Female suicide bombers strike again in Kano

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62197

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, JULY 29 , 2014

EBOLA: Nigerian envoy, 58 others had contact with victim — Lagos Govt 8

Female suicide bombers strike again in Kano

By ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

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•First one detonates bomb at fuel station; 3 killed, 7 injured •Second bomber blows self up at Trade Fair Complex •Jonathan condemns attacks in Kano, Adamawa, Cameroon

ANO—PANIC gripped residents of the ancient city of Kano, yesterday, as two female suicide bombers struck the city within five hours of each other, killing five persons less than 24 hours after another set of bombers blasted the city, killing six per-

Continues on page 5

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Mr & Mrs GOLD FOR NIGERIA—Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare celebrates winning the women's 100m Athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. Photo: AFP.

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See 8-page pull-out inside

RUMUODOGO 2: A community of uncompleted projects

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 3

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4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

NCS SUMMIT: Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), and Chris Uwaje, former President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON at the just concluded national conference organized by the Nigerian Computer Society held in Enugu State.

By Ben Agande

Female suicide bombers strike again in Kano Continues from page 1 On Sunday, an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, was thrown at a crowd of worshipers coming out of St Charles Catholic Church, Sabon Gari, killing five persons, while another female suicide bomber blew up herself at a police check point at Gidan Murtala,

by Kofar Nassarawa overhead bridge.

Yesterday’s attack took place at NNPC Mega station located along Eastern Bye-pass where kerosene was being sold to customers in Kano metropolis.

According to the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Mr. Adenrele Shinaba, the female suicide bomber got to the filling station around 10.00am and pretended to be one of the customers before sneaking into a long queue of potential kerosene buyers. She later blew up herself.

The police boss explained that doctors at Murtala Muhammad Hospital confirmed three dead out of the 10 persons who were evacuated to the facility.

Although the commissioner refused to confirm the gender of those who died alongside the suicide bomber, he however disclosed that the seven injured persons were being treated for various degrees of injury at the government hospital.

Commissioner Shinaba further stated that the impact of the blast caused partial damage to the canopy of the kerosene section of the mega station.

The Police Commissioner then tasked the citizens to report suspicious movements to security agents to enable them checkmate “terrorist” activities.

A second bomb attack involving a 19 year-old

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfils all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love— Deepak Chopra

E

VERYTHING that happens in the universe be gins with intention. When I decide to buy a birthday present, wiggle my toes, or call a friend, it all starts with intention.

Our destiny is ultimately shaped by our deepest intentions and desires. “You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”

An intention is a directed impulse of consciousness that contains the seed form of that which you aim to create. Like real seeds, intentions can’t grow if you hold on to them. Only when you release your intentions into the fertile depths of your consciousness can they grow and flourish.

female suicide bomber occurred around 2 pm at the entrance gate of Kano Trade Fair Complex, in which six persons including two policemen were injured.

The suicide bomber died in the process.

Vanguard learnt that the attack at the multipurpose complex triggered pandemonium at the adjoining malls, forcing operators to suspend business activities.

Police image maker in Kano, ASP Magaji Musa Majiya told newsmen that the female suicide bomber blew up herself as she was about to be screened before entering the complex.

According to Majiya, “because of the high security alert in town, everyone going into the complex is thoroughly searched. When she approached the security men carrying out the search, she detonated the explosive device which she hid under her hijab.”

ASP Majiya disclosed that six persons including two policemen were injured in the attack and that two have been treated and discharged, while the remaining four are still in the hospital.

He disclosed that the mangled body of the female suicide bomber had been recovered and deposited at an undisclosed government hospital.

The police image maker therefore called on the citizens to remain calm, adding that the police were doing their best to arrest the situation.

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BUJA —PRESI DENT Goodluck has described as shocking, callous and reprehensible the multiple bomb blasts that occurred in Kano within 24 hours, and the unrelenting attacks by the Boko Haram Islamic sect at a time the Muslim faithful are observing the holy festival of Eid el Fitri.

In a statetement, yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati quoted the President as saying that he wholeheartedly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Kano and Adamawa states.

Jonathan condemns bomb attacks in Kano, Adamawa, Cameroon He said the kidnap of the Lamido of Kolofata in Northern Cameroon, Lamido Seini Lamine and the wife of the Vice Prime Minister of Cameroon were “callous and reprehensiblea” adding that the multiple bomb blasts that occurred in Kano within 24 hours, and the unrelenting attacks by the Boko Haram at a time the Muslim faithful are observing the holy festival of Eid el Fitri” were unjustifiable.

“He commiserates with the families of all those who lost their loved ones in the Kano and Adamawa attacks and wishes the injured

speedy recovery.

“President Jonathan further notes that the deployment of young women as suicide bombers represents a new low in the inhuman campaign by these terrorists and an expression of utter disregard for the dignity of the female gender as well as a wicked exploitation of the girlchild.

“The President states that the abduction of the Lamido of Kolofata and the wife of the Vice premier of Cameroon clearly underscores the regional security threat that Boko Haram has become."

TCN plans N1.3trn investment to boost power supply

By Michael Eboh

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AGOS—THE Trans mission Company of Nigeria, TCN, yesterday, said it will invest $8 billion, about N1.28 trillion in the upgrade of its facilities across the country to boost power supply to about 20,000 mega watts in the next couple of months.

Mr. Mohammed Shaike, Executive Director, TCN, disclosed this while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Privatization, led by its Chairman, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, who visited the company ’s regional office in Oshogbo in continuation of their oversight visit to privatized enterprises in Osun State.

Shaike disclosed that TCN intends to work jointly with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to achieve the

target.

He informed the senators that in its determination to develop the technical manpower of the company, TCN’s Management Contractors-Manitoba International had trained some of the technical staff abroad to acquire technical and strategic skills.

Also speaking, TCN’s General Manager, Mr. M.J. Lawal said the company’s power lines currently accommodate a maximum voltage of 330kv and that its transmission coverage extends to Benin and Niger Republics.

He said that despite the low power generation from the generation companies, plans were on to upgrade the transmission lines to accommodate more voltage to distribute to the distribution companies.

Lawal listed the chal-

lenges faced by the company to include poor office accommodation, lack of safety facilities and lack of training for the technical staff.

Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, Senator Olugbenga Obadara decried the low level of investment in power generation resulting in unstable and unreliable power supply in the country.

At the Nigeria Machine Tools (NMT) Limited, its Managing Director, Mr. Norbert Chukumah, noted that since privatization in 2007, the company had embarked on massive rehabilitation and upgrade of its facilities to bring it to modern standards.

Obadara, however, urged the company to take the company to the capital market to raise more funds for its operations.

6—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JULY 29, 2014

Man nabbed for defiling minor in Ijebu-Ode

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA — ANTI crime detectives attached to Obalende Division, Ijebu Ode of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested one Qudus Giwa of Sabo area, Ijebu Ode for defiling a girl of 15.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said the suspect forcefully had carnal knowledge of the victim on July 21.

Adejobi said the victim reported the matter to the police few days after the incident.

According to Adejobi, “the courage of the victim was commendable as many victims with similar experience do not have the courage to report or notify anyone.

“The suspect, Qudus Giwa, 22, has been transferred to the Anti Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the Department of Criminal Investigation, Eleweran, Abeokuta for proper investigation and prosecution as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Ogun Sstate, CP Ikemefuna Okoye.

“The Commissioner of Police has commended the victim for her courage to report the matter to the police not minding any social stigma; and promised to make sure that justice is done in the case.

“He has also reassured the general public of adequate security of lives and property and proper investigation of all cases reported to the police in Ogun State.”

Gunmen kidnap ex-gov Sylva’s uncle

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA — UNKNOWN armed men have kidnapped the 86-year-old uncle of Chief Timipre Sylva, the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State.

The victim, identified as Chief Benson Ayerite Adigio-Eseni, a

retired army major, it was learnt, was seized in the wee hours of yesterday in his country home at Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of the state.

A community source told Vanguard that the kidnappers, armed with AK47 rifles, stormed the coastal

settlement on the Atlantic fringe in a speedboat and whisked away their victim to an unknown destination.

They were said to have shot sporadically into the air to scare away the natives before snatching the former governor’s uncle who is also the father of a former aide to former Governor Timipre Sylva,

Austin Adigio, before disappearing into the creeks.

At press time, the kidnappers were yet to establish contract with the victim’s family.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident but said information at his disposal still sketchy.

Police smash cheque forgery syndicate •As suspect indicts banks' staff

By Evelyn Usman

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AGOS — OPERATIVES of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos have arrested three persons who specialised in stealing bank customers cheques with which they withdraw money through alleged connivance of some banks staff.

Recovered from the suspects were two dud cheques, fake letter heads of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and that of the state’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which they allegedly intended to use to procure United Kingdom visa.

The suspects' modus operandi, as gathered, included visiting banks around Lagos pretending to be transacting one business or another. Meanwhile, they would be on the look out for any customer who is careless with his cheque book with the aim of stealing such.

At other times, they would search waste baskets in the banks for unused cheque leaves like those discarded by the owners due to one error or another.

Police sources said they would, thereafter, take the cheque leaflets to insiders in the bank who, after ascertaining the amount in the account, pay the impostor, using the cheque as valid instrument.

Luck, however, ran out on the trio of Kola Ademola, Oyedepo Adesola and Kola Osho as they

The suspects were arrested last week in pipeline area of Abule-Egba following a tip-off.

Blank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys — Ademola

Thirty three-year-old Ademola, a graduate of Business Administration and son of a retired soldier, admitted that he has been in the shady business for a while.

According to the father of two, “I am an educational consultant. I enroll students for final year examinations and

A group entertaining guests with hyenas during Eid-el-fitr at Emir of Bauchi's palace.

Photo: NAN.

extra moral classes and I also do tutorials for them. I met one Samson at Obalende who introduced me to the business. He gave me the dud cheques I was arrested with.

“The blank cheques are usually brought to us by our boys. They are not fake but original. What we do after our boys bring them, is to deliver them to insiders in banks who work on them and bring the cash. We pay them at the end of the each transaction, depending on the amount in the account.

“But the present cash-less policy is affecting us because we now deal under mandate. By that, I mean we can only withdraw less than N100,000 which would not require the presence of signatories or confirmation.

“This is the third time I brought a cheque to Mr. Osho. But he said he does not have any insider in the particular bank.

“When I took the first one to him, he told me there was no money in the account and the second cheque was also not successful.

“This is double calamity because we have not made any money from these cheques. As if that is not enough, the dud cheques have landed us in police net” said the Ikire, Osun Stateborn suspect.

I wanted to use the letterhead for UK visa —Osho

But 57-year-old Osho claimed he was not aware the cheques Ademola gave to him were fake, explaining that he was only given the cheques to withdraw money with a promise to be given a stipend at the end of the day.

Hear him: “Ademola is like a son to me because his late father was my friend. I sent all the businesses (cheques) he brought back to him because I told him I did not want any trouble. That is why I took the cheques back to him saying I could not withdraw the money” Asked where he got the Ekiti State House of Assembly letter head, he replied: “Yes, the documents were found on me. I wanted to use them to apply for UK visa and I thought that if I used the letter-head, the embassy would speed up my application. I downloaded it from the internet.

“I knew I was cheating when I got the documents but I had no option.”

However, the third suspect, Oyedepo Adesola denied having anything to do with the recovered cheques and document.

The Higher National Diploma holder claimed he only went to visit Osho when he was arrested, saying: “I am innocent.

I do not understand what the Police are saying.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—7

Policeman dies after shooting self on the leg •As man attempts suicide over huge hotel bill

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By Eric Ugbor

BA— A policeman attached to the Patrol and Guard, P&G, Aba Central Police Station, Abia State, Inspector Sunday Mefo, has died after he accidentally shot himself on the leg.

The incident, it was gathered, occurred on Sunday at about 10 pm after he had booked and collected an AK47 rifle which he was to use for night duty.

