ARRAIGNMENT FOR FORGERY: Ekweremadu takes case to UN, EU, UK, others

NAIRA DEPRECIATION: CBN

L

By Babajide Komolafe

AGOS— THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is set to resume dollar sales to Bureaux de Change, BDCs, in a bid to arrest the

continued depreciation of the Naira in the parallel foreign exchange market as well as reduce opportunity

resumes dollar sales to BDCs

for round-tripping.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the CBN, yesterday, held a meeting

with the leadership of Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria, ABCON, the

umbrella body of BDCs in the country.

It was gathered that the CBN informed ABCON

Banks lose N3bn to fraud in 2015—NDIC REPORT 19

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63060

**

leaders that it would soon resume dollar sales to them.

ABCON President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, who confirmed this to

Continues on page 8

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N200

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

ARRAIGNMENT FOR FORGERY:

Ekweremadu takes case to UN, EU, UK, others •Says FG wants to silence him •We won't bandy words with him—Presidency •Testifying against Saraki has nothing to do with my appointment —Ojudu BLAST :

An ambulance and emergency workers intervening next to people lying on the ground (right), after two explosions followed by gunfire hit Turkey's biggest airport, Ataturk International in Istanbul, yesterday.

At least 28 people were killed.

Photo: AFP/ ILHAS NEWS AGENCY.

Retirements: Go to court, Buratai dares Generals Mother of triplets detained by hospital over N35,000 bill

13

•P.6

COLUMNISTS: How Catholic Church He can’t fulfil my buried 10 faithful with eight fantasy! inside See caskets •P. 43 C M Y K

Brexit and the small-minded Nigerian •P. 17

Nobody needs grazing reserves now

Empire or Little England? Brexit breaks the myth of globalisation

•P. 30

•P. 30

By Henry Umoru, Dapo Akinrefon & Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA — BARELY 24 hours after the arraignment of Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and others for alleged forgery of 2015 Senate Standing Rules in an Abuja High Court, Ekweremadu has Continues on Page 5

N4.9bn fraud: Nenadi Usman, Fani-Kayode remanded in prison custody 9

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

C M Y K

—3

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (right) and former Chief Justice of the Federation/Council member of Baze University, Justice Alfa Belgore(retd), during a courtesy visit by the Board of Trustees of Baze University to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Ekweremadu takes case to UN, EU, UK, others Continues from page 1 taken his case outside the shores of Nigeria.

He called for intervention of the United Nations, US Congress, United Kingdom, European Union Parliament and foreign missions, saying a powerful institution as the National Assembly was being ridiculed and rubbished by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

But the Presidency in a swift reaction, said it would not bandy words with the Deputy Senate President.

Also, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said it would not comment on the matter since it was in court.

Ekweremadu, who noted that the nation’s democracy was in grave danger, said their trial for forgery of Senate Standard Rules was an attempt to truncate Nigeria’s democracy and

silence him as the leader and highest ranking member of the opposition party in the country.

The letter

In the two-page letter, entitled: “Re: Trumped Up Charges Against the Presiding Officers of the 8th Senate: Nigerian Democracy is in Grave Danger," Ekweremadu, who attached copies of the court summons, and other relevant documents relating to the matter, is asking the international community to decide whether or not the trial was worth it, justifiable or one that was purely borne out of political vendetta.

Ekweremadu noted that neither his name nor that of the President of the Senate featured either in the petition by aggrieved members of the Senate Unity Forum, SUF, or

IT'S UP TO YOU

D

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192

ON’T let the obstacle before you discourage you from reaching your dreams. It is only there to help you think differently and to find new paths for others to follow.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482 ALL our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue it— Walt Disney.

Y

OU are living in an energy field, a potential field of dreams. The field is like a room around you.

It’s a room lit up by the strongest emotion you carry.

Which emotions will you feed? Anger, lust, discontent/greed, vanity and undue attachments to things?

Replace with uplifting virtues, forgiveness, right discrimination, contentment, humility and detachment and gratitude. These are virtues that can pull you towards the right direction in achieving your dreams.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

I

F you see a man in a gown eating with a man in rags, the food belongs to the latter.

during the investigation of the petition by the police.

The letter read: “You may further wish to judge for yourself whether this unfolding scenario, coupled with the clampdown on the opposition, such as targeted arrests and indefinite detention of opposition figures and dissenting voices, in spite of court pronouncements and in clear violation of the Nigerian constitution, as well as the sustained marginalization of the South-East and SouthSouth geopolitical zones of Nigeria, does not constitute a grave danger to the nation’s hard-won democracy.

“I wish to forward to you the court summons containing the trumped-up charges preferred against my person, the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, CON; and two others.

“I also wish to appeal to you to kindly find time to read through the annexures— petition by members of the Senate Unity Forum, statements by persons interrogated, and the police report— to see if our names appeared anywhere in these documents.

Judge for yourself

“You may, thereafter, judge for yourself whether the Federal Government, acting through the Attorney-General of the Federation, has any justification whatsoever to generate our names for trial.

The list of the accused persons appears to have been politically generated because you cannot by the documents attached, relate any of our names to the

offence for which we are now being charged.

“Moreover, the rules and principles of fair-hearing have not been adhered to because the police have not interacted with me or the President of the Senate as at the time of writing this letter.

“You may also wish to judge for yourself whether this trial orchestrated against me is not a political trial, calculated witch-hunt, barefaced intimidation, and a clear attempt to emasculate the parliament and silence me as the leader and highest ranking member of the opposition in Nigeria.

“Meanwhile, it could also be recalled that an attempt was made on my life on November 17, 2015. The Nigerian security agencies did nothing, even though the incident was duly reported.’’

Witnessing against Saraki has nothing to do with my appointment —Ojudu

Meanwile, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said, yesterday, that his role as a witness to the forgery case preferred against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his

deputy, Ike Ekwerenmadu, in court had nothing to do with his present appointment.

Ojudu said he would testify as a member of the 7th Senate and the Unity Forum that called the police attention to the forgery, adding that his involvement in the case should be divorced from his current position.

He said: “My statement and other witnesses' statements were taken months before my appointment. As a member of the Unity Forum, I am one of those who worked for Senator Ahmed Lawan as the preferred candidate for the Senate Presidency in the June 9, 2015, election.

"There are three groups of senators, namely: the Unity Forum, Like Minds

and the Non-aligned. The Unity Forum comprises both serving and nonserving senators. I am an active member, being a senator in the 7th Senate from 2011 to 2015.”

Ojudu said while he was in the Senate for four years, at no time were the rules amended.

He added: “So tampering with the rules by the current Senate was seen as a misnomer by us and that was why we petitioned the police.

“The statement we did to the police on the matter predated my appointment and that of Senator Ita Enang. It will, therefore, be preposterous for anyone to classify me as representing the Presidency on the matter.”

NAF jet foils plan to ambush ground troops, kills 15 terrorists in Borno

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — THE Nigerian Air Force said, yesterday, that its Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole foiled a plan by Boko Haram terrorists to ambush the army ’s surface forces harboured at Doron Naira, north of Borno State.

A statement signed by Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, Director, Air Force Public Relations, said: “Earlier today, June 28, 2016 (yesterday), a Nigerian Air Force, NAF, King Air A350i Beechcraft aircraft on I n t e l l i g e n c e , Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, mission sighted a group of Boko Haram insurgents in seven Hilux vehicles hiding under trees at a location along the axis of advance ground forces towards Kangarawa, north of Borno State.

“Following this discovery, an Alpha Jet

was scrambled to attack the location. The attack was successful as 15 of the insurgents were killed and the whole vehicles knocked out.

“The casualty figure was confirmed by ground forces, who subsequently consolidated on gains of the air effort to pursue and inflict further casualty on the fleeing wounded members of the terrorist group.

“Troops also confirmed two gun trucks were among vehicles destroyed by the Alpha Jet as two AK-47 rifles, two RPGs and cache of assorted munition were recovered."

Kano, P-Harcourt bases get new facilities

Meanwhile, NAF, as part of its renewed commitment to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency, is constructing new facilities and renovating existing ones on its bases across the country.

The latest additions

were at Kano and Port Harcourt Bases, where new accommodation and sporting facilities were provided to carter for the general welfare and physical fitness needs of the personnel and their dependents.

Group Captain Famuyiwa said: “New blocks of furnished r e s i d e n t i a l accommodation were commissioned recently in Kano for student pilots, single and married officers, as well as NonCommissioned Officers (Corporal and below).

“In Port Harcourt, a new fitness centre with modern sporting facilities was also commissioned recently to help the personnel keep fit for duty.’’

While commissioning the Kano projects, AVM Mukhtar Muhammed (retd), who was special guest, applauded the effort by the NAF leadership to enhance the welfare of personnel and their service to the nation.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

08023019505 08034073107

Court remands 2 robbery suspects in prison Court lacks jurisdiction —Defence Counsel

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—AN Abia State Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Aba North, has ordered the remand of two suspects, Divine Nwabuisi Obioma and Chibuike Anyiam at the Aba Prisons over alleged robbery.

The duo were arraigned on a threecount charge of conspiracy, stealing and possession of illegal arms punishable under Section 5(6) of the Robbery and Firearm (Special Provision) Act Cap. 398, Section 1(2) Cap. 398 and Section 27(b) (11) LFN Cap. F 28 of the Firearms Act 2004 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act and Miscellaneous Offence as applicable in Abia State.

Vanguard learned that Obioma, Anyiam and other members of their gang said to be at large, on April 26, allegedly robbed one Trizy B Super Market located at 50, Faulks Road, Aba, where they dispossessed the proprietor of the supermarket and her customers of undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables.

Counsel to the accused persons claimed that the court lacked jurisdiction to try the matter, stressing that there was nothing to look into and appealed that the case be quashed.

Police prosecutor, ASP Emmason Okoroafor, argued that discharging the suspects would jeopardise the state government’s effort in fighting crime and urged the court to remand the accused persons in prison due to the nature of their offences.

The court, however, ordered the accused persons to be remanded at the Aba Prisons and the case file transferred to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, for advice.

Mother, triplets detained in hospital over N35,000 bill

By Esther Onyegbula

S

EVEN weeks after she delivered a set of triplets, a housewife, Gloria Okore, has been detained by the management of a private hospital in Lagos over her inability to settle outstanding medical bills of N35,000 out of N120,000 incurred at the hospital.

Mrs Okore, who delivered two girls and a boy on May 10 in Bessylva Hospital and Maternity Home, located at 60, Surulere Street, DopemuAgege, Lagos State, has been begging for help to raise the balance and cater for the children.

Vanguard learned that the babies were delivered preterm (seven months), and one of the triplets, a female, died two weeks ago as there was no incubator to use for the babies.

Gloria Okore told Vanguard that due to the hash economic situation in the country, the family needed the goodwill of Nigerians to take care of the babies.

When Vanguard visited the hospital, the nursing mother, who was looking pale, malnourished and unable to breastfeed the babies, was using an unkempt ward inside the hospital with no medical facilities.

According to the 27-yearold Gloria, “I had the triplets through normal delivery, but the babies were born prematurely. We were charged N120,000. My husband hawks fairly-used clothes (okrika). It took him time to raise N85,000, which he paid in installments.

“I am from Owerri in Imo State, while my husband is from Abia State. We got married three years ago.

Before I had these triplets, I had twins who died immediately after birth.

When I was pregnant for the triplets, I was very sick; I could not walk long distance

because my belly was very big.

“I want government to help pay the balance of the hospital bills and also help us with basic necessities for the babies. Right now I cannot work because the babies are still young.”

She gave their bank account details as UBA: 2043213179 (Umeh Okore).

SURVIVORS: The surviving two children among the triplets, detained in hospital

over bills.

Customs seizes 906 cartons of fake drugs, arrests 34 suspects

By Udeme Clement

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, has impounded 906 cartons of fake drugs and arrested 34 suspects in connection with the goods.

Meanwhile, the Command currently has over 18 cases in court, arising from smuggling and contraband trading through the borders and waterways.

The Customs Area Comptroller, CAC, of the unit, Haruna Mmamudu, said the successes were possible because Zone C stepped up security surveillance in the entire Command.

He said: “The society must see smuggling as a serious crime and economic sabotage capable of killing local industries. We are working tirelessly to boost revenue generation for government, blocking all loopholes to ensure that our local industries thrive.

“Between January and March this year, we recorded a total of 70 seizures with a duty paid value of N663 milion.

Underpayment recovered stood at N214.9 million, which

is against N7,053,441 recovered in the same period in 2015.

“Contraband goods confiscated include 46 vehicles, 380 cartons of article of plastics, 1,656 pieces of used tyres, 3,614 cartons of

imported frozen poultry products and 818 cartons of foreign detergents.

“Others were 181 bales of textile fabrics, 737 pieces of suitcases, 85 bundles of footwears, 120 packages of furniture, 906 cartons of

unregistered drugs.

“All of these were seized on the Benin axis, Agbor, OnitshaAsaba, Owerri, Calabar and Aba-Eleme roads. Aside from these, over 19 trucks of 50kg rice impounded by our men had been detained for a thorough investigation.

“There is no hiding place for smugglers, as men of NCS are ready to dislodge them wherever they are. Our officers are now better trained, well equipped and motivated to deal with nefarious activities of smugglers.”

Visa agent defra

By Onozure Dania

L

Comptroller Haruna Mmamudu (middle) and other officers, displaying prohibited items seized by the unit.

AGOS—A 30-year-old fake visa agent, Enabulele Ewaen, who allegedly obtained N1,570,000 for the procurement of Kuwait working visa, was yesterday docked before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.

The defendant, who resides at 7, Ilorin Street, Ikotun Egbeda area of Lagos, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, breach of peace and

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—7

08023019505 08034073107

Police Sergeant found dead by fiancee

By Faith Ake

L

AGOS—THE lifeless body of a policeman attached to Alausa Division, Lagos, was found in his room in Ojodu area of the state.

The cause of his death could, however, not be ascertained and there was reportedly no gunshot injury on him to suggest any attack by gunmen. There were also no marks to suggest violence.

Vanguard gathered that the deceased, identified as Sergeant GodsPower Okoro, who was in his 40s, was discovered lifeless on his bed by his fiancée, who came visiting Sunday morning.

She reportedly raised the alarm after several attempt to wake her lover, who she assumed was sleeping, failed. Preparations for their wedding, which as gathered, was billed for December, were on.

When Vanguard visited the building yesterday, residents were still in shock. It was gathered that late Okoro had called his fiancée the previous day on phone, informing her that he was weak.

A resident, who gave her name simply as Shola, said: “We were told that he came home slightly drunk on Friday. He also complained of being weak.

Immediately he came home, he locked himself up and slept. That was the last time I set my eyes on him alive.”

Another man, who claimed to be a relative to the deceased’s fiancée, said: “The tragedy has devastated his fiancée. She has been crying since the incident happened. She said he called her at about 2p.m. on Saturday, informing her that he was weak.

“When she called him again at about 4p.m., he still complained of weakness. Next day, she called him several times, but there was no response. This prompted her to rush down only to discover the unbelievable.”

Speaking with Vanguard, owner of the building, Mr. Rasaq Olawale, expressed shock over the incident, describing it as a big blow. Olawale informed that late Okoro packed into the house four years ago.

By Onozure Dania

L

The house where the police officer died.

He said: “Immediately his girlfriend alerted us of the incident, I quickly contacted the Police around Grammar School, who visited and removed the corpse.”

Confirming the incident, spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent of Police, stated that detectives from Ojodu Division “visited,

examined and photographed the scene.

“No mark of violence was found on him. The corpse was removed and deposited at Mainland General Hospital.”

Bricklayer to die by hanging for robbery

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

F

OUR years after he robbed a businesswoman of her money and jewellery at gunpoint, a bricklayer, Femi Adebowale, was yesterday sentenced to death by hanging.

An Ikeja High Court, presided over by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, found Adebowale guilty of the four-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery brought against him by the Lagos State government in accordance with Section 295(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Handing down the judgment, the trial judge said the minimum penalty provided by the law was a death sentence for each of the four count offence for which the convict was charged. “ In accordance with the provisions of the law, you are hereby sentenced to death by hanging by the neck until death. May the Lord have mercy on you,” the judge held.

auds customer of N16m theft preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Kingsley Jackson, told the court that the defendant and others, now at large, conspired to commit the alleged offences.

He said the incident occurred on January 28 at GTbank and Access Bank in Victoria Island.

Jackson alleged that the defendant and others still at large, conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by fraudulently obtaining the said sum under the

Trader, 28, docked over alleged N6.8m cable theft

pretext of procuring working visa and documents with ticket to travel to Kuwait for a job.

The prosecutor said the money that was paid to the defendant belonged to one Mrs. Ishoakiti Ighomena, noting that he also obtained money from five other victims under disguise of procuring for them a working visa in Kwait.

He also said that the money was paid through his GTBank account number 0142431398 and Access Bank number

At the trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Akin George, had accused Adebowale of robbing one Alhaja Amudalat Olowo-Eyo of her gold jewelries valued over N500,000; cash, N350,000.00 and other valuable documents at gunpoint.

He said the convict, with others at large, robbed their victims on December 28, 2012 between 1a.m. and 2a.m. at their residence, 10, Aiyetolu Street, Abule Egba, Lagos.

At his arraignment last year, the convict pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge.

AGOS—POLICE, yesterday, docked a 28-year-old trader, Stephen Luka, before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, over alleged theft of N6,820,000.

The defendant, who has no fixed address, is standing trial on a threecount charge of conspiracy, willful damage and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji, informed the court that the defendant and others, now at large, committed the alleged offence on June 22.

He said the incident took place at 2:30p.m., along Lekki-Epe Expressway by Marwa, Lekki Phase 1, EtiOsa Local Government Area of the state.

Magistrate Omoy Ele, granted him bail in the sum of N250,000, with two sureties in like sum.

She said the sureties must be gainfully employed, show evidence of three years tax clearance, their addresses verified and adjourned the case to July 13, for mention.

NDLEA arrests 270 drug dealers in A-Ibom

By Tom Moses

U

YO—THE Akwa Ibom State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said yesterday 270 persons were arrested for various drugs offences, while 280 kilogrammes of assorted drugs including cannabis, heroin and cocaine were seized from peddlers in the 0703141471.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed were punishable under Sections 409, 166 (F), 312 (A) and (B) and 285 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

Magistrate A. Sonuga granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that their addresses must be verified and adjourned the case till July 14 for mention.

last six months.

State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Shedow Gaura, disclosed this during an interview with Vanguard in Uyo, blaming parents for the involvement of their children in illicit drugs consumption and the attendant psychomaladies.

According to him, “This year, we have made a lot of arrests. We have made over 270 arrests, males and females, and we have seized over 280 kilogrammes of assorted drugs— cannabis, heroin and cocaine.

“We are still doing that and also appealing that the Akwa Ibom people help give us information that could help us arrest peddlers and rescue our innocent youths from indulging in the habit.

“We are into subtle abuse and rehabilitation. When we arrest those youths, we try to bring them over and rehabilitate them so that they can go back to the society and become useful. The ones we cannot handle, we refer them

to the psychiatric hospital.

“We also have nongovernmental organisations, NGOs, that are working with us. We try to solve the problems of those who are already into drugs and we take them out and make them useful members of the society. So, it is not only about arrests and taking them to court, but also rehabilitating the addicts.”

Aside from the 270 arrests made, Gaura informed that eight convictions were made within the last six months, while more suspected peddlers were still going through trials.

He said: “We have made some arrests of drug peddlers and so far this year, we have made eight convictions and some of them are going through trials which, we hope, before the year runs out, we would have made a lot more convictions.

“The people will then become aware, culprits will serve prison terms, learn their lessons and serve as a deterrent to others.”

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 29, 2016

Zika virus: How I defeated Ebola, Goodluck

Jonathan tells Brazilian govt

resumes dollar

sales to BDCs

•Parallel market forex rate rises to N355/$ •Naira depreciates to N282.3/$ in interbank

By Imanuel Jannah

Continued from page 1

BDCs.”

A

Vanguard, said: “We just held a meeting with the CBN and they informed us that they would soon resume dollar sales to BDCs.” He said the apex bank also promised to create additional windows for BDCs to access foreign exchange but that details and criteria would be announced later.

He said: “We also assured them that we would ensure that BDCs abide by the criteria as well as comply with all regulatory requirement to justify the renewed confidence in the subsector.”

Acting Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, however, could not confirm this development to Vanguard. He said: "I'm not aware of such a meeting or any plan to resume dollar sales to

Why the CBN suspended dollar sales to BDCs The CBN, on Monday, January 11, 2016, suspended dollar sales to BDCs due to decline in the country’s foreign exchange earnings, and sharp practices by BDCs. CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said: “This fall in oil prices also implies that the CBN’s monthly foreign earnings have fallen from as high as US$3.2 billion to current levels as low as US$1 billion.

"Yet, the demand for foreign exchange by mostly domestic importers has risen significantly.

For example, the last time we had oil prices at about US$50 per barrel for an extended period was in 2005.

"At that time, our average import bill was N148.3 billion per month.

BUJA—FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has advised the Brazilian government on how best to tackle the Zika virus epidemic threatening the Olympic Games coming up in the South American country August.

Jonathan gave the advice in an article he wrote for the Daily Independent newspapers in the United Kingdom.

He noted that the Zika virus’ threat was reminiscent of the cloud cast by Ebola.

Drawing from his experience as Nigeria’s leader when Ebola virus struck, Jonathan told the government of Brazil to act decisively, make all the necessary funds available, and tell the public every step of the way exactly how it was.

He said when Ebola virus first hit Nigeria, he was aware of the responsibility that had befallen him, adding that he first established a command centre in Lagos to trace all 177 of Sawyer’s primary, secondary and tertiary contacts, and put them under surveillance.

Jonathan added that he then drew up a plan that saw him release N1.9 billion to the Health Ministry to control the disease.

Jonathan said he also banned the movement of corpses from one place to another, and discouraged religious leaders from holding gatherings for large crowds.

He said he further went on television to address the nation, and called a four hour meeting with 36 state governors of the federation, their heath commissioners and the Federal Capital Minister and his health secretary.

According to the article, Jonathan said he also held lengthy discussions with UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, and World Health Organisation, Director General, Margaret Chan.

Jonathan’s article read: “In many ways we faced similar problems to those encountered by the government of Brazil as it battles to contain the Zika virus.

C M Y K

NAIRA DEPRECIATION: CBN

In stark contrast, our average import bill for the first nine months of 2015 was N917.6 billion per month, even though oil prices are now less than US$35 per barrel.

"The net effect of these combined forces, unfortunately, is the depletion of our foreign exchange reserves. As of June 2014, the stock of Foreign Exchange Reserves stood at about US$37.3 billion but has declined to around US$28.0 billion as of today.

“In particular, we have noted with grave concern that Bureau de Change, BDC, operators have abandoned the original objective of their establishment, which was to serve retail end users, who need $5,000 or less. Instead, they have become wholesale dealers in foreign exchange to the tune of millions of dollars per transaction. Thereafter, they use fake documentations like passport.”

AGM: From left, Uzoma Uja, Company Secretary, Lafarge Africa Plc; Mr. Mobolaji Balogun, Chairman, and Mr. Michel Puchercos, GMD/CEO, at the 57th Annual General Meeting of the company, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau

Forgery of Senate rules: AGF appears before Senate c’ttee tomorrow

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—THE Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, SAN, is expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, tomorrow to explain why he dragged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, and two others to court over alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules.

The minister ’s expected appearance is sequel to a resolution of the Red Chamber, last week, following a motion, tagged ‘’ Imminent Threat to Our Democracy,’’sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West, to the effect that Malami instituted a legal suit against Saraki, Ekweremadu, Clerk of the

National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and the then Clerk of the Senate, Ben Efeturi, over alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules.

A letter from the Senate committee, inviting the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for appearance, stated that the latter was to appear to defend himself in his alleged involvement in the suit.

The minister was expected to appear last week, Thursday but the scheduled meeting of the committee where he was to appear was later adjourned, allegedly at the instance of the minister.

The letter, signed by the committee’s chairman, Senator David Umaru, APC, Niger East, which was sent to the Office of the Minister and which acknowledged copy was released to the press, read: “I write with

reference to your correspondence on the above subject matter with Ref. HAGF/NASS/2016 /Vol. 1/24, dated June 23, 2016, whereby you requested for an adjournment of the meeting of the committee, which was supposed to hold on Thursday, June 23, 2016, to enable you prepare your response.

“The committee had considered your request and having regard to the reason adduced, acceded to the request for an adjournment. ‘’Accordingly, the meeting is now scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 12:00 noon prompt.

"The venue is Senate Meeting Room 313, 3rd Floor,New Senate Building,National Assembly Complex. You are by this letter to appear before the committee on the date and time mentioned above."

Why the CBN is resuming dollar sales to BDCs The decision to resume dollar sales to BDCs must have been influenced by the need to reduce opportunity for round tripping of foreign exchange by closing the gap between the interbank and parallel market exchange rate, which widened, yesterday, following further depreciation of the naira in the parallel market.

At the close of trading, yesterday, the parallel market exchange rate rose to N355 per dollar from N351 per dollar on Monday, indicating N4 or 1.1 per cent depreciation.

Two weeks ago, the parallel market exchange rate had fallen upon announcement of the details of the CBN flexible exchange rate regime.

From N369 per dollar on Tuesday, June 16, 2016, when the CBN announced details of the new exchange rate regime, the parallel market exchange rate fell steadily, reaching N345 last Tuesday due to panic reaction at the commencement of the revived interbank foreign exchange market.

The parallel market exchange rate, however, resumed its upward movement last week due to demand pressure and dearth of dollar supplies, reaching N351 per dollar at the close of business last Friday.

However, the Naira had remained relatively stable at the interbank market. Apart from the sharp depreciation in the first day of trading on Monday, June 20, 2016, when the interbank exchange rate rose from N197 to N281.85 per dollar, the Naira had remained below N285 per dollar in the interbank market.

This, however, resulted a widening of the gap between the interbank exchange rate and the parallel market exchange rate.

The gap between the two exchange rates rose from N60.57 per dollar on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 to N72.68, yesterday.

This development implies increased incentive for roundtripping of foreign exchange from the interbank market to the parallel market.

A CBN investigation in 2002 had found 21 banks guilty of foreign exchange roundtripping, leading to the imposition of sanctions, including a one year suspension of the banks from the foreign exchange market.

Naira depreciates to N282.32 in interbank Meanwhile, the Naira suffered marginal depreciation in the interbank foreign exchange market, yesterday, as the interbank exchange rate for sport transactions rose to N282.32, indicating 84 kobo depreciation for the Naira.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—9

North, South disagree on Buhari's policy direction —INT'L REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE A

By Omeiza Ajayi

BUJA—THE policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has now divided the northern and southern parts of Nigeria, according to the International Republican Institute, IRI. Presenting the report to the media in Abuja, IRI Acting Regional Director, Africa, John Tomaszewski, said though Nigerians remained polarized between North and South, they support the democratic process and believe that democracy had improved since the 2015 national elections.

He said while 54 percent of Nigerians felt that the country was headed in the right direction, divisions in perceptions of the country’s trajectory were stark.

He said: ‘’Almost half of respondents in the North-East (40 per cent) said the country is headed strongly in the right direction, compared to just 10 percent in the South-East, where 49 per cent believe that the country is moving strongly in the wrong direction. ‘’A similar split can be seen in regional perceptions of the economy. 75 per cent of respondents in the South-East think the economy has got worse, compared with 44 per cent in the North-East.

