiano to show particular interest on erosion problem and NEWMAP Programme.

Mrs. Iwuchukwu assured that the State Government was committed in monitoring and following trends on job execution under NEWMAP, adding that the State Government would expect excellent work delivery and within the specified periods. She reminded the companies that the State Government and the

communities concerned are looking up to them to perform, and

The erosion projects, according to the Project Coordinator, are UmudunuAbagana gully at a cost of N570m, Amachalla gully erosion, Awka to be handled by Pachucs Engineering Ltd at an agreed amount of N372m

warned them not to cut corners otherwise they would be blacklisted by government.

Responding on behalf of all the representatives of the companies, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pachucs Engineering Ltd, Prince Chuma Okolo expressed appreciation for the trust and confidence the NEWMAP and World Bank reposed on them by giving them the opportunity to participate in effort to remedy the already degraded State land.

Prince Okolo assured that his company had the capacity to deliver job on time, but called for the co-operation of the host communities He promised that his company was ready to take over the site immediately and provide itself the necessary logistics with a view to handing over the job within a short time.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 —7

Pupils in Umunachi community rejoice over donation of band by alumnus

BY OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

E

KWULOBIA—THE Coordinator of Back -ToSchool Foundation, a NonGovernmental Organisation, NGO, Mr. Pat Anyadubalu, has donated a set of band instruments, worth over N1 million to the Central School Umunachi in Dunukofia Local Government area of Anambra State.

The instruments were donated as schools resumed last week in the state.

Making the donation, Anyadubalu said: “This primary school is where I had my first formal education, which was between the year 1975 and 1981. So, it is part of my duty to support our Alma-mater. I found out regrettably that in most cases when we clamour that the alumni should support their Alma-mater, the emphasis

usually is on the universities or secondary schools, and not primary schools. But you find out that primary schools should be given that basic support because that is the origin and the foundation of good education for a child.

“You know that when a foundation of a house is faulty you can hardly rectify such faulty foundation. What you do is to pull down the entire building, but if the foundation is solid and there is an error subsequently you can always rectify that error.

"Therefore, if the foundation was not properly laid, probably it would have been very difficult for that person to rise up to secondary school or university level, but where the foundation is properly laid you will appreciate that the sky would be the limit of that child.

"So that was why I said, let me support my Alma-mater, starting from the primary

Anyadubalu, handing over the band to Mrs. Evelyn Uwaezuoke, Headmistress of the Primary school, flanked by some officers of the school.

I found out regrettably that in most cases when we clamour that the alumni should support their Alma-mater, the emphasis usually is on the universities or secondary schools, and not primary schools

school.

“I think that absence or lack of a school band will affect the match past and some other functions. I think this will motivate and enable these pupils to practise and compete with other schools during nation's celebrations.”

He further unveiled an Essay/Quiz competition for the school- 'Pat Anyadualu Annual Essay Competition,' saying that the essence was to encourage the pupils to cultivate the reading culture as well as learning English language.

His words: “If these children are very good in English language, the sky would be their limit. English language

is the basic language which is used to teach, so if you are good in English language, such a person would be able to be good in many other subjects because the ability to understand a subject is the primary point. ‘’I want to see a situation where in the future we have journalists, doctors or good lawyers, saying, "I attended this school and the foundation was laid here. So I want to promote English language through essay/quiz competition here.”

In her vote of thanks, the Headmistress, Mrs. Evelyn Uwaezuoke, expressed joy over the event, describing it as a dream come true.

Anambra pensioners groan under unpaid entitlements •Allege extortion by federal pension officials

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—PENSIONERS in Anambra State have been groaning under unpaid pension arrears owed them for years by the Federal Government, with many of them complaining that they have become tired of being tossed about by federal civil servants in charge of pensions in Abuja.

Though they have been getting their state pension regularly, they alleged that those responsible for the federal pension frustrated them so much so that they had resigned to fate.

In Anambra State, it had become a common feature for the pensioners in the state to be meeting regularly to discuss their plight.

Healthy relations During such meetings, those who had become so old or were blind, were dragged along by their healthy relations or children and they were often asked to contribute money to send a delegation to Abuja to appeal to those in charge to look into their problem.

In the past one year, the pensioners had sent three different delegations to Abuja C M Y K

•A pensioner being assisted after slumping at a verification exercise. to meet the ‘right people’ on their behalf and on each occasion, after parting with money borrowed from their relations, they were promised that their arrears would soon be paid.

As usual, it turned out to be the old story of empty promise.

However, the most worrisome was what the pensioners had described as a scam going on in Abuja. One of the pensioners, a retired nurse, told South East Voice that she would have fallen for the trick if she had money to pay.

She said: “I was in my house one day when my telephone rang and the voice at the other end said he was the person in

One of the pensioners, a retired nurse, told South East Voice that she would have fallen for the trick if she had money to pay

charge of federal pensions for retired workers in my state. He also proudly told me that he was with my pension particulars and would assit me to collect my arrears if I play ball.

“I was surprised when he quoted everything about my pension particulars, including the identity card number, my file number and the amount due to me. He told me that I needed to pay him N20,000, which must be paid into a particular bank account, while all my entitlements would be paid into my account soonest.

“Considering the large amount I am being owed, I shouted that God had

answered my prayers. What saved me was that I mentioned it to my colleague who warned me to beware of people who claim to be in charge of pensions in Abuja because he too had been duped in the past.”

Another pensioner, a retired engineer, Chris Okafor, had to travel to Abuja where he spent several days visiting the pension office on daily basis.

His pathetic story was such that he borrowed money from relations to make the trip and promised to pay on return after collecting his pension arrears.

Indeed, he actually came close to collecting his arrears, but one of the pension staff said the committee handling the settlement of pension arrears had decided that a deduction of 50 per cent be made from every pensioner’s entitlement, even though the affected pensioner would sign that he collected 100 per cent.

Disturbed by the proposal, Okafor created a scene at the pension office and security operatives were directed to force him out. He returned to Anambra without collecting the arrears.

While narrating his ordeal to South East Voice in Awka, the retired engineer said he was still unable to pay back the money he borrowed to travel to Abuja because his pension arrears were yet to be paid.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

did not not stop the youths from further inflicting injuries on him.

“My explanations that I was not a politician but a staff of INEC, fell on deaf ears as they kept on beating me until some mobile policemen came to my rescue,” he said.

After he was rescued, Chigozie was first rushed to a private hospital in Umuahia where his condition was stabilised before being taken to Aba where he had been on admission until his discharge.

INEC official attacked by thugs leaves hospital

BY FELIX OGBONNA

A

BA—An official of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Sunday Chigozie who had been in hospital following injuries he sustained after being attacked by some hoodlums believed to be political thugs, has been discharged.

Narrating his ordeal to South East Voice, Chigozie said he was attacked during the Saturday, April 11, 2015, governorship/ state assembly elections, while travelling to Umuahia to see his boss, who had asked him to bring some items for her at the INEC state headquar-

ters.

Chigozie said as he was approaching the main entrance to the INEC building located within the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Currency Centre in Umuahia, he saw some youths wearing the branded T-shirts of the leading governorship candidate in the state, carrying machetes and clubs.

On sighting him, the irate youths rushed towards his direction, beating and clubbing him while one of them drew his machete and gave him a deep cut at the back side of his head, saying he was among those who did not want their principal to be governor.

Chigozie said even his explanation that he was a staff of INEC

•Mr. Sunday Chigozie, INEC official

Chigozie said he saw some youths wearing the branded T-shirts of the leading governorship candidate in the state, carrying machetes and clubs. ...one of them drew his machete and gave him a deep cut on the head...

2 YEARS ON: Provost restores peace in Federal College of Agric

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI—THE appointment of the new Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of the state, Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada was indeed a round peg in a round hole that brought to an abrupt end the crisis which had engulfed the institution since October, 2012.

The crisis, which made the institution a centre of nega-

tive attraction, was resolved through the instrumentality of the Provost who brought to the fore her wealth of experiences in the area of crisis management, professionalism and human relations.

Recall that the school environment and management before the commencement of her assignment on January 5, 2015, was hitherto be-deviled with myriads of protests, intimidations, financial recklessness, disaffection among staff of the institution and the host communities as it had now become an episode no longer worthy of discussion in the institution.

What endeared her to the students, staff, host communities and traditional rulers of the area was her unbiased approach to issues, open door policies, professionalism, and ultimate drive to

When she assumed office, she made restoration of peace, initiation of improved welfare packages, and effective communication, her topmost agenda

rewrite the history of the institution in the country's annals.

In a chat with South East Voice, Provost of the college, Prof. Mgbada noted that when she assumed office, she made restoration of peace, initiation of improved welfare packages for both students and staff of the institution and implementation of effective communication principle and vision to make the college an epitome of excellence, her topmost agenda.

"When I came, it was not just conflict between the community and the college, there was conflict among the management, staff and academia of the institution. It was a terrible situation and the crisis was known nationwide.

"I called for meetings with the management and pleaded

with them to forget the past and let's face the future. I also called for a meeting between the management and the unions, where I spoke to them in a motherly and gentle manner. And through effective interactions, I started handling all the issues affecting the college.

"I took the issues one after the other and set up adhoc committees; issues bordering on pension and insurance were all handled as I told them that I will base my administration on professionalism and effective communication.

I also visited prominent Ezes and chiefs of the communities around the college to inform them of our vision for the institution which was acceptable to all."

US-based Enugu Ezike people to hold convention in NY July 16

T

•Prof. Justina Uzoma Mgbada C M Y K

HE ENUGU Ezike people in the United States of America, USA, are to hold their 2015 annual convention in New York city from July 16 to July 18, their Spokesman, Hon. Linus Eze has said.

Eze said that proceeds from the convention/ banquet and fund raising would be used to build a community health centre for the people of Enugu Ezike in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

In a statement in New York, Eze said that the event would

be used showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Enugu Ezike as a people with one tradition.

The statement read, ‘’it is with great pleasure that we announce to you that our Enugu Ezike USA Inc Second National Convention begins July 16 to 18 in New York City. ‘’Every yesterday is a memory of dreams and every tomorrow is a vision of hope. Ezikeoba’s will really be very appreciative if you could come and join us on this very imprtant convention in the Big Apple.’’

According to the Eze, the proceeds from the convention would be used for the construction of a community health centre equipped with the state of arts facilities among other community development projects.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 33

Terry: Cahill is the best English defender, not me Chelsea captain John Terry does not believe that he is the best English defender, instead arguing that his team-mate, Gary Cahill, is befitting of that honour.

The duo were both named in the PFA Team of the Year on Sunday while many argue that Terry remains the strongest centre-back in England despite his retirement from international football.

But the former Three Lions skipper says that Cahill is the best man available to Roy Hodgson, despite Jose Mourinho leaving out of the Chelsea side at times this season.

“Gary is a big character. He was obviously disappointed to be left out of the Chelsea side a few months ago but he has come back and taken his chance again,” Terry told reporters.

“He has been different class and is England’s best centre-back. For me, he has been brilliant all season long.

“The manager has taken him out and stuff but, for me, he has been playing at a very high level. In the big games, he has a lot of experience and he steps up to the plate.”

i must akes you have to make things right. You have to avoid making same mistakes again because you may never have another chance, so he has to make sure he doesn’t fall the same place twice,” he admonished.

Chukwu, who coached the Super

Edwards, Maclord eye upsets at CBN tennis Eagles from 2002 to 2005, and led them to a bronze medal finish at the Tunisia 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, also says the task will seem harder now than it was the first time.