Though information on how the incident happened was still sketchy at press time, unconfirmed report has it that while Mefo was trying to check the gun's condition, as he pulled the trigger, a bullet went off and hit him on the leg.

According to reports, the inspector was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital where he was reportedly being treated until yesterday morning when he died. .

Man attempts suicide

In another development, a man identified as Kenneth Rowland has been reportedly arrested and detained at the Ogbor Hill Police station for attempted suicide.

Sources have it that the man, a regular customer of an

undisclosed hotel at Road 4, Federal Housing Estate, in the outskirts of the commercial city, on receiving his hotel bill excused himself, dashed to the middle of a main road opposite the hotel and waited for an oncoming

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BEOKUTA — TRAGEDY struck, yesterday, at Ifo market in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State when three persons got electrocuted as a high-tension wire fell on them.

It was gathered that the high-tension cable suddenly snapped and fell on the

to Ogbor Hill police station where he was interrogated and detained.

Contacted, Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Geoffrey Ogbonna, said he was yet to be informed of the incidents.

Lagos bus passenger killed by Policeman buried

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AGOS — THE family of a man shot dead last Tuesday by policemen from Alakara police station in Lagos has claimed the body of the deceased and buried him yesterday in Ibadan, according to SaharaReporters, an on-line news agency.

The victim, identified as 23-year old Lawal Toheeb, was shot and killed at 9: 30 p.m. on the night of July 22 at Alakara junction in Mushin, Lagos State.

Several eyewitnesses said the police had shot at a bus, with the bullet hitting Toheeb, a passenger in the bus, while the driver and other passengers scampered for safety.

The policemen were said

3 electrocuted, several injured in Ogun market

By Daud Olatunji

vehicle to hit him.

It was learnt that people around the hotel, who saw him, rushed there, dragged him out of the road and afterwards informed police of the incident.

The suspect, was later taken

victims. Three were said to have died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the incident, however, said only two persons died, while two others who sustained injuries have been admitted at the Ifo General Hospital.

to have cleaned blood stains from the scene and removed the body of the victim.

Eyewitnesses, who suspected that the police would try to cover the murder, was said to have reported the atrocity to SaharaReporters.

A witness, who owns a business stall in the area, also claimed that the police caused the automobile accident in 2010 that claimed the life of a budding rap artiste, Olaitan Olanipekun, aka Da Grin.

He said the police had stopped a truck loaded with cement in the middle of the road.

“The cement truck had no rear lights on, so the musician, who was driving, did not know there was a vehicle ahead and rammed

into it," said the source.

He added that the policemen asked the truck driver to pull up and out of the road, and then they moved Da Grin’s car too to give the appearance that the musician’s car hit a truck parked by the roadside.

A relative of Toheeb told SaharaReporters that the police admitted to his killing and took responsibility for his burial.

The source added that the police told Toheeb’s family that the officer who fired the fatal bullet had been detained for punishment.

The name of the killer cop was, however, not disclosed.

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS — THE Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Lagos, has said that the community head of Ilaje Bariga area of Lagos State, Chief Kayode Aiyetiwa, who was charged with murder by the police has no case to answer.

The DPP released him, after making a recommendation, which showed that he could not be linked with the murder charge preferred against him.

Aiyetiwa was arraigned before a magistrate's court, sitting at Ebute Metta, after which he was subsequently remanded in prison custody.

He was alleged to have murdered a youth leader in his community, one Segun Ogbere (aka) Shaggy, but after spending 82 days in prison custody, DPP’s advice absolved him.

The late Ogbere was said to have been murdered on December 10, 2013, at Abule-Oja area of Lagos State while returning from the court where he was standing trial over an allegation bordering on attempted murder of one Chief Aiyetiwa and also for allegedly belonging to unlawful society.

4 women die in Ebonyi boat mishap

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A crowd at the Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State country home of Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, during the distribution of food items as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Fitri celebration, yesterday.

DPP absolves Bariga community leader of murder

FIKPO — FOUR women in Afikpo North Council Area of Ebonyi State have lost their lives in a boat mishap.

Secretary to Oziza Traditional Council of Elders in Afikpo, Chief Okpani Egwu, who confirmed the incident, said: “It happened at the weekend, I mean on Saturday,” warning those who don’t know how to swim not to go near the river.

It was learnt that the deceased and four other women, who went to a farm across the river in neighbouring Cross River State, were returning to Afikpo when their boat capsized in Oziza River, following a windstorm.

However, an eyewitness said the four other women were

rescued by fishermen, who were in the river when the incident happened.

The source, who craved anonymity, further said one of the four persons that died was rescued but died on the way to hospital.

According to him, only two corpses were recovered as at Sunday evening.

Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer of Afikpo North council area, Mr. Emmanuel Irem, described the incident as tragic, appealing to operators of speed boats in Ebonyi and Cross River states to always avoid overloading and speeding.

It was gathered that the search for the remaining corpses in the river continued yesterday.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Nigerian ambassador, 3 ECOWAS staff, 55 others had contact with Lagos Ebola victim — Idris

By CHIOMA OBINNA, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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HE LAGOS State Govern ment disclosed, yesterday, that the Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Chigozie Obi Nnadozie, three staff of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and 55 others had contact with the victim of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, Patrick Sawyer, who died in Lagos, last Thursday.

The Joint Federal and State Team in collaboration with other health organisations on prevention of Ebola outbreak in Lagos, has begun monitoring of the 59 persons that had contact with the victim, who died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in a private hospital in Lagos, last week.

Addressing a joint press briefing, yesterday, on the update of the Ebola virus disease, Director National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Professor Abdulsalim Nasidi, and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, explained that out of the 59 persons that had contact with the Sawyer in Lagos, 44 were hospital contacts (38 healthcare workers and six laboratory staff) and 15 airport contacts comprising three ECOWAS staff - driver, liaison and protocol officer, Nigerian Ambassador to Monrovia, two nursing staff and five airport passenger handlers.

Appeal for calm Idris, who appealed for calm, said right now, 20 contacts had been physically screened. “The airline manifest has not been provided by the airline at the time of this report and therefore, the precise number of passenger contacts is yet to be ascertained, especially as two flights were involved Monrovia - Lome and Lome Lagos. There was no report of medical incident filed and the General Declaration report of the flight.”

Idris who stated categorically that only one case of imported Ebola and one death has been recorded in Lagos, said: “No Nigerian is infected, but all contacts are being actively followed. We call on all Nigerians to be calm and not panic and I do hereby assure them that both the state and Federal governments are up in arms to ensure that the virus did not escape and that no Nigeria is infected with this virus,” he stressed.

Preliminary investigation It was further disclosed that preliminary laboratory investigation conducted by the NCDC AI virology laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and the Redeemers’ University's World-Bank Funded African Centre of Excellence for

....Says

.No Nigerian infected

.Nigerians should stop eating bats .Domestic animals not carrier of the virus

Medics in full gear to avoid contracting the virus Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) detected viral DNA and in both blood and urine samples obtained from the patient were positive for the Pan Filo virus analysis and Ebola Zaire MGB virus strain - specific analysis. Samples were also collected for further confirmation at the WHO, collaborating laboratory for Ebola in Dakar.

Meanwhile, an isolation ward has been designated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba for case management. The designation of three other health facilities was said to be under way.

Idris explained that adhering strictly to WHO guidelines, the body of the deceased patient was decontaminated using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated, with the permission of the government of Liberia. “A cremation report has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle that conveyed the remains was also fully decontaminated.”

Nasidi, who allayed fears that EVD cannot be acquired through mere coming into contact with the EVD patient, disclosed that effort to send the packaged sample of the decease to Dakar failed as the courier company turned it down.

“We were disappointed that the courier rejected the sample.

That is why we immediately sought the second opinion of World Health Organisation, WHO, recommended laboratory which is International Cen-

tre for Genomics. We are still going to dispatch it to Dakar, most likely first thing today but the WHO has accepted this result.”

Nasidi explained further that even dead bodies of EVD could be more dangerous in terms of transmission.

Case management To ensure appropriate case management and infection prevention and control, he explained that an isolation ward has been designated by the Lagos State Ministry of Health at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba for case management, adding that the designation of three other health facilities is under way.

Further, he disclosed that a total of 100 Personal Protective Equipment, PPEs, have been procured by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and Federal Ministry of Health, FMOH and distributed to the private hospital and the state Ministry of Health and WHO also donated 250 PPEs to the NCDC/ FMOH. On how the corpse was decomposed, the Commissioner said the state adhered strictly to WHO guidelines, the body of the deceased patient was de-contaminated, using 10 per cent sodium hypochlorite and cremated, with the permission of the government of Liberia. “A cremation report has been prepared for dispatch to the family. The vehicle that conveyed the remains was also fully decontaminated,” he added.

Recognising the importance of involving the community early in

the response, he stated that already the various communities, traditional and religious leaders have been alerted about the disease and urged to report promptly to healthcare workers of any suspected case.

Categories of EVD Explaining categories of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, spread, he explained that "those who come in direct contact of excretions of the dead are primary high risk group; the second group are those that come in contact with facilities used to actually treat or handle these patients; the third category are those who come in contact with those who came in very closed contact with the victim or the dead body. However, the fourth category is those who are within the areas of active transmission of the virus.

“It is also important we clarify a question of whether any of the contacts has been tested - the two laboratories are on standby for 24 hours and we have the APIN and the laboratory committee on the group screening one on one, and taking temperature of the contacts twice a day morning and evening. We are following WHO criteria and the special protocol that you screen only the blood of only those contacts that start developing symptoms. We are going to identify few of them that we'd already known that came directly in contact with the blood of the deceased while managing him,” he added.

Warning communities that eat bats, he said this is the time for

them to desist from consuming it. Similarly, he noted that some communities that worship bats and keep them in their houses should be very careful and stop the act.

Burials On burial ceremonies of people who died from EVD, he said it had been shown that 40 per cent of the cases of Ebola virus spread was from the mishandling of the burial of the dead bodies.

He warned that in case of any Ebola death, people should not just go and bury but contact public health officials.

Preventive tips President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Professor Oyewale Tomori, who commended the state government for its prompt response, harped on the rules of hand washing and infection control.

“There is no need for panic if we follow the rules of hand washing and infection control. There is need for Nigerians to be at alert as it is happening within the West African countries. There is absolutely no need to panic, he insisted.

“Where it has spread, it is because people have abandoned the rules of hand washing and infection control; we shouldn’t have diseases like Ebola if we maintain the rules of hand washing. Where people have followed the rules of hand washing, we must be at alert; we are not out of the wood yet. We must continue to be at alert. We need to be washing our hands but no reason to panic.” He explained that domestic animals are not carriers of Ebola virus and people who are rearing domestic animals such as pig should not be afraid.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina urged residents and health officials in the state to report any suspected case of Ebola virus immediately. Adeshina appealed to residents to reduce the risk of contracting the disease by observing high standard of hygiene through washing of hands often with soap and water.

“Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick and ensure that objects used by the sick are decontaminated and properly disposed because fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous,” Adeshina urged residents.

NCAA suspends A_SKY Airline operations to Nigeria Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, yesterday, said it has suspended all A_SKY Airline operations to Nigeria with immediate effect. The airline flew the Liberian infected with the Ebola virus into Lagos, which has created panic and diverted world attention to Nigeria.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—9

Jonathan paying lip service to free, fair elections — APC

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HE ALL Progressives Congress, APC, has said that all the assurances so far given by President Goodluck Jonathan on free and fair elections in the country have not translated into credible elections In a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party urged the President to go beyond mere rhetoric and take concrete actions to ensure that the elections in the country are not marred by the intimidation and harassment of opposition party members and supporters as well as the deliberate disenfranchisement of voters, which hallmarked the Anambra and Ekiti gubernatorial elections, among others. ‘’On the same day, the President’s latest assurances of a free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2015 were being reported, agents of the Jonathan-led Federal Government were ransacking the offices of a company hired to carry out an opinion poll for Osun State ahead of the August 9,2014 gubernatorial election. ‘’If the opposition can no longer freely carry out opinion polls, if the companies hired to carry out such polls are harassed and intimidated by Department of State Service, DSS, officials, after which top officials of the firm were dragged to the DSS offices in Shangisha and computers carted away, then how can any President convince anyone that free and fair elections can be held under his watch? ‘’If the Ngozi Okonjo Iweala-linked NOI polling firm has never been harassed for its choreographed opinion polls that favour the Jonathan Administration, why should other firms be subjected to the kind of Gestapo- tactics that this other firm was exposed to?