“The survey also reveals a widespread perception that corruption is declining, with 53 per cent of respondents reporting that corruption has decreased in the past year.

Split perception

‘’However, it is important to note that this perception is largely split between the NorthSouth lines, with more negative views noted in the South than in the North.”

It added that 59 per cent of respondents considered democracy more important than prosperity, compared to 37 per cent who find prosperity more important to them.

This preference for democracy,

according to the report, comes, despite the crippling economic challenges facing the country, with 57 percent of respondents reporting that their personal economic situation has got worse over the past year.

According to the report, despite sharp regional divisions on national issues, questions regarding elections indicate commitment to the concept of the democratic process nationwide.

“This poll attests to the significant work that Nigeria’s government must do to address

regional divisions and other issues of governmental responsiveness and accountability affecting the Nigerian people.

Highlighting tremendous achievement

‘’But it also highlights the tremendous achievement of the Nigerian people in committing to the democratic process, despite the difficulty of past elections, and is a promising indicator for the country ’s democratic development since the return of democracy in 1999,” Tomaszewski noted.

From left: ExMinister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, former Minister of Aviation, Femi FaniKayode and Danjuma Yusuf who were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday over alleged money laundering by the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Photo: Akinmwumi Ibrahim.

N4.9BN FRAUD: Nenadi Usman,

Fani-Kayode remanded in prison custody

By Innocent Anaba

L

AGOS—FORMER Minister of Aviation and also a Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign organisation of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Femi Fani-Kayode, alongside former Minister of Finance, Nenandi Usman, were, yesterday, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, on a 17-count charge of money

laundering to the tune of about N4.9 billion.

Also charged were Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd. They all pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of unlawful retention, unlawful use and payment of money to the tune of about N4.9 billion brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

CPC confirms MultiChoice's compliance model, Atoki noted that though the to order good value for money paid to Council had the mandate to

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Bartholomew Madukwe

L

AGOS—THE Consumer Protection Council, CPC, yesterday confirmed that MultiChoice Nigeria has complied with all orders given after the conclusion of its investigation into activities of the Digital Satellite Television (DStv) platform.

CPC’s Director General, Mrs Dupe Atoki, who made the disclosure during a press briefing in Lagos, commended MultiChoice Nigeria for ensuring that consumers got

Reacting to the report, Director of New Media of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Deji Adeyanju, faulted IRI’s findings on the grounds that it did not take into account the fundamental issues of “disregard to the rule of law, especially with the statesanctioned killings of Shi’ite protesters in Zaria and members of the indigenous People of Biafra IPOB.” IRI, however, noted that as with every research project, its scope was limited, especially because the interviews were conducted through telephones.

watch DStv. “It is a clear indication that if businesses will play by the rules and render satisfactory services to consumers, they will be validated by the CPC. The intervention of CPC in any business is not only to ensure consumer satisfaction by engendering value for money, but also has the long term effect of instilling consumer confidence in products and services and making genuine businesses more profitable,” she said.

Describing MultiChoice Nigeria’s compliance as a

ensure consumer satisfaction, it was not eager to strangulate business.

She added: “The investigation of MultiChoice Nigeria embodies the win-win outcome that this maxim of regulating without strangulating business gives consumers value for money and henceforth, projects the services of the company in a better light.”

Accordingtoher,MultiChoiceNigeria compliedwithordersthatdwellonbilling system, long waiting call for customer service, staff attitude towards complaint, transfer of sports to premium bouquet, compensation to distortion, accredited dealers/Installers and others.

After the charge was read to them and their plea taken, the prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed the court for a trial date, adding that he was prepared to proceed with trial.

But counsel to the first and second accused, Mr Ayo Adedipe, SAN and Mr S. Ameh, SAN, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of their clients.

Counsel to the third accused, Mr Fred Orbih, however, informed the court that he was yet to file his bail application on behalf of his client.

Trial judge, Justice Sule Hassan, in a short ruling adjourned the case to July 1 for hearing of their bail applications.

The judge also ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody, pending determination of their bail.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption.

SECONDUS TO BUHARI: Stop

causing more problems for Nigeria

A

By Ben Agande

BUJA—FORMER Deputy National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has called on President Muhammedu Buhari to stop causing more problems for the country but set out modalities for solving the many problems caused by the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, Prince Secondus said what the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has done in the last one year was creating more battle fronts and compounding the challenges of the county.

He said: “Today under APC leadership the country has become a whole theatre of acrimony with agitations here and there with no clear sign of solution in sight forcing political watchers to question if the country is disintegrating.

“Even the Boko Haram issue that was supposed to be progressing well hasrunintotroubledwatersbecause of the confusion in the ruling party."

We'll start exporting refined petroleum products in 3yrs—Kachikwu

A

By Iloaze BlessedOdidi

BUJA—THE Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said yesterday that Nigeria would start exporting refined petroleum products in three years.

Kachikwu, who is also the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, disclosed this on the sidelines of an ongoing NNPC Roadshow for investors in the country’s oil and gas sector in China. ‘’Nigeria’s daily oil production which surged back to 1.9 million barrels after dipping to about 1.4 million per day between May and June, would meet up to about 2.2 million barrels per day by July, after the Forcados terminal must have been repaired. ‘’In the next three years, Nigeria willstartexportingrefinedpetroleum products again, after all the refineries and the one being built by Dangote Group come on full steam,’’ he told cable news network, CNN, in an interview.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 29 , 2016

SYNAGOGUE: Court admits video clip in evidence

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Jane Echewodo

J

USTICE Lateef LawalAkapo of an Ikeja High Court yesterday admitted a controversial video CD clip on the collapsed Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, in evidence after the footage was played on the floor of the courtroom.

Justice Lawal-Akapo had set yesterday, aside to deliver ruling on the admissibility of the video CD after parties failed to agree on whether or not to admit the video clip in evidence.

The lead defence counsel, Chief E.L Akpofure had objected to the footage being admitted as evidence, saying that it was computergenerated, irrelevant and a copy of the original.

In his argument, Akpofure informed the court that a witness for the state, Mr Olutoyin Ayinde, a former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, while giving his evidence had said he could not identify the contents of the compact disc (CD) containing the footage ‘until he watches the CD to ascertain it’s contents.’

Justice Lawal-Akapo after hearing of the proceeding overruled the objection of the defence on the grounds that it lacked merit.

FIRS shuts Costain W/Africa over N2bn tax debt

I

N continuation of its efforts to recover unpaid taxes, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tuesday, sealed the offices of Costain West Africa Plc, First Deepwater Discovery Limited, CAT Construction Group Limited and OPI International Limited, all in Lagos.

Costain West Africa Plc is said to be owing N2billion in Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax and other taxes.

First Deepwater Discovery Limited, located at 20, Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, has tax liabilities of N230million, made up of withholding tax, education tax and value added tax.

CAT Construction Group Limited, located at 20C Ogunlewe Street, off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, is owing N176 million in taxes.

IKORODU KILLINGS: Nigerians have lost faith in police — CP As Ambode commends local investors

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

L

AGOS—APPARENTLY worried over the continued invasion of Lagos and Ogun community by unknown gunmen, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni said residents have lost faith in the country’s police formation.

Owoseni expressed his concern at the City Hall, Lagos, venue of the 2016 Stakeholders Forum organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business District (CBD) themed: ”Toward a Lagos Island CBD Renaissance: Meaningful Insights and Commitment,” yesterday.

The police commissioner, who was represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, Olusegun Ajamolaya, the Divisional Police Officer of Victoria Island, lamented that Nigerians do not have trust in

the police recognized by the 1999 constitution.

Owoseni, who was one of the discussant at the security session which also include the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Mr. Abdul-Rasak Balogun, General Manager of AIICO Insurance Plc, Mr. Moruf Apampa, Barrister Kayode Adeluola, Chief Executive Officer of Integrated System and Devices Ltd, Mr. Oluseun Mabogunje and moderated by the former secretary of LSSTF, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey.

According to him, “The major problem we have now is for the citizens to have trust in us; they do not trust the police they have.

They believe that if they give information to the police, they will sell out. And due to this, the maximum cooperation we should get from the citizens is lacking.

“We believe that larger percent of the reasons acclaimed by the residents were stereotyped. The Nigerian police are evolving daily.

Court strikes out bank’s move to wind up Honeywell

By Innocent Anaba

L

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, struck out the application by Ecobank Nigeria Plc, seeking to wind-up Honeywell and its sister company, Anchorage Leisures Limited, for abuse of court process.

Pending suits before the court involving same parties include FHC/L/CS/1571/15 Ecobank v.

Honeywell Group Limited and FHC/L/CS/1570/15 Ecobank v Anchorage Leisures Limited, which were the petitions for winding–up filed by Ecobank against Honeywell and Anchorage Leisures.

Trial judge, Justice Jude Dagat in his ruling, noted that a court faced with winding up application, must first determine if the petition was brought in good faith. According to him, Ecobank knew that Honeywell was challenging the alleged debt and had instituted a matter before Justice Mohammed Idris of the same court, who had ruled that parties maintain status quo ante bellum.

The judge said that despite the suits, Ecobank started its forum shopping by filing winding up petitions instead of recovery of the alleged debt, adding that Honeywell had made payments to the tune of N3.5 billion as full and final payment pursuant to the agreement of July 22, 2014 by the parties.

Justice Dagat stated that since the matter pending before Justice Idris was premised on the same facts as the petition, there was an established abuse of the orders of Justice Idris regarding maintenance of status quo ante bellum.

The court held that the matter before Justice Idris was first in time, therefore, the subsequent petition

by Ecobank constitutes an abuse of court the process.

We want you to have faith in us and I believe that we will not disappoint you,” Owoseni added.

He argued that when information are divulged earlier, it would aid crime prevention, noting “crime prevention is the key to achieving a safe and secure society. If we are able to achieve that, other aspects of policing is secondary. This is because we will be proactive and not reactive.

Owoseni said the level of insecurity in the country demanded that “everyone must be alert; that is why we are promoting community policing.

Nigeria Police is not effective; we work day and night to ensure that the state is safe.

“Policing Lagos is a big task especially as it concerns the population, the mode of crime committed and the unemployment rate in the state.

That is why we have decided to be proactive and not adopt a reactive strategy,” he said.

Ambode commends foreign, local investors

Meantime, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the same forum said that the activities of

both local and foreign investors in the state are key indicators that would trigger economic growth and enhance the emerging opportunities in the socioeconomic landscape of the state.

The governor also commended the enthusiasm of investors and entrepreneurs to put their money in good investments in the state.

He added that the present administration is also providing more opportunities to investors and entrepreneurs in the emerging economic profile of the Lagos Mega City in the various sectors of real estate development, marine transportation, commercial and business activities.

Ambode, who was represented at the Forum by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, said the focus of his administration since inception has been to put in place necessary structures that would sustain a 24/ 7 economy in the “New Lagos”, adding that despite the global economic challenges, “we have ensured that the business districts functioned effectively to move the wheel of economic growth in the Lagos Mega City,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 11

Oyo Assembly approves N14.2bn FG bailout for salaries As govt sets up joint committee with labour

By Our Reporter

I

BADAN—THE Oyo State House of Assembly has approved the application of the state government to approach the Federal Government for a N14.16 billion bailout fund.

The approval came up at an emergency plenary session of the Assembly yesterday, presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Michael Adeyemo.

The speaker opined that the bailout, which would be given by the Federal Government in addition to the monthly allocation, was strictly meant for the payment of workers’ salary in the state.

Adeyemo said the approval of the legislature was one of the conditions spelt out by the Federal Government to states facing severe financial difficulties.

He said from the bailout fund totalling N14.16 billion, a sum of N1.39 billion would be paid monthly for the first three months, while N1.11 billion would be paid monthly in the subsequent nine months.

The speaker said the bailout fund would be paid back to the Federal Government by the state with nine per cent accrued over a

period of one year.

He said, however, that the Federal Government had given a year suspension before the commencement of the loan payment.

In his words: “Federal Government has restricted states from getting loan facilities from commercial banks partly due to its high interest rates. The government then decided to provide the bailout in form of a loan.

“The repayment will not start

until after a year moratorium by which time, hopefully, the state would have become economically viable,” he noted.

Govt-labour joint committee over salary

Meantime, the state government is to constitute a joint 14-member negotiation committee with the labour union to address lingering issues responsible for the delay in the payment of outstanding salaries and pension, which led to the

ongoing three-week-old industrial action.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, disclosed this during a press briefing at the end of the maiden state executive council meeting, presided over by the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

According to the commissioner, the committee comprised seven representatives each from the side of state government and the labour union.

PARLEY: From left; Chairperson, Access Bank Plc, Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga; Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Wale Oluwo; Unilever Global CEO, Mr. Paul Polman; Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu and Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh during an interactive session with Paul Polman, Global CEO, Unilever Plc, tagged: Building Sustainable and Profitable Businesses in Volatile Times

ACCOUNT FREEZING: Court summons EFCC, adjourns Fayose’s

mandatory application

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO EKITI— GOVERNOR Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State has instituted a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Zenith Bank Plc over the freezing of his accounts.

The case was filed on behalf of Fayose by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital.

The Court ordered that the EFCC and Zenith Bank should appear before it on July 4 to show cause why Fayose’s demands on the freezing of his accounts should not be granted.

Fayose is seeking the defreezing of the accounts.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, said he quite understood that the applicant (Fayose) enjoys immunity and that the court can adjudicate on this matter as canvassed by the counsel to the plaintiff, but he pointed out that the relief he basically sought was a mandatory order of the court.

Also, the same court yesterday vacated an exparte order it gave to the factional Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) allegedly loyal to Senator Buruji Kashamu, restricting the executives of the faction, loyal to Governor Fayose, from parading themselves as authentic excos of

the party.

The order had given recognition to the Exco of Buruji Kashamu, but it has now been reversed.

Ekiti youths protest against EFCC, FG

Meantime, hundreds of youths from tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, yesterday protested against perceived selective anti-graft war by EFCC, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari must ensure that his anti-corruption war cuts across board if indeed he desires to

convince Nigerians that his administration stands for true change.

The students, who represented several tertiary institutions such as Ekiti State University, EKSU, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, POLYADO, Ikere College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti and College of Health and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti among others, displayed placards with various inscriptions such as: ‘Nigerians are suffering under Buhari’s govt’, ‘Enough of political harassment in the name of fighting corruption’, ‘Buhari, obey court orders and

respect human rights, we are in democracy!’ and ‘enough of selective anti-corruption fight by EFCC/ICPC among others.

They marched from the Fajuyi park towards Ojumose roundabout in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, chanting hate songs against the government.

Leaders of the various students who include Ibrahim Oladimeji EKSU, Ayegbusi Paul, (POLYADO), Oyebade Adeyemi (IJERO), Onilearo Gbenga, (COLLEGE), addressed the crowds who followed them in droves.

President of the Student Union

Labour plans financial assistance for Ubani, Oyeleru’s families

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

L

AGOS—NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday in Lagos, announced a five- year financial support for the education of children of the late Mr. Chima Ubani, Executive Director of Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, about 11 years after he died in a ghastly auto crash in Potiskum, Yobe State.

Leaders of NLC also said they would be visiting Vanguard Media Limited soon, to offer similar assistance to the children of Mr. Tunji Oyeleru, Deputy Photo Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, who died alongside Ubani in the ill-fated accident.

The duo died on September 21, 2005,

in a ghastly motor accident in Potiskum, Yobe State in the heat of the struggle against the removal of fuel subsidy by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, then president of the country.

They were going to Jos to join the then President of NLC, and now governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, after a mass rally against fuel pump price hike in Maiduguri, Borno State, before the accident.

At a brief ceremony held at the Olajuwon, Yaba, Lagos office of the Ayuba Wabba led NLC, recalled how both Ubani and Oyeleru died, saying they died in active national service.

Though Wabba acknowledged that the assistance was coming late, he insisted that it was better late than never.

Speaking, wife of late Ubani, Mrs Ochuwa Ubani, appreciated the leadership of NLC.

LASUTH doctors perform 10 successful implant surgeries

By Gabriel Olawale

T

HE Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, has successfully conducted 10 cochlear implant surgeries for less privileged Lagosians.

Cochlear implant is an electronic device that replaces the function of damaged inner ear.

Presenting the beneficiaries in Lagos, the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH, Prof David Adewale Oke said the surgeries were sponsored by the State Government.

Oke further explained that with the implant fixed in the ear, the patient will be able to hear very well.

His words, We are happy to inform the public that LASUTH Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctors had successfully carried out eight surgeries at a stretch.”

“So far in LASUTH we have done 16 cases of cochlear implants of which six was sponsored by the affected victims, while the state government sponsored 10 residents. Out of these beneficiaries, four were adults while six are children, five males and five females. Four were adults, six are children, five males and five females.”

“It is a thing of joy that our own grown experts carried out these surgeries successfully.”

The surgery, which is the 2nd in series cost the state government N70 million.

LASUTH in 2014 in collaboration with Cochlear Foundation in Germany carried out the first–ever cochlear implantation in the country.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

GBARAMATU: Tompolo, Egbesu chief priest

complains to Buhari Says ‘military yet to return my symbol of authority, looted items'

W

By Emma Amaize

ARRI—FORMER militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, complained to President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, that the military had not returned his symbol of authority as the chief priest of Egbesu Shrine, Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, removed from the traditional temple about a month ago.

Tompolo in an open letter to the President said that the incident occurred about 31 days ago when soldiers invaded Oporoza in his absence in search of him on allegation that he was behind the bombing of oil facilities in the region.

Besides the abomination, he said the soldiers also placed the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom under house arrest for one week.

He said: “As I said in my previous publications, the military made away with the symbol of authority of the Gbaramatu people from the Egbesu Shrine, which I am the Chief Priest. They also made away with other valuables worth several millions of naira from the community.

Arrest of 10 young men

“The most annoying part is the purported arrest of 10 young promising men, most of whom are orphans, who are secondary school students sitting for the West African Senior Secondary School Examinations, WASSCE and other palace staff who were labelled members of Niger Delta Avengers.

“As I write you now, these innocent young promising men are still with your military for no reason. This is truly man’s inhumanity to man in our own country. We are presently being treated like conquered people because of crude oil.

“Please kindly direct your army to return the looted items, including the symbol of authority and also release these innocent young men to continue their academic programme, even though they have missed the WASSCE for this year.

“Mr President, remember, no condition is permanent. I have kept faith in this country. I have contributed in no small measure to the development of this country.

It is my prayer that God Almighty should preserve me to meet you again to tell you my side of the numerous stories you have been inundated with about me.

“This was how they arrested Chevron Nigeria Limited Staff on routine duty in Kokodiagbene community of Gbaramatu Kingdom, and labelled them members of Niger Delta Avengers. It took spirited effort by leaders of the kingdom and other well-meaning Nigerians to

convince the military, that the arrested men were not involved in pipeline destruction.

“Mr President sir, please permit me to quickly recall a similar incident that occurred in May, 2009, when this same military invaded several communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, under the command of late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Traditional worship centres were desecrated, property were looted and above all, the multi-billion naira ultra-

modern magnificent palace of the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom was burned down, and his golden crown was stolen by the military.

Court and compensation

“As peace loving people, the kingdom approached the courts and demanded compensation for the unlawful invasion and destruction of property, in which the court awarded N99 billion in favour of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

After seven years of that sad

incident, the Federal Government is yet to pay the compensation.

“This incident also led to the declaration of the Presidential Amnesty programme for peace to reign, as the government found out that military action was not the best way to address the Niger Delta question and the rest became history in the lives of those who led that invasion. I believe Mr President should learn a lesson from the 2009 military invasion and do the needful.”

DEFECTION: From left: Former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, Chief Great Ogboru; Sir Olisaemeka Akamukah and Chief Olorogun Ot’ega Omerhor; during a meeting with defectors to the Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, at the party's National Secretariat in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Investors' confidence rising in Rivers —WIKE

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, has said that investors confidence in the state was on the rise following his administration’s development of critical infrastructure.

Speaking, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, while commissioning the multi -billion naira Port Harcourt Gardens Estate, Governor Wike said credible investors were already taking advantage of the prospects of the state.

He said, that the return on investment in the state is about the highest in the country, despite a few challenges being experienced .

“Investors are already aware of the benefits of investing in Rivers State, hence they are coming in their numbers. This housing estate is one of the recent investments that have added value to the state.

“I am particularly impressed because the promoters of this project were groomed in this state. They returned because they have confidence in what we are doing in terms of creating an enabling climate for businesses to thrive.”

He said that several fresh

investors were coming to the state without giving excuses because they appreciated what his administration had done to stabilise the state in terms of security and infrastructure.

In his remarks, Chairman of

Port Harcourt Gardens Limited, Mr Richard Nyong said that Garden Heights was a private and exquisite residential community domiciled in the Government Reserved Area of the Rivers State capital.

Owie seeks immunity for presiding officers at NASS, state assemblies

A

By Henry Umoru

BUJA—FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Rowland Owie, has asked both the National and state Houses of Assembly to safeguard the nation’s democracy by amending the country’s constitution to grant immunity to their presiding officers.

Senator Owie, also accused President Muhammadu Buhari of following the footsteps of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in plotting to weaken the legislative arm of government.

He likened the President’s action to what Obasanjo planned to do until former Speaker, Umar Ghali Na’ Abba, took over to

stabilise the system.

In a statement, yesterday, Senator Owie accused some of the state Houses of Assembly of being tied to the apron strings of state Government Houses, stressing that they had now become mere departments of Government Houses because of lack of immunity for presiding officers and lack of autonomy for lawmakers.

He said: “Obasanjo turned the 4th Senate to a frying pan and ridiculed the proud and hardworking nation. After Buhari fell as Speaker of the House and Ghali Naaba took over, Obasanjo could not penetrate the House of Representatives and there was stability there. President Buhari is following the foot steps of Obasanjo in trying to rubbish the National Assembly."

Inaugurate NMU, Ijaw community tells Buhari

W

By Ben Efe

ARRI —KURUTIE Community in Gbaramatu, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, has called for the commencement of studies at the Nigeria Maritime University located in Kurutie and Okerenkoko communities.

Apostle Monday Toruosei, chairman of Kurutie community, who addressed newsmen in Warri, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for delegating a high powered team led by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to the assess existing structures at the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko and at its temporary site Kurutie, both in Warri South-West Local Government Area.

Toruosei added that there were lots of well built structures numbering about 25 standard buildings located at the temporary site of NMU Kurutie, saying that majority of the structures were storey buildings.

BAYELSA: Women counsel Senate on ambassadorial nominees

Y

By Emem Idio

ENAGOA—IJAW women under the aegis of Ijaw Women Connect, IWC, have called on the senate to reject the list of ministerial nominees list sent by President Muhammadu Buhari for confirmation until all the states of the federation were justly represented.

President of IWC, Rosemary Naingba, who condemned the exclusion of Bayelsa State indigenes from the ambassadorial list in a statement in Yenagoa, said that, “it appears the President has no iota of respect for the Federal character principle as enshrined in the Constitution and in consonance with the democratic precedence.

“It has become crystal clear that the Ijaw nation is the number one targeted enemy of this Federal Government as we have viewed critically the modus operandi and the discriminating style of governance by the Buhari led administration against the Ijaws."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—13

EFCC can't look at our books —Rivers AG

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has no constitutional powers to look into its books.

Attorney General of the state and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Emma Aguma, in a letter to the Chief Justice of the Federation, said there were judgements barring the anti graft agency from investigating the state.

The Attorney General, also described as untrue, a newspaper report that a staff of the state government withdrew N11 billion for the state.

He said: “I write as the Chief Law Officer of Rivers State and at the instruction of the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, and the Government of Rivers State. My instruction and direction is to state as follows.

“The totality of the allegations made in the said publication is untrue and unfounded. It is a salacious publication aimed at both scintillating the reading public and scandalizing the Government of Rivers State by the usual methods of trial on the pages of newspapers devoid of verifiable facts.

C M Y K

“The wild allegations contained in the said publication would be appropriately addressed and their falsity shown when they are raised by due process of law at the appropriate forum.

“There are two subsisting judgments of the High Court of Rivers State and the Federal High Court that bar the EFCC from investigating the finances of Rivers State. The first of these judgments is the judgment of

RETIREMENTS:

go to court

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING recent disclosure by some senior officers of the Nigerian Army, including the 38 officers sacked by the Army Council for alleged complicity and partisanship in the 2015 general election, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has dared those not satisfied with the process to go to court.

Buratai admitted that some of the officers had petitioned the Army Council and other quarters over their alleged unjust retirement, insisting that

the High Court of Rivers State in suit Number PHC/114/2007: Attorney General of Rivers State Vs the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and 36 others.

"The judgment was delivered

by Justice P. Agumagu on February 16, 2007. This judgment enunciated the following principles of law which till date have not been set-aside by the EFCC in any appellate court. The principles of law are:

“By the combined effects of section 125 subsections (2), (5) and (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (the 1999 Constitution), it is the House of Assembly of a state, Rivers State inclusive, that has the final say on matters pertaining to the funds of the state as laid before it by the Auditor-General’s Audit Report of all public accounts and the AccountantGeneral’s financial statements and published annual accounts."

Buratai dares Generals to due process was followed to the letter.

Speaking on the allegations regarding his family’s purchase of houses in Dubai and that of the alleged purchase of refurbished weaponry and logistics equipment which were presented as brand new, the Army Chief described such allegations as the handiwork of cyber and internet terrorists who had been defeated on land at the epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency.

The COAS, who spoke on the occasion of a media briefing to kick-start the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2016, added: “With regards to the retirements,

I will not have said anything because the minister has cleared all doubts. But I want to inform you that due process was followed.

It is a good idea that some of them are going to court."

Ogboru, Ochei, others join APC

By Omeiza Ajayi B U J A — N AT I O N A L Working Committee, NWC of the All Progressives Congress APC, APC, yesterday, received scores of high-profile defectors from Delta State into its fold.

The defectors were led by a former governorship candidate in the state, Chief Great Ogboru as well as a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei.

Receiving them at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun expressed confidence in the ability of the party to assume the reins of governance in the state come 2019.

A

Fidau prayer for Otikiti The Fidau prayer for Alhaji SuleimanYesufu Otokiti comes up today at his residence, 17, Amadasun Street, off Mission Road, Benin City.

Alhaji Otokiti died last Wednesday at the age of 87 years.

He is survived by many children among whom are Alhaja Sidiqot Obaze, Usanat

Audu, Ahmed Otokiti and Alh. Ruqqayyat Jimoh among others.

Late Alhaji Otokiti

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Glo's Prof John Bull hits TV

By Bartholomew Madukwe

A

new song by modern highlife singer, Chinedu Flavour Okoli, for the Globacomsponsored TV social satire series, “Professor John Bull,” is ruling the airwaves in the SouthEast and South-South parts of the country.

Flavour’s four-minute sound track highlights the essence of the drama and centres on Nollywood great, Kanayo O. Kanayo, who plays the lead role, Professor John Bull, a conservative character with a penchant for highfalutin language.

It also features screen stars such as Patience Mama G Ozokwor, Bimbo Akintola, Mercy Johnson, Yomi Fash Lanso, Ime Bishop, Queen Nwokoye, Chiwetalu Agu and several Glo Ambassadors.

The song’s rhythm has Flavour ’s irresistible signature style of urban high-life music, making it the hot choice of radio stations across the South-East and SouthSouth.