“Second chances are always

difficult because now people are looking at you to see how you will fare, especially if you had some problems the first time. I wish him all the best and I hope he makes corrections.”

Police ready for Mayweather-Pacquiao crowds L

as Vegas police are telling people to stay off the famed Las Vegas Strip during and after the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.

KLAS reports that local police are getting prepared for the crowds by beefing up security like never before for a fight.

“There are going to be a ton of people there and we have plans set in place accordingly to address that,” said Metro Deputy Chief Gary Schofield, saying that more officers will be on duty, streets will be closed and prisoner buses will be on standby.

Stampedes injured guests after boxing events in 1997 and 2014.

Officials are making sure the same thing doesn’t happen at the MGM Grand Garden arena after the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight.

“We’ve learned to increase additional officers at the scene, to continue to work with our partners of additional security forces like

By John Egbokhan

I

t was a weekend of exciting tennis action at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, venue of the final matches of the CBN Junior Tennis Championship, as future queens of the game, Mary-love Edwards and Angel Maclord won the girls U-14 and U-16 titles respectively. And the two champions have set their sights on upsetting the big ladies in the upcoming CBN Senior Open in Lagos.

The two players, who are being tipped to cause a major scare at the upcoming CBN

Senior event next month, displayed sheer class in all their matches to achieve their respective feats, with Edwards playing in two finals and winning much plaudits for her untiring play..

Remarkably, Edwards was the only player in the weeklong tournament who did not drop any game. She employed lob shots, snap shots and drop shots to the delight of the spectators to outwit Timipre Maxwell 9-0.

But she was later counting the cost of having to play in two final matches in the space of three hours as Maclord outwitted her 9-2 in the U16final.

Benzema set on Turin comeback

MGM, and bringing everyone to the table with one concerted effort,” Schofield said.

Tim Jeffery, the vice president of MGM Grand’s security says people without tickets could be told to leave the casino and guests with fight tickets will not be able to exit into the casino

after the fight.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority didn’t estimate the number of people who would be in town for the fight, but KLAS estimates that if every room is booked on the Strip, that adds up to around 300,000 people.

Karim Benzema is presently in Lyon working hard on recovering from his knee injury. The forward, who sprained his knee during the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, will return to Madrid today to continue treatment, after having spent some time with his family. Taking advantage of not being available for the game at Balaídos, the Frenchman decided to return to his hometown to see his favourite doctor.

Benzema went to the Paul Santy orthopaedic centre to see Dr. SonneryCottet . Jesús Olmo, the head of Real Madrid’s medical services, also flew to Lyon to supervise the recuperation process that the Frenchman was to follow.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Abigail Igwe Fashanu

I

Temitope Adebamiro

T promises to be a dirty divorce between ageing soccer legend John Fashanu and his last wife- the mother-in-law of contemporary soccer idol Joseph Yobo. The duo’s fallout has not only made international news, the details, accusations and counter accusations have all the makings of high drama and the actors seem all equal to the task.

The stunning mother of four says, John says I am trying to kill him? How can I kill him? How can - somebody like me kill this huge man who is an expert in karate. I don’t - understand how I can kill him. That is ridiculous.

Abigail further said: He didn’t kick me out of his house. We were living in my house. He couldn’t have kicked me out of my own house – I kicked him out.

Blogosphere is shivering with excitement especially as last year, Fashanu had denied any cracks in his marriage.

I

N every great man’s family, Chinua Achebe said, there are different kinds of children and Nigeria has her own share of the good, the bad and the ugly.

And so blogosphere has been buzzing about the intrigues surrounding the arrest of a Nigerian American, Temitope Adebamiro, 35, who has been charged with the first degree murder of her husband, Adeyinka in far away Philadelphia. From the look of things this buzz will be on for a looong time.

Obiageli Ezekwesili

T

HIS former World Bank boss and former minister cannot stop trending on the Nigerian blogo sphere, it would seem, particularly since she has become the last women standing in the hashtag BringBackOurGirls campaign.

The girls have not returned, but Ezekwesili has made it to the Time magazine’s 100 most influential people list this year- alongside president elect Mohammadu Buhari and writer Chimamanda Adichie. Blogosphere finds her red carpet pictures amusing.

Giselle Bundchen

W

Bobbi-Kristina Brown

D

AUGHTER of late megastar Whitney Houston Bobbi-Kristina Brown has continued to trend on account on the tragic consequences of her drug-induced escapades.

Last week, her father Bobby Brown announced she was out of her coma, and not much else health wise. Doctors have indicated that she will have a long life. However, Bobbi Kristina is presently embarking on a rehabilitation process and the quality of her life will not be known for years to come.

The 22-year-old TV personality was found submerged face down and unconscious in her Georgia house bathtub three months earlier, and was placed on life support. Her prognosis has not been cleared. Despite the news, the road to her recovery remains a long and winding one. Since her confinement, she had undergone a variety of tests to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Her late mother was found in a similar fashion in her bathtub before eventually dying of drug overdose. So far, the police haven’t found evidence of substance abuse in their investigation, and the family remains mum about what caused the incident.

C M Y K

HILE superdivas like Naomi are still strutting the world’s runways at 40 plus, the world’s most successful supermodel and mother Giselle Bundchen last week ruled the global cyberspace following the annoucement that she would be quiting modelling.

Hundreds of photos have appeared speaking of her illustrous career spanning 20 years (she is just in her mid 30s),

Hadiza Bala Usman

I

NTENSE outrage in the Nigerian social media space greeted news of the appointment of Hadiza Bala Us man into the Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee of Nigeria’s President-Elect, Muhammadu Buhari last week.

Hadiza Bala Usman is the Founder of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign which was purportedly initiated to mobilise public support for the rescue of about 276 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok Town, Borno State, Nigeria on April 15, 2014.

Last year, a statement attributed to her had said: I have watched recent attempts by some principal officers of the Federal Government of Nigeria to discredit me and the * # BringBackOurGirls, group. It has been the case since we commenced our citizens-driven advocacy movement, which explains why my initial reaction was to ignore the chatter and concentrate on the noble work of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

Unfortunately, my humble silence is being taken as license to further dissuade and divide the populace by spreading inaccurate information, through advertorials, thereby tagging the #BringBackOurGirls group as an affiliate of the APC. I, Hadiza Bala Usman, the Convener/Initiator of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, is a member of the APC, and there has been no time I have hidden this fact or tried to mask it.

But let’s be clear, when I worked to mobilize women, men, and Nigerians at large to come out on April 30th to protest that the Government should intensify efforts to #BringBackOurGirls, I did so not as an APC member, but first as a HUMAN BEING, as a WOMAN, a MOTHER, a NIGERIAN and an AFRICAN

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—35

How I journeyed into the world of perfumes —Belinda Brown It is curiosity that kills the cat, they say—but not in Belinda Brown’s case. Her curiosity about scents, which stemmed from her obsession with luxury perfumes, eventually made her the first black woman luxury perfume designer with an ever-growing international presence. Belinda’s luxury perfume brand, Blessings, has since its debut in 2010 adorned the fifth floor of Harrods UK, the world’s most famous departmental store.

That particular floor is notable for stocking exclusive brands only, products for which you never get free samples.

Though UK-based, Belinda is Nigerian but had the first five years of her life in Ghana where she was born, and then lived in Nigeria until the year 2000 when she moved to the UK with her husband. We engaged her during her recent visit to Nigeria.

By Josephine Agbonkhese

W

HAT led you into perfume production?

I didn’t plan to produce and sell perfumes. I so much loved perfumes that I suddenly desired to make some for my personal use. That sounds crazy, I know, but I wanted to wear something different from what others were wearing.

I wanted a perfume whose production I would be part of from start to finish, and that eventually led me to Roja Dove, British world-renowned perfumer. Roja is actually the Nose of the United Kingdom for perfumes.

World renowned perfumer To see Roja, one would have to book for six months but God did everything miraculously for me. On meeting me, Roja was actually thrilled by the effect scents had on me and was with me all the way.

I soon got my own perfume, though without a name. The urge to go into it as a business arose when people began asking where they could find my perfume to buy because they loved the fragrance.

The name Blessings comes across as spiritual; why adopt such for a luxury product?

C M Y K

Life is full of blessings. I’m of the school of thought that we should count our blessings always rather than complain for the things we do not have. I got the inspiration for that name on my way from church one Sunday and that moment, I made a final decision regardless of whatever misconception. Hence, today I have the Blessings range of fragrances.

We’re talking about a luxury brand here and you weren’t a celebrity; what was the reception like?

It was incredible. The first launch was in 2010 and I did only fifty with each selling at six hundred and ninety (690) pounds; that price is higher now though. The price couldn’t be less because I used some of the world’s finest ingredients.

Besides, it took two years to personally travel to different parts of the world to select those ingredients and produce the brand.

And what eventually happened at the launch with such exorbitant price tag?

Actually, when it was time to launch out, I was very much scared because I felt nobody knew me apart from friends and relatives who liked my perfume.

You know, everyone would prefer patronize designer brands with known names. But I was stunned to find that on the day of the launch, I had no bottle left;

•Belinda Brown

everything was sold out because Roja involved the great British press in the launch. Some had been put on display at Harrods, but three days after the launch as well, I got a call from Harrods, saying seventeen people had booked for my perfume and were waiting.

I however had to let them know they had to wait for another six months because till date, each production takes six months. You know, the bottles are hand-blown and are totally handmade; they’re produced in Czech Republic and are also refillable.

So that means you lost those seventeen customers?

No! I didn’t. Harrods relayed my message to the clients and they said they were ready to wait for six months!

Grenada, Vietnam, Egypt, the border between Somalia and Kenya, France, Czech Republic and some other places. I smelt and sampled a thousand oils before deciding on the choice of fragrance. You know, there are things in life for which you don’t need a university degree and I think, for me,

Property management I was surprised but then it dawned on me that I had also waited for a Hermes Bag for one year, with my own money. So, it was amazing to know it was my turn for people to wait for me.

You said you weren’t a celebrity when you went into this business; who were you?

I was just a ‘house-wife’ taking care of my home and kids. I was partially into property management, though. I just loved perfumes so much that I wanted to know about them.

I had to travel to India,

The price couldn’t be less because I used some of the world’s finest ingredients.

Besides, it took two years to personally travel to different parts of the world to select those ingredients and produce the brand

scent is one. Scents had become second-nature to me and I knew exactly what quality I was searching for. By this time, my kids were a bit grown up (they’re 19 and 17 years old now) and I thank God my husband was very supportive.

It sounds like you also mix the ingredients yourself…

No, I’m not qualified to do that; professionals handle that. You need a professional before the UK law will let you even sell your perfume.

Let us talk about this obsession with scents; how did it come about?

I’ve had this obsession since childhood. I remember back then in boarding school in Delta State when all the girls adored the smell of my pomade- a gift from my mother. In fact, in exchange for sweets, I supplied my friends with a scoop of my pomade. Now as a mother, I love it when my children come to kiss me goodnight and they acknowledge the way I smell.

I think every woman should learn to wear perfume in bed.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—37

•Mark: Out-going Senate President

•Tambuwal: Will not be in 8th House of Reps

•Sani: Let's end tyranny of the experienced over new members

NASS LEADERSHIP: New members alter calculations •Want House rules on ranking, experience jettisoned

By Emma Ovuakporie

A

S the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dilly-dally on its choice of geo-political zone to produce presiding officers of the in-coming 8th National Assembly, fresh legislators-elect, have introduced another yardstick for determining who their leaders should be.

They want ranking and cognate experience to be jettisoned in choosing those who will preside over the Senate and House of Representatives beginning from June.