This is why we are asking President Jonathan to walk the talk,’’ APC said.

The party said that already, the foundation was being laid to rig next month’s governorship election in Osun at source, as INEC has been frustrating attempts by APC members to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards.

Why Senator Remi Tinubu’s trial is delayed – Vanguard Investigation .PDP members push for senator’s suspension .It won’t stand—APC members

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — THE Senate Committee on Ethics is yet to commence the trial of Senator Remi Tinubu more than two weeks after the committee was supposed to have submitted its report on the investigations on the alleged wrongful utterance of the wife of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Vanguard sources in the Senate disclosed that partisan bickering and seeming sloppiness may have combined to derail or delay the trial which, it was learnt, may not commence until September when the Senate is expected to resume from its seasonal holiday.

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senators in the committee are, however, undeterred and are pushing for the trial not to be overtaken by events. The agitation of the PDP senators is, however, countered by the seeming reluctance of APC senators in the committee to partake in the trial of the wife of the leader of their party.

Mrs. Tinubu became the first woman in Nigeria to follow her husband into the Senate in 2011 after her husband’s stint in the Third Republic Senate.

Senator Tinubu was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics following the adoption of a motion brought by the Senate Leader, Senator Victor NdomaEgba (SAN), last June, alleging her contemptuous utterance on the Senate and its leadership during an event in Lagos.

Senator Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District on the APC, was asked by the Senate leadership to appear before the committee after being accused of gross misconduct and breach of privileges, following reports credited to her in some national dailies where she allegedly lashed at the Senate leadership for providing uninspiring leadership besides being a lackey of the Federal Government-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The committee was given two weeks to try Mrs. Tinubu and make appropriate recommendations to the Senate.

But almost three weeks before the upper legislative chamber proceeded on its two-month annual recess, precisely on July 17, members of the committee were yet to formally meet, in what a source attributed to inability of members to form a quorum in two previous meetings convened by its chairman.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Akinyelure, who represents Ondo Central Senatorial District on the platform of Labour

Mrs. Tinubu Party, LP, confirmed in a telephone interview with Vanguard, yesterday, that the committee could not beat the deadline because its members could not form a quorum in its previous meetings.

Akinyelure debunked claim that serious disagreements among members of the committee was responsible for the delayed take-off of the committee’s work, saying, as soon as the Senate resumed from recess on September 16, the committee would swing into action.

He disclosed that so far, not even an invitation had been sent to Mrs. Tinubu to appear before the committee, because according to him, the committee members were yet to formally meet to write the invitation letter.

Vanguard further gathered that the perceived predisposition of members of PDP members of the committee to ‘deal’

with the senator made their counterparts in the opposition APC to frustrate the two previous meetings convened, by staying away.

A member of the committee on the platform of the PDP, while reacting to the inability of the committee to meet since the day they were given the mandate, blamed senators of the APC in the committee, saying they had always stayed away from the meeting possibly to frustrate the committee’s assignment.

“I think the APC members in the committee are bent on frustrating the committee’s assignment, knowing full well that the wife of their leader has erred. But any how they push with their agenda, when we resume, we shall start and work in earnest and if she is found wanting, why would the committee not make necessary recommendation?”

Another member of the committee belonging to the APC on

his part said the committee would not play to the gallery.

“We are not encouraging anybody to disparage the institution of the Senate but if somebody is found not to have erred in any way, there is no how you can recommend that a sledge hammer be used in dealing with her. This is what we are saying even though we are yet to meet formally,” he told Vanguard on telephone.

One of the aides to Senator Tinubu who was contacted on the telephone, confirmed that his principal had not been formally communicated by the committee on the matter, saying he would not say anything beyond that.

The Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, PDP, Cross River Central, had during Senate plenary on Thursday, June 26, raised the matter under Order 15 and 16 of Senate Standing Rules, where he informed the chamber that he read Mrs. Tinubu’s remarks in the interview she granted the media during the celebration of her 3rd year in the Senate, in Lagos.

He said the action of Senator Tinubu was not only contemptuous but also a breach of privileges.

In one of the publications, the senator who is the wife of a former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, was quoted to have said: ”I am depressed with various activities that go on in the Senate daily. The Senate is not a place I really want to go back to except APC becomes the majority. But if it is the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, government, I don’t think it is the environment I will like to be again. I have had my fill,” she was quoted to have said.

From left, Director of PR, Events and Sponsorship, Globacom, Bode Opeseitan, shaking hands with the President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor, after receiving the highest award of the ‘Entertainment Pillar of the Decade,’ on behalf of Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. (GCON), and Amanda Ebeye, a Nollywood Star, at the Express Star Awards, in Lagos, weekend.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Atilade makes history, succeeds sibling as acting Lagos Chief Judge

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

L

AGOS—JUSTICE Fun milayo Atilade of the Lagos High Court will tomorrow assumes office as the acting Chief Judge of the Lagos State judiciary, following the retirement of her elder sister, Justice Ayotunde Philips from the bench of the state judiciary as chief Judge.

They are both daughters of late Hon. Justice James Williams, who was a judge in Lagos State and late Mrs. Henrietta Williams This is the first time in history of the state judiciary siblings took over mantle of leadership as Chief Judge of the State High Court.

Justice Philips, who attained the mandatory age of 65 years on Saturday bowed out of the Bench after about two and half years in office as the Chief Judge.

Her retirement was marked with church service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, which was followed by a social gathering also used to celebrate her birthday.

Though, the judiciary workers are still on strike, Justice Atilade, 62, will take the baton from her elder sister officially Wednesday to oversee the affairs of the ju-

diciary pending her official swearing-in as the substantive Chief Judge.

Informed sources in the Lagos Judiciary disclosed that the new Chief Judge would be sworn in formerly in the next few weeks, giving her the opportunity of leading the state judiciary to mark the new le-

gal year 2014 which commences Monday, September 2, 2014 as her first official assignment and outing.

Vanguard gathered that the in-coming chief judge would appear before the State Assembly for screening as required by the law within the next few days while all handing over process-

es were completed last week by the former Chief Judge.

Atilade became the 15th Chief Judge of Lagos State and the fifth female to occupy the number one office of the state judiciary.

Her female predecessors in office include Justice Rosaline Omotosho, who occupied the office between 1995 and 1996.

EID-EL-FITR PRAYERS: From left: Sheik Abdulafeez Abou, Baba Adini of Lagos; Chief Alabi Macfoy; Oba Riliwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; Chief Alaba Oniru and others,at Lagos Central Mosque, during the 2014. Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Lagos Island. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Nigeria, a project in God’s hand — BISHOP OKE

By Olayinka Latona

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AGOS—NATIONAL Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, South West, Bishop Reuben Oke yesterday in Lagos, said despite the security and other challenges facing the country, the nation remained a unique instrument in the hands of God to influence affairs within Nigeria and beyond.

Bishop Oke advised Nigerians to remain steadfast and united in tackling the current challenges confronting the country, saying Boko Haram was an evil wind that blew no good and declared that “the wind will not last as God will soon intervene to end it.”

The cleric while speaking on national issues during a fourday conference of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Lagos zone 11 at the zonal headquarters a.k.a Victory & Integrity Center, Victoria Island, said Nigeria was a project in God’s hand.

According to him, “I did not know why God allows the issue of Boko Haram to get to this stage but I know that sometimes He allows some situation to get to the peak before He intervenes and we

...Boko Haram'll not last forever, he says cannot question Him but what I know is that things will change for better for Nigeria. ''Nigeria will not go under, only that God’s intervention might not come the way we are expecting as human. Boko Haram comes and it will go.

It will not last forever.

“One thing I will love Nigerians to know is that this nation belongs to God and not any particular religion or ethnic

group. Nigerians should always remember that there is a God up there who owns our life and that we don’t own anything to ourselves, so they should keep serving God, praying, be their brothers’ keeper and I am sure we will laugh at last in this country.

On speculations that the country will break up, he said “I so much believe in the unity of Nigeria, it is a project in

God’s hand, and I strongly believe Nigeria has purpose to fulfill in the end time project of God. ''Ordinarily when you look at the challenges it is easy to conclude that it’s better for the country to break and we all go our different ways but how are we sure that such break-up will be the solution to the current challenges confronting us”.

NCAA DG: Labour issues fresh 14-day ultimatum to FG

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HE Air Transport Serv ices Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, has issued a fresh 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to appoint a substantive DirectorGeneral, DG for the Nigerian Civil Aviation, NCAA .

The ultimatum is contained in a letter released yesterday in Lagos by the Deputy National Secretary of the association, Mr Captain Tarnongu.

The letter was entitled: ‘ReDemand for a Substantive Director-General for NCAA’ and addressed to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, dated July 24.

Tarnongu said the ultimatum was given, following the expiration of a previous one to the government.

He said the union was driven by patriotism and commitment to contribute its quota to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in the aviation industry.

Tarnongu noted that the attention of the government was earlier drawn to the leadership vacuum existing in the NCAA in a letter dated June 18.

“As stakeholders in the industry, we are aware of the enormous responsibility of this authority as a chief regulator

of standards and custodian of safety in the industry.

“Thus, we are justifiably disturbed on the inability of government to appoint a substantive DG for the NCAA. “We are by this letter, giving notice of the extension of our earlier 21-day ultimatum for another 14-days to lapse on Aug. 12, by which time we expect the government to expedite action to confirm a substantive DG,” he said.

Tarnongu noted that the union would be at liberty to deploy any other legitimate means to press its demand if the current one failed.

Apapa-Iganmu LCDA disburses N320m micro credit loans

L

AGOS—THE Apa pa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has granted N320 million loans under its micro credit scheme within the last three years.

Reviewing the programmes of the local council at a stake-holders forum in Ijora-Badiya, its chairman, Dr. AdesolaAdedayo, said more than 8,000 petty traders, artisans and small-scale manufacturers in the area benefitted from the scheme.

Dr. Adedayo said the micro credit scheme had remained the bed-rock of his women and youth empowerment programme.

Rotary vows to address critical public issues

By Christopher Njoku

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AGOS—THE Rota ry club, District 9110, has advised youths in the country to desist from destructive activities and focus on productive activities that can better their lives and the society.

The district Rotract representative, Mr. OduOnikosi Oluwadamilare, who gave at a briefing at the Rotary Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, noted that the goal of the organisation was to touch the lives of youths and market women positively through donations to indigent members of the community within Lagos and Ogun state.

According to him, “In Rotary, our calendar starts from the 1st of July to the 30th of June, some of our major projects for this year include gift of life project, poverty alleviation, empowerment of prison inmates, and adoption a school project.

In higher institutions of learning today, cultism is now vogue and you see youths engaging in kidnapping. Our schools are always on strike and the youths are no longer what they should be because they are being recruited to become agents of destruction to the country.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 —11

Accord not part of plan to impeach Ajimobi — LADOJA

By Ola Ajayi

I

BADAN—FORMER Gov ernor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday said the remoured plans to impeachGovernor Abiola Ajimobi, was unnecessary especially when the 2015 election is near, saying members of his Accord would not be part of it.

This came as he broke his silence on his rumoured governorship ambition, saying he would contest the 2015 gubernatorial election.

The former governor while speaking with newsmen in his Bodija residence, Ibadan, insisted that whatever Ajimobi’s alleged misconduct might be, the state lawmakers ought to have published such misconduct before their purported move.