Professor John Bull is produced and directed

by Tchidi Chikere, who explained that Flavour was carefully selected by Globacom to compose the song because of his style and genre of music.

Nollywood superstar, Richard Mofe-Damijo, is consultant to the project.

High diesel price: FG considers biofuel alternative for farmers

By Gabriel Ewepu

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING the high cost of diesel, Federal Government is considering bio-diesel as an alternative source of fuel for farmers to enhance food production and supply.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, who disclosed this in his office in Abuja, expressed concern over the persistent hardship farmers face in accessing diesel, which now sells for between N200 and N210 per litre.

He said: “This is happening during the planting season; preventing the people from using tractors and power tillers on the farms. The impact on food production is quite severe.

“This keeps happening every year, as the planting season coincides with the shortage of diesel needed to operate our tractors. This is part of the issues making agricultural productivity in this country so uncertain.

“We will take a look at the production of Jathropha seeds and oil processing to give farmers self-sufficiency in diesel production as an organic fuel (bio-diesel). This is expected to promote renewable energy, improve our environment and reduce expenses on importation.”

Ogbe also assured mechanised farmers all over the country that the problem of diesel supply and pricing would be addressed to cushion the effects on their operations

Night prayers, Tahjud, in congregation

Q

IYAAMU-LAIL and Tahjud can be used interchangeably, but with slight difference. The difference is implied only in when it is done.

However, the similarity is that both are prayers and acts of worship done in the night. The former is more general than the latter, because it includes prayer and other actions and it includes prayer before and after sleeping.

However, Tahjud is exclusively praying, and there are two opinions concerning it. The first is that it means praying at any time of the night, which is the view of the majority of scholars.

It is permissible to pray voluntary prayers in congregation and individually. The Prophet (s.a.w) did both, but most of his voluntary prayers were offered C M Y K

individually.

He led Hudhayfah in praying a voluntary prayer once, and Ibn ‘Abbas once, and Anas and his mother and the orphan once, and he led his companions in the house of ‘Utmaan once, and he led them during the night in Ramadan three times. These are from the sahih collections.

Although some scholars are saying if it is done on agreement prior to the prayer it becomes bid’ah, explaining that because the Prophet never did it based on prior agreement, we should not be distracted and confused because the Prophet did it.

However, the important thing is that the Prophet was reported to have led qiyam lail in congregation with some of his companions.

and avoid negative impact on food production in 2016, vowing to tackle the problem, both in the long and short terms.

According to him, the ministry will, in the short term, appeal to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to help,

as soon as possible, to ease the tight supply situation.

He also promised that his ministry would meet the dealers and refiners of petrol to find an immediate solution to the high cost of the product to give relief to tractor owners, operators and farmers.

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development distributed 500 threshers and 100 power tillers to farmers in 12 states for processing of rice, wheat, maize, millet and other grains to boost food production and selfsufficiency.

JIMOH IBRAHIM: Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim (middle) and his lawyers after the court sitting at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on an application urging the court to nullify AMCON's interim order for seizure of his assets over the alleged N50 billion debt, yesterday.

PHOTO: Akinwunmi Ibrahim.

FG 'll strengthen mortgage policy for affordable housing—FASHOLA

By Funmi Olasupo

A

BUJA—FEDERAL Government has promised to strengthen the mortgage policy for Nigerians Now that we are in Ramadan, it can be done, because Ramadan is a special month when we step up our ibadah: “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.”

We are enjoined to pray in the night of Ramadan, but it should be noted that it was not made compulsory.

In the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “I stayed overnight in the house of my maternal aunt Maymoonah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) slept for a part of the night… and during the night, he got up and performed a light ablution from a hanging water skin, and stood up for the prayer.

“I, too, performed a similar ablution, then I went and stood on his left. Perhaps, Sufyaan said, on his left and he drew me to his right. He prayed as much as Allah wished, then he lay down and slept and he was awake, thereafter, for salat.

to access affordable housing, reduce corruption and encourage productivity in the sector.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who disclosed this at the ongoing Affordable Housing Summit 2016 in Abuja, stressed the need for stronger mortgage policy, in line with the change promised by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to pursue infrastructure development and specifically address the housing needs of Nigerians.

The minister said the enthronement of best practice would help to reduce corruption, restore investors’ confidence in the housing sector and create an atmosphere of transparency and dependability.

He said: “I think that mortgage is the best practice and the way to go to reduce corruption and to encourage productivity.

“I suggest that our houses must be tied to our income, which must be tied to our jobs and I think it is the way to create credit that our housing sector desperately needs.

“I do not think that we can seriously talk about

transparency, if a large number of our people pay a two- year advance housing rent when they receive their arrears monthly.

Where will the money come from?

“I am sure there must be other ways in which we must create credit because economies where people get paid at the end of the week and able to pay their rent at the end of the week; or are paid at the end of the month and are able to pay their rent at the end of the month, allow for a much more beneficial quality of life.”

He also expressed confidence that the ministry’s collaboration with the German Development Cooperation, GIZ, and other development partners would, among other key objectives, proffer a clear, sustainable, realistic and strategic blueprint for affordable housing delivery in Nigeria.

He noted that some anomalies had affected the housing sector over the years, explaining that “if the income marches your obligation, you pay in arrears.

“No matter how hard we try to build to meet the budget of the demanding public, we must also respond to the question of credit for rent. So I say that this mismatch in advance rent and arrears of income is one of the reasons many completed houses are empty,” Fashola added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 15

16—Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

MASSOB alleges FG, Norway collaboration to emasculate Biafra activists

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday, raised alarm, accusing the Federal Government and the Norwegian government of plots to emasculate Biafran activist, Lotachukwu Okolie resident in Oslo.

The pro-Biafra group said both governments were allegedly working together to deport Okolie against his will, over his hard-line posture for Biafra secession.

A statement made available to Vanguard by MASSOB Leader, Uchenna Madu, read: “The systematic annihilation plot by the government of Norway in diplomatic partnership with Nigeria against the Biafrans as in case of Lotachukwu Okolie whom they are planning to deport to Nigeria is turning out to put Norway in direct violation of every known international convention and law, especially with regards to human rights."

250 Anambra youths benefit from N500m agric loan

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—TWO hundred and fifty Anambra youths trained at the Ngbakwu Agricultural Farm Settlement and the Science & Technology Incubation Center, Nnewi have benefited from soft loans amounting to N500 million obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. The first phase of the scheme was recently launched by Governor Willie Obiano during the flag off of this year ’s farming season.

The money, which is managed by the Anambra State Small Business Agency, ASBA, is to assist the youths become future employers of labour, using structured and creative financing mechanism.

New militant group threatens govt, oil facilities in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—A new militant group that operates on the platform of Niger Delta Red Squad, NDRS, has threatened to attack some government and oil facilities in Imo State.

The fresh threat is coming barely few days after it hit a facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company in Awarra, Ohaji/ Egbema local council area of Imo State.

Confirming the initial attack on the Shell facility, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the State Police Command, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a deputy superintendent of police, DSP, said that they received the report of the incident, but could not immediately say the extent of damage done by the attack.

“We got the report of the destruction of oil installation of oil facility in Awarra, but we are yet to know the extent of the damage,” the PPRO said.

In the current threat, which was posted on line and signed by one General Don Wannie, the group fumed that oil producing communities have nothing to show for the many years of oil exploration and exploitation.

The group’s anger “Oil companies started operation in our community since 1957, but up till date, we have nothing to show as benefit. For Imo State government, we will make sure you make no further

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gains from Ohaji/Egbema.

“Since God’s creation, neither Imo State government nor oil companies have remembered us.

We have been neglected and abandoned. No electricity. No tarred roads. No drinking water.

No hospital. No youth employment or empowerment.

We shall destroy everything in Imo State that was built with our oil money.”

While claiming responsibility for blowing up two Shell pipelines, the group also promised to inflict maximum damage to oil facilities, if Ohaji/Egbema communities are not given due benefits from their oil resource.

The group equally warned Waltersmith Petroleum Oil Limited of an imminent attack on the company’s facilities.

“We will let them know that the security which they claim to have is insufficient. So, they should go and hire more because we are coming to attack them any moment from now,” the group said.

While asking the Federal Government to immediately redress the ugly situation and not making the mistake of taking them for granted, the group, however, warned that if the federal and state governments think they are joking, “we will shock them.”

Enugu House moves to domesticate Child Rights Act ....Declares 3-day public session open

E

By Francis Igata

NUGU—ENUGU State House of Assembly, yesterday, made bold steps to become the 23rd state nationwide, that has passed the Child Right Responsibility Act into Law as stipulated by the United Nations

Convention and African Union meant to protect the rights of child.

The Bill, which had scaled through the second reading, was subjected to a three-day public hearing beginning yesterday, for stakeholders from Enugu-North,

Enugu-West and Enugu-East senatorial districts to make necessary input towards the passage of the bill.

Declaring the public hearing open, Deputy Speaker, Donatus Uzogbado, revealed that though the passage of the Bill has been

FG Vs Anambra govt N50bn suit: Ozekhome threatens to file contempt charge

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE N50 billion suit instituted by the Federal Government against Anambra State over alleged revocation of the 148.337 hectares of land acquired for Federal site and services scheme at Amansea in Awka has taken a new dimension with the lead counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) threatening to file contempt charge against the state Attorney General, AG. In the letter addressed to the AG and copied to counsel to the state government, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, Ozekhome warned that his client would not hesitate to commence contempt procedure against the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, the Attorney General of the state

and others involved in the land matter if the directives of the apex court were not immediately adhered to.

The Federal Government had dragged Anambra State government to the Supreme Court asking for N50 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages it allegedly suffered following the state government’s revocation of the said land.

Though a panel of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed had during a sitting, adjourned the case to February 13, 2017, for hearing of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by counsel to Federal Government and directed the parties to maintain status quo, Ozekhome in a letter to the Anambra State AG, alleged that Anambra State government had gone ahead to carry on further developmental works on the land.

delayed, it will when passed, protect the child from abuses and guarantee a promising future for the Enugu child.

Contributing, Prof. Peter Ebigbo, Founder, Africa Network for Child Abuse and Neglect said: ”Twentytwo states in the country have adopted and implemented the law. This House would do well to domesticate the law which seeks to protect the child from abuses and ensure that the education of the child is guaranteed.

“There is nothing in the bill that is against our culture as some people will express. The Act provides for the rights and the responsibilities of the child to the parents and institutions. It is expected that necessary input will be made in this public hearing so that a people-oriented bill will be passed into law.”

Ozekhome’s letter read: “Our attention, has been drawn lately by our clients to the fact that notwithstanding the admonition of the apex court and the undertaking by your counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) to communicate to you the need to desist from further acts on or concerning the subject matter of dispute, before the apex court, the Anambra State Government has gone ahead with renewed vigour and zeal, to carry on FUNERAL MASS in honour of Mrs. Grace f u r t h e r Nwosu of Umuguma in Umuaguo, Owerri, d e v e l o p m e n t a l Imo State, who died May 24, 2016 after child works on the said birth, will be held July 8, 2016 at Immaculate land.

Heart Catholic Church Umuguma.

Your clients had Burial takes place at her husband's home. moved to the site Until her death, she was the Secretary of after it was served Catholic Women Organization of St. Theresa’s court processes on Catholic Church Marine Beach Apapa, Lagos. this matter and after She is survived by her mother, husband you had responded Mr. Innocent Nwosu, brothers and sister, and to same." four children among whom are Miss Zita Nwosu and Samuel Nwosu.

Mrs Grace Nwosu for burial

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 —17

I

CAN'T quite find the words to qualify the sadness I’m currently experiencing. It is often the cross of decent, wellmannered people to have to defend, in this era of dangerously uninhibited, provocative opinions, the right to still believe in intelligent discussion and analysis as opposed to fear-mongering and bigotry. It is also a shame that rational minds eventually run out of steam when arguing with irrational, xenophobic people while said racists or ethnically obsessed persons seem to possess unending reserves of energy with which to spew out hatred.

Britain, like Nigeria and the United States, is in danger of losing its soul to racially or ethnically prejudiced, intolerant politics and politicians. Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and Goodluck Jonathan are three different characters who witnessed and some might say aided their countries’ veering towards what every 21st century citizen, with all the opportunities for knowledge and shared experiences this era possesses, should refuse: closemindedness, disassembling rather than bringing people together, breaking down bonds and unions rather than building a better future as one.

Division for selfish motives Boris Johnson and Donald Trump have shown the sort of opportunism which is unfortunately too common in politics and we as Nigerians are all too familiar with their style, which preaches division for selfish motives: Trump uses terrorism, the idea of America being overrun with Mexicans and Muslims the same way Johnson used migrants to spread fear, hatred of difference and of the unknown.

They hope to be voted in by those looking to blame others for economic downturns and unemployment. The Brexit referendum was an ingenuous ploy by Johnson to force a plebiscite whose resultshe might never have had any intention of upholding (he must have studied at the Babangida school of politics).

Boris Johnson seems less sure and even less specific about the UK’s future without the EU, leading many to speculate his attempt to seize power on the heels of the Brexit vote might

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Brexit and the small-minded Nigerian fail or that it was, as we say here in Nigeria, “dead on arrival”.

Even Trump, realising the need to appear “presidential” is attempting to temper some of his statements about Muslims.

Nationalism, separatism and chauvinism feature heavily in politicians’ playbooks when they have little else to contribute beyond manipulations of popular frustrations and romanticised notions of a country ’s pre-eminence during a fantasised racially pure past.

Comparing Brexit to the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra is only possible in this context of similarities between economic collapses which callous politicians would rather not address, calling instead for political breakaways which resolve nothing. The regions of the UK which voted “out” of the

The idea of selfdetermination is a well-orchestrated propaganda created to buildup resentment against the rest of Nigeria

EU are underdeveloped in comparison to the regions which voted “in”. The states of the South-East in Nigeria are not nearly as developed as the States of the South-West, yet Igbos have been unwilling to query their governors as to the

EFCC and Nigerian banks

T

HE EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Magu, recently pointed out the complicity of bank MDs in the corrupt acts perpetrated by generations of politicians. Indeed, money laundering can’t occur without the aid of the banking sector.

With Governor Fayose naming Zenith Bank as one of the alleged sponsors of his campaign, it is definitely time to beam the search light on our opaque banking

sector. What is most surprising is that the governor doesn’t seem to realise that his revelation is self-incriminating.

Corporations can’t sponsor politicians: this is illegal so Fayose just inadvertently helped justify EFCC freezing his accounts. After all, the Constitution grants governors and presidents (not any lawmakers mind you) immunity from prosecution but

elites to lobby for federal jobs and contracts. It has nothing to do with the common man who remains poor no matter what ethnic group is in power.

Nigeria is greater together: with our federation intact, our land mass and population, we stand a chance of becoming a world power, if we begin to elect talented and resourceful people, rather than the unimpressive, unskilled individuals we’ve had so far.

The United Kingdom’s time as a world power might be over: like Russia, the UK has gone from empire to federation or “union”, which couldn’t withstand the onslaught of individual ambition. Now let us consider the role, in all of this, of the third politician I mentioned earlier: Goodluck Jonathan.

Under him there was little to no public agitation for Biafra so one must wonder how much of today ’s demonstration is authentic. After all, a SouthSouth president might have been the perfect person to understand feelings of neglect.

Feelings of neglect Boris Johnson

Donald Trump

spending (or overall whereabouts) of the huge sums received by their states as their monthly allocation. Instead, they continue to look to the Federal Government for solutions to local problems, manipulated by their homegrown leadership which has done little for them. The idea of self-determination is a wellorchestrated propaganda created to build-up resentment against the rest of Nigeria, therefore shielding the real perpetrators of underdevelopment, state governors, from investigation.

It is corruption which makes the Nigerian case dissimilar to the UK one: Brexit and Biafra might both be pro-home rule but only one of these autonomist movements has its roots in corruption. Corruption, first of all, of the federalist dream of local governments bringing development to the people and then, of the 13% derivation, or agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Corporation and others, which, without good leadership to make use of these advantages, haven’t done much for the people.

If the 36 states of Nigeria had utilised their budgets for their true purposes over the years, one would be in a strong position to wager that the Niger Delta Avengers would be too busy going to work to “avenge” their political patrons’ fall from grace, Boko Haram members would be too busy farming to fall prey to the political machinations of their sponsors and pro-Biafra supporters would also be gainfully employed and thus too preoccupied with the business of making an honest living.

not from investigation. As a matter of fact, politicians aren’t gods.

Magu EFCC Chairman

Consequences of isolationism Those rejoicing due to the Brexit vote don’t see the far reaching consequences of isolationism in our globalised world where trade is a network of complex agreements or where students and all manner of people benefit from the accessibility and inclusion institutions such as the EU enable. As for the Biafra agitation, it is the result of political competition between ethnic groups, where the idea of marginalisation is used by

The small-minded might wish to see the South-East or the South-South secede, they might confuse the UK leaving a political organisation such as the EU with the debilitating act of a nation losing one of its territories. The Nigerian political elite have been irresponsible. They’ve taken advantage of our collective naiveté and our greed.

Jonathan squandered the opportunity to rid us of ethnic politics.

As a representative of a minority group, he could have built something incredible for this country which no one before him has done: a meritocratic system where the best and brightest are called to lead or to serve not because of their religion or where they come from but because of what they have to offer. Jonathan could have been in the history books. Sure, he conceded defeat (Cameron just resigned voluntarily and no one in his country is calling for him to receive a Nobel prize) but he could have gifted Nigerians something greater: a country free of separatist tendencies, if only he’d awarded less contracts to militants and done more to develop ordinary, lawabiding people.

Coup rumours

I

N this day and age?

Corruption is fighting back. Nigerians, remain vigilant and remember that corruption kills, regardless of ethnic and religious differences. The guilty are a united front, forget the squabbling on the pages of newspapers. They’ve taken advantage of our gullible nature. Let this fight be the last, the final showdown, where we retake this country

from those who’d see it divided rather than accept there is only one power block: the undivided, unconquered and uncensored Nigerian people.

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

18— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 IT is obviously trite to observe that Nigerians are really facing hard times. With the downward retreat of crude oil prices in the global market, revenue accruing to the exchequer of our oil-dependent economy is at an all time low, with money, in literal terms, becoming a very scarce commodity. The Federal Government itself, through the Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed acknowledged this when the nation was told that “Nigeria is broke”, while explaining the increase in pump price of petrol from N87 to N145 earlier in the year.

Government further told Nigerians that a package of N350 billion is in the offing, which, when injected into the economy, will help cushion the effects of the new price of petrol, and blunt the sharp edges of poverty.

Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun on a television programme monitored in Lagos this week

Rising poverty in the land: Time for action disclosed that “N109 billion of the N350 billion has already been disbursed. The funds are ready, however, there are procedural delays due to the required procurement processes.”

Good, but not enough. We must remind the minister, and indeed, the entire Federal Government that the year’s second quarter has run out.

It is important not to downplay the impact of the quantum increase in the price of petrol on life and living in Nigeria. Since we depend mainly on road transportation to move

goods and ser vices all over the country, including farm produce and other agricultural products, we are of the opinion that particular attention be paid to the road transport sub-sector of the economy.

Farmers, and traders in foodstuffs are facing serious challenges in terms of added costs in conveying their produce to the markets in our towns and cities, mostly in rickety and unhygienic vehicles. Of course, they simply transfer the extra cost to the Nigerians masses. The result has been an increasing inability of

the average Nigerian to feed well, if at all. When the energy crisis is factored in, including kerosene which sells at N200 per litre, it can best be imagined the hardship that most Nigerians face on a daily basis.

Since government has often reiterated its determination to alleviate poverty and create more jobs, urgent attention must be paid to the transport sector by launching more, high-capacity buses and trucks onto the roads while speedily redeveloping the rail system. This is important for job creation as many assembly plants are now active in the country. It is also worthwhile to revisit the National Poverty Alleviation Programme, NAPEP, of the previous administration, which also is domiciled in the transport sector. Government must act speedily in this regard, so that the foundations of social security may remain intact.

OPINION Dogara and Reps’ hypocrisy

By Tochukwu Ezukanma E were recently riveted by allegations of sexual misconducts W levelled against three Nigerian lawmakers

by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle. In a letter to the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, he accused one of the ten members of the House that were on an official trip to the US of grabbing a housekeeper in his hotel room and soliciting for sex from her and two others of requesting hotel parking attendants to help them solicit prostitutes. The accusations generated some uproar and an overall condemnation of the actions of the three lawmakers. I was astonished by the uproar that followed the allegations and miffed by the hypocrisy it evinced.

Are Nigerians trying to make believe that the code of conduct among Nigerian public officials is, by any stretch of the imagination, comparable to that of the American public officials? Secondly, by the standards of the Nigerian National Assembly, notorious for its greed and corruption, what is outrageous about the alleged sexual peccadilloes of the three legislators?

On checking into a hotel in Nigeria, it is not uncommon for a courteous porter to help you with your luggage into your hotel room, and solicitously, turn on the TV and AC, ostensibly, “to make sure that everything is working fine” but more importantly, to justify the tip he is expecting from you. And,

sometimes, before stepping out of your room, he informs you that if you need a lady for the evening, he will gladly make one available for you. Generally, female employees of hotels are forbidden from consorting with hotel patrons. However, with an understanding with the night shift

Harrying them for what is normal conduct in Nigeria is hypocrisy and kowtowing shamelessly to the Americans government manager, a female employee of the hotel can readily sneak into a male patron’s hotel room, and for a consideration, be his romantic guest for the night. By Nigerian moral and ethical standards, these are normal and acceptable ways of doing things.

What many Nigerians fail to realise is that by the standards of many countries of the world, our moral and ethical standards are abysmally low. And, as such, some of the things we find acceptable in this country are inconceivable outrages in some other countries. In a country where public officials brazenly plunder the public treasury, lecturers/professors audaciously demand sexual favours from their female students and pastors remorselessly sleep with their "daughters in Christ" (including married ones), what can be wrong with an Honorable

member of the House demanding sex from a housekeeper or wanting to procure prostitutes through parking lot attendants?

Due to the poverty in the land and the Nigerian tendency to worship the rich and the powerful, many housekeepers in Nigerian hotels, for implied or expressed pecuniary incentives, will have no qualms (and may feel privileged) in pandering to the libidinal zest of an Honorable member of the House of Representatives. And hotel parking attendants will cheerfully and dutifully procure prostitutes for him. By Nigerian standards, these men did nothing wrong. Their only offense is that they failed to realise that the code of conduct, especially, for public officials, is much higher in the United States of America than in Nigeria.

And, as such, the American society will not tolerate their accustomed crude and vulgar modus operandi in extra-marital sexual gambols. The American have frowned at their undesirable behaviours and taken punitive measures against them. And that should be enough.

To avoid such embarrassing situations in future, members of the House, before going on official foreign trips, should be made aware of the susceptibilities of their wouldbe host countries. They should be advised to endeavor to restrain their sexual instincts, or otherwise, travel with their wives or girl friends. For Yakubu Dogara and the other members of the House to feign outrage at the alleged behaviours of the three legislators is hypocrisy. After all, there is no evidence that the generality of Nigerian legislators usually exhibit more discipline and self-control than the accused lawmakers in tending to their own libido. Dogara has directed the House Committees on Ethics and Foreign Affairs to investigate the matter.

This is a colossal waste of time and resources aimed at impressing the American government.

There are many pressing and dire issues that should rivet the focus of the Nigerian House of Representatives. It should direct its energies and resources to important matters with direct relevance to the improvement of the quality of life in Nigerian. It should work against hunger, poverty and desperation that are plaguing the majority of Nigerians. It should direct its actions against the chaos, lawlessness and social injustice that threaten to unravel the Nigerian society. The House Committee on Ethic should investigate the insatiable greed and entrenched corruption among Nigerian legislators that has tarnished the image and undermined the credibility of the National Assembly. There are too many other aberrations of the Nigerian society it needs to investigate, for example, why are legislators in Nigeria, a country with the social indexes of the poorest countries of the world, the highest paid legislators in the world; and why are the Nigerian police excessively brutality and infamous for extrajudicial killings?

The Nigerian House of Representatives, in its lassitude, avarice and corruption is grossly failing in its duties to the Nigerian people. Therefore, it should focus on living up to its constitutional responsibilities to the Nigerian people, and leave the three accused lawmakers alone. They operated by the standards we find satisfactory in Nigeria that happened to be unacceptable in America. Harrying them for what is normal conduct in Nigeria is hypocrisy and kowtowing shamelessly to the Americans government. *Mr. Ezukanma, a a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

— 19

Banks lose N3bn to fraud in 2015—NDIC REPORT N2bn lost to temporary staff N857m lost to internet fraudsters

By Babajide Komolafe

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BUJA— NIGERIAN banks lost N3 billion to fraudsters in 2015 with temporary staff accounting for 67 per cent of the fraud.

Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, disclosed this in its 2015 annual report released yesterday. While the report indicated a sharp decline in actual money lost to fraudsters during the year, it, however, revealed that losses due to internet-based fraud dominated the total loss by 27 per cent.

The report also revealed a decline in banks’ profitability to N588.86 billion from N601.02 billion despite 5.56 per cent increase in loans and advances to the economy which stood at N13.33 trillion in 2015.

The report stated: “A total of 12,279 fraud cases were reported, representing an increase of 15.71 per cent over the 10,612 fraud cases reported in 2014.

However, the amount involved decreased significantly by N7.59 billion or 29.63 per cent from N25.608 billion in 2014 to N18.021 billion in 2015. Similarly, the actual loss suffered by the insured banks decreased by N3.02 billion or 48.79 per cent from N6.19 billion in 2014 to N3.17 billion in 2015.

“The actual loss sustained in respect of internet banking fraud was N857 million, representing 27 per cent of total actual loss of the industry. There was an increase in the frequency of ATM/Card-Related Fraud

cases from 7,181 in 2014 to 8,039 in 2015, an increase of 11.95 per cent.

Frauds and forgeries “However, the loss suffered by the industry due to such frauds declined significantly by 59.4 percent from previous year’s figure of N1.242 billion to

The banking industry operated profitably, though earnings and profitability deteriorated

N0.504 billion, representing 15.9 per cent of total industry loss to frauds and forgeries.

“Out of the 12,279 fraud cases reported by the DMBs, 425 cases were attributed to staff.

The number of fraud cases perpetrated by staff had decreased from 465 in 2014 to 425 in 2015.

Similarly, losses arising therefrom substantially decreased by 70 percent from N3.165 billion in 2014 to N 0.979 billion in 2015. The highest percentage of frauds and forgery cases of 38.59 per cent was perpetrated by temporary staff.

“The NDIC reduced the premium paid by banks by N 9.09 billion in 2015 following the reduction of the premium base rate from 40 basis point to 35 $137.55 3.05 for each DMB/NIB under the Differential $3,058.00 24.00 Premium Assessment $ 19.86 0.38 System, DPAS. “The banking industry total assets grew marginally by 1.36 $48.28 1.12 per cent, total loans and advances rose by 5.56 $47.52 1.19 per cent, shareholders’ funds unimpaired by CURRENCY BUYING SELLING losses increased by 14.02 percent while US DOLLAR 280 280.5 281 POUNDS 384.888 385.5753 386.2626 capital adequacy ratio EURO 310.716 311.2709 311.8257 stood at 17.66 percent.