Clerk of the House of Representatives, Barr.

Mohammed Omolori, in a paper entitled: ‘’Formation of A New Parliament,” which emphasised the need to respect the concept of considering ranking members of the House for positions of presiding officers and principal officers.

Omolori said the issue of electing presiding officers had been expressly encapsulated in the standing rules of the House where only members with cognate experience were considered for election.

“In 2011, the House was in

Cognate experience Now, there is a tussle between the North-Central and North-East for the Senate presidency. For the House speakership, the battle is between the North-Central and South-West. Jettisoning rank and cognate experience will widen the contests for the prime slots.

This position dominated the contributions by newly elected members of the House at the ongoing induction certificate course for elected members holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The members were reacting to submissions made by the

One of the newly elected lawmakers who frowned at the concept of ranking was Senator-elect from Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani who described it as the tyranny of the experienced against the inexperienced

a dilemma as to whether to go in the way of open or secret ballot going by the need to document every proceedings of the House right from the inception.

“When we looked at what secret ballot was going to produce and weigh the possibility of litigation, we decided we were going to use ballot papers which carry names of those who use them.

That was what we did then, and that is what we will do this time around and the contest will be among ranking members as prescribed by the rules”, he said.

One of the newly elected lawmakers who frowned at the concept of ranking was Senator-elect from Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani who described it as “the tyranny of the experienced against the inexperienced.”

He said the ability to show effectiveness and purposeful leadership does not depend on the number of years one has spent in the parliament neither does it guarantee competence of individual legislator.

Another first-timer in the House of Representatives, Chike John Okafor (APC, Okigwe, Imo State), said as a newly elected member, he would want a situation where lawmakers are considered for

key offices on the basis of their competence and ability to deliver instead of tying everything to a certain rule.

“I’m a new member and I can tell you that let that rule be set aside so as not to deny the people quality leadership.

Rules are made by men and are also amended by men. I would call for an amendment to that rule that gives preference only to returning members by referring to them as ranking.

Let all of us show what we can do by engaging our colleagues in debate and see who has better ideas and can deliver them for good governance.”

POLLS: We did our best in Akwa Ibom — Okojie, REC •Aggrieved politicians should go to tribunal THE Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Austin Okojie in this interview wants aggrieved politicians in the state to channel their grievances to election petition tribunals. He also spoke on other issues.

By Tom Moses

W

HAT is your assessment of the 2015 election in Akwa Ibom State?

The elections have been fairly conducted. Materials for instance were promptly moved from our headquarters to the local government areas and from there to the polling units.

In most of the elections, materials arrived at the polling units in good time and from the field reports we received, we are quite impressed with what happened which is why we are glad to say that elections were fairly conducted.

On allegations that INEC officials colluded with security agencies to manipulate the

election results in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Those are mere allegations.

They are allegations that cannot be substantiated. One thing is that when a politician loses an election, he throws punches and stones at INEC. What we have done is in substantial compliance with the provisions of the law and from my own point of view; the elections were fairly conducted in the state beginning from the presidential and National Assembly elections to the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

On comments that the tribunals are likely to reverse

Continues from page 38

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Closing door to defectors: APC’s decision will enhance democracy — Ikokwu

By Clifford Ndujihe

S

ECOND Republic Politician and one of the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Guy Ikokwu, has commended leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for closing their door to defectors, who were trooping to the party from the PDP and other parties.

Ikokwu, who is also the President of Pan Ndigbo Forum (PNF) said the advice is in order and will enhance democracy.

Since the PDP lost the March 28 presidential polls and most of the governorship and legislative seats at the state and federal levels, a host of PDP stalwarts had been defecting to the APC in droves with their supporters.

President-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), last week said those defecting to the APC would not be considered for appointment. The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement, spoke in like manner and advised those leaving the PDP for the APC to remain where they are.

His take on APC’s stand: Report from the APC Committee as elaborated by their Media Director Alhaji Lai Mohammed revealed that the president-elect, the party chairman and the party leaders are not in favour of any more embrace with political defectors who were referred to as fair weather collaborators.

Fair weather collaborators They advised that such charlatans should remain in their parties and offer constructive opposition and suggestions for the improvement of the polity and good governance. Otherwise they advised such people to abandon politics and sort out their ambitions in the pursuit of private businesses or enterprises.

This advice means very well for the enhancement of the tenets of democracy in Nigeria. It should be noted that the APC at the moment has a full house made up of former proponents of various political parties such as the CPC, ACN, ANPP, APGA and the many PDP (defectors). The party has a manifesto and the country has now given it time to manifest the essential ingredients of their election manifesto. Good governance is an essential attribute of the consolidation of the Nigerian democracy.

‘As a matter of principle, most Nigerians would wish the APC the fortitude to consolidate on this exercise. It is gratifying to note that the issue of governance is not new to the various proponents within the party as most of them

have been in governance at the state and local government levels in most parts of the country.

How PDP can be rejuvenated In the case of the PDP, which has been in power at the federal and many states levels, it has to do a lot of research into the activities of the various organs of the party, and of the various personalities, leaders and godfathers within the party in the last 16 years.

It is the view of many observers that one of the lapses of the PDP as a mammoth political organization was the critical issue of internal democracy. It is the lack of internal democracy in many states that balkanized the party into other splinter/smaller parties such as APGA, Accord, Labour and so on.

The new PDP has to formulate new tenets of political discipline research of the regulations of the party constitution and the observance of the civic rights and responsibilities of its members and stake holders however small they maybe.

APC can’t ignore any section of the country: Sections of the Nigerian Constitution guarantee the observance of federal character and zonal and state representations in political, ministerial, civil service, public service and institutional directorships across the country.

Since the issue of good governance is at the top of the new democratic agenda, the APC at the federal government and the other parties at the state government levels should ensure that the representation of states or zones for the purpose of achieving a spread or national character can be obtained by the appointment of persons who are not necessarily political stalwarts

but are either technocrats or seasoned professionals who can deliver in an objective manner to the development of the country. An example maybe given of the appointments of persons like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Prof Barth Nnaji, Arc. Mike Onolememen, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and many others in the past years who had played very remarkable roles in some aspects of the developments of our nation in recent time.

A measure of continuity The new administration should ensure that there is some measure of continuity in the developmental agenda of recent times. With the current depreciation in the price of crude oil, leading to the devaluation of the Naira by at least 20 per cent, similar to other oil producing countries like Russia, Venezuela,

It is the view of many observers that one of the lapses of the PDP as a mammoth political organization was the critical issue of internal democracy

•Ikokwu: A new PDP must emerge from the ashes of defeat Angola and non-oil producing countries like Ghana, South Africa and Argentina, the current vogue and remedy is for a diversification of the economy.

This is a task the PDP and APC’s in coming government must appreciate.

The incoming government must sort out the wheat from the chaff. The transition committee should ensure that the details of various aspect of our developmental strategy should be maintained both at the federal and state levels. It has to be repeated once more that the diversification of the economy from a mono-product culture is best articulated by the immediate implementation of the National Conference resolutions for restructuring the country immediately into a truly federal nation.

Our country developed more when we had Federated Regions than when the military dictatorships used the unitary system on the nation and ruled with Decrees – without fiscal federalism thereby enthroning personal executive civilian

governments which are antidemocratic up to this time.

The Abuja conference report has been sanctioned by the Federal Executive Council before the recent elections and what is left now is for the tenets of the conference report to be made into law by the national and state assemblies and for the new states created within each zone to be immediately structured in such a way as to reduce the cost of governance.

With these done, the Goodluck Jonathan and the Mohamed Buhari administrations would go down in history of Nigeria and Africa as the states men and moguls of the new political enterprises in Nigeria and Africa.

The rest of the world is looking up to Africa to grow at a pace seen in China in the last decades.

Like Singapore, Nigeria can move up to the developing nation’s category in the next decade with a growth rate of at least 9 percent per annum. It can be done with good quality education, diversification, discipline and restructuring.

POLLS: We did our best in Akwa Ibom — Okojie, REC Continues from page 37 some of INEC's decisions That is why I am saying that if anybody has grievance, that person should channel such grievance to the election tribunal.

We are prepared to defend what we have done at the tribunal and we have facts and evidence to prove that what we have done is quite in order.

Given that tribunal or court processes are usually tedious, why didn't you act on the complaints or petitions to calm frayed nerves?

If complaints come like the issue of card readers, what we normally do, is send technicians there and if the fault cannot be put right, we take a brand new card reader to that unit and configure it and the process would continue.

On whether card readers should not be used in subsequent elections ?

The card reader is a new programme. it is an innovative device by the commission and when there are new technologies, they come with teething problems. The teething problems actually manifested but we are glad, we were able to put them right which is why we didn’t have much problems in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

For instance, in the bye elections that we held for the Ukanafun Constituency, we did not have any problem with any card readers. So, with time, there will be improvement. So the card readers can still be sustained for future elections.

His message to Akwa-Ibom

•Jega: INEC chairman people?

My message is that those who have grievances should go to the tribunal to sort them out or prove what they think went wrong with the exercise. From technical perspectives, tribunals have enormous powers to take decisions on election matters or

even reverse the decision of the commission. The issue of people going to court instead of tribunal is still the same process and until the expiration of 180 days, election issues are still on. I have a feeling that the time is long enough.

I encourage the people of Akwa-Ibom State that the time is spacious for them to pursue their cases in respect of the electoral process. Concerning the re-run election, I appeal to everybody to be calm because the result of this election would prove whether we did did things correctly or otherwise. Things were orderly.

There was no snatching of ballot boxes or diversion of election materials, people did not fight and the card readers functioned optimally. This means that we did well.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—39

•Al-Hassan: End of a fairy tale for Mama Taraba

•Amori: Defeat is now an old story

•Ikpeazu: First governor of Abia from Ukwa Ngwa

Electoral frustrations •Okorocha: Keeps APC's foothold in Southeast

2015: The end of the matter in Delta, Imo and Abia

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE last word for now in the 2015 general elections came to an end yesterday after the results in three governorship contests and a major Senate contest were released. There were no surprises in the trend in the three governorship contests in Imo, Abia and Taraba as the leaders proceeded to an end with no jolt.

Expectations from some that Senator Aisha Alhassan would become the first female in Nigeria’s history to be elected a governor were dashed when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s governorship candidate in Taraba overwhelmingly confirmed the supremacy of the party in the state.

The PDP candidate, Darius Ishiaku according to the results released yesterday came tops with 53,120 votes to boost her total votes after the April 11 election to 360,318 votes while Alhassan, who was credited with 13,599 votes yesterday now, came to a total of 275,985 votes.

Besides her female gender, Senator Alhassan was also running to upturn another

record, the fact that no Muslim had been elected governor of the largely Christian dominated state.

Besides the religious and ethnic sentiments that resonated in the Taraba contest, Mama Taraba as Alhassan is fondly called was cast against the state’s dominant power brokers who were determined to stop a Muslim from taking over control again.

On one hand a band of supporters stormed the streets in wild celebration of the return of the maverick governor while on the other hand a number of people wore forlorn faces in seeming indignation of the return to power of the very man that they hate.

Okorocha polled a total of 416,996 votes to defeat his closest rival, Chief Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP who scored a total of

Stormy opposition Remarkably, Alhassan has paid her political dues, having masterminded stormy opposition to Governor Danbaba Suntai before the plane crash that put the governor out of everyday life.

However, the declaration of Governor Rochas Okorocha of the APC as the winner of the governorship contest in Imo State is one that is bound to further sharpen the division in the state.