While distancing himself and his party from rumoured impeachment moves.

He said “I know what it means to be impeached as I have been a victim of impeachment before and I don’t wish it for my brother, Ajimobi. If the purported moves by the lawmakers to impeach the governor are true at all, Accord lawmakers in the Assembly are not part of it. We have met our lawmakers and we have told them that Accord will not be part of any moves to impeach the governor, if at all the report is correct,” Ladoja, who is the national leader of the Accord governed the state between 2003 and

2007 during which he was controversially impeached.

But the impeachment was later declared illegal by the Supreme Court.

The ex-governor is the only one so far in his party to have shown interest in the governorship slot State Chairman of the party, Architect Bashir Lawal had said no other aspirant would contest the governorship slot.

When asked to put to rest insinuations surrounding his

ambition, he simply said, “If there is any candidate that I will support as my party’s governorship candidate in the 2015 governorship election, the candidate is Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja. But this is subject to my party’s approval in the primaries. So, I endorse myself if the party gives me the chance to govern the state again.”

With this development, Oyo state governorship election will now be keenly contested among Ladoja, Governor Abiola Ajimo-

bi, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, who also governed the state from 2007 to 2011 and other contestants from other political parties.

Senator Ladoja who is also a delegate at the National conference in the meantime said out that developments at the national conference had helped to bring into limelight various requirements of the components that make up Nigeria while the calibre of delegates had also helped in handling the situation in matured ways especially on such issue as derivation formula.

EID-EL-FITRI: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (right), former Military Administration of Bauchi State, Navy Capt. Rasheed Raji (left) and Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu during the Eid-el-Fitri prayer held at the Muslims Prayer Ground, Lantoro, Abeokuta yesterday.

Ramadan: Embrace peace, Amosun, Aregbesola urge Nigerians

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and his Osun state counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola have called on Nigerians to renounce violence in adherence to the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, and embrace religious tolerance, endurance and togetherness.

In separate messages to mark the end of the Ramadan fast, the

two governors urged Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence, irrespective of their differences, saying violence should not be an option in resolving crisis.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Wakama, Amosun said “As Muslims, we must not allow the significance of the season to be lost on us. We have fasted and prayed in the

Holy month for Nigeria so that the nation can overcome its current challenges. I enjoin you all to continue to demonstrate this spirituality as you support and show love to one another.”

Amosun said development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of harmony.

While thanking God for the grace to see the end of the month of Ramadan, he called for unity in the face of the

2015: ‘PDP'll not go into alliance with LP to win Ogun'

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA— C H A I R MAN, Mobilisation and Organisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the Southwest, Prince Buruji Kashamu yesterday said the party would not go into alliance with the Labour Party, LP, in the coming election in Ogun State.

Kashamu stated this in IjebuIgbo after distributing over 200 bags of rice to the residents to mark the Eid-El-Fitri, saying the PDP as a party did not have such

a plan to form alliance with LP to win the election.

He spoke against the backdrop of a rumoured alliance with the LP in the state under the leadership of the erstwhile governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

He said “we don’t need any alliance with LP or any other party in Ogun State before we can win because we have done our home work very well and have put our house in order to win. Let me make this categorical statement without any fear

of contradiction that PDP will never work with LP both for the governorship and presidential elections. Let each party test its popularity and strenght before the electorate.”

On the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Osun, Kashamu expressed optimism that the PDP would win in the state convincingly.

“I appeal to the Osun people that If they want progress for the state, they should please vote for PDP, because that is the only way to progress and prosperity.''

present challenges facing the nation, pointing out that the result of violence is always very unpalatable. ”We should not resolve to violence and killings, regardless of our religious and political differences. It is only in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that development can come. The result of violence is very unpalatable.

On his part, Governor Aregbesola of Osun State urged Nigerians to promote religious tolerance, endurance and togetherness.

Adressing Muslim faithful at the Oke-Baale praying ground to mark the end of the Ramadan fast, Aregbesola emphasised that Ramadan preached tolerance, endurance and togetherness, noting that the message was not for Muslims alone but for all Nigerians.

According to the Governor, “Ramadan teaches tolerance, forbearance and forgiveness, we want Muslims to imbibe the virtues of Ramadan in their day to day lives and let it be part of their normal routine and in their daily relationships.

Our govt'll move Ekiti forward, says Deputy gov-elect

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI—EKI TI State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Olusola Eleka has pledged that the incoming government of Mr. Ayo Fayose would definitely move the state forward, even as he urged the people of the state to give the much-needed support to the administration when it comes on board on October 16.

Speaking with journalists at his Ikere Ekiti country home yesterday, Eleka insisted he was confident that Fayose would tackle the problems he would meet on ground, since he was well grounded in the politics of the state.

According to him, “We are going to be opened to criticisms. I am very sure that the next administration would open a new chapter in the politics of this state.''

Chibok: Be patient with Jonathan, Clark's wife begs Nigerians

By Daud Olatunji

A

B E O K U TA — WIFE of foremost nationalist and leader of the South South delegates to the ongoing National Conference, Dr. Abisola Sodipo-Clark, yesterday warned Nigerians against stampeding President Goodluck Jonathan, into mishandling efforts at rescuing the kidnapped girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

She spoke at a prayer session for the safe return of the Chibok girls and for peace to reign in Nigeria, organized by Muslim women in Abeokuta, as part of the activities to mark this year’s eil-el-Kabir festival.

Sodipo-Clark said since God had been so magnanimous to make it possible for over 50 of them to escape captivity so far, Nigerians should be patient with Jonathan over the return of the remaining girls to their parents.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Akpeki can rule Delta— OKWUOSA

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA— A political leader in Delta North senatorial district, Delta State, Chief John Okwuosa, has said that the Ugo of Okpe Kingdom, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, was qualified to become the next governor of the state.

Chief Okwuosa, who spoke to Vanguard on the ongoing consultation by Akpeki on his governorship aspiration, said: “Akpeki told us that he is contesting on merit and not on the basis of zoning.”

Another top Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain from OgwashiUku, Mr. Nath Nwangbor, said: “Akpeki is the most eligible aspirant for the position of governor come 2015, based on his political pedigree.”

... as LG aspirant assures on good governance

By Festus Ahon

U

GHELLI—A chairmanship aspirant for Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Andy Atumah, yesterday said he was in the race to add value to the lives of the people of Ukwuani council.

Atuma, who addressed party leaders, elders, youths, women and supporters in the council at both ward and local levels, promised to provide the people amenities that will improve their standard of living if elected.

He listed potable drinking water, accessible roads, constant electricity supply, jobs, wealth creation and good governance as some of his top priorities.

Atumah said: “I will work with government at both the state and federal levels to ensure uninterrupted human and capital development in Ukwuani council.”

EPZ: Ugborodo youth factions clash

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—YOUTHS in the oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State have destroyed the OdeUgborodo (Aruton) home of Isaac Botosan, Vice Chairman of the Thomas Ereyitomi-led Community Trust and member,

Ugborodo Interface Committee to the proposed $16 billion Federal Government Export Processing, EPZ, in the area.

Confirming the incident yesterday, Botosan said the attack took place on Sunday, a day after the Aruton youths denied men of the Nigerian Navy entry to resettle indigenes displaced by the violence that tore the

community apart in January.

As at yesterday, the crisis was said to have spilled over to Warri and environs as factional youths moved against opposition leaders, resulting in the destruction of the home of Ofe Pender, Aruton Youth Leader ’s residence in Egbokodo, a Warri South community in what is believed to be a backlash of Sunday’s violence

THANKSGIVING: From left— Lady Valerie Ebeh, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State; Mrs. Ann Enoidem; Mr. Enoidem, Commissioner for Special Duties and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State during a thanksgiving service to mark Enoidem's 50th birthday in Uyo.

Family debunks reports of charm in Black Arrow's death

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE family of Osamame Isekhuere, A.K.A. Black Arrow, who was shot dead in Benin, Edo State, last month has denied media reports that he was shot while testing the efficacy of charms in his possession.

Spokesman of the family, Chief John Adun, who made the clarification in Benin, said: “He was shot from behind by a boy who is now in police net.”

Adun explained that the problem between the late Osamame and the person that allegedly shot him was over who becomes the head of Ogbe Youth Association.

He said: “The boy (deceased) was fronting for his own brother to be the next head of the association and this did not go down well with some of them.

“Three attempts were made on the life of the deceased in my own house on Zabayo Street. I reported at the State CID that the boys were collecting N1,000 each from market women.

“The woman who sold a bottle of soft drink to the deceased when a shot hit

him has even agreed to testify if invited. So this report that he was testing his charm is untrue and that is why some of us were shocked when we read it because we knew what happened.

“The boy who shot him is

in police cell and has confessed to the crime.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folunso Adebanjo, confirmed the arrest of the suspect, adding “he will be taken to court after investigation.”

Akpabio tasks Christians on love, forgiveness

G

OVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has charged Christians to always have the heart of forgiveness towards one other because God is love.

Akpabio gave the charge during the thanksgiving service on the 50th birthday celebration of the state Commissioner of Special Duties, Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem at Power City International, Uyo. He said: “For those of us who are going somewhere in life, we must learn to forgive.

We must always have the heart of forgiveness because God is love, and any position we find ourselves, we should always leave it better than we met it.

“I thank God for the life of the celebrant and we are all

gathered here to rejoice with him. He has a good heart, is hardworking, very dedicated and a resultoriented person.”

The celebrant, Enoidem, thanked God for his life and commended Governor Akpabio for his developmental strides.

He pledged that he will continue to work with the governor and would continue to do so even when Akpabio becomes a Senator in the nearest future.

In his homily, Pastor Damina said the Church was born since the days of Pentecost in the Bible, pointing out that the plan of God was for His children to function in the supernatural, which he noted was the realm of God.

in Aruton.

Botosan said: “On Saturday, I was among leaders who accompanied the Navy to return displaced persons home. And you are aware they refused men of the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Delta to carry out that mission.

“They did same first at Ajudaibo. They had their way and I never had any problem with anyone.

“I am at a loss as to why what happened on Saturday would provoke the destruction of the house I built for my mother in Aruton. These violent elements partially destroyed that house back in January.

“They completed the destruction Sunday and proceeded to destroy my grandfather’s house and that of Julius Atete, Ugborodo Youth National Chairman.”

Femi Uwawah, an executive member of Tonwe-led Community Trust faction confirmed that Ojogor Tuoyo, another member of the EPZ Committee, also of the David Tonwe camp had to vacate his house along with his family for fear of being attacked in Egbokodo.

RAMADAN: Amaechi preaches stability

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OVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has said stability of the country was key to facing and conquering its challenges.

Amaechi said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, congratulating Muslims on the completion of the Ramadan fast.

He wished Muslims across the country happy Eid-el-fitr celebrations and urged them to continually pray for the stability of the nation.

He said: “Since the Civil War, this has been a very trying period in the life of the country. But we must continue to pray for peace, oneness and stability of our nation, because that is one way we can overcome our problems.”

He prayed for wisdom in tackling the nation’s challenges and crises and urged Muslims in Rivers State to remain peaceful as they join their counterparts around the world in celebrating Eid-el-fitri.

Amaechi assured that the state will continue to protect the rights of everyone in the state.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—13

NLC decries increasing wave of impeachment

Medical consultants warn FG on move to

proscribe NMA

…says it portends danger for 2015 general elections

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

NIGERIA LABOUR Congress, NLC, has decried the rising cases of impeachment of elected officers in the nation’s political life.

According to the NLC, impeachments on the eve of elections are ill-advised, diversionary and portend dangers to 2015 general elections.

It called on all political ac-

Priv at e security co ys Privat ate coys suppor ight supportt FG's ffight against tterr err orism errorism

By Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA — PRIVATE Secu rity Guards across the country, yesterday, formed a strong consortium to galvanise support for Federal Government in its strive to fight terrorism in the country.