FRANC 286.8265 287.3387 287.8509 However, total deposit YEN 2.733 2.7379 2.7428 liabilities declined by CFA 0.4679 0.4779 9.4879 WAUA 398.1152 398.8261 399.537 2.83 per cent, unauditRENMINBI 42.2505 42.3264 42.4023 ed profits decreased by RIYAL 74.6547 74.788 74.9213 2.02 per cent while nonKRONA 41.7406 41.8151 41.8897 performing loans inSDR 391.44 392.139 392.838 creased by 82.87 per CBN Exchange rate as at 28/06/2016 cent in 2015.

C M Y K

HOSTING: President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and former Industries Minister, Chief Kola Jamodu, CFR, at the breaking of Ramadan fast hosted by the President Monday evening.

“The banking industry’s capital base remained strong. The capital adequacy ratio, CAR, of the banking industry was 17.66 per cent in 2015 compared with 15.92 percent in 2014, but exceeded the minimum threshold of 10 per cent and 15 per cent for national and international banks respectively. Two (2) DMBs had CAR below the prescribed threshold of 10 per cent in 2015.

“Total loans and advances to the Nigerian economy stood at N13.33 trillion in 2015, show-

ing an increase of 5.56 percent over the N12.63 trillion reported in 2014. The non-performing loans to total loans ratio for the industry increased from 2.81 percent in 2014 to 4.87 per cent in 2015, but was within the regulatory threshold of 5 percent.

“The banking industry operated profitably, though earnings and profitability deteriorated.

The unaudited profit-before-tax (PBT) of the banking industry stood at N588.86 billion as at 31st December, 2015 represent-

ing a decrease of 2.02 percent over N601.02 billion reported as at 31st December, 2014.

“The banking industry’s liquidity position was strong as its average liquidity ratio rose slightly from 53.65 percent in 2014 to 58.18 per cent in 2015.

All the individual DMBs had liquidity ratios above the prudential minimum threshold of 30 per cent as at 31st December, 2015. Overall, the banking industry remained stable and sound during the period under review,” the report said.

MasterCard to connect 40m micro, small merchants to e-payments network

By Peter Egwuatu

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ASTERCARD has c o n c l u d e d arrangement to connect 40 million micro and small merchants to its electronic payments network within five years.

To date, financial inclusion has been predominantly centered on providing the underserved and the unbanked with tools and transaction accounts. This remains a critical need with two billion unbanked people, the majorityofwhomarewomen,forced to operate in a cash economy. In order for financial inclusion efforts to truly have an impact, there needs to beanequalfocusonbothaccessand usage.

Since 2013, MasterCard has delivered programs and services to more than 200 million people

previously excluded from the financial mainstream. The company is committed to reaching at least 500 million by 2020.

In a statement, MasterCard stated “Throughbroad-basedcollaboration with public and private sector entities, we are bringingthe benefits and security of electronic payments to the unbanked around the world.“ It also said “In Rwanda, MasterCardiscollaboratingwiththe government to fast-track the country’smovetoinclude90percent of its citizens in the financial mainstream, as set out in its Vision 2020 strategy.

In Egypt, MasterCard is helping the government roll out a digital ID program that links citizens’ national ID to the existing national mobile money platform, allowing 54 million Egyptianstoparticipateintheformal electroniceconomythroughasingle, easy-to-use cashless program.

In Bangladesh, bKash, Western Union, BRAC Bank and MasterCard launched an internationalremittanceservicethat gives bKash’s 22 million registered customers the ability to receive international remittances directly into their bKash mobile wallet.

In the U.S., the Direct Express® program,apartnershipbetweenthe U.S. Department of Treasury, Comerica Bank and MasterCard, delivers federal benefit payments electronicallyandrecentlylaunched a mobile app to help people easily access account information.”

Across five countries, Vodaphone, HomeSend and MasterCard expanded the real-time, mobile receipt of remittances by M-Pesa users in Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Albania.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

The future is ‘disruption’ •NCC says technology no longer garbage in garbage out •Code of conduct highly needed now •Seeks NASS understanding of activities

Drones, Jetpacks, now used in the ecommerce world to distribute goods….typical example of disruptive technologies

By Prince Osuagwu, (Hi-Tech Editor) Emeka Aginam & Anozie Egole

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HE world is going to be highly disrupted. But no panic, it’s only going to be for good. That was the message Nigeria’s telecom regulator; the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, gave at different fora, weekend, to prepare industry enthusiasts of for expected effects of growing new technologies in the sector.

The commission also promised to extend transparent regulation of the industry to cover the new developments and sued for cooperation and understanding of all, especially the National Assembly.

The telecom regulator said that although technology disrupts other industries, it is however the most disrupted and therefore was hoping to put policy measures that will make people remember NCC as creating a conducive environment for the growth of ideas, technologies and businesses.

The commission said the availability of disruptive

technologies like Mobile Internet, Internet of Things, Cloud, Advanced Robotics, Autonomous vehicles, Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony, Live Streaming and other Social Media Applications, was the reason it deliberately designed a robust broadband plan across the country.

Speaking on the ‘Role of Disruptive Technologies in Catapulting the African Continent’s GDP’, at the Nigeria Technology Exhibition Conference (NITEC 2016) in Lagos, Head New Media and Special publications, Mr Okoh Aihe who represented the Commission’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, at the event, said ordinarily the word disruptive will qualify for troublesome and unsettling, but in the instance of new technological developments, it has become a good omen with qualities considered strong and positive enough to transform the GDP of the continent.

Aihe said the commission was aware that a robust broadband plan can support these disruptive technologies is capable of boasting the nation’s

Gross Domestic product (GDP).

“The commission, as a regulator, is committed to boosting Africa’s GDP with disruptive technologies in its robust broadband plan, which is geared towards steering the IT industry to the kind of growth that will allow Nigerians fulfil their dreams," he said.

Explaining that there was no longer garbage in garbage out in technology, Aihe admitted that “what is happening today in technology is totally out of control and beyond the expectations of everybody.

Aware of these trends, the commission under Prof Umar Danbatta has carefully thought out the 8-Point agenda and strategy to help push the industry to new heights in an era of very fair, firm, and forthright regulations.”

Code of corporate conduct, imperative Meanwhile, in a related development, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof Umar Danbatta said that under prevailing circumstances, code of corporate conduct was highly needed in the industry now more than at any other time.

Danbatta while presenting the code to industry

practitioners in Lagos recently admitted that Nigeria was in a precarious state due to corruption which largely could be responsible for the set back the economy is experiencing at the moment, adding that a code on how each corporate practice should be carried out was needed more urgently.

What is happening today in technology is totally out of control and beyond the expectations of everybody

According to him, “in Nigeria, our situation is more precarious. Years of operating a mono product economy driven mainly by oil revenues, coupled with dwindling earnings from that sector and vicious attacks on oil

installations, are pushing the economy to the brink. Sadly the common thread that runs through these failures, whether at the national or corporate level, is the absence of an effective corporate framework.

It is fairly settled that without a robust corporate governance structure, corruption and arbitrariness thrive, progressively weakening the structure and competitive edge of many organizations. In the face of these stark and disturbing realities, the federal government for the first time since our journey to nation hood is thinking outside the box. More than ever before, efforts are being made to diversify the economy by developing the real and nonoil sector as viable options to a sustainable economy.

Interestingly, the telecoms sector is leading the pack in the federal government’s determined effort in this regard.

Investment opportunities “The liberation of the telecoms industry opened investment opportunities for both local and foreign companies, contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

To illustrate, in contrast to the economy as a whole which regressed to -0.36% in the first quarter of 2016, the telecoms sector contributed in progressive and real terms about 8.83% to the GDP in the same period.

This represents an increase of 0.5% relative to the growth in the last quarter of 2015.

Similarly apart from attracting foreign direct investment, (FDI) in excess of $38 billion and reflecting the economy, the telecoms value chain (formal and informal) continues to create a significant number of job opportunities for our teeming youths. Other positive spin-offs include increasing local contents and rising income per capita/per head for employees in the sector,” he said.

“As a sector regulator, why are we not resting on our oars and basking in the glory of our widely documented success?

The answer is that we are Continues on page 21

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—21

Digital solutions to drive SDGs by 2030 — Study

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By Emmanuel Elebeke

EADING global professional services company, Accenture has declared that the Information and Communication T echnologies (ICT) sector can play a vital role in helping achieve the objectives of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

In its latest study prepared for the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), it said that the ICT through digital solutions would drive the progress of the SDGs with special focus on improving lives, fostering growth and environmental protection.

According to the study, the driver would involve deploying innovative digital solutions to improve the quality of people’s lives, achieve equitable growth and protect the environment.

sector to drive growth and competitiveness by investing in these initiatives.

The report also identifies roadblocks to realizing the full potential of these digital solutions, including policy, regulatory and supply-side constraints, as well as barriers on the demand-side.

The report also found that every country has achievement gaps in

more than half of the 17 SDGs, and many fall short on all.

While the greatest strides are needed in the least developed countries and developing regions, the report demonstrates that action is equally needed in developed regions to decouple their economic growth from degrading the environment.

Chairman, GeSI, Luis Neves, said that “GeSI is committed to

leading the discussion about how the world should use digital solutions to address the challenge of meeting the SDGs. “By making the SDGs GeSI’s central framework for action, we have defined an implementation roadmap that we will continue to refine to guide our priorities up to 2030, and we commit to supporting our member organizations to make this

exciting vision a reality,” he added.

For him, widespread deployment of digital solutions will substantially contribute to all three dimensions of development covered by the SDGs. The report shows that by 2030, ICT sector companies could realize $ 2.1 trillion in additional annual revenue by 2030 from services that directly contribute to SDG achievement.

This includes $400 billion per year from connecting an additional 2.5 billion people to communication services by 2030.

Additionally, it indicated that $ 1.7 trillion can be realized from digital solutions contributing towards SDG achievement, including e-Commerce (USD 580 billion), e-Work (USD 537 billion), smart buildings (USD 200 billion), e-Government (USD 86 billion), and online learning (USD 75 billion).

Sustainable future The GeSI report, demonstrates the impact that digital technologies can have on shaping a more sustainable future, and highlight the opportunity for companies in the ICT

FORUM: From left, Mr. Felix Adeoye, Director/Commission Secretary, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC; Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications at the Corporate Governance Forum in Lagos.

Banking Tech solution:

Appzone’s creditclub targets N1bn credit, 70,000 new customers for Sterling bank

By Prince Osuagwu FTER sealing a deal with Sterling Bank to use its financial technology solution CreditClub; AppZone,Africa’s leading provider of home-grown banking and financial technology solutions has set a six month target to open over 70, 000 new accounts for Sterling Bank to service customers outside the traditional branches. The target is to reach total deposits of N1billion within a limited pilot phase.

The CreditClub technology addresses branchless banking challenges by providing a robust software core and embedded core banking application that seamlessly integrates with portable mobile phones and POS devices as well as third party core banking applications.

CreditClub also offers mobile banking self-service applications and functionality for issuing and managing debit cards. This banking solution is expected to create inclusion by extending the bank’s services, leveraging AppZone’s shared core banking and agent network to exploit the opportunity for customer acquisition and liquidity growth as well as to significantly increase operating margins through low cost and relatively stable savings funds.

The product roll-out and market activation have commenced since February 1, 2016. The pilot phase

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of the agreement is in 10 market locations cutting across five states including Lagos, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Kwara and Anambra.

The CreditClub technology is currently being used by other banks, including Diamond bank for its diamond Beta savings product. The banking technology

solution is a flagship product of AppZone limited; a Nigerian software company that was established in 2008 and has grown to become Africa’s No. 1 provider of home-grown software solutions for the financial services industry.

AppZone creates disruptive

solutions that expand the scope and competitiveness of institutions in the financial services industry and then delivers these solutions using agile technology and global best practices.

Tecno goes swag with eye-scanner smartphone, Camon C9

By Emeka Aginam

infrastructure supports mobile internet connectivity of millions of Nigerians as the telecoms multi-national grows its portfolio in ommitted to endless innovation, Tecno the mobile data space.

Mobile is apparently showing relentless “Currently we are growing faster than other innovation in the Nigerian market with the mobile internet providers in the market; a key introduction of Camon C9 smartphone. driver of that growth are well tailored data Partnering with Etisalat Nigeria on brand tour, bundle plans which meet the needs of our Tecno said that the new product is a total detour customers. Etisalat is proud to support the C9JA from its predecessor Camon tour with seamless mobile data service flagships in terms of mobile throughout the campaign,” , he said. specifications.

Reiterating Tecno’s commitment to Tecno’s Attai Oguche said innovation, Tecno Managing Director, that “ Tecno Camon C9 raises Chidi Okonkwo said that the new the specs bar for high-end product’s camera specifications area camera features so much testament to a pursuit of perfection in higher the phone is easily delivering the smart phone experience dubbed the most disruptive to mobile customers at an affordable cost. camera smartphone in the “It takes highly advanced technology •Tecno Camon market,”. and a unique culture of excellence to C9 smartphone Addressing the media on reengineer the regular front camera Etisalat partnership with the specifications without compromising on C9JA tour, Specialist – the overall phone specifications,” he said.

Device and Terminal, Spotting high-end mobile specifications Etisalat Nigeria, Godswill including the dual 13.0MP front/back autofocus low-light cameras with dual LED Nnaji said the brand’s flash and all new HiOS V 1.0 user interface. state-of-the-art

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The future is ‘disruptive’ Continues from page 20 committed to building a sustainable and formidable structure established over the years for the industry to thrive and outlive us.

Also speaking, the Commission’s Secretary, Barr. Felix Adeoye, said that the code of corporate governance was constituted in 2014, aimed at addressing areas such as risk management and internal control, discipline, fairness, among others.

NASS, show some understanding Also, Danbatta, in Abuja, has called for more cooperation and understanding among members of the House of Representatives, on regulatory functions of the commission.“Speaking during an oversight visit of the members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Communications, in Abuja, Danbatta stressed the need for striking a balance in satisfying diverse stakeholders in the industry.

Delicate balance “We will still use this opportunity to seek your cooperation and understanding of delicate balance existing between the functions of regulators, and its many publics and stakeholders, including the legislature.

“These stakeholders have diverse but very important interest, which the regulator must satisfy. In the course of achieving an effective regulation for the benefit of all and in creating an enabling environment for growth, issues and challenges are bound to arise,” he explained.

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Shaheed Fijabi, commended the commission’s efforts at steering the industry in the right direction, adding that the strides of Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in the country will yield immeasurable results.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

By Prince Osuagwu &Princewill Ekwujuru NTRO/Experience My experience coming here. As a start-up specialist.

Since the end of the 1980s I have done a half and a dozen travels, the biggest of which is Aljazera English. I put together Aljazera English.

When I left, I had to spend six years in Qatar. When I was approached to come to Lagos. I came here with some trepidation, when I resigned from East Africa.

Nigeria has always been viewed as lacking that character of Africa, but when the chairman approached me, he laid out his vision for a Pan African channel not with only Nigerian interest, but with stations across Africa and Europe, its probably too tempting.

So I greed to go ahead with that and in many ways its far more satisfying than Aljazera, because there we poached staff from top broadcast stations like, CNN, SKY, RTN, BBC etc, but here we actually had to train everybody up from scratch, because we couldn’t bring in outsiders because the whole concept of this is an African channel by Africans for Africans.

Nigeria lucky with media freedom

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Huge amount of training And it was difficult taking people from the national broadcast station, because we wanted to take younger people and train them up. Of course we had to berth with morals of NN24, that is a small pool of journalists we had a lot of huge amount of training here.

We are proud of what we have achieved, because we had a lot of fantastic product which can go up against virtually any international channel, another thing I really appreciate working here, is that is the kind of freedom of the media you got here. It’s a kind of wonderfully noble open environment for the media, you are free to criticise as well as praise.

I was in Russia in December 2015, for the 10th anniversary of Russia today, if you look at the screen its very sleek and the rest of it and what shocked me in Russia is how everything is entirely controlled, every television, radio, newspaper, the internet is incredibly entirely controlled, there is no media free freedom there at all, its quite embarrassing. And I think Nigeria is very fortunate to have that (press freedom) it is a saving grace of the country.

—CBS CEO Nigel Parsons, Chief Executive Officer of Continental Broadcasting Services, CBS Group, owners of TV Continental and Consat, a Pay-tv platform relates his experience as a start-up specialist in this chat. While speaking on the media, digital switchover and other sundry issues in the media industry.

•Nigel Parsons

Managing a Media House It’s a kind of delegation really.

First thing I can allege to coming to Nigeria is that people single handly want to make decisions.

Most organisations in Nigeria seem to be structured in a kind of pyramid, decisions are taken at the top echolon. What we try to do here is to have a much flatter organisation.

Every departmental head was made to be responsible for that department and has to make decisions. So that persons wouldn’t come with problems, but solutions. They have to take decisions themselves, as long as they are taking the right decision, no one expects anyone to go turn after turn over decisions. When I came here, there seemed to be the fear of making one long decision so that you don’t get yourself muddled up.

Here, we have introduced a successful plan of departmental

responsibility and you know if you get the right tunes the organisation keeps going.

Training and contigencies: Other things we try to do is to be inclusive. We try to live by example. We try to keep people informed all the time. We try and have a town hall meeting regularly. I think its about keeping people motivated. Like any news channel, its diificult commecially, we knew that its going to take some years to break even. When you are together, and if those people (owners) understand why certain things are happening, you take them along. Rather than dictating, saying do this, do that, you need to understand why they are doing what they are doing.

We stop at nothing. We have tried to be inclusive without very comprehensive retrial policies, without going overseas. We try and reward people as well.

CBS and digital switch over Digital switchover has many advantages over analogue.

Programme presentation will be well improved by the time analogue is over. These are true in terms of clarity and quality of

signals and spectrum efficiency.

On that, we are fully High Definition, HD here. We are HD compliant already. Like I said earlier if you need data, it’s available. We have been sending out digital test signals. We are pretty ready for the digital

We have introduced a successful plan of departmental responsibility and you know if you get the right tunes the organisation keeps going switchover.

Regulation: That is a complex question. The only issue I have with the kind of regulations in Nigeria is the concept of monopoly stipulated when it comes to news. I don’t think in other places it actually exists. I don’t think I should be forced to subscribe to a particular channel.

You don’t do that in UK. I am not forced to subscribe to Sky in Uk, if I don’t want to.

Regulation and content: Within Nigeria, we get materials from agencies. We do out source program making. We use production companies for some of our programmes, that is pretty normal, all other things we do television coverage.

Broadcasters interest and content I think the news side is very important, because its so important African viewers can have the news from their own perspective.

What is also very important is that we have a window to celebrate our country ’s environmental issues, with the youth culture, current programmes, environmental health, and women issues. And this is because there are two things, one because it’s educational, the second is because if we did just news it wouldn’t have caught interest.

Digital broadcasting What I have found here is not just a pan-African mind set for news. However, what is current are those very issues I have just mentioned, things in the environment.

You and Mozambique have the same problems. Health, you have the same problems, this is what we have to do across the continent, this is one of the reasons we have constructed the program.

Broadcasters are going to enjoy an era of cost effectiveness with digital broadcasting. This is because a station can carry up to four channels on the same frequency. Also digital programme production will be flexible and faster. Again stations may generally rely on sydicated programmes because the digitization process encourages equal opportunities that will result in healthy competition.

Consequently this will delineate content, multiplexing and transmission.

INNOVATION

Alcatel raises bar in device market with water, dust resistant phone

By Emeka Aginam

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S competition among Original Equipment manufacturers, (OMEs) in the smart phone ecosystem gets hotter by the day as a result of innovation, Alcatel has raised the bar with the introduction of water and dust resistant Go Play mobile devices. With the product’s robust design, the product is always ready for action as its ruggedness allows users to take pictures underwater and drop it from a height of 1.5 meters without fear of damage.

Given the device’s 1-meter water resistant, users can capture underwater adventures with its 8 Mpxl rear camera and 5 Mpxl front camera. With dust resistant and shockproof capability, if users

get jostled and drop the phone, the phone takes a slide in the dirt while mountain-biking, Go Play has got it covered. The Viewme app allows users to record whatever is on screen, with the possibility of adding an image and comments.

Great for use in recording comments to favorite tracks or showing live reactions while gaming. Other pre-embedded apps like Periscope, Vine and Zello make sharing easy. There are colors galore and a powerful battery Interestingly, the device comes in eight colors to appeal to any taste: dark gray, dark red, dark green, orange blue, pink, lime green, blue and orange.

There are splash resistant headsets and protective cases to match Go Play too. And the

•Alcatel go play One touch phone

smartphone extends playtime with 20 days of standby time, 8.5 hours of talk time and 40 hours music playback thanks to the powerful 2500 mAH battery.

Speaking on the innovative features of the product, Nick Imudia, Regional Director, Nigeria and Central Africa at Alcatel described the Alcatel Go Play as the phone for the adventurous in spirit. “At times you just want to engage in activities without any worries about damaging your phone. Go Play is that phone that supports your adventurous spirit. A lot of work has gone into making it your phone companion and we are proud to guarantee that consumers will be overwhelmed by its performance,” he explained.

VOL. 1 NO 72

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Relations of victims at mass burial

How Catholic Church buried 10 faithful with eight caskets

By Emeka Mamah

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NUGU—EMOTIONS were high as 10 Catholic faithful killed by Fulani herdsmen on April 25, this year were buried at Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Friday, after a Requiem High Mass at St Mary’s Catholic Church in the area.

Eight caskets were used for the burial of the 10 victims for which a mass was conducted.

The 10 victims included Okechukwu Ajogwu Johnson, Raphael Onyishi, Okoye Mamah, Cyprian Akor, Benjamin Ezema, Ugwu Ogbu, Akogwu Utazi, Sylvanus Eze O, Anthony Omabe and Godwin Anigbogu.

The first ambulance bearing two caskets of the deceased, a Toyota Siena with registration number BP 747 UWN arrived the church at exactly 11.10 am followed by others with number plates AE 217 NDD; UWN 287 HU; UDD 323 CZ; BC 832 FST; DR 295 ENU and YAB 647 BW among others.

Each of the ambulances were escorted by the families of the deceased persons who wailed and sang praises of their loved ones on their way to the arena.

It was explained before the Requiem mass that some of the victims had been buried following the complaints by the management of the Bishop Shanahan Hospital, where the bodies kept in the morgue that some of them had decomposed and could no longer be C M Y K

accommodated by them because of their poor state.

“Some victims were non-natives of Nimbo and in Igbo tradition, a man is not buried in a place where he is a visitor. He must be taken home for burial. Some of them have been buried. Those who are not Catholics will be buried by their own churches at a future date,” the announcers further said.

South East Voice gathered that the body of Maxwell Eze, a motorcycle mechanic who hailed from Edem in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State was among such corpses said to have been taken home and buried.

Eze was said to have died while returning to his house at Nimbo to offload some grass he had cut for his domestic animals on that fateful day.

However, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah led his counterpart in Awka, Anambra State in a long procession of officiating priests into the church field at about 11.40 am after some vehicles carrying the caskets of the deceased had come into the field as sounds of gun shots which marked the final departure of people to the great beyond were heard from the periphery of the church which was heavily guarded by armed policemen and other security agencies.

Before the procession began, hundreds of female mourners in black attires had wailed and sang songs into the arena, saying that they were saddened over the brutal killing of

their loved ones in cold blood by the herdsmen.

Among the thousands of mourners who were at the church service included the governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the former

governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and the Senator representing Nsukka Senatorial District, Chukwuka Utazi and the former Information Minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo and members of the state Executive Council. Governor Ugwuanyi took the first reading from Prophet Isaiah 25 (6-9).

In his homily entitled: “Life Must Go On: God Is There and Our Hope …

The Government Too,” during the mass, Bishop Onah said, “The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all face, and the disgrace of his people will he take away, (Is 25:8).”

Onah said, “Since the dark and terrible Monday, April 25, 2016, we have been in tears and sorrow.

How often have we wished the whole thing were just a bad dream from which we would soon wake? But unfortunately, day after day, week after week, the reality of the tragedy of the black Monday keeps staring us in the face and as if to shake off the element of doubt that may still be in our minds about that sad day, here we have the mortal remains of some of our slain brothers lying before us.

“Never in the history of our community have we witnessed anything similar. And we pray and hope that never again shall we witness any tragedy close to this one in magnitude. As we bury some of these our brothers today, we turn to God with gratitude, with faith, hope and charity.

“We are grateful to God, our merciful Father, that some of us are still alive today to bury and mourn our dead. If our invader had had their way, there would probably not have been anybody left In Nimbo today to bury the dead.

But thanks to God, many were able to escape and some are here now today to pay their last respects to their slain brothers.

“We also thank God for the way in which He has shown us his love in this month of pain and sorrow, through the constant presence and help of persons, institutions and organisations from far and near. May he continue to bless all those who have allowed

Continued of Page 24

Succour comes to Abia communities as Rep completes water borehole projects

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—SUCCOUR has come the way of three rural communities in the Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency of Abia State following the completion of water bore projects in their area which now provides good drinking water to them.

The lucky communities are Ndi Okereke and Ndi Oji Abam of Arochukwu Council area as well as

Ekelogo community in Ohafia, Ohafia Council area.

Particularly, for the people of Ndi Okereke and Ndi Oji Abam, the completion of the water project has put to an end the age-long complaint of “our suffering and trekking long distance to streams in search of water”.

The succor came to these long neglected communities courtesy of Mr. Uko Nkole, the member representing the constituency at the House of Continued of Page 24

Ekelugo Ohafia water

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Succour comes to Abia communities as Rep completes water bore projects Continued from Page 23 Representatives, and the communities have promised to protect the water project from being vandalized.

An elated Ndi Okereke indigene summarized their good feeling, saying “we are very happy, this is the first time the community is benefitting from such gesture. At last we

How Catholic Church buried 10 faithful with eight caskets Continued from Page 23 themselves to be used as instruments of his love and consolation.

“Our faith assures us that those who died in the Lord are freed from the sorrows of this life and rest forever in the calm security of God’s love in heaven. We therefore pray and hope that these our brothers, these innocent victims of blind hatred and violence will be granted a share in the merits in the death and resurrection of Christ who on the mountain of Calvary has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which was proclaimed to us in the first reading of today’s (yesterday) mass.

“Although we may find it hard to forgive the violent attack that has brought so much grief, we know that an unforgiving spirit will never bring us peace. May the charity and solidarity we have experienced in these past weeks help us to overcome our bitterness? Let us pray to God for the grace to do these and to love our enemies.

“Do not be afraid. Jesus tells us not to be afraid but how can we not be afraid when it is already being rumoured (or perhaps it is no longer a rumour) that our assailants are again back to our farms?

God knows that each of us is worth more than many sparrows (Matt 10:31) but does the government believe that any of us in worth up to one Fulani cow? If it does then it should act accordingly.

Today we are, as the psalmist says, like people walking through the valley of darkness. “The State and the Federal Government with their laws and security agencies should be the rod and the staff with which God comforts us, so that we may walk through this valley without fearing any evil(Ps 23:4) . Should they fail to do this they should realise that it is not only Nimbo people or humanity that they fail but God himself. And they will be held accountable by him!

“With tears in our eyes and deep sorrow in our hearts, we appeal to the State Government not to allow our place to be like the proverbial soft soil where the fowl has its bath. We welcome with gratitude the resolve of the state Governor to strengthen the local security outfit in the state to forestall further loss C M Y K

Digging the grave for mass burial for Nimbo victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks of innocent lives.