Opposition to Governor Okorocha is as sharp as emotional support for him, and that view was reflected after the commission declared him as winner of the election yesterday.

for the first time, the Ukwa Ngwa people of the state would be producing a governor for the state.

The beckon of history was evident in the agitation of the Ukwa Ngwa people who felt that the hard tackles from Otti, the APGA candidate was another attempt at denying the people the opportunity of governing the state. That was despite agitation from some partisans of Otti that their man should also be regarded as an Ukwa Ngwa man. That claim was something that was fiercely rebuffed by some leading lights of the Ukwa Ngwa including the former president of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara who saw the threat from Otti as that of a usurper.

However, supporters of Otti, on the other hand, saw Ikpeazu as the possible continuation of the perceived years of inaction of the outgoing governor, Chief Theodore Orji. But for the Ukwa Ngwa elders, their agitation was Ikpeazu or nothing.

But given the high stakes as reflected by Otti’s resignation from his plum job in Diamond Bank, yesterday ’s announcement is not expected to be the last to be heard of the election.

Given the high stakes as reflected by Otti’s resignation from his plum job in Diamond Bank, yesterday’s announcement is not expected to be the last to be heard of the election

320,705 votes. The vote puts an end to Ihedioha’s 12 year run in elected public office since his first election to the House of Representatives in 2003.

Okorocha’s victory is bound also, to elicit interest from stakeholders in the state on the preponderance of the Orlu Senatorial District over the governorship of the state. Given the eight year stewardship of Chief Achike Udenwa who is from Orlu Senatorial District, and now, another eight years from Okorocha who is from Orlu, it would mean that the other two senatorial districts – Okigwe and Owerri – would have only held the governorship for four years.

The question of marginalisation was, however, reversed in the contest in Abia State where Okeize Ikpeazu, the candidate of the PDP, was returned as governor-elect after polling the majority of votes in the election that concluded on Saturday.

In the results declared yesterday, Ikpeazu polled a total of 264, 713 votes to defeat Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] who polled 180,882 votes.

The import of the result was that

The conclusion of the Delta Central senatorial election, however, put an end to the electoral frustrations of one of the most formidable political leaders of the state.

At the height of his political supremacy during the James Ibori years, Chief Ighoyota Amori was considered the Mr. Fix It of Delta State. He carried about in Delta State just as Chief Tony Anenih carried about in Nigeria. But despite his swagger he remained almost on the losing side in every election since 2007, having repeatedly been defeated in his bid for the Senate.

Yesterday, with the influence of the outgoing governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the governor elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and such leading political partisans from his constituency including Monday Igbuya, the leading candidate for speaker, Amori successfully put defeat behind him.

Amori, who flew the ticket of the PDP, achieved victory at the cost of Obasi Ovie Omo-Agege, the Labour Party candidate, who has himself, also serially contested for several offices in the state.

Amori was yesterday declared to have polled a total of 116, 0723 votes to defeat Omo-Agege, who got 76,635. Omo-Agege has, however, promised to challenge the result in court on the premise that the election was characterised by irregularities.

40—V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, APRIL 29, 2015 40—VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

My cousin forces himself on me

My husband’s dead wife’s ghost haunts me Dear Bunmi, My husband just turned 60 and I am 57. We got married six years ago after his wife had been dead for two years.

They’d been married for 25 years. After we got married, I let go of my flat and went to live with him with my teenage son. My husband took the death of his wife very badly and talks about her constantly, even when we have company. He then bursts into tears.

It looks as if I’m married to this man and his dead wife. I not only share their house, I also share their friends. Our marriage has degenerated into continual bickering. We never go out or have sex but we don’t want separation. We both want our marriage to be happy.

Victoria, by e-mail.

Dear Victoria, There will be discontent in your marriage until you accept that your husband’s late wife is not and never can be your rival. Your husband loves you, but he also loves the woman to whom he was married for most of his adult life. This is hard for you to come to terms with. When your resentment

of his late wife spills out, he feels wounded. You need to realise his grieving for his dead wife will continue until the day he dies.

You need to make your husband realise that you understand his sense of loss instead of feeling jealous. Rather than bristling at the mention of his

wife’s name, help your man to mourn. You two need to rediscover the sense of fellowship and common purpose that led you to the alter. Reach into your heart and replace resentment with patient affection.

Respect him for loving his dead wife.

My family members are inconsiderate Dear Bunmi, I'M very happy with my husband of five years and our two children, but my family members are always inviting themselves to stay and it’s so tiring. We are a close knit family alright, but there is a limit as to what liberty they can get away with. I really want to tell them to stop coming round that often, but they’ll be really upset if I do. My husband’s relatives don’t bother us half as much as mine.

Ngozi, by e-mail.

Dear Ngozi, You need to stick to what’s right for you, but at the same time avoid alienating your family. You’re now old

enough to live your life the way you want. Make it clear you still care about them so they know there’s still a lot of love between you. Suggest a solution that works for you a visit every other month, say.

Keep up regular contact so you don’t lose the relationship.

Don’t think your family is terrible, they just have different ideas about visiting and don’t fall for guilt trips such as: “How could you, after everything we’ve done for you!”

Don’t let their grumbles affect your relationship with your husband and kids and don’t allow yourself to be pressured into more on longer visits than you want.

He's back after jilting me Dear Bunmi, Three years ago, I was due to get married. I met my ex at the university and when I took him home, my parents weren’t impressed with him. They didn’t like the fact that he came from a poor background but I didn’t care. I agreed to marry him when he raised the topic. A few weeks to the wedding, we had a heated argument.

It was my fault as my family’s disapproval and lack of enthusiasm about the wedding stressed me out. I stormed out of his flat but came back that evening only to find him in bed with another woman. He’d gone out after our row, got drunk and picked her up. I was shocked.

He blamed me for what he did and told me he didn’t feel like getting married. I was gutted but after three years, I’d more or less moved on. Now he shows up wanting us to try again. I could learn to love him if it’s worth it.

Sherifat by e-mail.

Dear Sherifat, I’m surprised you want to try again with this man. Weddings are stressful at the best of times but if you‘re going against your parents’ wishes, then it is no surprise you have these doubts about trying again. It’s not uncommon for couples to bicker as their big

Don’t sell yourself short. Talk to him if you must to understand why he behaved the way he did.

But you need to move on and build a more stable future for yourself

day approaches. Marriage is a huge commitment. I’m sure he didn’t enjoy the argument that ended your relationship, but he should have been mature enough to wait until you’d both cooled down to talk through what had happened.

Going out, getting drunk and sleeping with another woman almost immediately is not the way to manage dispute.

Having done the did, he then had the audacity to blame you. As unpleasant as the argument was, you didn’t force him to find another woman and you weren’t to blame for what he did; not to talk of humiliating you and walking out on a wellplanned wedding.

Right now, he must feel there is an unfinished business but think carefully before you run back into his arms. Don’t sell yourself short. Talk to him if you must to understand why he behaved the way he did.

But you need to move on and build a more stable future for yourself.

Dear Bunmi, From time to time, I spend the holidays with my mum’s elder sister and I used to get on well with my cousins. But early last year, I woke to feel the hand of my eldest cousin under my nightie.

I was so frightened though curious that I pretended to still be sleeping. After this, he tried to have full sex with me, but I pushed him off. Then he started being very nice to me, introducing me to his friends and giving me presents. I was having such a good time that when next he came to the guest room, I let him have sex with me. He now thinks he could do that any time he wants but I’ve told him to stop.

Recently, he’s been forcing me to have sex with him whether I like it or not. I enjoy the sex but I’m only 16

and he is my first cousin. How do I make him stop?

Nkechi, by e-mail.

Dear Nkechi, What you’re doing is incestuous. First, you are not at all legally allowed to have any sexual relationships because of genetic problems it could bring, if pregnancy occurs.

Moreover, you’re too young to be playing with adult emotions. You are having unprotected sex which could either result in unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

You have to be firm with your cousin and put an end to this nonsense. Threaten you’ll tell his parents or yours if he doesn’t stop. When next he crawls into your bed at night, say no and mean it. Leave the room if need be.

It was just a fling Dear Bunmi, I was feeling really lonely a few weeks ago and slept with one of my male friends. He’s my best friend as a matter of fact and has liked me for years but I didn’t fancy him sexually. Ever since we slept together, he’s been sending me texts and phone messages and it’s obvious he thinks we’re now an item. I’m currently recovering from a messy divorce and I don’t want to get involved with any man for now.

What should I do?

Rita, by e-mail.

Dear Rita,

In a moment of weakness it’s easy to take advantage of an admirer but if you knew he’d always fancied you, you shouldn’t have led him on.

After so many years, his unrequited love appeared to be reciprocated. You can’t blame him for getting carried away.

If there’s no hope of love between you, then you have to let him go. Be cruel to be kind and explain how you feel about your recent divorce. He may feel angry and cut off contact as he heals his heart, but if you share true friendship then he’ll still be there to support you in future.

He’s gone off sex, what about me?

Dear Bunmi, My husband isn’t the athletic type when it comes to sex.

And it is sheer luck that he stayed erect enough for us to have two children. Now, he doesn’t seem to like sex and avoids it at all cost. I’ve recently met a man who is virile and we’ve had sex.

I don’t want to end my marriage but I can’t live without sex. My husband saw a text message this man sent to me and went ballistic. I lied nothing had happened yet, but hinted he could be the answer to his obvious impotence. He looked as if he wanted to strangle me. But he still won’t make love to me. It’s frustrating.

Funmi, by e-mail.

Dear Funmi, If you don’t love your husband, then, go right ahead with this affair. It won’t make him suddenly want to have sex with you but it will sure create such bad feelings that he might throw you out and then you’ll be able to continue with this crazy scheme.

But, if you love your husband, you need to stand by him. He needs your help because there may be something seriously wrong with him? mentally or physically. Your man could be suffering, from impotence and can’t perform, which is why he’s avoiding sex, so as not to feel inadequate. Show and tell him you care about him and want to help.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Amnesty Int'l warns investors against unchecked oil spills in N-Delta

By Innocent Anaba

A

MNESTY International, yesterday, warned investors that decades of unchecked Nigeria’s Niger Delta oil spills could cost Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, billions in compensation and clean-up costs, as the company publishes its profit figures for the first quarter of 2015.

Amnesty International, in a statement by Mark Dummett, its Business and Human Rights Researcher, in London, noted that the United Nations Environment Programme estimated that $1 billion was needed for the first five years of oil clean-up for Ogoniland, just one of Nigerian regions where Shell operates. It projected that cleaning up oil pollution in the area could be a 30-year operation.

“Investors must beware of the hidden costs that await Shell from its Niger Delta operations.

For decades the multi-national oil company has failed to stop the oil spills, or clean up the devastating pollution that has destroyed lives and

livelihoods,” Dummett said.

“Last year, Shell made profits of $15 billion, so investors may see it as a safe bet. But court actions have already forced it to pay out millions in compensation, paving the way for future actions from other Nigerian communities which have borne the brunt of the company’s negligence.

“In January this year Shell, the biggest oil company operating in the Niger Delta, finally agreed to pay £55 million ($84 million) compensation to one community living in Bodo,

Ogoniland, after thousands of residents took Shell to court in the United Kingdom. The company had originally offered them a paltry £4,000 ($6,100) for the devastation of the fishing and farming livelihoods caused by just two of the hundreds of Shell oil spills every year.

“Shell has reported more than 1,000 Niger Delta oil spills since 2009, with 204 spills in 2014, and 203 in 2013. Nigeria is a major country of operation for Shell, providing 10 percent of its oil production in 2014.