To this end, they have concluded plan to organise private security conference to create awareness among the populace to support the government to quell security challenges.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the conference Coordinator, Mrs. Yemisi Amadin, said the conference was based on creating security awareness among the citizenry and teaching them how to spot and promptly report security risk situation and breaches.

She disclosed that the conference had developed strategies for disseminating information on the protective, preventive and defensive methods to members of the public for immediate practical and effective application. ”The conference will create an interactive section whose conclusions will go a long way to provide practical solutions for proactive action by every Nigerian on alertness and security consciousness,” Amadin said.

She added that the very interesting aspect of the conference shall be the exhibition of security gadgets and equipment, by Nigerian and international exhibitors.

According to her, the security devices that will be on display shall include modern tracking devices and latest high technology bomb and explosives detectors, capable of detecting bombs and spiky explosives within a radius of 100 meters by defusing and jamming them.

The three day conference to be flagged off by President Goodluck Jonathan in September was put together by Spears Dowell Trust Vision Digital Surveillance.

Also included are the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, Place of Help, National Detective Newspaper, GNL Security, Thomas Chase, African Women in Nation Building and

Marvel Webs.

Amadin further said that the conference, which had drawn the attention of the international community, would attract the participation of foreign security companies who would also exhibit high technology security gadgets and equipment.

She added that security chieftains were expected to proffer solutions to the safety and security challenges facing the country, particularly terrorism.

tors to return to the era of vibrant political and democratic culture of tolerance, respect for the choices of the electorate and avoid acts capable of undermining the nation’s democracy In a statement by its President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, the NLC said it was “worried about the increasing intolerance among politicians, irrespective of political parties.

“As a pan-Nigerian organisation that fought for democracy in Nigeria, we cannot stay and watch democracy we fought for and which we have constructively nurtured for about 15 years to be undermined.

“It is against this background that Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is worried about depleting tolerance level manifesting in serial impeachments of elected political office holders as recently

witnessed in Adawawa, threats of impeachment in Nasarawa and Enugu states.

“The challenge at the moment is to ensure free and fair elections in some states and at the federal level in 2015.

“Feverish impeachments on the eve of election are ill-advised, diversionary and open to all sorts of political interpretations.

“No matter the efforts of democratic institutions as INEC, the police and Department of State Service to ensure free and fair election, a lot depends on the activities and attitudes of the political actors.

“We, therefore, call on all political actors to return to the era of vibrant political and democratic culture of tolerance, respect for the choices of the electorate and avoid acts capable of undermining the nation’s democracy.

“There should be sanctity of mandates for the president,

PRESENTATION: Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, presenting copies of Educational Transformation Books of the Jonathan administration to the State Secretary, Hungary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Laszlo Szabo, as Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, in Budapest.

FG to hold manufacturers responsible ffor or poor w ast e wast aste management

By Funmi Olasupo

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BUJA —THE Federal Government warned, yesterday, that it would hold manufacturers of products responsible for poor waste management.

The Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, gave the warning in Abuja at the stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the review of the draft operational guidelines for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, programme in Nigeria.

She described Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, as a concept to promote

total life cycle environmental improvements of product systems by extending the responsibilities of the manufacturers of the product to various parts of the product’s life cycle, especially to the take-back, recovery and final disposal of the product.

She said: “The Implementation of EPR programme in Nigeria will bring many benefits, hence it will, among others, help to improve waste management practices, protect the environment and human health.

“It will lead to improvement in the design of eco-friendly products and reduction in unsustainable consumption and production."

governors and legislators.

Where there is misconduct, the process to recall through impeachment must be seen to be transparent and sincere and should not be a continuation of party politics through the back doors.

“The Congress remains committed to the sustenance and promotion of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

By Victoria Ojeme

A

BUJA —THE Dental and Medical Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, has warned the Federal Government against taking drastic actions against the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, in an effort to force the group to end the current strike embarked upon by doctors in the country.

MDCAN in a statement by the President, Steven Oluwale, in Abuja, yesterday, said proscribing the NMA would have negative effect on the already fragile health sector.

The group said information at its disposal indicated that the government had mapped out modalities to end the strike and also proscribe NMA. ”The attention of the MDCAN is drawn to the purported plan of the Federal Government to take drastic steps to end the current NMA strike.

Unnamed government officials have leaked to the press that the government is considering proscription of the NMA. ”In the event that the Federal Government toes this course of action, the military will be deployed to guard the medical institutions with military and paramilitary medical professionals rendering services in the mean time. All public health institutions will be privatised,"MDCAN said.

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Vanguard , TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 15

Ngige faults Jonathan on 2nd Niger Bridge zSays contract highly inflated O

By Enyim Enyim

NITSHA—THE Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Dr Chris Ngige, has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan on the construction of the 2nd Niger bridge on the grounds that the estimated cost of N114 billion for the project was highly inflated.

Speaking on the occasion of the swearing in of the new state and local government executives of Anambra State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Awka, Ngige said the estimated cost was a rip off on the economy of the country, saying the project would have cost N70 billion on PPP arrangement.

He said: “I did not go for the ground breaking of the 2nd Niger bridge because it is been built on PPP arrangement and because the cost of the project suffered double inflation from the Nigeria government and the foreign financier partner.

Ngige said: “With this arrangement, the financier would like to recoup his money by building toll gate there which he would collect for 25 years.

saying the present federal government of President Jonathan had made the people of the South East third class citizens.

Slams the Federal Government on rising unemployment

Besides, the former governor of Anambra State chided Jonathan’s government for not creating employment for the unemployed graduates in the country, describing it as a cankaworm that

was responsible for various crimes in the society.

On security, Ngige appealed to the federal government to increase the federal allocation of the northern governors who were using their allocation to combat the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

He advised the new state and local government executives to be visionary, committed and mobilise support for the party to win the presidential election come 2015, so the issue of

corruption and other social malaise would be arrested.

Also speaking on the occasion, National Auditor of the party, Chief George Muoghalu, cautioned members of the party to be steadfast in their commitment to the party, especially in view of the 2015 general election.

“The money bags politicians are back to throw money around.

If they give you money, take but do not sell your conscience.

Remain committed and focussed,” he said.

Kicks against tolling

“Each vehicle passing to and fro would be expected to pay N1000. How can that bridge and road be the only toll gate bridge in Nigeria when the federal government had built such bridges in and around the country free off charge.”

Ngige cited the Ediba- Itigidi bridge which the federal government built for the people of the area without any cost,

INAUGURATION: From left, Senator Chris Ngige, Hon. Tony Muonagor, Minority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Mrs Tina Adike, Deputy National Woman Leader of APC, Dr. Emeka Anaebonam and Hon. Ebele Obi (members, Anambra State House of Assembly), during the inauguration of Anambra APC excutives in Awka.

Pressure mounts on Obi to dump APGA for PDP

A

By Emeka Mamah

WKA—THERE is intense pressure on the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, to decamp from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Sources said in Awka yesterday that pressure had been mounting on Obi to decamp from his party, in view of alleged strained relation between him and his political godson, Chief Willie Obiano.

However, Obi's Media Assistant, Val Obienye, said his principal would not dump APGA as he had no reasons to so.

Obienye had been asked to comment on news making the rounds that Obi planned to decamp from APGA, along with some members of the House of Representatives, including Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and Emeka Mogbo, among others.

He, however, said that the pressure on Obi to decamp from the party did not start yesterday as late President Umaru Yar’Adua had also tried unsuccessfully to lure him out of APGA. ‘’The former governor has made it clear that he will not leave APGA for any party. His

body language does not suggest so.

“Late President Yar ’Adua did his best to get him out of APGA but did not succeed.

The former governor has character. He is not planning to do such a thing. ‘’It is also not true that he (Obi) has any quarrel with the governor

of Anambra State, Chief Obiano.

There is no need for that. Obi handed over power to Obiano for good. Since he handed over power to Obiano, he has not travelled to Anambra State. He has nothing to quarrel with Obiano for because, he has no pending issue or issues.’’

Theology not against women ordination —Bishop Anikwenwa

A

By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—THE retired Archbishop of Province 2 of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, has fueled the controversy trailing the argument on the ordination of women as bishops in the church, saying he did not find anything in theology against the ordination of women.

Addressing reporters in Awka yesterday, Anikwenwa, who

also served as the Dean of Church of Nigeria and Bishop of Awka Diocese before his retirement, said though the Church of England had voted in support of women ordination as bishops, he still stood on the side of the Church of Nigeria on the matter.

He said: “As an Anglican priest, I do not find any theology against women ordination. Jesus never said a woman should not serve him. The Bible tells us that women followed Jesus all

through his ministry. Why won’t they then serve him?

“So I do not see anything wrong in ordaining women. But I have to abide by the stand of the Church of Nigeria on the matter because we are not on the same page with the Church of England on the issue.”

According to Anikwenwa, the Church of Nigeria has actually not taken a census to know the number of bishops in support of the ordination of women.

‘Our turn syndrome', Nigeria's greatest impediment

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Sylvester Okonkwo, said weekend in Awka that Nigeria’s greatest impediment to achieving national objectives was the ‘Our turn syndrome’ which was dragging the country backwards.

Speaking at a leadership summit organised by the Students Union Government of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in conjunction with the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Okonkwo, who is among those aspiring for the Senate in Anambra Central in 2015, warned that unless Nigerians stop favouring their part of the country on the issue of emergence of the nation’s leadership, political tension would continue to mount.

He said that a good leader, no matter where he came from, would change things for the better.

2015: Group asks Jonathan to contest for 2nd term

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—A political support group, Hand-in-Hand Synergy Network, HHSN, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election.

According to the group, President Jonathan’s reelection will fast-track Nigeria’s economic growth to take her pride of place in the comity of nations.

The group is made up thef elite, professionals, students, traders, unionists, activists and concerned citizens.

National coordinator of the group, Mr. Ugochukwu Adilieje, said at a news conference in Awka, Anambra State, that the second tenure of President Jonathan in office would enhance development in the country because it would enable him complete and consolidate the ongoing transformation programmes and projects initiated across the country.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 17

I

HAVE been a student of elections for 42 years. I obtained my first degree in History and Politics from Warwick University, Coventry, England in 1975.

In my second year at Warwick, I obtained a scholarship to visit the United States to study the circumstances behind the 1973 election of Maynard Jackson as the first AfricanAmerican Mayor of Atlanta, and of a major Southern metropolis in the United States since the American Civil War. Since then, I have been fascinated by elections.

Unfortunately, Nigeria remained under military rule for an inordinate length of time. The most fascinating election I have ever observed was the first election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States in 2008.

Obama secured the nomination of the Democratic Party against the formidable Hilary Clinton; and he then went on to defeat the Republican nominee, John McCain, in the general election.

Anticlimax Obama’s 2007/2008 election campaign has since become a textbook-case of outstanding political strategizing in the United States. His superior tactics ensured that his victory quickly became inevitable, even against all

Why Goodluck Jonathan is likely to win the 2015 presidential election by a landslide election should be a problematic one for Goodluck Jonathan. After 15 years, Nigerians are generally fed up with the PDP. 15 years is more than enough time to change drastically the electrical power situation in the country. But this has yet to happen to any appreciable degree.

One year is more than sufficient to make a big impact on the problem of corruption in Nigeria. Again, this has not happened in 15 years. The security situation in the country is now critical and is likely to get much worse before it gets better. 219 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls are still missing,

Goodluck Jonathan is currently the only presidential candidate in Nigeria. The others are nowhere to be found

,

the odds. Therefore, some of us were able to call his nomination as Democratic Party candidate and election as president very early; to the discomfiture of doubting Thomases who could not imagine a black U.S. president in their lifetime.

The forthcoming 2015 presidential election in Nigeria is another election that has become easy to predict, but for different reasons. Yes, it is a much ballyhooed election, especially since the emergence of the All Progressives Congress. However, the APC has turned out to be a newspaper political party and nothing more. Its novelty has long died down and a new harsh and dismal political reality now confronts it.