“On no account should we abandon our farms. If we do, then our brothers lying here would have died in vain. We should not be afraid. For God has never abandoned and will never abandon us.

“By the grace of God, the church in Nsukka diocese, the family of God in Nsukka will ever remain close the traumatized people of Nimbo, especially the bereaved. We shall do all we can to assist in providing sustenance for the widows of our slain brothers and education for their children. We hope too that the government will be there for them and for us. May the souls of these our slain brothers and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

Also, speaking on the occasion, Governor Ugwuanyi vowed that the kind of killings that took place in Nimbo, would not be allowed to happen again in any part of the state.

“It was on that day that our brothers and sisters, whose remains are lying here before us, were ambushed and murdered in cold blood and in their own land.

“Having done all that was needful including attending to the injured and the displaced, we have assembled here, in tears and in grief, to bury the dead and bid their innocent souls a final farewell.

“Though our emotions cannot restore them to life, we find solace in the fact that the whole world had stood by us and offered us sympathy and

solidarity, ever since the incident that took their lives, occurred.

“We make bold to declare that their deaths can never be in vain and we pledge to do all that is within our legitimate means, to give them justice.

Like the martyrs they have

become, the spilling of their innocent blood is already saving souls as it has aroused in our people… and indeed the whole nation, a burning impulse to do all that is necessary to prevent the future occurrence of similar incidents anywhere in the country,” he said.

can boast of having access to potable drinking water.”

They commended the law maker and urged him “to continue to do the good work, we are assuring him that we will protect the water projects from being vandalized”.

South East Voice noticed visible joy on the faces of both adult and children who were fetching water from the resuscitated water boreholes.

Also, highly elated secretary of Ekeluogo community youth, Franklin Udo, said that their ordeal in search of accessible water has come to a good end.

He thanked the law maker for listening to their cries by resuscitating the long abandoned water borehole.

Besides the water projects, Nkole also embarked on building a school at Amankwu, also in Ohafia Council, which is over 50% completed.

Commending the law maker for the school project, a community leader, Elekwa Akuma, said the community would remain grateful for the gesture for giving them “dividends of democracy that eluded them for years”.

He lamented that “they have been neglected and abandoned and their children learn under a dilapidated school building, an infrastructure that is unfit for learning”..

For Nkole, “the pains and plight been experienced by the people of my constituency is a burden that must be tackled”, saying that the cost of the project cannot be compared to the joy and excitement on the faces of his people.

Community rues abandonement of school by authorities

By Emeka Mamah

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SUKKA—The Umuopu Community in Enugu – Ezike Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, are grumbling over alleged neglect of the school by the relevant authorities.

Umuopu is a border town between Enugu and Kogi State.

The school was built and handed over to the state government several years ago.

The people of the area said that most of the buildings in the school were not habitable as they were either falling off due to poor maintenance or taken over by bush which had almost become a thick forest.

A new visitor to the area would be amazed that the place which looked like a zoo was actually a secondary school.

A native of the area, Mr Uwakwe Enwe, said that the school used to be populated by students from far and near, but that most of them had now relocated to other community schools due to alleged neglect by the authorities.

Two years ago, the immediate past administration of Sullivan Chime, awarded a N3.6 billion

Dilapidated classroom block at Umuopu Community Seccondary School

Uncompleted classroom block in Umuopu contract for the renovation of over 400 primary and secondary schools in the state but the job was poorly executed, leading to the stand-off between the Chime’s administration and the then state House of Assembly, led

by Eugene Ngwu as speaker.

South East Voice gathered that the crises between the then Executive and Legislative branch led to Ngwu's unceremonious exit.

At a public hearing organised by the then House of Assembly, members were informed that cardboard sheets were used to roof some of the buildings even as the then Commissioner for Education, Mr Okafor, denied any knowledge of the N3.6 billion contract for the schools renovation pointing out that the deal was between the Enugu Universal Basic Education Board and the contractors.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 25

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

OHANAEZE NDIGBO YOUTH COUNCIL ON COURTESY VISIT TO ATIKU ABUJA, NIGERIA, 26 JUNE 2016: The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide led by its National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro pays a courtesy visit on former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress' APC, Atiku Abubakar at his residence in Abuja, at the weekend.

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar and National President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro on a courtesy visit to the former Vice President in Abuja, at the weekend.

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar (4th from left) in a photograph with members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide led by its National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro (3rd from right) when a delegation of the Council paid a courtesy visit on the former Vice President in Abuja, at the weekend.

Enugu Gender Affairs Min cracks down on traffic light beggars •Nab fake cancer of the breast beggar

physical and mental affliction as a ploy to attract alms from members of the public.

Raid at Bissala road traffic light The Public Relations Officer,Ministry of Gender Affairs,Enugu State Government,Amaka Nwaigwe,who NUGU—The Ministry of a lead a team of enforcement officials to cleanse the roads Gender Affairs,Enugu State of beggars said,”our duty is to see that beggars do not Government has set machinery litter the streets because Government built a place for in motion to rout their rehabilitation. Government has been spending indiscriminate beggars on the money monthly for the upkeep of the center. Money is streets of Enugu metropolis, also voted for the maintenance of the facility including especially at traffic lights. the feeding and medical bills of the inmates.

This move flows from “The idea is that government is helping them to carter incessant complaints from for their needs hence they appear hapless. But this members of the public who are particular woman,Florence Okechukwu,has been inundated with beggars who parading herself as a cancer patient at traffic lights thronge traffic lights,flaunting begging for alms from unsuspecting members of the their ailments in a desperate public. She exposes the left side of her breast at traffic bid to curry alms from lights covered with cotton wool draped in red paint. sympathetic motorists and “But she does not have Cancer. We had apprehended commuters.

Amaka Nwigwe,PRP,Gender Affairs the same woman in November 2015 and our in-house Also,South-East Voice displaying the costume the fake beggar doctor at the rehabilitation centre examined her and gathered that some of the applied on her breast , posing as confirmed that she does not have Cancer. This woman beggars are not afflicted with Florence Okechukwu,the Cancer patient was behaving as if she was seriously ill all in a desperate any form of disease but fake fake Cancer beggars bid to get money from unsuspecting public when we arrested her.

“When we arrested her,unsuspecting motorists gathered and confirmed how the rehabilitation of the Iwealla, to rehabilitate the road. the cost of the two roads is they have been giving them her He added that work had beyond what the state money under the pretext that

By Ugochukwu Alaribe dilapidated roads, adding that he has contacted his Akwa commenced on Ikot Ekpene government can afford. she had Cancer. The costume “Our standard is that every Ibom counterpart, Udom highway from Onicha Ngwa, she draped on her left breast BAAbia State Emmanuel and vowed not to be which shared boundary with road would be built with where she claimed Cancer drainages. When I think of government has said it has deterred by the scarce Akwa Ibom State. afflicted her fell off. Everybody opened discussions with Akwa resources at his disposal. that gathered saw it. Not all the According to him, “Ikot Port Harcourt, we will do 13 Ibom State in a bid to On Port Harcourt road which Ekpene and Port Harcourt kilometre drainage. My people that claim deformity or rehabilitate the abandoned links Aba to the Enugu-Port roads which are strategic roads predecessor and the former affliction hovering around as Aba-Ikot Ekpene federal Harcourt express way, Ikpeazu are federal roads, but it is Abia Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi beggars are really beggars. highway to reduce the disclosed that he was people who suffer over its bad Okonji Iweala got a N200 The ones that are sufferings of motorists in the determined to use the N200 condition. On Port Harcourt million grant from the World beggars,government has a area. million grant gotten by his road, we have fabricators of Bank which is tied to place to rehabilitate them. sanitation, storm water Governor Okezie Ikpeazu predecessor, Senator Theodore machines and tools.

“The rehabilitation centre is who stated this in Aba, said that Orji and former Finance at Emene. A big home where They produce a lot of things. management and the he was working hard to ensure Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonji Both roads are federal roads; rehabilitation of the road. they are catered for by Before the end of the year, government. They remain there work on Port Harcourt road for rehabilitation and thereafter, will begin.” government finds something to Ikpeazu further explained engage them in.” that most of the roads being The unrepentant beggar built by his administration Florence Okechukwu,from were designed to create Imo State,the fake Cancer access to strategic markets in beggar who was unrepentant the city to enhance the as she spoke said,”I have been economic development of the using the money I make to pay state and pledged to do his for my accommodation and feed best to lift the burden on the myself. It is easier for me to people,” just as he assured make money this way than that all projects initiated by engage in any meaningful his administration, would be endeavour. If I am let off the completed. hook,i will still go back to street Buses trapped on the flooded highway Aba-Ikot-Ekpene highway begging”.

BY FRANCIS IGATA

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Work to commence on abandoned Aba-Ikot Ekpene, P/ Harcourt federal highways in Abia

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—27

We will boost farmer s’ access farmers’ to diesel fuel – Ogbeh

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From left. Managing Director and CEO,Wilbahi Investments Ltd, Mrs. Wilma Aguele; Managing Director and CEO, NIRSAL/CBN, Mr. Aliyu Hameed; Coordinator , Nigeria Agricultural Business Group, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere; Chairman , Nigeria Agric Business Group(NABG), Alhaji Sani Dangote and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during a meeting of NABG with the Vice President at the presidential villa in Abuja recently.

HE Minister of A g r i c u l t u r e and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has assured mechanised farmers all over Nigeria that the problem of diesel supply and pricing will be addressed to cushion the effects on farmers’ operations and avoid negative impact on food production in 2016.

Chief Ogbeh expressed concern over the persistent hardship of farmers in accessing diesel fuel, which is currently sold for between N200 and N210 per litre. “This is happening during the planting season, preventing the people from using tractors and power tillers on the farms,” he

‘Agriculture needs public/private funding’

By Jimoh Babatunde

I

T has been agreed that the Malabo Declaration Commitments, which asks African governments to dedicate 10% of their budget to agriculture, can only be attained if several investments are made in the sector. This was part of the submissions made by participants at a meeting put together by Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) recently in Accra, Ghana under the theme “Accelerating Implementation of CAADP through Innovative Financing and Renewed Partnership”.

The meeting sought to highlight how best to speed up implementation through financial innovation and partnerships to deliver the Malabo Declaration and the African Union (AU) “Agenda 2063”.

During one of the sessions on Funding the African Agricultural Investment to attain Malabo Commitments, participants said investments in the agricultural sector cannot be funded by the public sector alone, hence there is a need for private sector funding to leverage on the public sector funds and donor funds.

It was noted during the meeting that USD 40 billion of Africa trade is from outside with USD 4 billion going into food waste and loss.

“Africa has not engaged in a proper mobilization of private sector development and government does not have enough funds for agriculture.”

As they noted that the next area of government involvement should be providing incentives for private sector capital mobilization, it was, however, agreed that there are a number of issues that have to be addressed in order to achieve the Malabo goals.

Some of the issues are human resource and urbanization; emphasis on Agro industries;

diversification and intensification of systems as well as private sector finance mobilization.

Participants said all African countries except those in conflict have the needed resources required for development as resources from agriculture can be harnessed from government but it depends on government’s priority areas.

But, it was regretted that the educational system in African countries also does not encourage or equip the youth with the requisite technical skills to go into agriculture, “all these issues do not help in the Malabo goal of inclusive agricultural growth and transformation.”

To achieve the Malabo goal, it was recommended that governments should concentrate on the skills being given to the youth in their educational development to make them fit for the industry.

Other recommendations include attacking poverty by giving agriculture value chain the needed support; need to manage structures and u s e information technology to m a k e agriculture

Agric Seed Council Boss Warns A gainst FFak ak e Seed Against ake

I

N the past four years, Nigeria’s national seed production capacity has tremendously increased. Alongside this was a rise in the activities of unscrupulous seed merchants selling adulterated seed to unsuspecting farmers, a situation that has been leading to crop failure.

To reverse this undesirable trend, which could jeopardise the gains made within the period, to ensure that only quality seeds of proven cultivars get to the Nigerian farmers in 2016 wet season, the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) embarked on a nationwide educational enlightenment in Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi states recently.

The campaigns were meant to educate the public on the activities of the unscrupulous seed merchant in Northwestern Nigeria and to discourage such inappropriate trade tactics. The exercise, which lasted for four days, was spearheaded by Director General, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) in company of his senior officials, a team of plant breeders from the Institute for Agricultural Research & Training (IAR&T) Ibadan, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR/ABU), Zaria and National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi.

Through the training, the trainee agrodealers were educated and taught on criteria to consider before buying improved seeds from the seed companies. They were also taken through awareness creation on how to differentiate quality seeds from adulterated and fake seeds.

more productive. Participants also agreed that public sector funds should be targeted at developing rural infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity which goes a long way to help farmers in reducing their cost of production culminating in higher incomes.

bemoaned.

“The impact on production is quite severe,” he noted, adding that “this keeps happening every year as the planting season coincides with the shortage of diesel needed to operate our tractors. This is part of the issues making agricultural productivity in this country so uncertain.”

The minister has vowed to tackle this problem both on the short term and long term. On the short term and in the immediate, he said, “we will appeal to the ministry of petroleum resources to help as soon as possible” in easing the tight supply situation.

He disclosed that his ministry will meet the dealers and refiners of petrol to find an immediate solution.

On the long term, however, Chief Ogbeh promised that “we will take a look at the production of jathropha seeds and oil processing to give farmers selfsufficiency in diesel production as an organic fuel (biodiesel).”

This is expected to promote renewable energy, improve our environment and reduce expenses on importation.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Mixed reactions trail AIG’s brand harmonisation R

Stories by Jonah Nwokpoku

EACTIONS have continued to trail the announcement, last week, by ecommerce giant, Africa Internet Group, AIG, to subsume all its entire ventures under the Jumia brand.

Some industry analysts and operators who spoke to Vanguard said the move may help the fortunes of the other AIG ventures. Some others described the move as a huge experiment that may pose a significant risk to the survival of the AIG brand in Africa. Some, on the other hand said the e-commerce giant is just beginning to roll out an exit strategy.

Recall that last week, AIG announced it has subsumed all its brands in Africa under its

online retailer, Jumia. Under the new brand harmonisation regime, the other entire Jumia sister ventures will shed their identities and assume new identities anchored on Jumia.

The main online retailer will remain Jumia, the marketplace, previously Kaymu will now be known as Jumia Market, online travel platform, Jovago, becomes Jumia Travel, while online real estate venture, Lamudi becomes Jumia House.

Other ventures include Vendito, now Jumia Deals, Carmudi has now become Jumia Cars and online job marketplace is now Jumia Jobs.

In this new arrangement, customers will be able to use single account to access all Jumia brands services. All the other brands will also cease to maintain

separate websites as all access will be through the main Jumia website. This rebranding affected

I think it is a smart move for some of their brands, in particular some of those brands that have direct relationship with shopping like Kaymu, Carmudi, Hellofood, etc. only the ventures in Africa as some of these brands with

presence in Asia and Middle East, like Jovago and Kaymu will continue to operate under these names. However, each of the ventures will continue to maintain distinct operations.

At a press conference announcing the rebranding in Lagos, Jumia Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Juliet Anammah said the move was just another strategy for the group to “drive convenience and make life much easier for Nigerians.”

Global CEO of Jovago, now Jumia Travel, Paul Middy said, “the move creates endless opportunities for brands under AIG.” He added the move became necessary as the other ventures need to ride on Jumia’s popularity and success to thrive.

Lamudi, Jovago may suffer But reacting to the development, Founder/CEO, Hotels.ng, Mark Essien, said while the move will impact positively on the fortunes of some of these ventures, it will not hold true for some, especially those that are not directly related to

CONFERENCE - From left: Vice President, Network Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Adedoyin Adeola; Country Manager, Google Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor with Managing Director, Rack Centre, Ayotunde Coker at the Nigeria International Technology and Exhibition Conference (NITEC) in Lagos.

Jumia CEO confirms exit of EasyTaxi from Nigeria

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HE Chief Executive Officer of Jumia Nigeria, Juliet Anammah has confirmed that Nigeria’s premiere taxi hailing service, EasyTaxi no longer operates in Nigeria.

This brings to a closure further speculations on the future of the company which has been rife since early this year following the resignation of its CEO, Bankole Cardoso.

She disclosed this during a state of the union address organised by AIG last week where the rebranding of the AIG brands was announced.

Responding to the inquiry about EasyTaxi not being captured in the brand harmonisation exercise, Anammah said EasyTaxi no longer operates in Nigeria. She however disclosed that the company still operates in another country but did not mention which country.

Recall that in February, 2016, Vanguard had reported that EasyTaxi is considering shutting down as only two members of staff were left at the time to maintain skeletal operations pending a final decision on its future.

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Konga emerges best e-commerce logistics service provider

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NLINE marketplace, Konga.com’s proprietary nationwide delivery service, Keep On Shipping, KOS has emerged the best e-commerce logistics service provider.

The award was presented to Konga during the CBN Cashless Card Expo in Lagos recently.

The CBN Cashless Card Expo which attracted key players in the payment solution and e-commerce sector was designed to connect leading players in the industry as they network and explore ways to drive economic growth through e-commerce and payment solutions.

Receiving the award, the CEO of Konga Online Shopping Limited, Shola Adekoya said: “Konga is committed to growing the economy by developing ground-breaking services that move the industry forward. KOS is built to grow the ecosystem by opening up Konga’s ability to deliver promptly and in good condition to corporate bodies, e-commerce and individuals.

Winning this award attests to the appreciation of our relentless hard work.”

online shopping.

He said: “I think it is a smart move for some of their brands, in particular some of those brands that have direct relationship with shopping like Kaymu, Carmudi, Hellofood, etc. But the other brands I think may suffer are Lamudi and Jovago. This is because when you are renting an apartment or booking a hotel, it is not your regular e-commerce, it is not like you are going to buy something like you would if you are visiting Carmudi to buy a car.

When people see Jumia, they associate it with buying something; it is difficult to reconcile it with the idea of also booking a hotel through the Continued on page 29

Infinix hits market with wearable technology, Xband, DNC headphones

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NFINIX mobility has launched a new collection of accessories with the introduction of its first wearable technology, X-band (XBO1), a smart bracelet with the latest technology to enhance fitness.

Infinix also announced the introduction of its new headphones, ‘The Dual noise cancellation’ XE02. This accessory aims to improve sound quality, while disrupting background noise.

The X-band smart bracelet is the first from Infinix, unveiling an innovation that is crafted in premium space magnesium alloy. The bracelet body is finely processed with brushed metallic texturing. Xband monitors user’s movement from walking to running allowing users to plan and achieve their fitness goals. Also, the smart-watch features a digital display screen, which shows time, date and other notifications. Users can receive phone calls with the smart watch, which has about 7 hours of battery life, and is fast charge enabled.

The Xband smart-bracelet works with the customized Xband App that allows users connect and share their fitness goals achieved on social media.

The Infinix DNC headphone on the other hand, is a major upgrade from its predecessor (XE01), which can power for more than 10-hrs on a full charge. The headphone comes in a unique 2.5 D wrapped density; it features a red-green-yellow tri color LED indication that is both functional and aesthetically appealing. It also guarantees an automatic noise cancellation quality (IC) of 95% with Hi-Fi sound.

Infinix said the brand’s aim is to create the best experience with technology, hence the invention with the new accessories.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY JUNE 29, 2016—29

A cross section of Imo State pensioners during a protest over unpaid benefits at the Government House

Tales of woes as Imo pensioners lament 68 months of unpaid benefits

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By Chidi Nkwopara

HE story of Imo State pensioners is that of pains and lamentation over unpaid gratuity and pension arrears spanning between 16 and 68 months, leaving the senior citizens in anguish, frustration and dejection.

Stories have not only been told about how these frail, sickly and famished pensioners slumped at venues for the periodic verification exercises organized by the state government, but also how many are dying prematurely because of lack of money to take care of their medical needs among others. Indeed, some have reportedly died without getting either their gratuities, pensions or both, paid.

Total pension arrears According to the Chairman and Secretary of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, Pensioners Association, Chidi Madu and Richard Nwoko, the total pension arrears owed members were 36 months, lamenting that “this has brought untold hardship and miserable death on many of our members. The issue of harmonization of pension for pensioners who retired between 2000 and 2010, in line with the harmonization policy of six percent, 15 percent and the last minimum wage, which attracted 33 and a half percent increase, involving 138 pensioners has been ignored. This has kept the monthly pension of most pensioners below N15, 000 a month. Sadly, many of the affected pensioners have died without receiving their due pensions, arrears and harmonization.”

Similarly, a retired teacher from Ngor Okpala Local Council area of the state, who simply identified herself as Lady Stella, declared: “You may not fully appreciate what my family is passing through now. We do not have money to feed and take care of our medical bills. Our children that graduated years ago are still scouting for jobs. My husband retired since 2000. He has not been paid his gratuity and his pension had run into several months. We are only relying on whatever we can lay our hands on, to sustain ourselves. This is not what we expected at old age.”

“Some of our retired teachers

who disengaged from service in 2013, have only received four months pension, even some of those that retired 2012 have received pension for between four months and below. Nothing has reached these affected pensioners thereafter.”

The situation got so unbearable for pensioners in Mbaise that they recently gathered in their respective local council headquarters, praying to God to intervene and rescue them from penury and death caused by unpaid pension and gratuity.

At Itu, Ezinihitte Local Government Headquarters, the pensioners lamented over the

reported death of many of their colleagues. Those who led the prayers included Monsignor Paul Amakiri, Madam Grace Nwoko, Elder E. A. Nwachukwu, Mrs. Victoria Umunnakwe and the Ezinihitte local council Chairman, Dr. Christopher Nwachukwu. As at the time of going to press, there was no indication that their situation had been made better.

Faced with uncertainties, the pensioners recently protested and grounded Owerri, the state capital, calling on the government to pay their pensions and gratuities.

This seemed to have swayed the state government to direct

pensioners to move to their pay points for verification and possible payment. However, thousands of pensioners, who thronged their pay points in the 27 local government areas, went home disappointed as no government official was on hand to either pay or address them on when they would get their unpaid pensions and gratuities.

Reports from all the local council areas of the state showed that the pensioners gathered at their pay points, as early as 7.30am and waited endlessly without positive result.

At Orie Uratta headquarters of Owerri North local council area, a pensioner, who simply identified himself as Chief Okey, said “For goodness sake, how can the Governor be dribbling old, frail, famished and sick people like this? What is most baffling is that the impression he creates outside the state is that all is well with us. This is most unfair.”

Speaking, state chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Chief Gideon Ezeji, lamented that the state pensioners were going through serious suffering, saying “Ironically, the present government started owing the civil pensioners from February 2015 and now owes them 16 months from February 2015 to May 31, 2016. The Local Government pensioners are owed 26 months from March 2014 to May 2016. The IBC pensioners are owed 36 months. The Alvan Ikoku College of Education pensioners are owed 68 months.

The State Government is also not paying gratuities to pensioners that are retiring weekly, monthly and yearly.”

Details of the interview with Chief Ezeji, will be published in subsequent editions.

I feel your pains, Okorocha tells pensioners GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has appealed to state pensioners to bear with the government, saying his inability to pay their arrears of over 17 months is due to shortfall in allocations from the Federation Account. Governor Okorocha in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, in response to recent protest by pensioners, urged them to wait till the workers’ verification

exercise is concluded in the next few weeks.

While appealing to the pensioners to remain calm, the governor said, “The only area the governor felt and still feels worried with the pensioners is their failure or inability to find out the reason for the delay in the payment of their pensions since such hadn’t happened before now.”

According to him, the state used to pay pensioners as and

when due until the recent economic crunch, lamenting that: “The pensioners do not need to be told that the governor loves them greatly and would have also loved to pay them all the arrears out rightly. The economic situation in the country at the moment occasioned by the mismanagement of the country’s resources over the years, which has also negatively affected finances of the states, has called

for stringent measures in the payment of salaries and pensions.” The statement added that the government was equally perplexed to discover that between 2011 and now, the number of pensioners in the state had increased by 500 per cent, and the amount required to settle arrears had grown from hundreds of millions to billions of naira.

TUC seeks immediate payment of pensioners’ benefits

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

T

RADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has decried the hardship and pains Pensioners are passing through in Nigeria, calling on all tiers of government to immediately pay pensioners their legitimate benefits.

President of TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, who spoke in Abuja,

said: “The story of our pensioners has not been a pleasant one. They are short-changed, abused and subjected to all manner of false screenings and biometric data capturing. These processes are often fraudulent and calculated to rip off our senior citizens.

More painful is the failure of state governments to pay up even with the huge monetary bailouts granted by the Federal

Government. The Congress insists that they be paid immediately. It is their right, not a privilege. The leadership must learn to honour our senior citizens. After all, we all shall someday become pensioners too.

“The Congress is glad about the huge sums of money in the workers contributory pension

scheme. We are also aware of the government’s alleged plan to put the money to other uses supposedly to grow the economy."

That proposition is definitely not acceptable to Nigerian workers because the funds are not meant for any purposes other than those stipulated in the Pensions Act. The government should source for funds elsewhere.”

30—Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com weak-kneed in terms of what they ought to do. But this ought not to be so. The number of lives that have been lost to clashes between herdsmen and farmers or members of other communities ought to make our civil authorities ashamed. They ’ve practically abdicated their responsibilities as Nigerians saw recently with the Agatu and Nimbo massacres. People are now contemplating self help in

Nobody needs grazing reserves now HERE was in this past people who pretend to tend cattle T weekend at least one have been known to engage in reported incident of a ghastly wanton acts of criminality. They nature between Fulani herdsmen and hunters. This happened in Koh village in Adamawa State.

Five lives including that of one hunter and five herdsmen were lost in that encounter. This would be the latest in a long series of bloody encounters between cattle herders who have since replaced their prodding staff and concealed daggers with the more modern and effective assault rifle.

While clashes between farmers and herdsmen have a long history in different parts of the north, there has been an exponential increase in such clashes in different parts of the country, mostly outside the north, in the last one and half years. As always in these recent cases the herdsmen have been the main aggressors for the simple reason that they’ve been responsible for leading their animals into other peoples’ properties, practically turning such persons’ means of livelihood into grazing fields. But like the herdsmen, farmers are in their line of business to make money.

Beyond leading their cattle into farmlands herdsmen or

are involved in armed robbery, raping and abduction of women and children in isolated communities. But the one aspect of the activities of these herdsmen that have been most controversial is their readiness to place their rights as diary farmers over and above the rights of food and cash crop farmers.

For them, their activities seem to say, their cattle is worth more than human life to say nothing of anybody’s farm. They would kill at the least provocation just in order to assert their right to graze their cattle. And with assault rifles now part of their paraphernalia of business, their criminal tendencies go unchecked. They’ve decimated families and sacked villages from places as far-flung apart as Benue and Adamawa to Ekiti. From Oyo, Plateau, Enugu to Eboyin, it’s been a harvest of deaths and destruction. Yet, the response from the authorities has been one of accommodation if not outright appeasement.

Rather than taking a firm hold of the issue and tackling it headlong, state and federal authorities have tended to be

Why must the Nigerian government always bend over backwards to hold back the overall development of the country just simply because some people choose not to modernise? the face of the irresponsible abdication by municipal, state and federal authorities. So far the only thing that the federal authorities have thought fit to do is to propose a so-called grazing bill that would allow for the establishment of grazing reserves in different parts of the country.

To this end nearly N1 Billion, precisely N940 Million, was set aside in the much-abused 2016 Appropriation Act for the establishment of grazing reserves in different parts of the country.