“Shell will also have to play

its part cleaning up the lasting damage from the hundreds of oil spills that continue to blight the Niger Delta every year. It should come clean with investors making clear what contingencies they are putting in place to put right the damage done over the last half a century.

“Investors in Shell should ask the company to remedy the corporate abuses in the Niger Delta and demand more transparency about oil spills and future clean-up and compensation plans,” Amnesty's statement added.

Youths warn Isoko union against parallel exco

I

SOKO youths, under the aegis of Isoko Progressives Youth Centre, IPYC, have charged the executives of Isoko Development Union, IDU, to desist from constituting another youth executive to act as representative of youths of Isoko nation.

President of the Centre and Isoko national youth leader, Anthony Ogbalor, lamented the intrusion of IDU into the affairs of Isoko youths as a body, describing same as unbearable. He urged the youths to reject any youth election conducted by IDU under the leadership of Chief Paul Omu. He said: “Going by the court ruling in suit No UHC/14/06 on an injunction restraining the conduct of any election by the defendants including the IDU and its subgroups, IDU has no right to conduct election on behalf of youths of Isoko nation.

“This ruling remains valid, hence, for the purpose of peace, we are calling for an immediate dissolution of any youth group set up by IDU, for the interest of a united Isoko nation.”

BRIEFING: From left: Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC, Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya; state APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Senator Magnus Abe and Director-General, Greater Together Campaign Organisation, Victor Giadom, during a briefing on alleged refusal of Rivers REC to release copies of election materials for verification by APC, in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Buhari won’t sideline Niger Delta region, APC group assures

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—NIGER Delta Youth Vanguard for APC has expressed optimism that people from the region will benefit meaningfully from incoming Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, saying that the major infrastructural development recorded in the region were executed under the previous regimes of northern origin, who have shown kindness to redress the plight of the region.

President of the group, Fredrick Ujobolo, said in a statement, yesterday in Abuja, that they were convinced that the president-elect will redouble the performance of his northern predecessors for the entire country, particularly the Niger Delta region.

Ujobolo said: “We believe Gen. Buhari will prove to Nigerians that he is not what people say he is. Buhari is a man of integrity and credibility. God will bless, guide and protect him and his administration.”

He made reference to the Amnesty programme introduced by late former President Umaru Yar-Adua, an Hausa man, and also the creation of Niger Delta Ministry as evidence of the fact that the Hausas actually meant well for Niger Delta, just as he added that General Sani Abacha created Bayelsa State for the Ijaw

which has given them a voice and a pride in their existence in Nigeria.

The body, which described Buhari as a disciplinarian and oracle pathfinder, thanked God for the peace in the country even after the speculation of chaos and crisis that might emanate from election violence.

Rivers PDP alleges APC's plot to stop Wike's swearing-in

R

IVERS State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, claimed that Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress, APC, were plotting to secure a court injunction in Awka, Anambra State, to stop the swearing-in of the state governor- elect, Chief Nyesom Wike on May 29.

Mr Emma Okah, Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of PDP Campaign Organisation, Rivers State, in

a statement in Port Harcourt, said the plot was to shop for and buy a judge outside Rivers State who will agree to do the job since the judiciary in the state had been paralysed by Amaechi's administration.

“However, in the face of this provocation, the PDP urges the people of Rivers State to remain calm as their governorelect will be sworn in on May 29, 2015, as ordained by God like his colleagues in other states," the statement said.

SENATE POLL: Delta lawmaker congratulates Amori on victory

T

HE member representing Isoko North constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Tim Owhefere, has congratulated Chief Ighoyota Amori on his election as the senator representing Delta Central senatorial district on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chief Amori polled 116,723 votes to defeat Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege of the Labour Party, who came a distant second with 76,635, while Halims Agoda of the All Progressives Congress, APC, came third with 15,491 votes.

In his congratulatory message to the senatorelect, Owhefere, noted that Chief Amori’s victory will go a long way to solidify the party in the senatorial district and the state in general.

OKOWA’S VICTORY: Ex-council boss assures Deltans of better life

By Simon Adewale

F

ORMER Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, and Director of Youth Mobilization, Delta State Executive of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sunday Onoriode, yesterday, assured Deltans and the youths of the party of better years as the governor-elect, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa assumes office.

Onoriode at his country home, Abraka, Ethiope East council, when he played host to the youths of the party for voting PDP candidates across the state, said there was no gainsaying the fact that with the emergence of Okowa, the state will witness an enduring development across the state.

He thanked the youths for comporting themselves before, during and after the elections held across the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—43

Ikpeazu blasts Otti over decision to go to tribunal

Partner appeals judgment in Sanomi, Taleveras suit

By Anayo Okoli

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

UMUAHIA—ABIA State governor-elect, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has described the decision of APGA governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, to challenge his victory at the tribunal as behaviour of a bad loser.

He, therefore, urged Otti and his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan and concede defeat.

Meanwhile, Ikpeazu has promised to run an open government where anybody from the state with “positive ideas would be given opportunity to contribute to the development of the state.

Ikpeazu, who spoke to journalists in his Umuobiakwa country home in Obingwa Local Government council, also expressed his commitment to work very hard for the unity and development of the state.

He promised to sustain the unity and development of the state, saying he would consider

O

GHORO BISHOP Ese, a former management partner with an oil servicing firm, Taleveras Group of Companies Limited, TGCL, has appealed the March 24, 2015 judgment by High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in a suit by the company and its Chief Executive Officer, Igho Sanomi.

In his notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal, Abuja, the appellant alleged that the trial court denied him fair hearing, while querying the procedure adopted by the court.

He also faulted its decisions and asked the appellate court to set aside the trial court’s judgment, as he also applied to the trial court for the stay of execution of judgment.

It would be recalled that Sanomi and his company had, in late 2014, sued Oghoro after he wrote Sanomi on August 5 last year, demanding the payment of his final entitlement.

every idea that would lead to the development of the state.

“Anybody that has positive ideas that will promote unity and development of Abia State is welcome. My strongest point is

that I will provide the platform for every Abian who has progressive ideas to contribute to the administration. Our common ground is to develop Abia,” Ikpeazu noted.

He described his governorship victory as “the hand work of God” and said that he has dedicated it to the "Almighty God who fulfilled His word and made our dream come true."

...will deliver to expectations of Abians —Kinsmen

By Eric Ugbor

A

BA—KINSMEN of Abia State governor-elect, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, have promised to give him all the support required to deliver good governance to Abia residents.

Some of Ikpeazu’s kinsmen who spoke to Vanguard in Aba, admitted that there was much work for him to do and promised to ensure he delivered good governance as promised.

Ikpeazu’s uncle, Mr Azuogu Nwachukwu, said they were happy that Okezie clinched the electoral victory at last for every Ukwa na Ngwa man after a tough fight.

He said the governor-elect

was a very humble and caring person who had what it took to deliver good governance to Abia people, adding that he would not disappoint Abia people.

According to Nwachukwu, Ikpeazu’s view that he came to serve Abia people, will spur him to fulfil all his promises.

He stressed that they would give him all he required to make him a governor with an enviable track record of achievements.

In his own contribution, Elder Chibuike Nwokeuku, an Aba-based lawyer, noted that Ikpeazu’s victory was victory for equity, justice, fair play and for every Igbo man to whom Aba is home.

He said Ukwa and Ngwa people were grateful to God for giving them the opportunity which had eluded them for many years, both in military and civilian regimes.

Nwokeuku called on all Abians to join hands with the governorelect to build Abia State to the status of other neighbouring states that had developed remarkably.

He said Ukwa and Ngwa people would ensure that Ikpeazu put square pegs in square holes, a process he said was the first step for effective delivery of good governance to the people Rev Leonard Romanus, a member of Ikpeazu’s family, also said the governor-elect’s victory was victory for the Ikpeazu family, the people of Umuobiakwa and Ukwa and Ngwa people.

ENUGU GOV POLL: Nsukka biz community begs APC

candidate to accept election result

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Allied Business Community at Nsukka has called on the

New salon opens shop

D

IAMOND CUTS Salon, an upscale unisex salon,which specialises in hair and scalp treatment and other beauty accessories, has opened shop in Lagos.

The multi-purpose beauty outlet, owned by American trained

Oluseyi Sofola and located at Kings Plaza, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, offers services on all types of haircut, wash and set, blow dry, relaxing, fixing extension, braiding and colouring.

governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the April 11 election, Barr. Okey Ezea, to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith.

They pleaded with politicians in the state to take a cue from President Goodluck Jonathan who lost as an incumbent President but did not hesitate to concede defeat.

The group, which made its position known at a press briefing in Enugu, yesterday, was speaking in apparent reference to Ezea’s insistence to

challenge the result at the election tribunal.

It would be recalled that Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner of the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. However, the president of the Allied Business Community, Mr. Augustine Okagu, who addressed journalists alongside the organisation’s secretary and one of its patrons, Ojobo Godwin and Theophilus

Nzuteigbo, respectively, urged Ezea to bury the hatchet and partner with Ugwuanyi to move the state forward.

Okagu said: “Now that the election is over and a winner has emerged, we congratulate Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the PDP and equally ask our brother, Okey Ezea, to accept the outcome in the interest of our state.

“We have no doubt in Ugwuanyi’s ability to justify the mandate that has been given to him by the people of Enugu State."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Keshi’s fresh contract as Super Eagles coach

M

y fellow countrymen, it is obvious that Keshi has run out of technical ideas and tactics, when it comes to playing and winning matches.

From his statement in the news, we do not need any prophet to tell us that any longer. -Pastor Nosike George, Clergy

I

f he really wants to coach Super Eagles, he should talk less and start work. We need performance, and he should drop sentiments.

Keshi should hold his breath and do his work.

What Nigerians want is improvement. -Mr. Hyginus Nwachukwu, Businessman

I

t seems Keshi has run out of ideas and afraid to put his legs into cold water.

Then, if this is so, Keshi should bow out now before it is too late as we cannot afford to lose again in 2016.

For him to succeed, he must first of all be a servant.

-Mr. Olusola Oyeniyi, Commenter

I

f this lad was a genuine coach as he claimed, where were all the six nations he claimed were falling on top of each other for his signature? He’s been out of job for 10 months and could not even get an interview with the likes of Equatorial Guinea. -Miss Chinasa Ukogu, Vocalist

T

his time around, Keshi should know that it is his responsibility to select players, motivate, impact and tell them what the country and himself expect from them. It is always splendid to quit when the ovation is high. -Miss Ogbonna Chidinma,- Student

N

5 million a month?

That is approximately $25,000 per month. This translates to $300,000 per annum. That is good money right there to make in Nigeria, no wonder he signed the contract, even after the NFF kept him waiting for a year. -Mr. Timi Jaiyeola, Businessman

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

MOMAN seeks deregulation of oil, gas industry

Nigerian ship owners unveil new association

L

AGOS—THE Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, has said that deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry remained the best option to move the economy forward.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr Obafemi Olawore, made the assertiopn in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Olawore said that deregulation would bring in investments into the sector, adding that only deregulation would encourage the establishment of private refineries in the country.

According to him, the Federal Government should summon the courage to fully deregulate and remove subsidy or embark on continuous subsidy regime payment as at when due.

“If government likes, they can introduce gradual removal of subsidy but it should not go beyond 6 to 18 months period.

“If fully deregulated with rules, you will have the serious investors coming in to invest adequately,” Olawore said.

According to him, deregulation is the answer and the government must talk to the people and let them understand the advantages.

“The governemnt must also show that in the areas where there have deregulation, people are gaining and that whatever comes in as funds will be used for the benefit of the people.

“People should know that the subsidy refund is not dash money.