As a result, the 2015 election is not likely to live up to its hype. As a matter of fact, all the evidence now indicates the election will be a cakewalk for the PDP. Goodluck Jonathan will not only be re-elected as president, he will be re-elected by a landslide.

PDP failure Ordinarily, the forthcoming

,

with only dubious promissory notes offered by the president for their imminent rescue.

For these and other reasons, the 2015 presidential elections should be a difficult one for Goodluck Jonathan. When the Iranians held American diplomats hostage under the regime of Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979, it led to the defeat of incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the United States presidential elections of 1980.

However, in the case of Nigeria, my contention is that the re-election of Jonathan in 2015 is going to be easy.

Jonathan will defeat his APC challenger convincingly. He is also likely to obtain the requisite one third of the votes in virtually every state of the federation.

Shambolic opposition

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he main reason for this conclusion is that Jonathan is facing a shambolic APC opposition that does not seem to have a clue about what it takes to run an effective national presidential campaign. This explains why, till date, Jonathan is still the only candidate running for the

presidency. Although he has yet to declare his candidacy officially, even a three year-old Nigerian child knows he will be the PDP candidate.

However, his APC challenger remains unknown.

It is incredible that barely six months to an election where the opposition hopes to unseat a president who has been in office for nearly six years, the APC bigwigs have yet to agree on who will be his challenger.

Moreover, the INEC timetable favours the PDP as opposed to the APC. By decreeing that the party primaries for the presidential elections must wait until October 2014, and the campaigns must not start until November, INEC has created a situation where Jonathan has become virtually the only candidate. Just by being president, he is already campaigning and running for re-election.

This means there is now insufficient time to socialise Nigerians about the APC candidate.

The only opposition candidates that need no national introduction are Buhari, Atiku and Tinubu.

But the candidacies of these men are dead in the water.

Buhari and Atiku have contested the presidency in the past and failed woefully.

Should they try again, they will fail again.

Tinubu’s candidacy is a nonstarter, given Obasanjo’s recent eight-year representation of the SouthWest in Aso Rock. This leaves the APC with no candidates of note to field against Jonathan.

The only realistic APC candidate at this eleventh hour can only be a national nonentity; and among the nonentities, I include men like Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano. An APC nonentity cannot prevail against Jonathan and the PDP juggernaut.

Shallow party-structure The only party that can field a nonentity and still win the presidential election in Nigeria is the PDP. This is because it is the only longstanding national party in Nigeria and, unlike the APC; it has been in power for 15 years. That means the PDP has firm roots nationwide. But the APC only has roots in the South-West,

and even there, this is beginning to unravel; as the recent elections in Ondo and Ekiti indicate.

Buhari is very popular in the North, but he is hopeless at building party-structures.

Virtually every party Buhari built imploded. Buhari is a one-man party. This is not very useful in an election where Buhari himself is not a viable APC presidential candidate. The APC has excited itself as a result of the defection of some five PDP governors to its ranks. But this is also not very useful because these governors could not defect with their PDP party-structures.

The defector PDP governors have brought a great deal of publicity to the APC. But whatever assets they had to offer has long fizzled out. A testament to this is the ease with which Murtala Nyako was impeached as governor of Adamawa State. With all the noise Nyako was making, it was easy to forget that he had no roots on the ground. It was all smoke and mirrors that did not go beyond newspaper headlines.

No game-plan

W

here then is the APC taking the fight to the formidable PDP? Literally nowhere at the moment! The APC peaked too early. As a matter of fact, it is the party now in retreat virtually everywhere. It lost to the PDP in Ondo and Ekiti, part of its South-West stronghold.

Nyako of Adamawa has been impeached. Al-Makura of Nasarawa is on the ropes.

Other APC governors are under threat of impeachment, but no such threat hangs over the head of any PDP governor.

The defection of the PDP governors to the APC has turned out to be a blessing in initial disguise. From the point of view of political strategy, it would have been better if they had remained in the PDP as APC wolves in PDP clothing.

This might have been useful in undermining Jonathan’s candidacy. Indeed, they could have challenged him for the PDP ticket, not with any hope of winning, but just in order to dent his strength and create

some havoc within the PDP. However, by defecting, the rebel PDP governors ushered in peace to the PDP. Simultaneously, they exported their "wahala" to the APC where they are now at loggerheads with the old APC brigade in bitter internal struggles for supremacy. For a party that has yet to find its feet, this has been disastrous.

Indeed, the defections are now going in the other direction, from APC to PDP; as happened recently in Zamfara. Even the defector PDP governors are likely to lose their seats in the nearfuture, because defection is proscribed in the Constitution and the PDP has taken the matter to court.

So what exactly is the APC game-plan? Nothing much!

All we have at the moment is Lai Mohammed coming up incessantly with bombastic broadsides against Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP in the newspapers. If they really believe this is the way to unseat a six-year-old president and dislodge a fifteen-year-old government, then the APC bigwigs need to enroll in NIPSS, Kuru for courses in “Nigerian Elections 101.”

Boko Haram factor

A

nd then there is the Boko Haram insurgency and the albatross of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls. The strategy of the terrorists is that every explosion is supposed to discredit the Jonathan administration. In spite of its hatred for the entire Nigerian political establishment, there is no doubt that the Boko Haram would prefer a Northern Muslim president to Southern Christian Goodluck Jonathan.

For this very reason, a vote for APC is now more likely to be construed as a vote of surrender to the insurgency.

While Nigerians are very concerned about the security situation in the country, they are even less likely to succumb to its incorrigible purpose. The indiscriminate bombing of innocent Nigerians for the sake of an agenda that is alien to Nigeria cannot but rally people nationwide behind President Goodluck Jonathan.

A few days ago, Vanguard published a Special Report captioned: “Six Months to Elections, Where Are the Presidential Aspirants?” The answer is that Goodluck Jonathan is currently the only presidential candidate in Nigeria.

The others are nowhere to be found.

The APC is a useful counterpoise to the PDP in the Nigerian political equation. But it is only likely to pose a strong challenge to the ruling party in 2019, when there will be no incumbent president to contend with, and after it might have sorted out its internal contradictions and developed firm roots nationwide. But as it is today, the APC is not even likely to survive impending defeat in 2015.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 WEDNESDAY, 23 July, marked 100 days since the abduction of 279 female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The circumstances of the 14 April abduction were graphic portrayals of the failure of government and leadership at different levels. The girls were abducted though there was a state of emergency in the North East, and assurances by the Borno State Government that adequate security was provided for the students writing their final exams.

Worldwide rage trailed the abduction that added another dimension to the terror attacks in Nigeria. Of course, the insurgency has a wider aim of destabilising the entire Sahel region, something that was not reflected in earlier measures that tended to localise the challenge.

The #Bring Back Our Girls campaign resonated around the world. Its local chapter has been having running battles with security agencies who term it an opposition platform for political blackmail.

It is most distressing that the girls are still in captivity in Sambisa Forest, which bears various dangers. The nation shares in the agonies of the families of the abductees. Global attention was

Chibok - 100 Days, Counting momentary. The blame shifting, blame sharing and superior knowledge about what cannot secure release of the girls.

Security agencies claim they know where the girls are. World powers’ initial offer of assistance dissolved into excuses about the uncertainties of Sambisa. Obviously, it is Nigeria’s challenge; the world is looking away. The biggest international contribution to the rescue efforts is the #Bring Back Our Girls campaign.

Nigerians should support our security agencies as they go about the onerous job of securing the release of the girls. There is the additional matter of ending the insurgency.

The war on terror and the efforts to rescue the girls are complex campaigns that require the understanding of everyone. We must sink our political differences if we are to face a common enemy that is determined to destroy our society. The last four years of dealing with various degrees of terror attacks, has made the war against terror a major national focus.

Government might not have been as successful as many expected in combating terror, but it is not a failure from which to make political capital. Lives are involved. Elections cannot become more important than the lives of Nigerians.

Public ownership of security, empowering the security agencies, earning the confidence of the people, prompt trial of suspects and their sponsors would limit the capacities of the attackers.

Secret loyalty for the enemy and profiling Nigerians based on their religion and ethnic background are divisive and aids the attackers.

Government should ensure safe return of the girls soon, and an end to the frequent terror attacks

OPINION

BY ERNEST OMOARELOJIE

N

IGERIAN politicians and their apologists prefer to describe the country's democratic evolution as nascent.

In their view, it is inappropriate for anyone to upbraid its many ugly sides or describe it as a sham compared to its American model.

They would tell anyone who cares to listen that there is no basis for comparison as the Yankee version is centuries older. Sadly however, they always fail to remind themselves that our inability to apply intelligence is the only missing link.

Thus, while they want the rest of us to wait for centuries to experience true democracy by telling us that democratic practise in the US is devoid of the hiccups and pitfalls that appear peculiar to us because of its age, none of them will wait for more than one month to acquire status-enhancing, technology-laden cars or gadgets.

Unfortunately, the nascent theorists have extended the attitude to the application of legality to checkmate deliberate action meant to frustrate the country's democratic process just as those who ought to know better are raising the trumpet in salutation.

If the trend is a major staple in the menu of the opposition PDP in Edo State, its national arm is perfecting it as a sure-fire weapon designed to conquer the entire Nigerian space, come 2015. It was manifest in the debacle in Rivers, same as in the current bizarre circus in Edo and very prominent in the brazen battering of the democratic process both in Adamawa and Nasarawa states where the world is waiting to see how the judiciary will save itself, to begin with.

The design began to take effect in Edo State in the wake of the defection saga involving C M Y K

PDP and its abuse of due process some members of the state assembly. In a bid to checkmate possible reprisal actions from their majority APC colleagues, the defectors sought legal refuge by asking a Federal High Court to forestall any attempt by the house leadership to either declare their seats vacant or put them on suspension.

In its wisdom, the court agreed that the house cannot declare their seats vacant. It however, ruled that it could not grant the second relief as doing so would amount to infringing on the internal affairs of the assembly which has every legal right to deal with, including suspending erring members. Four days later and unarguably in the expression of the said right, the house suspended the defectors on grounds of gross misconduct. However, they refused to heed the suspension order, prompting the assembly leadership to rush back to the court for help. Help came for the assembly leadership when the court barred the defectors, the police command and AIG Zone 5 from entering the assembly complex.

Flagrantly, they did not only ignore the order, they have turned the assembly complex into a circus centre, incurring and ignoring court contempt in tow. The chaos resulting from the affected law makers' action has since turned into a growing monster.

In attempting to whitewash an open breach of court order, the estranged law makers went to an Appeal Court to ask for, among other reliefs, a stay of execution of the suspension order made by the High Court.

But the relief suffered a blow as the court dismissed it, insisting that they must first obey both the orders mandating them to respect the supension issued them by the house and contempt charge arising from their

refusal to do so.

In a ruling delivered by Hon Justice Morounkeji Ogunwunmiju on behalf of the two other justices, the court declared that “the said suspended members could not seek any relief from the Court of Appeal while they were in contempt or disobedience of the Order of the High Court.”

The judge went further to emphasise that a party in contempt of a positive order of court cannot be allowed to seek or obtain any relief from the Court while the contempt persists.

In plain language, the court ordered the renegade law makers to go and obey the suspension order and contempt charges.

The ruling, made on Thursday, July 10, 2014, is now a stark reminder of the affected law makers' attitude to court orders as amply captured in the words of their infernal image, Festus Ebea, former deputy speaker, who while reacting to an attempt by a court bailiff to serve him and others contempt summons riled both the court and everything it represents in vile invectives.

Typically, they have continued to glean over their defiance with laughable excuses while being applauded by their party, the PDP. Still smarting from the impact of the Appeal Court ruling delivered less than 24 hours earlier, the law makers(law breakers if you like) took the matter to the Supreme in the seeming puerile expectation that the apex court will rub mud on its inestimable lower arms, having been subjected to a very odious humiliation.