This proposal has been opposed by law makers in different parts of the areas affected by the menace of herdsmen who choose to graze their cattle in farmlands, destroying economic trees, plants and food crops in the process.

From the look of things the grazing reserve plan is a non-

Empire or Little England? Brexit breaks the myth of globalisation

A

MERE two days after Britain voted to exit the European Union and resile into its island fortress mentality borne of the days of empire, a momentous event took place in Beijing.

The thunderous shockwaves of the referendum meant that not many noticed as China held the first meeting of its own World Bank, named the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Among its 57 members, ironically, is Britain which occupies a vice president’s chair and was in attendance, the turmoil at home notwithstanding. With AIIB, China announces loudly an intention to flex its financial muscle as the world’s second largest economy, setting it up to directly rival the Bretton Woods institutions that established the postWorld War II global economic order.

The symbolism of the event is underlined by the words of Jin Liqun, AIIB’s president, who had once said of the United States-led world order, “History has never set any precedent that an empire is capable of governing the world forever.” It is a tale of two countries: while China, peeved by the refusal of the western democracies to accord it the respect commensurate with its newly acquired clout, launched a bank to rival the World Bank and the IMF (by venturing boldly outside its national enclave), Britain chose the opposite course of retreating into its nationalist shell ostensibly in protest of curtailing EU policies dictated from Brussels.

While this demonstration of Britain’s insularity may not “of itself . . . completely destroy the international order,” as one observer has noted, it nevertheless “sets a precedent,” and a “potentially corrosive” one at that. How corrosive?

Take the words of two prominent proponents of Brexit. “Dare to dream that the dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom,” Nigel Farage of the U.K. Independence Party told his supporters. Not long ago, in the gilded days of an empire “on which the

Poor countries like ours must do all they can to stop their people from fleeing hunger, insecurity and despair at home only to pine or perish behind the anti-immigrant walls set to go up in the socalled free world sun would never set,” it was other nations, mostly of “uncivilised natives,” who sought independence from Britain.

“Empire or Little England?” the imperial rear-guard has cried ever since at every instance of declining fortune.

And so Boris Johnson, abrasive former London mayor and co-leader of Brexit: “We can find our voice in the world again, a voice that is commensurate with the fifth-biggest economy on earth.” But Johnson and his London signify the divide and acute contradictions at home highlighted by the vote: on the losing side cosmopolitanism, and international finance which supposedly knows no nationalist barriers, also symbolised by a dynamic forward-looking population

starter. It is an act of appeasement that is bound to fail as it provides only short-term solution to a perennial problem.

In execution the plan to establish grazing reserves would be no more than a land grabbing activity. For how else can other people be expected to give up their land by executive fiat in order to provide grazing land for herdsmen? Are we being told that cattle grazing, an economic activity, is intrinsically more important than farming, another type of economic activity? This is an invidious act that is not likely to make for peaceful coexistence. Nigerians should all be guided by a common morality that is enshrined in our constitution. To create different moralities for different reasons for the same people is to prepare an unworkable brew. Our law makers and political leaders realise this. Which is why they’ve been mealy-mouthed about the proposed grazing bill which we hear has passed its second reading at the National Assembly even when law makers continue to deny its existence.

Why is it difficult to address this matter squarely? Is this unconnected to the fundamental injustice that resides at the foundation of the plan to establish grazing reserves that are euphemistically called grazing routes? Which farmer would allow such routes through their farms? And which community would want an outpost of adversaries created in their backyard in the name of grazing reserves?

The issue here is not about the ethnicity of the Fulani herdsmen as it is about the propriety of promoting the right of some Nigerians over and above that of others. More importantly the grazing reserve proposal is a blind and heedless rejection of modernity by a people and a

government that is locked in a time warp. Ultimately, it amounts to a failure of leadership because where people fail or refuse to recognise what is in their interest, it is the responsibility of their leaders to show them the light.

While not all changes are desirable, some changes are simply inevitable. Herdsmen cannot insist on the right to graze their cattle from one end of the country to another in the mistaken notion that it has been their way of life since-Godknows-when, where there are more convenient, economical and rewarding modes of diary farming. What are ranches for?

This would not make sense to a people who turned their foremost ranch, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, into a mere holiday resort. Why should we all wait on the Fulani for cattle anyway?

In centuries of grazing their cattle have our herdsmen produced more cattle than others who subscribe to ranching in different parts of the world? Why must the Nigerian government always bend over backwards to hold back the overall development of the country just simply because some people choose not to modernise? In the 1980s, Jubril Aminu, as Nigeria’s Minister of Education, wasted so much time and resources on a socalled nomadic education plan to take care of cattle Fulani. This rather than educate the herdsmen on the need to adapt to a modern mode of stable existence. If we had tried to train the herdsmen on the virtue of allowing their children to attend conventional schools, we would probably not have to be appeasing them while inconveniencing others today with plans to establish grazing reserves. A time comes when the right thing must be done. On the question of animal husbandry that time is now.

mostly young or under 45, and the winners who are more provincial, older and staunchly antiimmigrant, even overtly racist, whose rallying cry was “Take back our country.”

But wasn’t globalisation supposed to underwrite a more harmonious and mutually prosperous future? Wasn’t it vociferously touted as the fulcrum of democracy, and alliances among nations its logical step towards the vital necessity of maintaining peace in a turbulent world precisely by subduing nationalist fervour, eliminating borders and trade barriers in favour of the benevolent god of the market?

It is, of course, too early to say that the ideals of international cooperation and open societies have now been renounced and that Brexit — no matter the rising cries of “Frexit” in France, led by usual suspect Marine Le Pen of the Nationalist Front, and of “Nexit” led by Geert Wilders of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands — indeed sets a corrosive precedent for an even more divided world. Yet, it is instructive that the forces crying “To your nationalist tents, O people!” found their voice in the wake of the flooding of Europe by Syrian and other refugees displaced by war, poverty and hunger. And on that score, Globalisation, Brexit suggests, was and remains heavenly for the economic and political elite who together constitute the prosperous one percent that has seen more and more of the wealth of nations concentrated in its hands. As reports by Oxfam and the United Nations Development Programme have shown, the exponential increase in global

economic wealth has been matched by an unprecedented rise in poverty and hunger. According to the UNDP, the three richest people in the world control assets that exceed the combined Gross Domestic Product of the 48 least developed countries while Oxfam reports that 85 persons are wealthier than half of the world’s population or about 3.5 billion people.

Consequently, the isolationist and anti-immigrant nationalism of Brexit is music to the ears of the expropriated, frustrated and angry masses of Europe and America. “If only we took our country back from the barbarians who have taken over our jobs and social security, then our lot would be better,” they say. As Newsweek put it, Brexit shows “a global desire to throw the bums out.” A deep class and social divide partly explains why the business and political class, including even the stridently xenophobic Donald Trump, incidentally, were for Britain staying in Europe. The corrosive effects of Brexit are all too disturbingly clear. Farage is right: a new dawn is breaking on the world, but, it seems, of rabid nationalism, falling just short of fascism. Poor countries like ours must do all they can to stop their people from fleeing hunger, insecurity and despair at home only to pine or perish behind the antiimmigrant walls set to go up in the socalled free world.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 31

32—Vanguard, WEDNNEDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

DELTA GOVT TO RIVERINE COMMUNITIES: Prepare

for

another round of flooding A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Chika Ossai, has advised those residing in riverine communities of the state to take proactive measures to prevent being caught by the impending flood to avoid unnecessary casualties.

Ossai who gave the advice in Asaba, stressed the need for those leaving in flood prone areas to be prepared for another round of flooding this rainy season.

He said: “It is important that we prepare for flood, this is the rainy season and we should not be taken unawares because that will be disastrous. We don’t want any casualty as a result of flood. We at the Bureau for Special Duties, the State Emergency Relief Agency in conjunction with the National Emergency Management Agency are prepared to tackle any emergency situation, but, it is better to avoid any unhealthy occurrence.”

Noting that last year’s flood could have been disastrous if not for the awareness created by government, he said; “There is nothing wrong in taking precautionary measures.

“We should adopt safety measures, especially, those of us in flood-prone areas because, water will not give prior warning before it overflows its banks.”

On the incessant flooding of Asaba metropolis, Ossai said “It is unfortunate that whenever it

rains, some parts of the town are flooded,” saying “government is working towards effective flood control in the state capital.

“We should also help ourselves by clearing our drains, especially on days declared for sanitation.

We should imbibe good habits

towards our environment; we should not block the drains or build on waterways. We should learn to dispose our wastes properly and if we do, the situation will not be as bad as we are witnessing.”

SIGNING: From left: Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; MD, Digital Gaming System, Chief Ken Iwelumo, and the Chairman, Digital Gaming System, Mr. Mark Shenton, during the signing of MoU between the State Government and Digital Gaming System, in Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake.

CHIEFTAINCY TUSSLE: Community writes Oshiomhole

over alleged issuing of appointment letter

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—CRISIS is brewing in Okhue-Esan Kingdom in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State over an alleged letter of appointment issued to one of the claimants to the throne of the Onogieship of the community, one Emmanuel Ehikioya by the state government, who they said had not performed burial rites of the late traditional ruler of the town.

The community in an open letter to Governor Adams Oshiomhole

by Chief Lucky Ighekpe, the Oliha of Okue-Esan, Chairman Council of Chiefs, Deacon John Emhonyua, Secretary to the Kingmakers (Okhue-Esan Kingdom), and Chief Patrick Inerie, Chairman (Okhue-Esan Development Association), said that it was an error on the part of the state government to have allowed Ehikhioya to be in possession of an appointment letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

They insisted that the appointment letter being in possession of the said Ehikioya was baseless and an error that the state government needed to correct urgently by withdrawing same in the interest of justice, respect for the collective value, custom and tradition of Edo people.

The community stated that the person whom the appointment

letter was issued to was not the one recommended by the Kingmakers of Okhue-Esan Kingom to the Secretary to the Edo State Government, adding

that, “the Kingmakers otherwise knownasOkhue-Olenokhuaistheonly bodyempoweredbytheLaw(Traditional RulersandChiefsEdictof1979,B.S.L.N No.57) and the custom and tradition of

Okhue-Esan people to clear, install an Onogie and recommend same to the government for recognition and appointment.”

Etiebet tasks Avengers, others on dialogue with FG

ATTACKS:

By Gbenga Oke

L

AGOS—FORMER Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, has called on the Niger Delta Avengers and other aggrieved groups in the South South to dialogue with the Federal Government rather than taking up arms against government.

He also said the FG has shown its commitment to the Niger Delta, particularly with the kickoff of Ogoniland cleaning.

Speaking with Vanguard, Etiebet said: “The militants should come and sit down with the government to dialogue if their interest is actually for the development of the Niger Delta and not peculiar, penurious or personal interests. They should see what this government wants to do. They should sit and discuss with government.

“I agree that they are aggrieved because of the long suffering and neglect of the

region, but they should see the sincerity of purpose of this new administration in tackling their problems from many angles and the cleaning of Ogoni is a major pointer. Before now, we have had a President from the Niger Delta and several roads such as East West Road or even Warri to Port-Harcourt are death traps. So these are some of the areas the Niger Delta people should ask this government what they will do."

A-Ibom govt, research centres to partner on agric devt

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO —IN line with the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s led administration in Akwa Ibom State to develop the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, has solicited the collaboration of research centres in the country.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Mineral Resources Mr. Matthew Ekaette made the call at the maiden

seminar organised by Centre for Wetlands and Waste Management Studies, CWWMS, University of Uyo, yesterday.

Ekaette, said that the state government was willing and ready to partner research centres that will come up with innovations to improve the agric sector in the state.

Ekaette who was represented by the Director in-charge of

Fisheries, Mr. Uwe Bassey, explained that the need to diversify the state economy had become necessary following dwindling oil revenue.

According to him, the current administration was passionate about its policy on enhancing food sufficiency for the state through agriculture and other non-oil exports especially as the decline in oil price has forced a commensurate drop in federal allocations to states.

ANEEJ lauds NDDC on accountability

By Gabriel Olawale

L

AGOS—THE Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for steps taken to improve transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the commission.

This followed the recent release of the commission’s first quarterly report for 2016 which has also been made available to the public through the NDDC website.

Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, made the commendation in a statement in Benin, Edo State, in reaction to the release of the first quarterly report by NDDC, titled The New Face of Progress.

Ugolor , said: “This singular action of NDDC has gone a long way to improve citizen’s perception about public institutions and has set a clear precedence for other institutions, especially the oil and gas commissions in Edo, Delta, Ondo, Imo and Abia States to follow “One of the ways to end conflicts in the Niger Delta is for institutions established to develop the region to be open to its citizens."

Pay Eweyeju family's debt, Gov's aide tells firm

By Simon Adewale

F

OLLOWING the alleged refusal of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Company Ltd., to respect the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, entered with the Eweyeju family, Mr. Reginald Donbraye, Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Security Matters has ordered the oil firm to respect the MoU between partners and pay the Laye Eweyeju family their money on or by July 29, 2016.

Donbraye, the governor’s security aide hinted that, government's effort has shifted from conflict management to conflict prevention, adding that, Governor Okowa was interested in peace in every community of the state.

He also advised the family to meet withtheIfiekporocommunityTrustee and settle amicably any other grey area among them and promised to also meet with the elders of the community in the interest of brokering lasting peace between all stake holders.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 33

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

NOUN introduces instructional tablet in Enugu

You can't sack me, Ikpeazu tells court ...says judge lacks power

By Anayo Okoli, Ugochukwu Alaribe & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

By Esther Onyegbula

U

T

M U A H I A — G O V E R N O R Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has filed an appeal against Monday ’s judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja which removed him from office as governor and asked the Appeal Court to set aside the judgment of Justice Okon Abang.

Ikpeazu, in a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, faulted the high court judgment on five grounds, saying that the Federal High Court lacked the power to order him to vacate the seat of Abia State Governor.

The Governor argued that “the trial judge erred in law when he ordered as a consequential order that the appellant vacates his office as the Governor of Abia state immediately when there was no jurisdiction in the Federal High Court to remove or vacate the occupier of the office of the governor of a state or order the removal of such officer after the unsuccessful challenge of the result of the election at the Tribunal and swearing in of the appellant as the governor”.

According to him, “the only power, authority and order exercisable by the Federal High Court was to disqualify the candidate from contesting the election based on section 31(6) of the Electoral Act 2010”.

Governor Ikepazu also faulted the judgment on the decision that he did not pay his tax for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, when due, when, according to him, “he was a public officer whose tax deduction was under Pay As

HE NATIONAL Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, seems to have finally found the missing formula for solving the endemic challenge of shortage of study materials in the university with the introduction of an electronic instructional tablet called iNOUN. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, made this known during his courtesy visit to the Chancellor of the University, His Royal Majesty Igwe, Lawrence Chikezie Agubuzu, in his palace at Awene EzeamaOlo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Adamu said that the introduction of the gadget, at its advanced stage, will not only put paid to the challenge of study materials shortages, but will also cut down fees payable in the university.

“The i-NOUN tablet which would be made available to all students will have all study materials needed by students of the university uploaded in it and would be updated regularly to foreclose the possibility of those study materials getting obsolete," he said.

He commended his predecessor, Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, “for taking NOUN from an evolutionary university to a revolutionary university,” saying he would work to sustain what Tenebe did.

Why

You Earn, PAYE, scheme where tax deductions were taken from the source of his monthly salary by the tax authorities who issued all the tax receipts and certificates”.

He further argued that the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service that issued him with the tax certificates had not declared the certificates forged. Again, that the trial court did not invite the issuing authorities to give evidence in the course of the trial.

The Governor also faulted the court verdict on the grounds that the plaintiff, Dr. Samson Uchechukwu Ogah “ was not a staff of the Abia Board of Internal Revenue and did not call any staff of the board to testify that the tax certificates were forged”.

Ikpeazu therefore accused the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang of violating his right to fair hearing by embarking on judicial investigation without giving him the opportunity to address the court on the

Ogah can’t be gov—Nwosu issue.

“The learned trial judge erred in law when he held that the appellant presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission by his igneous meticulous study and investigation of documents filed in courts in the recess of his chambers and thereby violated the right of the appellant to fair hearing”, the notice of appeal noted.

He faulted the Judge on his findings, saying, “the judge had no duty to investigate the contents of documents dumped on the court in the recess of his chambers with a view to finding for the plaintiff”.

Meanwhile, the PDP has also rejected the judgment and filed a separate appeal urging the Appeal court to reverse the decision of the lower court.

Meanwhile, the National Deputy Treasurer of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Dr. Kingsley Chidozie Lawrence has advised Governor Ikpeazu not to allow the court verdict to derail his development plan,

here is nothing wrong with fighting corruption; but EFCC should make sure they are fighting it within the laid down laws of the land. If Fayose’s account was frozen without an order from court of competent jurisdiction, then it is wrong. -Miss Victoria Kelvin, Student

Ogah can’t be governor— Nwosu Similarly, one of the PDP governorship aspirants who filed a tax forgery suit against Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Sir Friday Nwosu, has faulted the judgment of the Federal High Court, stressing that he remained the rightful candidate of the party.

Nwosu’s suit which has suffered several delays is still pending before Justice A.I. Alagoa of the Federal High Court, Owerri. Adoption of written addresses by parties has been slated for July 4 and 5, 2016.

Nwosu who spoke in a telephone interview with Vanguard stated that the court erred in law when it declared Ogah as governor when he refused to accept the result of the December 8, 2014 PDP primaries and petitioned the national leadership for a rerun of the exercise.

... Black market judgment —PDP chieftain

By Elizabeth Uwandu

A

BUJA—MR. Ben Onyechere, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain and former special assistant to Dr. Alex Ekwueme, has described the court judgment delivered by an Abuja High Court annulling the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on allegation of tax evasion as a hog wash black market judgment which cannot stand the test of serious scrutiny.

In a telephone chat with Vanguard, he said that in Nigeria today under the current dispensation, the judiciary is adjudged to have improved and kept its shoulders above board,

but not without the existence of a few people whose senses of judgment have not only continued to smear the image of the judiciary. but also undermine the character of the judiciary.

“This judgment is not only obnoxious and derogatory of our hard-earned demoracy, but also belittles the personality of the judge in question. This is certainly the reason the highly reputable chief judge has continued to scrutinize the veracity of some judgments with the view to eradicating cash and carry disposition of some judges.

“The case of annulment of Abia governor’s election by merely declaring that he forged tax receipts is mischievous because

the governor’s records can be investigated by the EFCC to verify whether he worked and resigned from government services in which case his tax was deductible at the end of every month.

“This chief judge should have asked for in-depth investigation rather than basing his argument on the frivolity of the date on the tax certificates.

“The way and manner that order was made in which the judge ordered that certificate of return be issued to Uche Ogah immediately in flagrant disregard of the constitution is not only curious but also suspicious and an aberration of justice.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08051019450) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

T

urging him to remain focused.

On EFCC’s freezing of Fayose’s account

I

am scared to comment before President Buhariled EFCC will come and freeze my account. But the truth must be said. Nigerians should stand up for truth. Any sincere person knows that EFCC is biased, even on this matter. -Mr. Emmanuel Chuddy, Graduate

G

overnor Fayose should approach the bank, get a statement covering the said period and prove to court the source of the fund as being clean. If he can do that, the court will lift the ban on his account. -Miss Nkechi Silver, Worker

N

o one with any sense of fairness should cry foul that the EFCC is freezing Governor Fayose’s personal account. That account is suggested to have a 1.2 billion credit, N500 million of which could come directly from the arm’s looting via Dansuki. -Mr. Okie Darlington, Worker

N

obody should encourage any government to do things illegally.

If EFCC did not get a court order before Fayose’s account was frozen, then it is vindinctive and Illegal, which should not be encouraged by anybody. Miss Chika Dike, Graduate

G

overnor Fayose has immunity as governor, not his personal bank account. It was not the account of the state that was frozen. So, there is no place where his immunity was tampered with. Democracy is about serving people. Mr. Chijioke Jannah, Communicator

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 35

Southern Kaduna lawmakers, El’Rufai in stand-off over proposed grazing reserves Say herdsmen razed communities three weeks ago

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—FEDERAL lawmakers from the Southern Kaduna zone yesterday protested against the decision of Governor Ahmed El’Rufai of Kaduna State, to establish grazing reserves for the Fulani Herdsmen in Southern Kaduna Senatorial zone.

This came as the lawmakers raised alarm that communities in Sanga and Jema’a Local Government areas in the zone were razed two weeks ago, while about 100 persons were allegedly killed in the attacks.

Expressing their opposition to the creation of grazing reserves in Southern Kaduna, the lawmakers represented by Senator Danjuma La’ah, Representatives Shehu Nicholas Garba, Simon Yakubu Arabo and Sunday Marshal in a briefing, insisted that the decision was ill advised and would only exacerbate already existing mutual suspicion

By Victoria Ojeme

A

PARLEY: From left; Mr Alexis Vovk, MD, Total Nigeria; Mr Andrew Gbodume, MD, MRS Plc; Mr Tejbir Sawhney, MD, Conoil; Mr. Thomas Olawore, Executive Secretary, MOMAN; Mr Henry Ikem-Obih, GED/COO, NNPC Downstream (representing Minister of State for Petroleum); Mr Akin Akinfenwa, CEO, Forte Plc; Mr. Abayomi Awobokun, CEO, Oando Downstream, representing the MD of Mobil Oil, Ani Ufot and the 2nd Special Assistant to the Minister of State, Johnson Awoyomi at a strategy session with the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu in Abuja. between the communities and herdsmen.

The lawmakers in the statement said: “We, the representatives of the people disapprove of any attempt to

create or carve out land in our communities for the purpose of grazing reserves under the present circumstances. The creation of grazing reserves under any guise within agrarian

300 dead civil servants, 439 ghost workers woefully to achieve the purpose drawing salaries in Benue for which it was organized.

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — I N D I C AT I O N emerged yesterday that no fewer than 300 dead civil servants were still drawing monthly salaries from the Benue State treasury while another 439 ghost workers were consistently on the pay roll of the state government.

Chairman of the State Civil Service Reforms Committee, Mr. Mike Iordye who made this known yesterday while

presenting an interim report of the committee to Governor Samuel Ortom in Makurdi, disclosed that the state lacked an authentic staff list since its creation in 1976.

Iordye, who described the development as pathetic, likened it to a father not knowing how many children he had.

While condemning the biometric exercise employed by the state government to verify its staff strength he noted that the exercise failed

“We will rather call for a forensic audit of staff in the state civil service and also advise the government to implement table payment of staff,” he said.

Part of the recommendations of the committee included the streamlining of permanent secretaries in the state service, the privatization or scraping of the Benue Television, the Benue Printing and Publishing Company, BPPC, Science and Technology Board and the State Tractor Hiring Agency.

Elumelu urges students to embrace entrepreneurship

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HE founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation ,TEF, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has relived the memory of the 60 student of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, who died in the Sosoliso crash at Port Harcourt International Airport in 2005, by asking Nigerian students to imbibe entrepreneurial culture that would help them in the future.

Elumelu, in an inspiring speech he gave to students at the Loyola Jesuit Memorial College, Port Harcourt, said the world had changed in a way that students should also respond by changing their expectations of seeking jobs after leaving school and concentrate on creating jobs.

The Jesuit Memorial College JCM, Port Harcourt, was set up to honour the memory of the dead students.

He commended the Catholic educational system for not only emphasizing academic

UN Emergency fund allocates $13m lifeline to North-East people

excellence but also building in students a sense of responsibility to humanity.

He said: “I was once a student, and in my time, things out there were even rougher than they are now but the education and training I received in my youth helped me a long way. ‘’In the same way, I urge you not to take your quality education for granted. You won’t always see immediate gratification, but you should be rest assured that success will eventually come as long as the following are in place - purpose, hard work, discipline, check-ins to periodically check yourself; resilience and humility. ‘’Your education, training and discipline will help you in the long-run, just as it helped me in my own life.”

Elumelu further explained that it was his belief that the younger generation could address Africa’s development challenges and

catapult the continent into being a strong player in the international community that led him to commit $100 million to identify, train and fund 10,000 African businesses, over the next 10 years.

communities will only serve to exacerbate the already existing mutual suspicion between the communities and herdsmen who are major beneficiaries of the action. We view this as both an ill-advised move that flies in the face of developmental strategy of the 21st century and the overriding public interest of our people.”

The lawmakers lamented that over 95 percent of all federal institutions in the state were located in the Northern zone of the state, claiming the zone had about 40 institutions without the government considering the Southern Kaduna.

Alleging that silent killing was going on in the zone on daily basis, they said: “It is curious to note that the zone is only considered by Kaduna State Government as suitable for hosting gazing reserves but not suitable for the sitting of either Federal Health or Academic Institutions.

“For example, despite the heavy lopsided concentration of federal agencies and institutions in the Northern part of the state, the proposed Federal Medical Centre and Federal University of Technology are to be sited in the same Northern part of the state.''

BUJA—THE United Nations Emergency Fund has released $13 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, to provide life-saving assistance to 250, 000 persons in the North-East.

Speaking yesterday, under- Secretary - General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, said the destruction of crops and looting of livestock had left many people unable to support their families.

He said: “ More than 50, 000 persons need seeds and tools for the upcoming planting season and CERF funding will help them to rebuild their livelihoods. A significant number of women and girls, and also men and boys, have suffered or witnessed terrible abuses; CERF funds will enable humanitarian partners to provide critical psychosocial support and protection services.

“People have experienced unspeakable suffering due to the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram. We now have better access finally, and a chance to help them. The international community must take advantage of this opening to reach people with essential services and build on the CERF allocation to scale up the response. ''The humanitarian crisis in the north-east Nigeria is massive and alarming: 15 million people are affected by the violence instigated

by Boko Haram including 7 million people who need urgent humanitarian assistance.''

Non-payment of salary, pension are economic crimes — LABOUR

By Victor AhiumaYoung

I

LORIN—ORGANISED Labour has said nonpayment of workers’ monthly salary and pensioners’ benefits should be treated as economic crime.

Speaking through the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN Mr. Issa Aremu, , Labour insisted that regular and full payments salaries and pensions of workers and

pensioners was vital in the anticorruption crusade.

Aremu, who is also the Chairman IndustriALL Global Union, Africa Region, African Region, spoke in Ilorin during a Ramadan lecture to mark the one year anniversary of the demise of his wife, Hajia Hamdalat Aremu, in Ilorin Kwara State.

He contended that it was time Nigeria treated wage-related crimes, non-payment, low payment, wage-diversions (socalled ghost payments) as economic crimes.

According to him: “Anticorruption campaign cannot be sustained when workers do not receive adequate salaries on time.

A hungry worker is not only angry but vulnerable to graft. There is a link between economic growth and wage payment. ''A well paid motivated worker will definitely be productive worker. President Obama as part of the efforts to revive American economy raised minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour in 2015 and will be increased to $20 per hour in 2020.''

36— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

•Enyimba Team

•Sundowns Team

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nyimba and M a m e l o d i Sundowns are set for what promises to be a titanic 2016 CAF Champions League tussle in Atteridgeville this evening.

The Brazilians will feel aggrieved having been stripped of the victory they achieved in Algeria earlier this month.

Goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Khama Billiat steered the Absa Premiership champions to a memorable 2-0 win. But, Pitso Mosimane’s troops were denied all three points after CAF disqualified ES Setif from this year ’s tournament.