It is what you have paid for and somebody is paying you back because you have been told to sell below the market price.''

By Ifeyinwa Obi

S

VISIT: From left; Local Government Chairmen, Alhaji Al-hassan Bagudu, Kaiama; Barr. Abdullateef Okandeji, Ilorin East; Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Alhaji Tajudeen Zulu Oloje, Ilorin West and Prince Waheed Olanipekun, Offa during a congratulatory visit to Governor Ahmed by ALGON, yesterday.

ZAMFARA GOV POLL: APGA candidate heads for tribunal

By Salisu Maradun

G

U S A U — T H E governorship candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has filed a petition at the Governorship/ House of Assembly Elections Tribunal challenging the April 11, results of the governorship election in the state.

In a suit number. EPT/ZMS/ GOV/M.1/15, .filed in Gusau, the state capital yesterday, through his Counsel, Pwahomdi Lasco, Sani prayed for court to order the inspection of all election

Group berates INEC, PDP on Delta polls, lauds president-elect, Emerhor

D

ELTANS United Against Political Jobbers, a socio-cultural and political pressure group in Delta State, has described the recently-held elections in the state as a complete negation of democratic principles, condemning the results of the elections as the product of electoral malpractices.

Addressing newsmen in Warri, yesterday, the group, in a statement by its Chairperson, Augustina Agbajoh, alleged that there were no elections worth the name in Delta, claiming that what actually transpired was a rape of democracy in which all manner of sharp practices were perpetrated against the popular will of Deltans.

According to Agbajoh, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, massively rigged the elections by recourse to a multifaceted approach which witnessed the snatching of result sheets, ballot boxes, voting materials and the selective deployment and use of

card readers amongst other deplorable practices.

Agbajoh urged the All Progressives Congress, APC’s governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to fight tooth and nail to reclaim his stolen mandate, insisting that the PDP must not be allowed to get away with what she described as electoral brigandage.

While commending Emerhor for standing up to be counted on the side of change, a stance she maintained has paid off with the victory of President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, she said: “When O’tega first started selling the idea of APC and Buhari to us, we were initially reluctant to turn against Jonathan on sentimental grounds but with persistence, he swayed us over to Buhari’s vision and today change has come to Nigeria with Delta State being the odd man out. This is unacceptable as our dear state cannot be left behind.''

materials used during the polls in possession or custody of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ‘’whether by themselves or through their officers, servants or agents.’’

In an affidavit in support of his “motion exparte” he asked to be allowed to inspect the relevant

materials used for the election including voters’ registers for all polling units in the state, card readers that captured and recorded accredited voters, incident forms, all the ballot papers, ballot boxes and counter foils for all the polling units in the state.

Contractors association tasks Buhari on high cost of governance

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—A group under the aegis, Contractors Association of Niger Delta Development Commission, CANDDC yesterday urged the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, rtd, to drastically reduce high cost of governance to ensure that various offices of government were service driven for the growth and development of the country.

The group also asked Buhari to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference if the people must be part of governance or own the process of government as that would help restructure the political system of Nigeria.

In a congratulatory message signed yesterday by its President, Joe Adia in Abuja, CANDDC described the victory of Buhari as a feat that would show example for Africans and the world at large,

adding that in looking at the high cost of governance, attention should be paid to constitutionally induced cost, statutory/ administrative cost, non– constitutionally induced cost and the attractive nature of the nation’s political office, adding that at the end of the day, those areas that would impact meaningfully on the common man should be paramount.

Adia also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for ''being the hero of Nigeria's democracy by leaving the legacy of conceding victory and congratulating the President-elect.''

The statement read in part,”This body has thought it wise to draw the attention of the incoming government on the following issues: that the various government parastatals like NNPC, NCC, NDDC, Ajaokuta Steel among others for continuity purposes.''

HIPOWNERS Association of Nigeria (SOAN), said yesterday that it had formed a new association to promote the interest of Nigerian ship owners and to provide a forum for dialogue among Nigerian Shipowners.

The President of the association, Mr Greg Ogbeifun made the disclosure to newsmen at the formal unveiling of the association in Lagos.

Ogbeifun, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Starz Group of Companies said all members of SOAN were still bonafide members of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA).

“I am still a member of NISA and I am not aware of any member of SOAN that have resigned from NISA. We only formed SOAN to fill the gaps created by NISA,” he said.

He, however, said SOAN comprised shipowners with proven track records.

“SOAN comprises shipowning companies with proven track records of activities in the industry recognised by upstream and downstream sectors of the shipping industry as well as by the private and public sectors of the industry,” Ogbeifun said.

He explained that there was need for shipowners to dialogue among themselves and with any other interests on topical issues and practices pertaining to the business of ship ownership and management.

“SOAN is set up to facilitate participation of Nigerian shipowners in international fora on shipping matters through effective representation in such meetings.

“To cultivate and maintain good relations with the government and maritime authorities by contributing expertise in formulating policies and regulations on national and maritime activities,“ Ogbeifun added.

‘Adamawa lost property worth N7.3bn to Boko Haram'

By Umar Yusuf

Y

O L A — A D A M AWA State government announced Monday that property worth N7.3 billion were destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents in five local government areas of the state

while they held sway in the affected areas.

The government was yet to compile the property destroyed in two other local governments in the state.

But, Governor Bala James Nggilari who spoke at a Multi Stakeholders Meeting, MSM,

on Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Return Process in the state, organized by the National Emergency Management Agency,NEMA in conjunction with the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015—45

EIA SUMMIT : From left— Mrs. Laraba Mallam, Minister of Environment; Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives; and Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, during the international summit on Enhancing Legislations for the Effective Implimentation of Environmental Impact Assesment, EIA, in West Africa in Abuja, yesterday.

ICT AWARD: From left— Mr. Chris Uwaje, President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria; Mr. Norbert Ofili, Company Secretary; and Mr. Hassan Alao, Executive Director, both of Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, during the presentation of ICT Personality of the Year award to Mr. Alao at the Nigerian Communication Week Beacon of ICT Award in Lagos.

CHILDREN'S DAY: From left— Chidi Akubuiro, Key Account Manager, Nigeria Bottling Company Plc; Mr. Muftau Fasasi, Finance Executive, UAC Restaurants; Mrs Pauline Nwana, CEO, Sunpaul Sidney Nigeria Limited and Jacques Theunissen, Operation Manager, UAC Restaurants, at the media launch of 2015 children's day campaign tagged Make a Difference, in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

SURPRISE YOUR PROFESSOR: From left— Dr. Sid, MTN Ambassador and singer; Professor Anthony Ologhobo, Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, and winner of MTN Season of Surprises/ Surprise Your Professor; and Mrs. Fehintola Mustapha, General Manager, Regional Operations, Lagos/ South-West, MTN Nigeria, during the presentation of a KIA RIO to Professor Ologhobo in Ibadan.

MAKE IT HAPPEN: From left— Audu Maikori, CEO, Chocolate City Group; Joseph Umunakwe, Managing Director, Microsoft Mobile Devices and Services; Jessica Yahaya, winner in #MakeItHappen# Microsoft Lumia 535 Dual SIM ‘Passion to Empire’ activation campaign; Tara Fela-Durotoye, CEO, House of Tara; and Opeyemi Awoyemi, Co-founder, Jobberman, at the presentation of prizes to the five winners in Lagos.

DANCE BATTLE: Mr. Ice Nweke, President, International Dance Organization Nigeria (right); Mr. Tosin Adeyemi, Product Manager, Access Bank Plc (2nd right) and F.F.D. Reloaded group, winners of the IDO Street Dance Battle 2015, during the presentation of cheque to the winners in Lagos.

VISION OF THE CHILD: From left— Miss Tamaramiebi Akika,

winner, Vision of the Child 2015 competition; Mr. Benson Evbuomwan, Executive Director, Marketing; and Mr. Adewusi Oluwatosin, Brand Activation Officer, both of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, during the dinner and award night of the competition in Lagos.

C M Y K

OPENING : From left— Mrs. Ronke Osho, Director, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations, Lagos State University, LASU; Professor Olusoga Sofola, Professor Emeritus; Mr. Oluseyi Sofola, Proprietor, Diamond Cuts Salon; Dr. Olayemi Sofola; and Chief Resident Minister, Chapel of the Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos, at the opening of the Diamond Cuts Salon.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 —47

Uncovering fatal attraction among Nigerian migrants Continues from page 46 perception among them that going to Europe is the quickest way to make money.

The news that some Nigerians were among the 12 migrants thrown overboard by Muslim cotravellers in the Mediterranean while sailing to Italy, attests to the alarming trend.

The International Organisation for Migration ,IOM, in a piece titled: Migrant Arrivals by Sea in Italy Top 170,000 in 2014 observed that Nigeria accounted for 9,000 migrants out of the 170,100 that arrived Italy by sea in 2014.

While most migrants from troubled spots in Africa make the dangerous sea trips as a result of crises in their countries, those from Nigeria often point at poverty which VF found not to be as pervasive as they claim.

It is believed that more than 70 percent of Nigerians live below the national poverty line.

But among countries in subSaharan Africa like Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Gambia and Ghana where some of migrants hail from, Nigeria boasts of the highest GDP, which is $2,700.

Official figures Official figures for 2013 released by the National Bureau of Statistics, put the country’s GDP at $503bn (£307bn). The figure nearly doubled previous estimates and well ahead of South Africa at around $350bn.

Since this implies that the country is the largest economy in Africa following booming sectors like telecoms, banking and the Nollywood film industry, the frightening number of people embarking on the dangerous journey’s to Europe, comes as a sharp contrast.

What is the attraction?

Faced with this situation, many are eager to know what could possibly be the attraction in these trips that are often made aboard poorly equipped vessels.

Mr. Elvis Osemokha, founder of Save Our Heritage Foundation, a Benin based nongovernmental organisation that campaigns against human trafficking and dangerous migration to Europe, told VF, that poverty remains the remote cause. However, he argued that the level of poverty in the country does not call for such risky journeys to Europe.

Narrating the experience he has had with returnees and intending migrants, he explained thus: ‘’Migrants are of various categories. We are dealing with economic migrants in this circumstance. We all know that the living conditions in Nigeria are harsh. No one should deny the fact that the poverty rate in Nigeria is not alarming. Our people are poor C M Y K

and there are very poor people.’’

Continuing, he said: ‘’In the course of my job, I found out that some who embarked on such journeys lived below poverty line.

But the condition in Nigeria has not got to the level that will make our citizens embark on such trips of no return. So, for me the attraction is the hunger for better life. And I have seen that among some returnees that we have rehabilitated. Some told me that if conditions had been good in Nigeria, the choice of going to Europe by sea would not have been made.’’

Premium on wealth acquisition But a lecturer in the Department of Sociology in one of the private universities in the South-South, Dr. Jerome Onyenebadi, has a contrary or slightly different perception of what the attraction could be.

Onyenebadi sees the problem as a social crisis that comes at every stage of civilisation, noting that the world had often grappled with the challenges posed by migration. ‘’Things should be viewed with empirical lens. Without that understanding the underlying causes of a problem becomes difficult. There has never been a time when migration was not an issue because the society has perpetually been at war with itself. That is why I disagree that poverty is strictly responsible,’’ he said, adding thus: ‘’My argument should not be construed to mean that living conditions in Nigeria are favourable. Rather these youths are pushed into embarking on such trips by so many factors prevalent in our society.’’

•African migrants wait after they disembarked in the Sicilian harbor of Augusta last week circumstances.’’