But even as the flaks from the Appeal Court ruling were still reverberating, news of yet another ruling, this time, from a Federal High

Court, presided over by Justice Mohammad A. Liman, hit the waves. Uyi Igbe, speaker of the state house of assembly, Philip Shaibu, Majority Leader and the Edo State House of Assembly, on behalf of themselves and other members, asked the court to restrain the state Commissioner of Police and the AIG Zone 5 from restricting the activities of artisans employed by the house to fix the leaking assembly roof. They also asked the court to prevail on the suspended law makers "from further purporting to carry out the legislative function of the 3rd plaintiff (house of assembly), including but not limited to purporting to sit or hold plenary sessions wheresoever's pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice."

In the judgement, the court restrained the state Police Commissioner and AIG Zone 5 from "preventing or continuing to prevent the plaintiffs, including the workers of the 3rd plaintiff (House of Assembly) from having unrestricted access into the premisses of and their offices at the Edo State House of Assembly..." and "from further preventing the workers engaged by the 3rd plaintiff from continuing with the renovation/repairs of the leaking roof of the Edo State House of Assembly Complex...".

The question is this: Can any defendant act in place for a plaintiff in the execution of a valid court order given in favour of the latter and in the same matter he/she/it is listed as a codefendant without undermining the order itself?

*Mr. Omoarelojie, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Benin City.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—19

S

TUDYING Nigeria over the years, it has become easy to identify a pattern of behaviour; that is to say: you will be able to identify a Nigerian anywhere in the world through his or her behaviour. The question therefore is: can the way we are – our culture and way of life – be the cause of our stagnated and slow growth?

First, let us identify patterns of behaviour that run through the veins of the average Nigerian.

Nigeria is a colourful variety of ethnic groups, proud and loud and ready to show that his is the best always, even if it cannot be confirmed empirically.

The average Nigerian is smart, intelligent and friendly, especially to foreigners. Most time, this virtue is used negatively, especially by 419 fraudsters and other criminals, and in the process mar the image of the country.

The average Nigerian has a burning desire for wealth, no matter the methods used to achieve it. It is very common to see a man come home, after public service, being vilified and ridiculed by his people for not helping himself to the national till while in office. We celebrate thieves, kidnappers, armed and pen robbers. If you ask a young school graduate where he wants to work, beside the oil sectors and

banks, he will tell you ‘Customs’, where bribery is the order of the day.

The average Nigerian is very religious, whether Muslim, Christian or Animist. You see a lot of devotion to the places and modes of worship. Incidentally, that is also a route, nowadays, to quick wealth and because Nigerians want quick solutions to their problems, they fall victims of these religious scammers.

The average Nigerian is ethnically biased against the overall Nigerian interest and so, you find people being treated as foreigners (settlers), even in their own country. It is also responsible for the inability to decisively contain corruption and insurgencies now threatening to bring the nation to its knees. It has beclouded our senses of judgement.

Following after our crave for wealth, is the crave for power. We crave for power to oppress and allocate resources to our advantage. Out of the 11 or so persons that have ruled this country as president since independence, only five- Balewa, Shagari, Obasanjo, Yar'Adua, Jonathan – have come in through normal democratic processes. We like to flaunt our powers; even a common adviser to a minister or

The solution lies in a focused, disciplined leadership, with a strong will to effect changes in our negative lifestyles through personal examples

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local government chairman goes about in siren-blaring convoy of vehicles. The latest are political aspirants: becoming a political aspirant confers on you the privilege of using convoys. That is the way of Nigerians.

T

he average Nigerian believes in ostentatious display of wealth that breeds wastefulness.

Check out the number of wealthy Nigerians who have gotten rich through government patronage and stealing. How many of them are investing in real productive ventures inside Nigeria. The latest craze is going to Dubai and other cities around the world to organise wedding ceremonies, seminars and parties. The most expensive automobiles in planet earth are found in Nigeria the same month they are released.

Because of our wastefulness, we produce raw materials, sell it to outsiders at cheap rates, while, they are returned to us as

Tobacco companies and smoker's genocide

BY BOBSON GBINIJE “Capitalism has no friends.

It is an excruciating and horrendous double edged sword that killeth its sponsors and victms” Dr. Cecil Stuarts (1882 -1934)

T

HE encyclopedic documentation of events as they unfold in the global human scenario remains cardinally imperative. This is to enable us learn from the mistakes of the past, and improve on our present and future engagements. There are dates, but there also dates. When Dr. J.E Gillman announced an X-ray treatment for breast cancer in 1901, when Lenin seized power in Russia after the October Revolution in 1917, when chloroform was first used as anesthetic in 1847, when 15 years old Dalai Lama assumed power in Tibet in 1950, when the first edition of Encyclopedia Britannica was published in 1768 and when Guglielmo Macaroni sent the first transatlantic telegraph message in 1902, the world was stunned. But when in 1926, the link between cigarette smoking and cancer was discovered, the world stood still. But cigarette manufacturers and smokers have continued their mortal habit with suicidal intensity.

A cigarette is a short-cinctured tightly rolled cylinder of tobacco wrapped in thin paper for smoking. A tobacco is a plant with large leaves, which is dried and prepared for smoking, snuffing, chewing, piping and inhaling. A person or shop that sells tobacco, cigarettes and pipes is called a tobacconist. The act and habit of smoking is as old as man. Because of its lethal effect, cigarettes have been severally called trinitrotoluene, TNT, carrot, cancer stick and coffin nails, etc.

According to scientists and environmentalists, tobacco smoking is most likely to cause cancer, leukemia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular or respiratory C M Y K

impairment, infertility and abnormal palpitation diseases. In its 1998 report, the World Health Organisation, WHO, posited that 16.71 or 31% of the 53.9 deaths were caused by the cardiovascular diseases.

According to WHO, tobacco-related illnesses will be the world’s leading killer by the year 2020, responsible for more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis, road accidents, murders and suicides put together.

Population in developing nations face the greatest risk as 85% of all smokers will come from those countries by the mid-2020s. The Republic of Ireland have 204 deaths a year per 100,000 people from respiratory diseases; Hungary has 313 deaths per annum per 100,000 people and Guernsey in the Channel Island has a record 314 deaths a year per 100,000 people from cancer.

Governments all over the world, especially in Europe, are making conscious social and desperate legislative efforts aimed at curtailing the excesses of smokers and the cigarette industries are treated as ‘corporate persons’ and are made to pay heavy taxes to government and compensation to sick smokers. There are designated no-go and no-smoking areas to protect non- smokers in most European countries and in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is compulsory for industries to conspicuously display the caveat or warning that “ cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health” and that “ smokers are liable to die young”.

Apart from the computer, steel and marine industries, the cigarette industry remains one of the fastest growing industries in Africa. This is because rejected tobacco industries in Europe and America are finding their way to Africa due to the inability of African governments to legislatively protect their people from the harmful effects of smoking, apart from the Lagos State government. And even where legislation exists, they have no bite because of corruption and the backward economies resulting in massive

finished products at very exorbitant prices: –oil, agricultural products, solid minerals are all affected by this.

The average Nigerian is corrupt and prone to bribery. With the minimum wage being N18,000 per month that cannot take care of housing alone in Abuja, how do you expect the average civil servant to survive?

Meanwhile, the senior civil servants are sharing the loot amongst themselves.

As a result of crave for all of the above, our politicians have turned politics into a do-or-die affair. So, in Nigeria, negative politics is the order of the day; no election is complete without the allegations of rigging.

It has also made us, as a nation, to lose focus; I mean: concentration, discipline and vigilance. We want to get the reward without working for it, therefore, we get stunted in our growth process. As they say: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. That is the situation of Nigeria as country, that is the way we are.

This picture is better captured by the display of our Super Eagles during the last World Cup competition. At the world stage, we showed how bereft of ideas we are, in finding solutions to the challenges facing us as a nation.

Arsene Wenger, the coach of Arsenal football club claims that Nigeria is full of talents, what they lack is organisation. You cannot give what you do not have. A man that boarded the same vehicle with me claimed that “they have legs but no senses”. They have not won the

,

BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

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The way we are and our slow and stunted growth

Tobacco-related illnesses will be the world’s leading killer by the year 2020, responsible for more deaths than AIDS, tuberculosis, road accidents, murders and suicides put together

,

unemployment and poverty. The result is that Africa is suffering from heavy environmental toxicity and deaths due to cigarette smoking. On the cigarette smoking onslaught in Africa, Dr. keith Ball, British cardiologist, said: “ Short of nuclear war or famine, cigarette smoking is the greatest single threat to the future health of Africa”.

Multinational tobacco giants hire farmers to grow tobacco and they also acquire large spans of land for their own tobacco plantations. The African farmers cut down trees sorely needed for cooking, heating and housing and use them as fuel to cure tobacco leaves. They grow lucrative tobacco crops instead of less profitable food crops.

Impoverished Africans commonly spend a large proportion of their scanty income on cigarettes. So African families suffer from malnutrition while the coffers of Western and Africa tobacco companies grow fat from the profits. Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America are all targeted by European companies who see the developing world as one gigantic business opportunity. But, teeming Asia is by far the biggest goldmine of them all. China alone presently has more smokers than the entire population of United States- 300 million. They smoke a staggering 1.6 trillion cigarettes a year, one third of the total consumed in the world.

The 1993 report published by United states Environmental Protection Agency revealed that passive or non-smokers living, inhaling or staying around smokers and the whiff of their cigarette smoke are likely to

match and they were playing to the gallery. It was an attitude of wastefulness; many talents but no concentration, discipline and vigilance. That is the Nigerian behaviour and that is why our growth has remained stunted.

With concentration, discipline and vigilance, we shall see the defeat of terrorism within a very short time; we will see the country on the rise in all ramifications of life.

Some have argued that we cannot find solutions without knowing the causes. Our present underdevelopment must not be divorced from our colonial foundations. With serious brain washing, fake statistics and sense of values, our priorities as a people became warped. All the norms of integrity, hard work, charity, communality and chastity were thrown overboard by the British values of injustice, divide and rule, playing one ethnic and religious group against the other and rigging of census and elections ( those of you holding contrary opinions should go through Nigeria’s historical records). The division created has not healed till today.

The solution lies in a focused, disciplined leadership, with a strong will to effect changes in our negative lifestyles, through personal examples, most especially a strong will to put right past injustices.

May the almighty God provide Nigeria with such a person.

*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

develop lung cancer and heart diseases The puffed and spiraling smoke contains cancinogenous compounds and 700 different additives, namely: heavy metals, pesticides. Lungs of smokers and of people nearby are exposed to at least 43 known cancer- causing agents. For young children, exposure to smoke results in 150,000 to 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia annually. Smoke aggravates asthmatic symptoms for 200,000 – 1,000,000 children each year in the United States.

On October 14, 1347, trading ships from the East entered the habour of Messina in Sicily. At the oars were diseased and dying men. On their bodies were dark egg-sized swellings that oozed blood and pus. The sailors suffered intense pain and died within several days of the appearances of the first symptoms. Rats from the ships scurried to join the local rodent population. The rats carried fleas infected by a bacillus lethal to humans, thus spreading the epidemic known as the ‘Black Death’, the worst pestilence in European history up to that time. They spread with terrible ferocity. In just three years, it cut down a fourth of the population of Europe: a whooping 25 million people died. But investigations and comparatives analysis have shown that the cigarette smoking plague will be worse than this. It will be so devastatingly disastrous and unprecedented, that the world is best admonished to start finding solutions to the imminent cigarette- smoking epidemic, holocaust and genocide. Youths have become the millennial smokers because it is fashionable, quite ignorant of the horrendous implications.

From the foregoing, it is clear that smoking is dangerous to your health. But smokers argue that since it is a habit, they cannot give it up easily.