The former two-time CAF

Sundowns contemplate atlernative venue for Enyimba match

M

C M Y K

amelodi Sundowns

contemplated moving their 2016 CAF Champions League clash against Enyimba away from the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.

It was gathered that the Brazilians are considering playing the clash at either Loftus or Orlando Stadium, before deciding against the move to play the clash at an alternative venue.

Atteridgeville was last week a scene of violent protest action, with residents reportedly unhappy following the ANC’s announcement of Thoko Didiza as mayoral candidate, But, with the situation now under control, Sundowns have decided to go ahead with the fixture at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Pitso Mosimane’s troops need nothing but all three points against the Nigerian giants after their win against ES Setif was chalked off. The Algerian’s were disqualified from the competition for crowd trouble.

Sundowns were leading 2-0 in Setif after 90 minutes when the referee was forced to stop the game.

Moreover, Enyimba lost their opening Group B clash 1-0 at home to Zamalek.

CAF C/League: Enyimba, Sundowns set for titanic battle Champions League champions were booted out of the competition following their fans’ unruly behaviour during the loss to the Brazilians.

But, despite having zero points on the board and

having to start from scratch, Sundowns know victory in both their Group B home games will more likely than not secure their passage to the knockout stages.

Billiat, who scored a wonder goal in Setif, predicts another

tough battle against Enyimba.

“I think it is a tough game...playing at home, there is a lot of pressure...we need a result and we have to bring our A game,” said Billiat.

“We need to stay focused, make sure we do the job on

the day.

“There is always pressure, it is good to play with pressure...it gives you something to play for. You don’t have time to relax, you want results.”

Teammate Keagan Dolly explained that the club are disappointed at being back on zero points, but is confident they will win on home soil.

“We are a bit disappointed that they deducted our points...we fought really hard in Algeria, we played well, we were defensively disciplined, we created chances and we scored the two goals,” Dolly added.

We have the right team to beat Enyimba – Sundowns coach M

amelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is confident that his side have all what it takes to edge past Enyimba FC in the CAF Champions League.

The Brazilians were rendered pointless after their win over Algerian side ES Setif was nullified following their disqualification by CAF for crowd troubles as well their captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele ditching them for Kazier Chiefs.

However, the tactician believes that his boys are ready to move past the predicaments and focus on the game against the Nigerian outfit when they lock horns today.

“We have learnt that in the Champions League, you must never concede at home, especially in knockout stages.

That’s the lesson we learnt rather than complaining that we lost three points,” Mosimane told media.

“We have been given privileges.

There are so many benefits out of this. Where we are now we can say we are among the top seven on the continent.”

Sundowns have won four major trophies under the administration of Mosimane since he became manager in 2012 also said that his team has all the advantages to see them progress beyond the group stages of the competition.

“You should be able to qualify for the final. You have to win two games at home. You beat Zamalek and Enyimba then you are on six points,” he continued.

“It gives you an opportunity.

The mentality has changed a little bit. We have found our confidence to go out and win,” Mosimane said further.”

Algeria set World Cup, AFCON targets for Rajevac

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lgeria have set two targets for new coach Milovan Rajevac – qualify the country to the 2018 World Cup and reach at least the semi-final of the 2017 AFCON. According to the Algeria FA, Rajevac, 62, who was fondly called ‘Milo’ during his successful time in Ghana, has been tasked to meet these two targets.

The Serbian’s appointment was announced Sunday by the Algerian Football Federation.

Rajevac has succeeded French Christian Gourcuff, who left amicably in April after the Desert Foxes’ second-leg match against Ethiopia, the fourth day of the African Cup of Nation 2017 qualifiers.

Algeria are in ‘Group of Death’ for Russia 2018 alongside Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia.

They host Cameroon in their opening qualifier on October 3.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016 — 37

TENNIS

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he second day saw a series of blowouts, when the favorites, freed from the rationality of the group stage, brutally exposed the gap between them and the smaller sides. Only the score of France against Ireland was close, and Germany and Belgium humiliated Slovakia and Hungary.

It wasn’t until Monday that we were rewarded for our thinning patience. Italy’s win over Spain was nearly flawless in its execution, a beautiful display of the difference between creative tactics and cynical ones. A single but important argument against that game was that it came so early in the tournament. It felt like a final, yet eight teams remain, and few of them are nearly as good as Spain.

And finally, of course, came the match that will live forever, in glory and in infamy, because it was the match that seemingly broke every rule: Iceland over England.

“The Iceland Exception” will now be cited like vital

Murray brushes past Broady

‘ Iceland’s win over England no fluke’ precedent in case law, employed particularly on behalf of the expanded Euro.

That argument will do a real disservice to what Iceland have accomplished here.

PSG confirm Emery will replace Blanc • Messi

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aris Saint-Germain have confirmed the appointment of Unai Emery as their new head coach.

Emery has been hired on a two-year deal to replace Laurent Blanc, who paid the price for an inability to get beyond the Champions League quarter-finals in any of his three seasons in charge.

Former Sevilla coach Emery has bags of continental pedigree though, having won the Europa League in each of his three full seasons in charge at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Andy Murray is through to the second round at Wimbledon after easing past fellow Brit Liam Broady yesterday.

The second seed completed his victory in straight sets as he easily saw of the world number 235 6-2 6-3 6-4 on Centre Court. It was the first all-British meeting at SW19 since Tim Henman beat Martin Lee in 2001 and the first time Murray has encountered British opposition at the home of English tennis. Murray was full of praise for his Davis Cup team-mate and was happy to see the home crowd were backing both players throughout the clash. “When we start the match we are both trying to win, but it does not make it any easier,” Murray said. “Liam played better as the match went on and fought through to the end and played some good stuff. “The crowd is always very fair here, getting behind both players and knowing what a good shot is. Liam got a good ovation when he left court and I’m sure he will have enjoyed that.” The twotime Grand Slam champion will now take on Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei in the second round tomorrow.

WIMBLEDON OPEN:

Serena Serena labours labours to to first first round round win win

Stoichkov makes Messi plea

F

ormer Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has called upon Lionel Messi to reconsider his decision to retire from international football, saying: “You can get through this”.

• Emery

Messi reacted to Argentina’s 4-2 penalty shootout defeat to Chile in the Copa America final on Sunday by announcing “for me the national team is over”, effectively ending his international career with just one Olympic gold medal to show for it.

The defeat extended Argentina’s wait for a major tournament title to 23 years but former Nou Camp favourite Stoichkov, who scored 38 goals in 84 appearances for Bulgaria, sent Messi a personal

Poland v Portugal: Nani refutes Greece comparisons

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ani believes Portuga quarter-final against l’s Euro 2016 Poland will be on e to en joy fo r th e fa ns , re jec tin suggestions that Fern g have turned the tea ando Santos’ tactics m turgid.

Portugal qualified fro m Group F at Euro 20 16 wi th ou t wi nn required extra time in g a ma tch an d in Lyon in the last 16to see off Croatia 1-0 .

Th ree of th eir fou round robin stage ca r go als du rin g th e skelter 3-3 draw ag me during a helterHungary but Fene ainst group winners do es no t be lie ve rbahce forward Nani Sa nt os is sh ac kli ng Portugal’s creative tal to his 2010-14 spell ents with tactics akin in “I do not see it lik charge of Greece ha ve alr ea dy pla yee this,” he said. “We Portugal’s football d fou r ga me s an d to that of Greece. cannot be compared “I think we have pu tti ng on a sp ecplayed good games, Hungary we scored ta cle an d ag ai ns t course, it will not be a lot of goals – but, of possible to do this in all games.

message imploring him to keep faith with international football.

Stoichkov took to social media to send Messi a message that read: “Leo, I ask please do not leave your country.

“There are tough times but you can get through this.”

The message concluded with: “A big hug.”

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his was not the Serena Williams the tennis world is used to seeing on Centre Court. It was still good enough for the defending Wimbledon champion to advance to the second round in straight sets.

Struggling on serve and failing to dominate against a 148th-ranked Swiss qualifier playing in her first Grand Slam tournament, Williams laboured to a 6-2, 6-4 victory yesterday over Amra Sadikovic — the 80th match win of her Wimbledon career.

What looked on paper like a complete mismatch turned into a tighter contest than expected.

“I never underestimate anyone,” said Williams, who had only four aces and served five double faults. “It was a really good match but I don’t think it was tougher than I thought. It was definitely tough, but I always expect the best from everyone.”

With her mother, Oracene Price, watching from the Royal Box, the six-time Wimbledon champion jumped out to a 3-0 lead, running off 13 points in a row at one stage, defying her reputation as a slow starter.

Euro 2016: France face a host of issues as they face Iceland

A

•Nani

s England battled Iceland in Nice last monday night, the hosts France were watching in the knowledge they will host the winners in the last eight.

Many people’s pre-tournament favourites, France’s progress to the knockout stage was serene as they finished top of Group A. But Didier Deschamps’ team had a little difficulty in overcoming the Republic of Ireland on Sunday and there are a number of issues facing the French ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final tie in Paris.

France are expected by their public to win this tournament. It’s as simple as that. The support they receive inside the stadiums on match days is terrific and helped by a ticketing policy that seems to exist purely to assist them.

C M Y K

38—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY,

JUNE 29, 2016

•Ogboru and Ochei

CIVIL WAR IN DELTA APC:

As Ogboru, Ochei join EVERYWHERE Great Ogboru goes, he gathers momentum. So, the formal entry of Ogboru and erstwhile Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Victor Ochei into the opposition All Progressives Congress, is generating the kind of fireworks that can only be generated by the movement of the famed Peoples General.

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By Perez Brisibe

ONTROVERSY over why yesterday’s formal entry of Great Ogboru and Victor Ochei into the APC was staged at the national headquarters is bound to elicit the interest of many.

Ogboru had in the past shown his capacity to mobilise crowds in his native Delta State. Or could it be that the Ogboru brand now pumped up with the strategic imprints of Ochei has failed to provoke interest in the face of the developmental efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa?

However, given the internecine civil war that has been in the state chapter of the party in the past two years or so, it is doubtful that a successful or a smooth entry could reception could have been accorded Ogboru and Ochei.

Erue led executive At the heart of the issues is that the state chapter has been without an acceptable state executive since the Prophet Jones Erue led executive was sacked by the courts almost two years ago.

The Erue executive was sacked at the behest of the Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh led tendency of the party. Okotie-Eboh, who came into the party from the old Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN group was peeved that what could have been his inheritance in the APC was being challenged by the

moneyed political group that joined the party just before the last general elections. That group is led by the party ’s last governorship candidate, Otega Emerhror, who is believed to be the prop for Erue.

Yet another group in the state APC is that comprising of the original elders comprising such party grandees as Senator Francis Okpozo, former member of the House of Representatives,

It is the view of the agitators that the party ought to wait so as not to shortchange old members, for the fear that the new comers may out stage them on federal board appointments slots Temi Harriman among others.

Adding to the milieu is even the latest group of joiners led by Chief Ayiri Emami who joined the party just after the presidential elections.

Against the background of the differing contentions is the claim in some quarters that some especially the elders were against the entry of Ogboru into the party.

Describing the defection of Ogboru to the APC as a plus to the party, Cyril Ogodo, deputy chairman of the Erue faction of the party accused the APC Elders Committee of not being comfortable with the entry of Ogboru and Ochei into the party.

According to Ogodo, “We do not know the reason why they are not comfortable with the entry

of Ogboru and Ochei into the party. What is a party? It is a group of persons and the more, the merrier because majority wins the vote.

Vowing to apply sanctions against Okpozo and the elders he claimed were against the development, Ogodo said: “We have written to their council chairmen and ward leaders on sanctions to be taken against them, and this have been done at all levels, and very soon they would hear from us.

Okpozo keeps mum: Though Senator Spanner Okpozo declined to comment on the impasse when contacted, he stressed that he would not speak on the matter till after Tuesday, June 28.

He said: “As far as I am concerned, I have never seen any disagreement in the party, if Ogboru is coming into the party, he knows the procedure, and if O’tega Emerhor is trying to make any alteration in the party, he too knows the procedure. As far as I am concerned, I have no connection with what is happening.”

Okpozo makes mockery of plots to suspend him Speaking of the supposed plot to suspend him and members of the Delta State APC Elders Committee, Okpozo said: “Can you imagine the owner of the house being removed from the house without legally being ousted in any matter that is outrageous? What I know is that disagreement between two persons cannot be run on the pages of a newspaper not to talk of an organization like a political party.”

The federal board appointment connection However, findings by Vanguard have revealed that the agitation in the party might be connected to the agitation for appointments into federal

government boards with a section of the party having the view that new comers may upset them in the appointments.

In reaffirming the position of the party on the matter, the state secretary of the party and the legal adviser, Chidi Okonji and Valentine Onojeghuo in a response to a communiqué signed by Senator Okpozo and six others at the end of a meeting held on June 12 at Okpozo’s residence, Ozoro, accused Okpozo and his group of rejecting the idea of new members, particularly Ogboru and Ochei into the party.

Federal board appointments The party in the statement said: “It is the view of the agitators that the party ought to wait so as not to short-change old members, for the fear that the new comers may out stage them on federal board appointments slots.”

Okpozo and his group had at the meeting, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the APC NWC to constitute a broad-based caretaker committee for the state chapter of the party failure of which they would constitute same without further delay.

Reacting to the ultimatum, Ogodo said: “If Okpozo gives the NWC ultimatum and the NWC refuses to do what he asks for, the best thing for him to do is that he should go and close down the office of the NWC.” Speaking on the anticipation of members of the party in the state, a chieftain of the party in the state and former member representing Ethiope East in the House of Representative, Hon. Solomon Edoja said: “You know democracy is about the majority, and it’s the majority that carries the day, so the more, the merrier for us in the APC ahead of the 2019 general elections.”

Al-Makura: Is it a fresh start for Nasarawa?

By David Odama

I

T is not unlikely that Governor Umaru Al-Makura’s business background was the catalyst for the socio-economic revolution that has recently ignited the state.

Indeed, soon after assumption of office, there were clear indications that good vision and positive things were on the horizon for the state that had until not too long ago remained in a state of infancy since its creation.

Al-Makura’s path was to put in place a purposeful and people oriented programmes and actionplans different from the way of his predecessors.

The state capital which was before a glorified state capital, attracted the interest of the administration with massive constructions and dualisation of township roads to give the state

capital the true image of the seat of government.

For instance, the Makurdi – Lafia East Road, which was an eyesore to residents and visitors, was not only dualised, but also fitted with streetlights.

The popular UAC Road leading to Kwandere and up to the College of Agriculture was also expanded with streetlights fitted while the construction of a bye-pass from Shendam Road to Bukan Sidi, among many others were given due attention.

Similarly, trafficlights have been installed in all major and strategic locations around Lafia

to add value and prestige to the state capital.

Aside the state capital, Governor Al-Makura constructed three kilometers of township roads in all thirteen local government headquarters in the state in addition to the construction of rural feeder roads across the state.

Given the governor ’s first calling as a teacher, it was not surprising that he showed some passion for education.

The administration has seen to the renovation of classroom blocks as well as the construction of new ones to make for conducive environment and atmosphere for teaching and learning.

In the last five years, over 144 blocks of three classrooms and toilets, 36 two-storey school Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—39

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Al-Makura: Is it a fresh start for Nasarawa?

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KITI has been in turmoil for some days because of the govt-workers unrest.

This is a very disappointing situation. Governor Fayose must own up that he has failed with the way he handled the labour unrest. I have been following events very closely and what I realised was that I saw a governor who is not ready for peace or dialogue.

The governor must be conscious of one thing; that is the fact that there is no excuse in governance. Whether the amount accruing to the state was enough to pay salaries or not, he should find a way to pay workers their wages.

There are no two ways about it.

I even heard Fayose making inflammatory comments that he can’t sell his family to pay workers. This is not fair. Over 56,000 Ekiti persons are in the civil service and whatever affects them will affect everybody.

Today, the artisans, market men and women, Okada riders and business owners are all complaining because nothing is moving. Ekiti is a civil service state. Everything, including economy, politics revolve around them. Governor Fayose must listen to wise counsel. He must pay workers and allow them to live good lives.

How do you expect the state to get out of this gridlock?

The only way out is by looking inwards and fashion out ways to improve our IGR. Though, there were discrepancies in what the labour presented and what the governor disclosed.

Proper planning The labour alleged that the Accountant General had been disclosing between N200m and N268m monthly, while the governor after pressure said the state makes about N350 million.

I think there was deception somewhere. The governor must be transparent. He should stop acting as if he wants to corner the state’s commonwealth. Let him tell Ekiti what he pays as wage bill. The N2.6 billion he has been disclosing is unacceptable.

Let him tell us what he gets as IGR and with all this put together; Fayose will be able to pay salary of workers and entitlements of pensioners.

You have declared intention for 2019 senatorial contest. Why now when INEC has not declared any position opened?

Well, 2019 seems long, but by my nature and being a grassroots politician, I love proper planning.

I don’t like jumping into things like other politicians who never prepared for a seat, and when they get there, they start wobbling and fumbling. But, you know that INEC has not lifted ban on open campaign, but I have started empowering my people in all the five local governments in Ekiti

Continues from page 38

•Osinkolu: There is no excuse in governance

How Fayose missed it — OSINKOLU DR Olusegun Osinkolu, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Ekiti State, in this interview speaks on his aspiration and what he describes as the waning popularity of Governor Ayodele Fayose. Excerpts: North Senatorial District. I started this journey seven years ago, but I’m not particularly happy that our party’s primary elections had not been fair. This is my third time, and I may be lucky this time.

Apart from being a thorough party man, I know all the nooks and crannies of Ekiti. And whoever knows that he is strong

Ekiti is a civil service state, everything, including economy, politics revolve around them, Governor Fayose must listen to wise counsel

and acceptable to the people should come out.

The era where few leaders would just sit somewhere and impose a candidate is over. APC is a new party, with new ideas and with the mantra of change and new way of doing things.

What do you think cost you the senatorial ticket in the past?

I have been pursuing this ticket for about eight years, and I am yet to know why I had been

denied despite my popularity.

But one thing always came to my mind, and that was the widespread impression among some leaders that I was not known at home. Some even called me foreigner even in my state. Some said I was too young at that time, and now I am over 50. But in 2019, the people of Ekiti North will decide their fate.

Enough of these intrigues by few leaders, who will sit somewhere and say this is the position of the party. We will no longer accept such anti-democratic behaviour.

Are you not afraid of Governor Fayose’s popularity, because he has always been the one winning elections for PDP? I can authoritatively tell you that I will defeat whoever PDP presents even if my brother Governor Ayodele Fayose is in the saddle, but unfortunately he will leave by 2018.

With the kind of politics I play, even the PDP members will vote for me. They know my antecedents as someone who doesn’t discriminate or display bitterness based on your political affiliation.

Do you factor in the interest of gladiators like former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Segun Oni and Niyi Adebayo into your ambition?

As much as I agree that these three personalities are our leaders, and I believe their opinion and the unity among them really matters, I also want you to know that democracy is about the people. The people made the leaders because they allowed them to be.

buildings have been put in place by the government in the state.

The Federal University Lafia also benefited from the construction of 10 hostel blocks of 256-bed capacity each. The same gesture was also extended to the Nasarawa State University Keffi, the College of Agriculture Lafia, the State polytechnic, Lafia and College of Education Akwanga.

Another significant initiative of the Al-Makura administration is in the area of the construction of 5 modern e-Libraries each in Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi, Nassarawa and Karu, including a 200 capacity lecture theatre at the State owned University in Keffi.

Apart from injecting enormous resources into the education subsector, governor Al-Makura also made it a cardinal policy of his administration to make primary and secondary school education tuition free and in addition, pay NECO examination fees for SS3 students in all government owned schools in the state.

The encouraging outcome of these policies has resulted in the steady rise in school enrolment rates in the state from a paltry 30% before he came to about 60% in the current session.

Within the period under review, the administration has equally transformed the health sector with the construction of three Ultra-Modern Hospitals, one each in Lafia 160 beds, Akwanga 100 beds and Nasarawa 100 beds.

This is in addition to the construction and renovation as well as equipping and furnishing of a total of more than 101 Primary Health Care PHC facilities across the thirteen local governments and seventeen development areas in the state.

The completion and relocation of the School of Nursing and Midwifery Lafia to its permanent site as well as the construction of a male hostel, renovation of General Hospitals in Awe, Toto and Mararaba Gurku and the completion of the Central Medical Stores in Lafia are all in a bid to give credit to the health

•Al-Makura

sector in the state.

In the area of agriculture, the administration has embarked on the empowerment of farmers through steady supplies of inputs and pesticides as well as the establishment of a rice incubation plant to encourage large scale productions in the state.

The Government has also acquired land and completed feasibility works for the construction of an international cargo Airport in Lafia the state capital, water supply also got substantial attention from the government of Tanko Al-Makura to reduce the problem of water supply in Nassarawa, Nasarawa Eggon, Lafia, Doma and Toto among others.

The state media outfit, the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service was not left out as the electronic media has been over-hauled, digitalised, supplied and installed with state-of-the-art equipment.

State-of-the-art equipment However, with his patience and selfless commitment, Governor Al-Makura led a successful management and control of the crises and a restoration of peace to the state, this feat to close watchers of events, probably accounted for why the people of the state massively rose in unison to reject the failed attempt by the state legislature to impeach him.

Indeed, like the governor himself stated when he inaugurated the peace and reconciliation committee, it now behooves on the entire people of Nasarawa state to close ranks, regardless of religion, ethnic differences, and work with the government towards the realization of the dreams of the founding fathers of the state.

No wonder therefore, the State commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Tim Ayiga is calling on the people of the state to continue to show understanding with the APC government in the face of the trying period the state is going through assuring that the state would soon witness economic growth.

40 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

C M Y K

— 41

42 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Zambian police detain newspaper editors in tax row

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Pope Francis (R) and retired Pope Benedict XVI greet during a ceremony to celebrate Benedict’s 65th anniversary of his ordination as a priest, in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican yesterday.

Anger as EU parliament debates Brexit *As Labour leader loses confidence vote

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HE European Parliament’s first debate on the UK’s vote to leave has been marked by bitter exchanges.

AcentralfigureintheLeave campaign, UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage, was booed, called a liar and accused of using “Nazi propaganda”.

Mr Farage shot back that the EU itself was “in denial”.

An EU official close to the talkssaidthemoodwas“very, very serious” and a question markhungovertheUK’snext

presidency of the EU, due to begin in the second half of next year.

“The leaders are very interested in hearing the UK’s timeline but everyone knows Cameron won’t trigger Article 50 [the first formalstepinthewithdrawal procedure],” the source added.

The announcement of Mr Cameron’s replacement as leader of the Conservative Party, and thus prime minister, is not due now until 9September,with12:00BST Thursday as the deadline for nominations.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned against delay in starting the exit process: “I don’t think we should see any shadowboxing or any cat-and-mouse games. It is clear what the British people want and we should act accordingly.”

The European Parliament passed a motion urging the UK to start the exit process by triggering Article 50 immediately.

Opening the session, Mr Juncker said the will of the British people must be respected, prompting shouting and clapping from Mr Farage.

Bolivia, Ethiopia, Sweden win Security Council seat

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WEDEN, Ethiopia and Bolivia have been elected to serve on the UN Security Council for two years as non-permanent members.

The UN General Assembly of 193 nations has two more non-permanent seats to fill after the first round of voting on Tuesday.

The five elected countries will begin a two-year stint on the council on January 1, taking their seats alongside

the five permanent council members - Britain, France, China,RussiaandtheUnited States.

The other five nonpermanent members are: Egypt, Japan, Senegal, Ukraine and Uruguay.

As the most powerful body of the United Nations, the Security Council can impose sanctions, endorse peace accords and authorise the use of military force.

It also oversees 16 peacekeeping missions in the world, with a budget of about $8bn.

Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden were competing for two spots while Kazakhstan and Thailand were squaring off for a seat reserved for Asia.

Ethiopia and Bolivia were running unopposed after their regional grouping put them forward as their candidates.

AMBIAN police detained three people including two editors of a newspaper critical of the government that was shut down last week, as tensions rose in the run up to elections in August.

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) shut down the Post newspaper last week, demanding $6 million in unpaid taxes but the newspaper accused the authorities of trying to silence it, and claimed the outstanding bill was part of a court dispute On Tuesday, the Post’s

managing editor Joan Chirwa said police arrested its editor-in-chief Fred Mmembe, his wife Mutinta and deputy managing editor Joseph Mwenda late on Monday.

“This was after the trio gained entry into the Post newspaper’s head office in Rhodespark following a stay granted by the court restraining ZRA from seizing the newspaper’s property,” Chirwa told Reuters.

She said the Post - which has continued publishing from an unknown location -

EGYPTAIR MS804: Flight data recorder repaired

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HE flight data recorder from the EgyptAir plane that crashed last month has been fully repaired, raising hopes it will help investigators to determine what caused the passenger jet to go down.

Flight MS804 was en route from Paris to Cairo when it crashed in the Mediterranean Sea on May 19, killing all 66 people on board.

The aircraft’s flight data recorder, along with the second component of the black box containing sound recordings from the cockpit, was found two weeks ago but both had broken into several parts and suffered serious damage, which meant consistent readings

could not be taken from them.

They were sent to France’s BEA air safety agency to be repaired, where they arrived on Monday.

Egypt deports British-Lebanese talkshow host terminated by privately-

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G Y P T I A N authorities have deported a popular BritishLebanese television talkshow host, Liliane Daoud.

Ms Daoud, a former BBC journalist, was detained by plainclothes policemen at her home in Cairo on Monday and put on a plane to Beirut.

The move came hours after her contract was

US seeks travellers’ social media details *House says military failed Americans in Bengazi

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RAVELLERS seeking visa waiver entry to the US may soon be asked to list their social media profiles - if a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposal is

enacted.

An update to application forms would ask users to identify what social networks they use and their “social media identifier” such as a

Dutch to extradite cyber-bully suspect

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DUTCH court has approved the extradition of a Dutchman to Canada over the cyberbullying of a girl who later took her own life.

Canadian teenager Amanda Todd posted her story on YouTube, where it was watched millions of times and sparked a debate about cyber-bullying.

Five weeks later, she took her life.

The court ruled 38-yearold Aydin C will first have to stand trial in the Netherlands on charges of extortion, internet luring, and child pornography.

The man, who is identified

only by his first name because of Dutch privacy rules, was arrested in January 2014.

He is suspected of blackmailing dozens of young women from the United States, Britain and Netherlands into performing sex acts in front of their webcams.

Although Canada’s extradition request does not relate to charges in connection with Amanda Todd’s death, Aydin C is suspected by Canadian law enforcement of committing a number of sexual offences in relation to her, a court said in a statement. (in Dutch).

username.

However, revealing this information would be “optional”.

The changes would affect Esta and Form I-94W applications.

The proposal was by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the DHS,lastThursday.

Any data travellers choose to share will be used “for vetting purposes, as well as applicant contact information”, the proposal states.

Public comment - which must be submitted by post will be sought for 60 days before the CBP considers it further.

“It’s very hard to see travellers not filling out this item-eventhoughit’soptional - as they may fear not getting entry into the country,” commented Joseph Lorenzo Hall, chief technologist at the Centre for Democracy and Technology.

obtained a court order to resume operations but the police said it had not been signed by ZRA. Police spokesman Rae Hamoonga said the three had been detained but had not yet been formally charged, and that police officers were still consulting with the tax authorities.