Also, peer influence, get-richquick syndrome and acute unemployment rate were further discovered as other reasons for such trips which have become common among indigenes of Edo, Delta and most South Eastern states For instance, the propensity of travelling to Europe by any means is usually found in three out of every five unemployed youths from the aforementioned areas. Even some who are employed but not gainfully so also embark on this search for the proverbial golden fleece, VF gathered.

Now that these fatal journeys have assumed an epic proportion it is the wish of many that

Edo, Delta and South Eastern states Onyenebadi said the reasons cut across social, economic, religious and cultural needs. ‘’We live in a society that places high premium on wealth acquisition. The churches preach materialism instead of salvation; you are only recognised in your community when you are wealthy, not minding the source of your wealth, while the entire societal fabric is materialist. In most cases, parents encourage their children to embark on such voyages even when they are aware of the risk. In this kind of society everyone wants to make money; that is why we are here today.’’

He added thus: ‘’ In 2014 the United Nations Development Programme said the richest tenth of Nigeria’s population have an income 25 times more than the poorest tenth. That tells you the level of social inequality in this country. Vulnerable citizens are bound to make unthinkable choices under this

Some who embarked on such journeys lived below poverty line; but the condition in Nigeria has not got to the level that will make our citizens embark on such trips of no return

the Federal Government goes beyond adhoc responses and address the fundamental issues behind it. ‘’We expect the Federal Government to provide the social services that will create a better life for every Nigerian. That will help reduce the rate drastically among our people. We are also not relenting in our campaigns against fatal journeys, ‘’ Osemokha told VF. During a recent trip to Benin, VF came across car stickers with the warning message: ‘’Travelling to Europe by Road is Dangerous, Don’t Dare It.’’ The awareness campaign was found to be courtesy of NGOs like Osemokhas’.

On his part, Onyenebadi wants the government to in addition to performing its primary function as enshrined in section 14(2b) of the 1979 constitution, enter into workable bilateral agreements with transit countries so as to discourage the trend. ‘’In my humble submission, if our government performs the primary function of government as outlined in the Constitution which is ensuring security and welfare of the citizens, people will think less about going to Europe or anywhere. We have just elected General Muhammadu Buhari as president. To whom much is given, much is also expected in return. So, it is expected of him to make our living condition better than it is now,’’ he added.

However, checks showed that government had not really folded its arms and watched the issues snowball into a crisis. For instance, government had, a few years ago, launched several initiatives with some countries in Africa to discourage this deadly passage to Europe. One of such countries, it was gathered, was Morocco which used to be the exit route to Spain before migrants discovered the Libyan route.

Blessing Mberu and Roland

Pongou in their 2010 piece, Nigeria: Multiple Forms of Mobility in Africa’s Demographic Giant, said government was also working working with IOM on the matter. ‘’The government is currently working with the International Organisation on Migration, IOM, to facilitate the voluntary return and reintegration of Nigerian migrants living illegally in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Italy.

Government has also launched campaigns on the dangers of illegal migration and has supported linking the IOM programme to its povertyeradication strategies,’’ the duo stated.

Minimalist approach On the global scale, the IOM had in its response to the latest migration crisis called the European Union to go beyond what it described as minimalist approach in the 10-Point Plan on Migration, announced a fortnight ago, which focuses primarily on stemming the arrival of migrants and refugees on its shores. ‘’As a paramount principle, the safety, protection needs, and human rights of all migrants and refugees should be at the forefront of the EU response. EU leaders must look beyond the present situation and work closely with transit and origin countries both to alleviate the immediate plight of migrants and refugees and address in a more comprehensive way the many factors that drive them to resort to such desperate journeys by sea. Enforcement alone will not solve the issue of irregular migration, but could increase the risks and abuse faced by migrants and refugees,’’ the IOM said in a statement posted on it website on April 24, 2015.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 49

C M Y K

50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 51

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 53

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 55

56 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 , 2015

Baltimore deploys National Guard to curb riots N

ATIONAL Guard troops fanned out through the city, shieldbearing police officers blocked the streets and firefighters doused stillsimmering blazes early Tuesday as a growing area of Baltimore shuddered from riots following the funeral of a black man who died in police custody.

The violence that started in West Baltimore on Monday afternoon — within a mile of where Freddie Gray, 25, was arrested and placed into a police van earlier this month — had by midnight spread to East Baltimore and neighborhoods close to downtown and near the baseball stadium. The streets were calm Tuesday morning.

Monday’s rioting was one of the most volatile outbreaks of violence prompted by a policeinvolved death since the days of protests that followed the death of

she should have come to him earlier.

“We were all in the command center in the second floor of the State House in constant communication, and we were trying to

get in touch with the mayor for quite some time,” Gov. Larry Hogan told a Monday evening news conference. “She finally made that call, and we immediately took ac-

tion.”

Asked if the mayor should have called for help sooner, however, Hogan replied that he didn’t want to question what Baltimore officials were doing: “They ’re all under tremendous stress. We’re all on one team.”

US appoints first Black Female AG

L

Members of National Guard battle rioters Michael Brown, an unarmed black man who was shot and killed during a confrontation with a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, last summer.

At least 15 officers were hurt, including six who were hospitalized, police said. There were 144 vehicle fires, 15 structure fires and nearly 200 arrests, according to numbers provided Tuesday morning by Howard Libit, a spokesman for

the mayor’s office.

State and local authorities pledged to restore order and calm to Baltimore, but quickly found themselves responding to questions about whether their initial responses had been adequate.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake was asked why she waited hours to ask the governor to declare a state of emergency, while the governor himself hinted

ORETTA Lynch has been sworn in as the 83rd U.S. attorney general, the first African-American woman to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement official.

Speaking before an audience of family members, Justice Department lawyers and supporters, Lynch said her confirmation as attorney general showed that “we can do anything” and pledged that the agency would “use justice as our compass” in confronting terrorism, cyberattacks and other threats facing the country.

“We can imbue our criminal justice system with

•Loretta Lynch both strength and fairness, for the protection of both the needs of victims and the rights of all. We can restore trust and faith both in our laws and in those of us who enforce them,” Lynch said, an apparent reference to ongoing efforts to repair relations between police

departments and the minority communities that they serve.

Vice President Joe Biden administered the oath of office to Lynch at a Justice Department ceremony, calling Lynch an “incredibly qualified” selection for the position. He said Lynch had shown grace during the months-long confirmation process, in which her nomination became caught up in Congress in a dispute over human trafficking legislation.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s about time — it’s about time this woman is being sworn in,” Biden said to applause.

Al-Bashir wins Sudan’s election

S

UDAN’s President Omar al-Bashir was reelected with more than 94

percent of the vote, results showed on Monday, despite international war

Indonesia executes four Nigerians, others F

OUR Nigerians were among the nine foreigners executed yesterday in Nusakambangan island for drug trafficking in Indonesia which has zero tolerance for the offence.

The names of the Nigerians were given as: Okwudili Oyatanze, Silverster Obiekwe Nwolise, Jamiu Owolabi Abashin and Marin Anderson. According to the reports, Oyatanze, who was caught in a flight to Jakarta in 2001, and was alleged to have swallowed 2.5 kilograms of heroin in capsules. His compatriot, Nwolise also swallowed capsules of powdered substance before he was caught in 2004. Similarly, Abashin was caught with 5.4 kilograms of heroin concealed in a parcel of female clothing. He was convicted in 1999. The fourth person gave his name as Martin Anderson was caught in possession

•Martin-Anderson

of 50 grams of heroin and has a record of being part of a small local drug ring.

But global attention of the executed felons has been on the two Australians, Myuran Sukumaran, 33, and Andrew Chan, 31, whose government had been putting pressure on Indonesian Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to show clemency.

Among the other nationals executed are Brazilian surfer, Rodrigo Gularte, an Indonesian, a Filipino woman Mary Jane Veloso,

•Okwudili Oyatanze were among those executed.

Gularte, 42, was arrested trying to smuggle 5.8 kilograms of cocaine into Indonesia in surfboards.

He suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which means under Indonesian law he is not allowed to be executed, yet for unknown reasons this has not led to his mercy.

Reports said the 30 year old Mary Jane Veloso was offered a job as a maid in Malaysia. She claims

•Jamiu Abashin drugs were put in the lining of her suitcase without her knowledge by her recruiter and she boarded a plane to Indonesia, where she was promised a followup job. She was caught with 2.6 kilos of heroin valued at $500,000. She was sentenced to death.

50-year-old Indonesian Zainal Abidin is the only local being executed in this group. In 2001, he was convicted of being the ringleader in a marijuana business deal. He was caught with a bag of 58.5

•Silverster Obiekwe kilograms of marijuana at his house. He has continued to deny the drugs belonged to him.

Fierce debate has raged in Australia over the use of capital punishment in the cases of the Chan and Sukumaran. Both Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott have called for the pair to be spared by the Indonesian government. The requests have fallen on deaf ear.

crimes charges and a poll marred by low turnout and an opposition boycott.

The opposition rejected the result as a “joke” after the electoral commission announced the figures securing another five-year term for Bashir, 71, after the election held earlier this month.

National Electoral Commission chief Mokhtar al-Asam announced Bashir ’s victory to a Khartoum news conference to cries of “Allahu akbar!”

(God is greatest) from the long-serving president’s supporters.

Only little-known candidates had run against Bashir, and his closest competitor — Fadl elSayed Shuiab of the Federal Truth Party — took just 1.43 percent of the vote.

Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party also dominated results in a simultaneous parliamentary election, taking 323 of 426 seats.

The elections took place over four days from April 13, with voting extended by a day after turnout appeared minimal. Asam said the participation rate was more than 46 percent.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 57

58—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 59

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

Don’t bring a novice to sports, Porbeni others tell Buhari

By Ben Efe

A

S Nigerians eagerly await the make up of Muhammadu Buhari’s government, concerned sports professionals have called on the Presidentelect, to put an end to the appointment of sports ministers who have no idea about sports development.

Former Delta State director of sports and athletics coach Seigha Porbeni, former Edo State commissioner for sports Brown Ebewele and a former president of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation Eddie Adenirokun all listed that successive sports ministers in the democratic governance of Nigeria have left the country ’s sports industry worse off.

They called on General Buhari to shop around for a sports minister who will revive the industry, which has potentials to create employment and reduce criminal activities by the youths.

“We need a technocrat to be our sports minister

this time around. For too long we in the sports industry have suffered in the hands of politicians who know next to nothing about sports development,” said Porbeni.

the Etisalat U-15 soccer championship. ‘’I’ve always said that Keshi has nothing to offer the Super Eagles.

Giving him a two-year contract was glorifying failure. We’ve set a bad precedent by employing a man who failed to qualify for the Nations Cup to manage us for the next two years. Does it not show you where we are heading to?’’.

Akpoborie said that Keshi should not wait for the NFF before going abroad to update his knowledge on the game. ‘’He should have used his money to go and update his knowledge.

Why are they paying him N5 million? That is what every serious coach in the world does. He should not to wait for a federation to bear his expenses’’, he said.

Asked why he was not taking advantage of NFF’s gesture of appointing former

even travel for their events,”he added.

Mr. Ebewele called on the awaiting President to ensure that sports does not suffer neglect under his watch.

“First of all, the sports

minister should be a man or woman grounded in sports. The era where sports became a dumping ground for politicians should be over.

“There is no grassroots

Nike deal Continued from back page

Super Falcons ini adidas jerseys. They'll be the first to wear the new Nike kits

T

HE Super Falcons will be given the rare honour of being the first Nigerian National team to use the new Nike kits in a competitive game when they lock horns with Mali in an Olympics qualifying match on May

Akpoborie Continues from BP

“Look at the mess that was our sports under Tammy Danagogo and Tunde Elegbeleye as his DG. Our football is down, other sports are grounded. They can’t

players to coach the various national teams, Akpoborie laughed and said that coaching was a calling and not a money machine. ‘’I’m not cut out to be a coach. I went through a lot of stress during my active days and don’t want another stress as a coach. Coaching is not just what you wake up one day and go into.

Most of our former players who are coaches are there because of what they want to get.

They don’t have what it takes to be coaches. That is why our football is in the valley’’.

Akpoborie said that part of the problems that would confront Keshi in his second coming would be the loss of respect by players. ‘’There is nothing as bad as when you don’t have the respect of your players. And that is the beginning of divisions in the team and the beginning of yet another failure’’, Akpoborie said.

Nike, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it has concluded arrangements to commit all national team players and coaches to signing a code of conduct on how to dress during competitions.

Director of Marketing of the federation, Idris Adama told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the development is to avoid a repeat of the problem which led to former NFF sponsors,

Falcons to launch new Nike kits 9 in Abuja.

This has been confirmed by the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mohammed Sanusi, who

disclosed this when he visited the team at its training centre in Abuja.

He also charged the Falcons to launch the jersey in style by beating Mali with a heavy

scoreline.

“I urge you to be disciplined and desist from acts that will bring problem between Nike, our new kit sponsors and the Federation.

City free Iheanacho to join F/Eagles Manchester City’s teenage sensation Kelechi Iheanacho silenced his critics following his immaculate display against Chelsea’s Under 18 squad in the final of the FA Youth Cup.

And no wonder the Nigeria youth international celebrated his fifth minute goal at Stamford Bridge by putting a finger to his mouth, a sign to any doubting Thomas to ‘shut up’.

Prior to the contest in

Yekini, Amokachi, Ajunwa get Abuja street names

By Jude Opara, Abuja

I

N recognition of their services to the country through sports, the federal government, yesterday honoured some Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the sector by naming streets in some areas of the Federal Capital Territory after them. The sportsmen and women who were listed among the over 182 eminent Nigerians and accomplished Africans included the late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini who was honoured for his ability to have been the first Nigerian to score

•Yekini a FIFA World Cup goal at the USA ’94 edition of the championship.

Also on the list was former Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi for his feat of been the youngest Nigerian player to feature at the African cup of Nations, as well as police woman Chioma Ajunwa Opara who was the first Nigerian to win an Olympics gold medal.

London on Monday night, there had been speculations that the Taye Academy pupil would not be fit for this summer’s Fifa Under 20 World Cup due to an ankle injury.

Having come through the game against the Chelsea Under 18s unscathed, Kelechi Iheanacho’s management team has said that he will link up with the Flying Eagles at their training camp in Germany in the coming days. ‘’Kelechi Iheanacho had an ankle injury but he’s now fully fit,’’ a representative of the striker said. ‘’Both Manchester City and his management team decided that he should not undergo surgery, so Kelechi was very disciplined to wear a cast. ‘’With this game in the bag, expect him to join the Flying Eagles camp soon. ‘’He has shot down all fears concerning his fitness.

Monday he showed everyone that he still has his sharpness, he is back.’’

development and even our athletes who struggle to become greats are neglected. Let us have a minister that understands the dynamics of sports.”

addidas pulling out after the 2014 World Cup. He further explained that the NFF and the American based company also reached an agreement which gives the company the right to protect its product from any flagrant abuse.

According to Adama, the federation will set up a Compliance Unit under the Marketing Department so as to ensure contracts are allowed to run in line with agreed terms and conditions.

“You see the new leadership of the federation has demonstrated enough commitment to ensure that all contracts that we go into are fully protected especially the rights to activate the protection of their products.

“To that effect, the federation is coming up with a Compliance Unit which will be under the Marketing Department and will work with the Legal Unit to ensure that every contract signed with any organization is performed in line with all terms and conditions."

“Already there are measures that have been put in place to ensure that any player or coach that will play for Nigeria will adhere to."

We drummed this during our negotiations with the chief coach. One of the conditions to play for Nigeria is that the player must comply with the measures which are already in place” said Adama.

•Pinnick, NFF boss

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 61

Mayweather vs Pacquiao•••Mayweather vs Pacquiao•••

Mayweather has the chance to cement himself as one of the all-time greats against Pacquiao — Sugar Ray Leonard

Floyd Mayweather Jnr gets through some work on the pads with his father and trainer Floyd Mayweather Sn

S

UGAR Ray Leonard, widely regarded as one of the three best boxers ever, believes Floyd Mayweather is about to join Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and himself in the pantheon of all-time greats.

This is the destiny which Leonard himself predicted for Mayweather when he saw Floyd Jnr starting out on his professional career.

The opportunity to fulfil that promise comes for Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Saturday night in the richest fight in ring history.

Leonard is not assuming victory for Mayweather. He warns: ‘The winner will be the fighter who brings his A-game and his mental and spiritual calm into the ring. But this is Floyd’s chance to cement all that he has been saying about himself as ‘The Best Ever’.

This can be his fulfilment.’

That prospect, the enormity of the occasion and the probability that this will live up to expectation as the greatest fight of recent years has Leonard highly excited.

‘My palms will be sweating as I walk into the stadium on Saturday night,’ he says. ‘Just like all the fans. When it’s this big it’s scary for everyone.’

The parallel with Leonard’s own epic battle with Marvin Hagler is

striking and he knows how Mayweather and Pacquiao will be feeling as they enter the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

‘The fighters aren’t scared in the usual sense of the word,’ he says. ‘But when you know you are going up against one of the great boxers in the world you are concerned. You can’t be certain of what you are facing until you get hit.

‘It’s like when I fought Tommy Hearns the first time. I knew he was a hard puncher but I didn’t realise how hard until his first punch landed. These guys can’t be sure what they are up against until they get in there. They will both be concerned but not afraid.

‘Manny has been round the block a few times, has a great trainer in Freddie Roach and he’ll be ready.

‘Floyd has fought here often and he feeds off the big stage, like myself and Ali used to do. The bigger the stage the better for him.’

Mayweather has been under fire here for his record of domestic abuse but Leonard has nothing but praise for him as a boxer.

He says: ‘When I first watched him and met him I knew he would be great.

I looked into his eyes and saw something that told me.

So I told him, “Son, you’re going to be something special”.

‘He has that mean streak

that all us champions have, that will and determination not to be beaten, the spirit of the real fighter. Floyd marches to his own drummer but that’s OK. He’s a narcissist. He says whatever is on his mind.

There’s no filter. He’s a trash-talker but he backs it up so I respect that.

‘In fact, I’m deeply impressed by him. His ring generalship, the way he works out his opponents and then breaks them down. Outstanding.

‘Defensively boring? Not for me. I regarded myself as an artist and I appreciate Floyd’s artistry.

I love watching him fight.’

Not that Leonard is anything but admiring of Pacquiao: ‘If he can bring back the speed and the power he had against Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto we are in for a very interesting fight.

There could also be a few surprises for the fans, like maybe a couple of knockdowns late on.

‘He reminds me a lot of myself. He wants to help everybody. Unfortunately we can’t help the whole world.

‘But he gives so much to so many people. Like me, he finds the toughest thing is to say no.

‘I’ve given away millions of dollars and now I’m focused on my foundation for juvenile diabetes.

Pacquiao and me — we give back.

Boxing fans watch on as Manny Pacquiao (right) works the pads with his trainer Freddie Roach

Pacquiao ran away from home aged 12 after his dad ate his dog A

S the world gears up for one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts in boxing history, Manny Pacquiao’s trainer has shed light on the fighter ’s tough upbringing which once saw his father EAT his dog.

Pacquiao’s brutal upbringing in the Philippines saw the boxer living on the streets as a youngster, before he turned pro aged 14 as he sought to escape from poverty.

“Manny ran away from home after his father ate his dog,” trainer Freddie Roach once revealed.

The incident happened when Pacquiao was 12 years old, after a friend of his father’s had killed the dog. The fighter now has a nine-year-old Jack Russell who joins him on training runs and in the gym.

Roach also spoke about how the young Pacquiao would make ends meet in the shantytown in which he lived: “He lived on the street, where he bought doughnuts at a doughnut store and then sold each one for a nickel more to

Mayweather (l) and Pacquiao survive.

“He slept in a cardboard box. He fought his way through all this, turned pro at 14, and look at the man he is today.

“The Philippines is a poor place, there’s no welfare, no health system and if you don’t have a job or money then you do anything to survive.”

Pacman’s rags to riches story has seen him become an icon in his home country, where he is widely expected to run for president when he hangs

up his gloves.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said Roach. “I went to his birthday party, the President of the Philippines was there, there were 5000 people at the party, and 10,000 outside who couldn’t get in. He’s an icon, because he represents the hopes of so many people.”

“When he fights, there is no crime in the Philippines, because everyone is watching him box. He has come such a long way.''

62—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015 — 63

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2015

4 days to go!

Nike deal: NFF reads riot act to players, coaches

By Jude Opara, Abuja

I

N an effort to sustain the new contract it just signed with kits manufacturing giants

Continues on page 60

City free Iheanacho to join F/Eagles — Page 60

•Keshi

The big fight •Pacquiao ran away from home aged 12 after his dad ate his dog

*Mayweather ********************

•Akpoborie

has the chance — Sugar Ray Leonard Pg.61

Keshi: Akpoborie blasts NFF

BY TONY UBANI

F

O R M E R international, Jonathan Akpoborie is yet to come to terms with the fact that Nigeria

•Iheanacho

Football Federation, NFF, offered the Super Eagles job to Stephen Keshi.

Akpoborie said that the Pinnick-led board’s

decision to use taxpayers money to send the coach on a capacity building course to update himself was an insult on Nigerians.

‘’I don’t know why the NFF should give him the job in the first place. And talking of sending him on a course is annoyingly insulting’’,

Akpoborie told Sports Vanguard at Campos Square where he watched Imo State U-15 beat Niger state to win Continues on Page 60

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Scheme (4) 4 Edge (3) 6 Block (4) 9 Friend (3) 10 Bewildered (8) 11 Revise (4) 14 Serpent (3) 16 Command (5) 19 Lively (8) 21 Dissuade (5) 23 Harmful (8) 24 Taut (5) 27 Loiter (3) 31 Remedy (4) 33 Diligence (8) 34 Rabbit (3) 35 Intense (4) 36 Mournful (3) 37 Incline (4)

DOWN 2 Seem (4) 3 Argument (4) 4 Opposed (8) 5 Manufactured (4) 6 Javelin (5) 7 Youth (3) 8 Living (5) 12 Island (5) 13 Temptress (5) 14 Help (3) 15 Leaf (5) 17 Sewer (5) 18 Scope (5) 20 Claimed (8) 22 Tease (3) 25 Escape (5) 26 Slumber (5) 28 Overlook (4) 29 Employer (4) 30 Stuff (4) 32 Fish-eggs (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Scream 5, Demean 8, Frighten 9, Drip 10, Wig 12, Coped 15, Sum 17, Lea 18, Rip 19, Spa 20, Rogue 21, Ilk 22, Dog 23, Art 24, Eye 26, Owned 29, Err 33, Safe 34, Narrator 35, United 36, Treaty.

DOWN: 2, Corgi 3, Edge 4, Motto 5, Dense 6, Mode 7, Adieu 10, Waste 11, Glade 12, Cargo 13, Pagan 14, Dread 15, Spite 16, Maker 25, Yearn 27, Waned 28, Egret 30, Roost 31, Deft 32, Wade.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K