The opposition says the government was using repressive laws to restrict its campaigns and that there was a media clamp down. The presidency has denied the claims, saying the opposition was campaigning freely.

Lungu has been in power for just over a year after winning a ballot triggered by the death of his predecessor, Michael Sata, in October 2014. He faces a strong challenge from opposition leaderHakaindeHichilemaof the United Party for National Development at the polls.

*Daoud: Deported for being critical of Egyptian President

owned OnTV. Her show, Al-Soura AlKamila (The Full Picture), controversially aired views critical of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi and his government.

Mr Sisi has cracked down on dissent since leading the military’s overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

Ms Daoud’s 10-year-old daughter, an Egyptian national, was at their home when her mother was led away by police. Officers reportedly confiscated Ms Daoud’s mobile phone and British passport.

There was no formal explanation for Ms Daoud’s deportation, but a security official told the Associated Press (AP) that her residency permit had expired.

Shortly before her arrest, Ms Daoud had written on Twitter: “I am announcing the official termination of my contract with OnTV after five years that began in 2011.”

TANZANIA: Helium discovery a game-changer—Geologists

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CIENTISTS have discovered a large helium gas field in Tanzania.

With world supplies running out, the find is a “game-changer”, say geologists at Durham and Oxford universities.

Helium is used in hospitals in MRI scanners as well as in spacecraft, telescopes and radiation monitors.

Until now, the precious gas has been discovered only in small quantities during oil and gas drilling.

Using a new exploration approach, researchers found large quantities of helium within the Tanzanian East African Rift Valley.

They say resources in just one part of the Rift valley are enough to fill more than a million medical MRI scanners.

Prof Chris Ballentine, of the Department of Earth

Sciences at the University of Oxford, said: “This is a gamechanger for the future security of society’s helium needs and similar finds in the future may not be far away.”

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader diagnosed with colon cancer IMBABWE’S main Z opposition leader and President Robert Mugabe’s

chief rival for the last 17 years said on Tuesday he has been diagnosed with cancer of the colon and is undergoing treatment in neighbouring South Africa.

Morgan Tsvangirai, 64, who was Zimbabwe’s prime minister in an uneasy

coalition government with the 92-year-oldMugabefrom2009 until 2013, said it was important for national leaders to disclose their health status.

Mugabe routinely denies local media reports that he is suffering from prostate cancer and says his frequent trips to Singapore are for routine medical checks.

“As a leader and a public

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, JUNE 29, 2016 —43 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

How can I cope now I’m pregnant?

Dear Bunmi, Y BOYFRIEND of four years is so possessive and jealous that I sometimes fear for my life. He thinks I’m having an affair if I just pop out to the market or if I stop to talk to a man - any man. I’ve left a few times only for us to make up again.

Now I’ve just found out I’m expecting a child for him and he’s ecstatic. Only, he’s got even more of a hold on me now. He watches me like a hawk and could be verbally abusive. He doesn’t look like a man I want to spend the rest of my life with, but I don’t want an abortion. Please help.

Nike, by e-mail.

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My kids don’t want him back in my life Dear Bunmi, OWARDS THE end of last year, my husband of 20 years decided to separate amicably. My two children from my first marriage aged 29 and 26, were happy about the decision. My daughter told me she’d never liked her stepfather and was glad she didn’t have to see him or interact with him. I was surprised. She’d never really

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shown her resentment or said nothing since he was out of the picture. He’d started coming over fecently and we now get on so well that I wondered if we should get back together. When I asked my daughter ’s opinion, she accused me of choosing him over her feelings. I think she was carrying her resentment a bit too far. I’ve been a good mum and my kids, including

Don’t make any rash decision. Since your eldest daughter is the most resentful, ask her reasons for disliking her step-dad. Explain to her how you feel and perhaps she'll be able to see things from your point of view. This is your life and your future. Your eldest children have lives and families of their own and it’s time to focus on yourself

the only one I had with my husband are grown. Two of them have families of their own. Should I do what makes me happy or do I put them first?

Ellen, by e-mail.

Dear Ellen, Don’t make any rash decision. Since your eldest daughter is the most resentful, ask her reasons for disliking her step-dad.

Explain to her how you feel and perhaps she'll be able to see things from your point of view. This is your life and your future. Your eldest children have lives and families of their own and it’s time to focus on yourself. Let them know their blessings would be much appreciated but listen to your heart. You’re the one who’s going to live with your enstrange husband, not kids who have flown the nest!

Friend went behind my back to get the job Dear Bunmi, OME MONTHS back, I told my friend that I heard a particular company I was interested in had a vacancy and I intended to apply. She seemed really interested in the details and I thought she was just being nice. I applied for the job and didn’t even get short-listed.

When I saw my friend again, I told her how the interview went. It was then she told me she also applied for the job too - and got it! I was so shocked that I let her know what I

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thought of her in no uncertain terms. But she told me she’d done nothing wrong. But I think she’s behaved outrageously. What do you think?

Kate, by e-mail.

Dear Kate, What your friend did is a betrayal of trust. Whether or not she had a right to apply for the job, if she’d been totally innocent, she would have told you what she was doing. The fact that she kept quiet about it means she

knew she was in the wrong.

Her getting the job now looks as if you weren’t good enough. I wouldn’t trust this friend of yours in future. The only way forward is to end the friendship and walk away.

Only, don’t start to mistrust every potential friend. Most people would either have steered clear or been open with you about what they were doing. So, keep on trusting. It isn’t worth losing your trust in human nature over one friend’s bad behaviour.

He can’t fulfil my fantasy!

Dear Bunmi, ECENTLY, MY boyfriend and I were discussing what would really turn us on. For years I’ve had this fantasy of a rough sex with a really macho man. I’ve had one or two meaningful relationships, but the men I’d met were not really macho.

Least of all, my current boyfriend who’s somehow weedy! Now he wants us to act out my fantasy, but his physique won’t turn me on in that way. How can I put him off!

Dejoke, by e-mail.

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Dear Dejoke, Fantasy isn’t reality. So you don’t need your boyfriend to

be a genuinely strong man to act out your sexy dreams.

Simply close your eyes and pretend. You never know - he may be more powerful than he looks! But if you’re really sure

this won’t work, explain to him that although you like to fantasise when you’re alone, you don’t need or want to act it out. That will let you off the hook and spare your feelings.

Simply close your eyes and pretend.

You never know - he may be more powerful than he looks! But if you’re really sure this won’t work, explain to him that although you like to fantasise when you’re alone, you don’t need or want to act it out. That will let you off the hook and spare your feelings

Dear Nike, Do you want your baby to be brought up in an abusive environment? Be firm with your man that you’re not putting up with his jealous and possessive behaviour any longer - and if he carries on, walk out or enlist the help of people who can talk to him. The problem with excessively jealous people is that they can’t change. Even when they’re with the ugliest partners, they still suspect them of twotiming. Life is too short to spend your life dodging the blows of a partner with a problem. Think before you leap should be your watchword here.

Be firm with your man that you’re not putting up with his jealous and possessive behaviour any longer - and if he carries on, walk out or enlist the help of people who can talk to him. The problem with excessively jealous people is that they can’t change

He now prefers to live alone Dear Bunmi, WO YEARS ago, my boyfriend moved in with me and my two children from a previous marriage. He got on well with the children and things seemed to be going well until a few months ago when he told me he would rather be on his own, I was surprised. When I pressed him further, he said friends and relations of his didn’t like the fact he was living off a woman in spite of the fact he helped a lot fmancially. Now he comes to visit a few days a week and sometimes stay the night. I want him to move back in, but he says he really prefers things the way they are. I don’t know where I now stand - and neither

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do the children.

Bukola, by e-mail.

Dear Bukola, I think your man is trying to have a clean break by gradually easing out of the relationship.

Why don’t you set him a time limit? Tell him to keep away from you for this period so he can see what it’s like not to have you around. After that, he has a choice - family or the single life.

If he can’t commit to you 100 per cent, walk away and don’t go back on your decision. Children need stability, not a man who’s nothing more than a big baby himself. I hope things work out, if they don’t, be wary of who you introduce your kids to in future.

My son wants me to move on after losing his dad Dear Bunmi, I lost my husband suddenly last year when he had a heart attack and since then, I’d been so lonely. We did most things together and most people in my situation would want to be around family. Our daughter lives abroad, leaving only our son who lives fairly close to me with his family. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him or tried to, at least. He was good to start with, but now he’s hinting, not too subtly, that I need to get out more. Why is he behaving like this? I am 54.

Abigail, by e-mail.

Dear Abigail, It looks as if your son feels it’s not good for you to be so clingy after a year of mourning the loss of your husband. It’s certainly great to have a family around, but sticking only with people you know limits you to a very humdrum life. I agree with your son - at your age you need to move on with your life. It’s time to find new friends and interests. What about your old friends - surely they could give their support too?

I’m sure your husband wouldn't want you to mope for long, so be brave and make a fresh start.

Look for a new hobby or even start a business - no matter how small - to keep you busy.

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

44 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016—45

On the politics of reckless scapegoatism

By Akintunde Akinade

Anyone who burns down his or her father’s house inherits the ashes — An African Proverb Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter— Martin Luther King, Jr. Without community there is no liberation… but community must not mean a shedding of our differences, not the pathetic pretense that these differences do not exist—Audre Lorde

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HE sordid scepter of scapegoatism is very rife in the Nigerian political landscape.

Some of the symptoms of this malady include: relentlessly blowing things out of proportion, latching unto imaginary paranoia, and turning an innocuous injunction into an acrimonious debate. The performance of making a mountain out of a molehill is very ubiquitous in the Nigerian political scene. This strategy has become a means for instigating imaginary mayhem.

The human capacity to wallow in the sublime and the ridiculous is indeed endless. The cornucopia of bizarre fantasies has reached an unprecedented height in recent times in the State of the Living Spring. Just today, a friend sent me a twisted joke on my “WhatsApp” account: it is three young boys dressed as colorful masquerades going to school in Osun.

Professor of theology The caption reads: “Egundele, Egunyomi, and Egundiji set for school in Osun State.” Although I got a good laugh from this caption, it was a solemn reminder of how things can go awry and public schools in Osun can be turned into a circus. In the State of Osun, the ignorance about the hijab is flourishing with a scarlet heat. It feeds on fear, paranoia, and insincerity.

As a professor of theology who has been sojourning in the heart of the Muslim world for the past eight years, I have some insights that can allow me to contribute to the discourse concerning the use of hijab in the public space. I teach at a prestigious American institution in Doha, Qatar where students are not compelled to wear the hijab. Anyone who chooses to wear it does this out of her own volition.

Christians and Hindus in my educational institution do not see this situation as an opportunity to start proclaiming a war of attrition. The present situation in Osun State calls for a sensible and pragmatic solution. Muslim students wearing hijab to school does not warrant a religious crisis.

This is a form of religio-cultural identity that should not engender tension, hatred, and violence.

Muslims have been doing this in Yorubaland as well as all over the county for a long time. A student wearing the hijab does not in any way possess a power

over other students. This is a simple truth. For instance, this is a far cry from a proposal to introduce Islamic dawa (invitation to convert) as part of the educational curriculum in Osun. This will never happen in the State; such an action would be haram.

It is very important to be contextual and pragmatic in dealing with this issue. These two approaches have defined the modus operandi of many nations to this oft-sensitive matter. In life, one single size does not fit all.

Different nations have designed creative ways of dealing with the matter without engaging in acrimonious conflicts. Nigeria is a multi-religious nation. There is an enduring legacy of interreligious solidarity in Yorubaland. The seeds of interreligious warfare in Yorubaland will always fall on arid terrains. The seeds will not grow. Islam has flourished in Yorubaland because of the quiet rhythm of piety and practices that Muslims undertake without any pomp and pageantry.

Christianity has also thrived in the Yoruba context because of its propensity to read the signs of the times and apply African conditions to faith. Both religious traditions have been shaped by normative religious standards and indigenous sensibilities.

My sojourn in this part of the world has taught me that apart from the Qur’anic injunction in Surat Ahzab 33:59, the use of the hijab can also be understood from

The present situation in Osun State calls for a sensible and pragmatic solution the vantage point of a cultural norm or paradigm. Muslims wear the hijab to promote ethical, personal, and cultural decency.

They will not experience fire and brimstone if they choose otherwise. This exercise in freewill is never interpreted as a wanton display of innovation, bida. This voluntary action does not shatter or dismantle religious orthodoxy. I can simply say that overheating the polity over such a harmless thing such as the hijab reeks of sinister ulterior motives.

It seems to me that the stipulation to encourage Christians in Osun to wear church robes/choir robes to school borders on the

not a form of a cargo cult construct that is prevalent in anthropological narratives in which people expect a miraculous change of events. Far from such a perspective, it takes collective trust and dedication to make concrete changes in any given society. This is a process that ultimately culminates in the collective appreciation of all and sundry.

theological claim that we cannot ridiculous to say the least.

The Osun State chapter of put God in a box. Both the Christian Association of Christianity and Islam are Nigeria (CAN) cannot equate religious traditions on a path to the wearing of hijab to understanding God. The ninety- Creative religious terrorism. This is nine beautiful names of Allah partnerships tantamount to declaring that cannot completely describe the sleep and death are the same full essence and depth of God. This is obviously an agenda thing. One can say without The shahadah, (the essential that demands new and creative any equivocation that this is creed of Islam) mentions God partnerships between the not what the state needs at without getting into the government and the people. The this point in its historical description of God. It is only a solemn invitation to government needs new odyssey. This is an auspicious experience God’s majesty and parameters for talking and time to put hands and heads dealing with the people. The together to safeguard the future mystery. In same token, the government cannot play ostrich of the state. My humble counsel Nicene Creed is also a tip of the and thus forget its covenant with to the formidable people of Osun iceberg concerning God’s infinite the people. The people on the is to look beyond possible grandeur and grace. The story of other hand must develop the political antics and work for the the incarnation (God becoming power to discern the stark common good of the state. This human in Jesus Christ) is also a differences between fire and rain. is not a time to willfully destroy bold testimony to the surprising They cannot afford to be misled the foundations upon which the character of God. It further by vile and toxic political destiny of our children and our accentuates the paradoxical machinations. This is my dream collective future would be built. nature of the Christian faith. In and vision for Osun State, Ipinle The task of contemplating and re- Kabbalah, Jewish mystical Omoluabi. Ultimately, it behooves evaluating the parameters of tradition, God is known as ein sof, us to engender imaginative human wholeness should be a which means infinity. Our insights for putting this beautiful non-negotiable goal for all the religious quest is laden with home in order rather than foster stakeholders in the Nigerian wonderful discoveries and rhetoric and innuendo that may project. Embarking or engaging realizations. Our limited set it on fire. “Lord, I believe, help in a doomsday prophecy is only understanding will forever benefit thou my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). analogous to using a basket to from positive interreligious Akintunde E. Akinade, from conversations, partnerships, and water a plant. It won’t work!

Edunabon, Ife North, is a dialogue.

An authentic statehood In some parts of Nigeria, Professor of Theology at i n t e r r e l i g i o u s is actualized by the collective will Georgetown University’s and participation of its citizens. misunderstandings have Edmund E. Walsh School of It is never built by simple rhetoric escalated into violence. Osun Foreign Service in Qatar. He is State cannot afford to become a or empty pontifications. A state an ordained minister in the does not come into being by an gory theatre of interreligious war.

Anglican Church of Nigeria.

In terms of an intellectual abstract deux ex machina. It is narrative, it is r a t h e r serendipitous that the F r e n c h mending efforts between the Muslim historian and RIGHT OF REPLY and Christian communities failed, the social critic, Muslims headed for court in 2013.

By Semiu Okanlawon René Girard Judgement was not pronounced until last used the Monday, which is HE recent judgment week concept of of the Osun High Court that ruled now attracting unfair comments: scapegoatism in favour of the use of hijab (head •That Governor Aregbesola, at no point to construct scarf) by Muslim female students in the in time, made any policy, pronouncement his theory public secondary schools has brought the or issued any circular to the effect that hijab concerning state under focus in the last two weeks. should be added to school uniform in public the genealogy This judgment has attracted numerous schools. Hence the assumption or of violence in comments, remarks, opinions and even allegation that Aregbesola legalised hijab m a n y personal biases of individuals. In nearly is erroneous and untrue in its totality as r e l i g i o u s all of these commentaries – some Vanguard’s editorial would want its t r a d i t i o n s . informed, others partisan and jaundiced readers to believe: According to – the kernels of the point of discussion are him, the lures either misunderstood or cast away by the Erroneous of mimetic writers. assumption desire drive The Vanguard Newspaper Editorial the human o f Wednesday, June 22, •That, as unconscionably proclaimed propensity to 2016 was constructed in this fashion. The by Vanguard’s editorial, at no time did initiate and paper, without any restraint, pointed the governor embark on any c e l e b r a t e fingers at the governor of the state, Ogbeni religious adventurism in the state or try violence. In Rauf Aregbesola, as the sole mastermind to promote one religion above the other. essence, the of the crisis. Vanguard’s reason was that Aregbesola believes and does not shy cult of the governor ordered the use of hijab in away to state that ‘religion is a private affair scapegoatism schools and, therefore, is guilty for his, in of an individual.’ provides a the word of the editorial, “quixotic and The Government of Aregbesola, more r o b u s t dangerous religious adventurism” in the than any other state governments in the rationalization state since he assumed power five years country, has been fair to all religious for wanton ago. Nothing could be farther from the groups in its dealings in the past five years, violence and truth. We make bold to say that without trying to subsume or relegate one terror. This Vanguard’s allegation is wild, baseless for the other. One is, therefore, miffed to c o n s c i o u s and unfounded. read in the Vanguard just as some other action allows Likewise its conclusion which is newspapers who have toed the same antiindividuals to illogical in this respect. To straighten the Aregbesola line in their arguments, unleash their lines, we wish to assert as follows: The the erroneous assumption that the current feeling of hijab controversy predated the crisis over hijab was caused by the action h o s t i l i t y administration of Aregbesola. It started (or inaction ) of the Governor. t o w a r d with the introduction of western education •Thus, we submit that the above-quoted members of with some discriminations against Vanguard’s editorial missed the points on their own Muslims. However, the effort to douse the the issue of hijab and merely, if not community. agitations on hijab in 2003 to 2004 initiated mischievously, gave the government a bad Let me affirm the current crisis.

That name so as to summarily hang it in the a simple w h e n A r e g b e s o l a ’ s f e n c e - court of public opinion.

Re: Averting religious crisis in Osun

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46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Premier League is a ‘fraud’ that’s full of ‘average’ over-hyped, over-paid players — Hamann

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IVERPOOL legend D i e t m a r Hamann launched a scathing attack on the Premier League after England’s embarrassing defeat to Iceland in the last-16 of Euro 2016.

Featuring as a pundit on Irish television broadcaster RTÉ, the 42year-old claimed that England’s top flight is littered with over-hyped and overpaid players, most of which are ‘bang average’.

Hamann also claimed that the worldwide coverage the Premier League receives has created unrealistic expectations and that in terms of quality, football in Spain and Germany is far superior to England.

‘English people believe the hype of the Premier League,’ said the German.

‘Richard Scudamore and the Premier League company have sold a Skoda for a Lamborghini for the last 15 years.

‘The Premier League is average. If you look at Spain and Germany and the standard of football and look at the quality of football, it’s in a different league to England.

‘Just because it’s being watched all over the world, that doesn’t make it the best product.’

Hamann didn’t stop there, criticising how much the players are paid

by English clubs and how the top players in the world still prefer to play elsewhere.

‘Some of the players should light a candle every night when they go to bed because if they were Icelandic,

Portuguese, Dutch or German they would struggle to earn a quarter of money they’re on now.’

The former Newcastle United striker didn’t hold back when discussing England’s latest debacle and said he went to the FA to state his desire to take charge of the national team five years ago.

‘I went to see the FA four or five years ago and said ‘I want it,’ Shearer said.

‘I would have that job.

They looked at me and said ‘No, it’s a lack of experience,’ I said, ‘You’ve hired experienced guys, you’ve paid them an

League is a fraud. They pay world-class wages for above average players.’

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BREATHLESS••• Nigeria's Gloria Asumu competes with South Africa's Allysa Conley in the 200m at the CAA African Championships in Durban

Nigerians scramble for Olympic Day Run

By Chinwe Okeke and Elioku Ifeoma Favour

IGERIANS from all N walks of life would join their counterparts all over the world to celebrate theOlympicDayRunonJuly 2, 2016 in all the states of the federation.

The Olympic Day Run is an international Olympic Movement activity promotingmassparticipation of sports in June and organised by National Olympic Committees, NOCs. Augustine Odijie, Head of Administration and Logistics of NOC said yesterday that

Shearer Continues from BP

‘It’s not their fault that the clubs are paying that money. But it’s overinflated, the Premier

Maradona, fans beg Messi not to retire

absolute fortune, I could not have done any worse than them’.’

When Gary Lineker asked Shearer if he would still take up the role, the former England captain responded without a moment’s thought.

‘Absolutely, I would. I would offer my experience and tournament experience.

Even if Gareth Southgate got it, for him to take players in with experience who’ve been there and done it then that has to be a benefit also.’

they have concluded plans to mobilize Nigerians to participate in the Olympic Day with special events featuring jog/walk from the National Stadium to Shitta Round about, through Adeniran Ogunsanya Drive to Bode Thomas, through Eric Moore to Abebe Village to Costain Bus Stop and back to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Just as Nigerians pour out to to ensure the positive values of the Olympic Movement – Excellence, Friendship and Respect are promoted, Nigerians in all other states would be celebrating the Olympic Day too in their states.

Former Olympian and Chairman of NOC Sports Commission, Henry Amike who has been working tirelesslytoencourageyoung and old alike to get involved in the Olympic Day for sport, cultural and educational

activities said that they would also uphold the three pillars of Olympic Day which are Move, Learn and Discover. ‘’This time, we’re involving Schools and their pupils knowing that tomorrow belongs to them. Starting from June 30 to July 2, art exhibitions,paintings,drama will be staged by the students and their schools under the supervision of Sports For All Officials. It’s not something to miss. You know that sports is live’’, Amikeaformerrecordholder for Nigeria said.

Amike emphasised that through these messages, sports organisations today are promoting the benefits of physical exercise, inspiring people to get active and enabling them to discover new sports while embracing the Olympic ideals regardless of ability or background.

IEGO Maradona has pleaded with Lionel Messi not to go through with his retirement from international football, following Argentina’s Copa America Centenario final loss to Chile.

After losing his fourth final for his country after the World Cup two years ago and the Copa America in 2007 and 2015 - an emotional Messi said: ‘That’s it.

It’s over for me with the national team.’

The post-match revelations made waves across the world but Maradona has decided to speak out publicly in an attempt to persuade the Barcelona man to think carefully about his future.

Maradona, regarded as one of the all-time footballing greats, has called on Messi, whom he coached during his time as national team boss between 2008 and

Champions League: Enyimba gun for 3 points in Pretoria opener to the campaign,

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I G E R I A cham-pions, Enyimba FC will go all out for their first points of the group stage of this year’s CAF Champions League when they confront Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in Pretoria on Wednesday.

A lone goal defeat to Zamalek of Egypt on a soggy pitch in Port Harcourt ruined the People’s Elephants’

Mikel sets condition for Chelsea stay

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OHN Obi Mikel could be set to leave Chelsea this summer in pursuit of regular first-team football.

The midfielder, who has been with the Blues since 2006, has just oneyear remaining on his current deal and is yet to receive assurances about his playing time ahead of the new season.

Mikel has spoken to inbound Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and is prepared to hold off a move away until he holds further discussions with the manager when Italy ’s Euro 2016 campaign ends.

However, Mikel - who would be keen to stay at Chelsea - is considering alternative options in case Conte does not offer him what he wants.

2010, to play on at the 2018 World Cup. ‘Messi has to stay in the national team. He will go to Russia in form to be world champion,’ Maradona told Argentine daily La Nacion.

‘He has to rely more on boys who can help take the team forward and less on those who say they have to go.

‘Those who are saying he should quit are doing it so that we won’t see what a disaster Argentine football has become.’

Messi’s plan to retire comes as the Argentine Football Association (AFA) implodes.

With the AFA’s presidential election marred by controversy and uncertainty, Maradona added: ‘I am very sorry and very angry with what is happening to Argentine football.

‘We hit bottom, we reached the bottom.’

Chelsea have a policy of only offering oneyear extensions to players over 30 which means it is in the 29year-old’s interest to renew his contract this summer to secure a longer deal.

Mikel has previously spoken about his future after Nigeria played Egypt back in March and made it clear that he does not want to sit on the bench.

but club boss Felix Anyansi-Agwu is optimistic his wards can secure an away win over ‘The Brazilians’ at the Luis Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening.

“We lost the first match of the group stage at home but we have put that behind us and we have great motivation going into this match. The boys know that nothing less than an outright win will do and they will go all out for it.

“We have tremendous experience at this level and we will approach the game with confidence in our ability to take the maximum three points,” Anyansi-Agwu said.

The South African champions thought they had picked up three valuable points from a 20 victory over Entente Setif of Algeria on Matchday 1 only to see the advantage wiped off following the expulsion of the Algerians from the competition for crowd trouble.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

C M Y K

— 47

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

Maradona, fans,beg Messi not to retire Premier League is a ‘fraud’ that’s full of ‘average’ over-hyped, over-paid players — Hamann Diego Maradona, pictured with Messi in 2010, has spoken out and urged the Barcelona man not to walk away

Details of stories on page 46 •Hamann

•Rooney

•Kai Rooney

•English fan

Champions League: Enyimba gun for 3 points in Pretoria

Shearer wants England job

A

LAN Shearer was scathing in his analysis of England’s disastrous showing against Iceland and even put himself forward as a candidate for the now vacant managerial position with the Three Lions.

Continues on Page 46

Mikel sets condition for Chelsea stay •Mikel

•Shearer

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 2 Anaesthetic (5) 1 Tolerate (4) 3 Restless (7) 4 Top (3) 4 Munch (4) 6 Curse (4) 5 Discharged (4) 8 Pure (6) 6 Tender (5) 9 Feeble (6) 7 Torment (7) 10 Pile (3) 12 Characteristic (5) 11 Astern (3) 12 Beverage (3) 14 Arrogant (5) 13 Can (3) 15 View (5) 16 Pig-pen (3) 18 Climb (6) 17 Wonder (3) 20 Lamented (6) 19 Honest (7) 24 Cede (5) 21 Beer (3) 26 Beneath (5) 22 Perfectly (7) 28 Weird (5) 23 Owing (3) 30 Agent (3) 25 Devil (3) 32 Invent (6) 27 Eject (5) 33 Sick (6) 29 Interior (5) 34 Warmth (4) 30 Chair (4) 35 Cask (3) 31 Story (4) 36 Court (4)

FRIDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Become 2, Army 8, House 9, Ass 10, Sun 11, User 12, Event 13, Teemed 16, Dear 18, Edge 20, Per 22, Sit 23, Rye 24, Nude 25, Crew 28, Damage 30, Eerie 32, Tear 33, Bent 34, Ire 35, Rebel 36, Hold 32, Ordeal.

DOWN: 1, Beauty 2, Cosseted 3, Missed 4, Converter 5, Asunder 6, Rest 7, Yam 8, Hue 14, Described 15, Age 17, Air 19, Dynamic 20, Pup 21, Revered 26, Waster 27, Reveal 29, Itch 30, Earl 31, Eel.

How to Play Sudoku

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lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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