But men should not be allowed to kill others by installment. Government can help by legislating and executing the nonsmoking order in peculiar and special places. The Abuja and Lagos orders that limit smoking to specific areas and the rejection of over $86.5 billion in the tobacco industry in Nigeria must be commended. The cigarette factories must be closed down. *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, JULY 29, 2014

By Jimitota Onoyume, Asst News Editor

“

I have not bothered to con nect to the national grid since I moved into this my new house in Elelenwo area of the state three months ago because of the epileptic power situation”, Mr Tamy Charles told Vanguard Metro, VM. The epileptic power supply has dropped to its worst level in most parts of Port Harcourt and adjourning local government areas that residents generally regard as Port Harcourt.

A resident of a part of Rumuegbo in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, one of the urban communities around the state capital said they had not seen electricity generated by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution company, PHED in their area for about two months. “We have not had light in this part of Rumuigbo for about two months now. We have all been relying on generators,” Francisca said.

The story had been the same in several parts of the state capital in the last three months. Youths who could not tolerate the ugly situation took to the streets on June 14, protesting the epileptic power situation. The angry youths went to the PHED office on Moscow Road to vent their anger on any staff of the electricity distribution firm but none of them was around that day. The rampaging youths disrupted the free flow of traffic on the busy Moscow Road that day. Some of them had told newsmen that they had to embark on the street protest hoping that it would force the electricity company to improve on its services to enable residents enjoy the World

PH residents groan over epileptic power supply

*A transformer...Many in Port Harcourt but no power supply to residents. standing, saying the firm was to begin upgrade of its facilities in some areas of the state capital, so there would be reduction in power supply from 9am to 4pm daily between July 13 to 23.

“PHED wishes to inform its customers of plans to cut electricity supply from July 13 to July 23 in the hours of 9am to 4pm each day. This planned outage within this period is to

We have not had light in this part of Rumuigbo for about two months now; we have all been relying on generators

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Cup tournament then.

The poor power situation has crippled hitherto thriving businesses in the state. An ice cream vendor who sold on a bicycle said most of them were faced with the challenge of scarcity of ice blocks to cool their ice creams. “Some of us cannot even find ice block for our business anymore because of the power situation,” he said.

Public Affairs Manager of PHED, Mr John Onyi, in a statement titled: “PHED set to cut electricity supply in Port Harcourt” pleaded for under-

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enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN improve some sections of its transmission line that transports power supply to Port Harcourt.

“This upgrade when completed will enhance the power wheeling capacity of the transmission lines, thereby, enabling PHED provide better services to its customers.

PHED will make concerted effort to resume normal electricity supply to its customers from 4pm to 9am the next day,” he said.

Unfortunately, the firm could not keep to its electricity sup-

ply schedule for the state capital in the ten days as most parts of the state were plunged into darkness. The ugly situation continued even after the ten days the firm said it would need to finish the job. “We have continued to remain in darkness 10 days after PHED said it would need to finish work on its facilities in the state”, Anayo who resides in Ogbunabali area of Port Harcourt said.

Spokesman of PHED, Mr

Onyi in his statement blamed the poor power situation on insufficient megawatts, adding that there had been reduction in the megawatts to the state from 694 to between 150 and 160. “This shortage of megawatts forced the company to embark on load shedding to ensure the limited-electricity available go round users,” he said. He also linked activities of vandals to the problem.

“Loss of nine of its distribution transformers to vandals was responsible for current electricity outages presently experienced at Ada George, Mile 3, Ikwerre road, Iwofe road and parts of Rumueme community. Also, work is still ongoing at the vandalised five towers (132kv lines) that feed electricity to Mgbuoba, NTA, Rumuosi, University of Port Harcourt, and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital,” he added.

FESTAC residents hail council boss over award C

HAIRMAN of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele has been honoured with the prestigious Award of “Best Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government” by the Festival Town Residents Association Community 2, at its last general meeting and the election of new executive to pilot its affairs.

The Chairman of the Association, Comrade Jola Ogunlusi, noted that the award to the local government helmsman was in recognition of his developmental policy in transforming the local government to an enviable height.

He said: “We have witnessed dividends of

democracy in this community, particularly in the area of road rehabilitation, free health services, educational development, and infrastructure, among others”.

Adewale, while receiving the award, expressed appreciation to the association for recognising hard work. He promised to continue to make Amuwo a brand that will occupy a pride of place in the hearts of the residents.

According to Adewale: “This award is from the people that I serve; it’s not from the people from the Diaspora; these are the main people; this will encourage me to do more, and also help those coming after us to know the task ahead of them.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 21

Works on ports’ access roads to end in two months — FG

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

T

HE Federal Government has said repair works on access roads to the nation’s ports especially Apapa, will be completed in two months while awaiting the execution of the main contracts to .cushion the effect of the gridlock on the busy OshodiApapa Expressway.

At a meeting between officials of the federal government and leaders of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, to avert the union’s threat to shut the ports, government officials and the union, agreed that a standing committee for the evacuation of tankers from the Apapa-Oshodi expressway would also be set up.

The meeting attended by three Ministers, Inspector General of Police, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and leaders of MWUN was to stop the strike threat by the union over the menace of tankers and other heavy duty trucks on the access roads Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and other ports, among others.

The meeting called by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, was attended by Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umaru, Minister of State for Works, Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority, Alhaji Habib Abdulahi, repre-

VISIT: From left: Engr. Bako Wakil, Head Wireless Network, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Engr. Ubale Maska, Commissioner, NCC and; Mr. George Zhu, President, Tecno Group, during a visit by Tecno to NCC. sentative of the Inspector General of Police, CSP Olusegun Omojuwa, Force Marine Officer and leaders of the union led by its PresidentGeneral, Mr. Anthony Nted.

Participants at the meeting appreciated “the maturity and understanding shown by the

1.55

179.85

3,193.00 -5.00 17.14

0.09

108.13

1.06

101.89

0.02

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.73 STERLING 263.2576 EURO 208.5296 FRANC 171.541 YEN 1.5222 CFA 0.2986 WAUA 237.2832 RENMINBI 24.9757 RIYAL 41.2569 KRONA 27.9609 SDR 237.9593

155.23 264.1083 209.2035 172.0953 1.5271 0.3086 238.0499 25.0569 41.3903 28.0512 238.7282

155.73 264.959 209.8773 172.6497 1.532 0.3186 238.8167 25.138 41.5236 28.1416 239.4972

CBN Exchange rate as at 28/07/2014

trade union at various times in the pursuit of its members’ welfare. Also the concern the trade union has exhibited in the nation’s welfare was equally appreciated. The meeting noted that some of the trailers have been moving out of the area gradually, and the

Federal Government is already addressing the issues of concern to the Trade Union by the award of contracts to Julius Berger to do preliminary assessment, palliative measures, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the roads.

“In consideration of the de-

mand by MWUN for immediate palliative measures/works while awaiting the execution of the main contracts, the meeting concluded as follows that sixty (60) days is slated for the completion of the palliative works, the meeting would reconvene in thirty (30) days time to re-assess progress made, and a Standing Task Force Committee would be put in place to ensure clearing of tankers and trucks from Port Access roads.

The Standing Task Force Committee will have MWUN and other relevant stakeholders as members.”

“The meeting noted that the issues of removal of Tank Farms and Petrol Tankers would involve the input of the Minister of Petroleum Resources who was unavoidably absent due to some equally important official meeting, and also, the input and cooperation/action of other stakeholders would be needed. It was therefore concluded that the issues pertaining to the Tank Farms should be stepped down to allow the Federal Government time to address the issues.”

Online retailer expands to new markets O

nline retailer Jumia, a would-be African Amazon set up by German venture capital firm Rocket Internet, is expanding into three new markets - Uganda, Ghana and Cameroon, the company said.

Jumia, which launched in 2012, already operates in Nigeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Kenya, offering up to 100,000 different items for sale from its local warehouses.

The company has recently set up local offices in Uganda after initially launching a service there in February that relied on deliveries from Kenya. The Ghana and Cameroon sites are set to open within the coming weeks, a spokesman said. “We know we are early. We are coming to markets which are not as mature in terms of Internet penetration and Internet savviness but still there is a big appetite for this service,” Jumia co-founder Sacha Poignonnec told Reuters.

Berlin-based Rocket Internet is bidding to create the largest Internet Empire outside the United States and China, seeking to replicate the success of Amazon and Alibaba in markets such as Africa, Latin America and Russia. Global consulting firm McKinsey estimates about 16 percent of sub-Saharan Africans, or just over 160 million people, are connected to the Internet, compared with nearly 75 percent in Europe and 32 percent in Asia.

A surge in mobile Internet access means that figure is expected to rise sharply in the medium term, helping African e-commerce sales reach $75 billion by 2025, McKinsey predicts. Jumia, whose main investors are

mobile operators MTN and Millicom and Sweden’s Kinnevik , promises to deliver products ranging from fashion to consumer electronics in one to five days, even to remote villages.

Poignonnec said there were plenty of opportunities for synergies with MTN and Millicom as they are leading telecoms players in Jumia’s three new markets: “This helps to build a stronger business,” he said. Rocket Internet has already launched less investment-intensive online businesses in the new markets it is entering such as food delivery service HelloFood, real estate market place Lamudi and taxi booking app Easytaxi.

“We start with a very deep knowledge of the market,” said Poignonnec, who is also co-chief executive of Africa Internet Holdings (AIH), a partnership between Rocket Internet, MTN and Millicom which runs those groups.

AIH declined to give figures for sales or hits on its websites, but the company told Reuters in November that Jumia is growing at 20 percent per month and orders had increased from $50-$100 per day to millions of dollars per month a few months after its launch. In Nigeria, Africa’s biggest market by population, Jumia is the most visited online shopping site, according to Web traffic measurement firm SimilarWeb. Jumia, which already has more than 1,500 employees, expects the expansion to create about 100 jobs, with an initial team of about 30 people in each country responsible for customer service, packing, dispatch and delivery.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

A critical point to this argument is the fact that, irrespective of who is spearheading the group, whether a seasoned lawyer, a professional banker, or an engineer, the reality is that we are all bank customers, and consumers of their products

, INVESTORS

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Top 10 performing stocks

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

n the top 10 performing stocks last week were the shares of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, CCNN, Pharma-Deko Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Ikeja Hotels Plc, Portland Paints and Products Nig. Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. Others were Cutix Plc, Mcnichols Plc, C & I Leasing Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. CCNN led on the chart, rising by 20.08 percent or N2.37 to close at N14.17 from N11.80 per share.

Research by an investment outfit, Renaissance Capital, last week, indicated the possibility of the cement maker doubling its output to 43m tons by 2020. “The Nigerian cement market continues to grow strongly with volumes at the end of FY ‘13 reaching just under 22m tpa, representing a 9.6 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past 10 years,” said the analysts at RenCap in their latest research note. “We now expect consumption to reach 43mnt by 2020 (11 percent CAGR) and believe Nigeria’s per-capita consumption rate will reach 213 g by 2020, following the 17 percent increase from 107kg in 2011 to 125kg in 2013,” they added.

In the industrial goods sector, under building material section where CCNN is listed, the company is competing favourably as it ranked the fifth most priced stock out of 13 companies quoted in the sector. Available financial statement of the company for the six months ended June 30, 2014 shows revenue growth of 15 percent to N9.4 billion as against N8.8 billion in corresponding period in 2013. The cost of sales remained flat at N5.7 billion, while the operating expenses moderated by 3.6 percent to N1.4 billion from N2.4 billion in 2013.The profit after tax also rose by 14 percent to N1.59 billion from N832.07 million in 2013. . It paid N0.45 kobo dividend in 2012. It has recorded 52 week high of 77.13 percent, rising from N8.00 within the period to the current market price.

Pharma-Deko followed with 14.67 percent or N0.22 price appreciation to close at N1.72 from N1.50.

The company recently made appointment to its Board, naming Professor Herbert C.B. Coker of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, a non-executive director. Professor Herbert C.B. Coker, a Professor of Pharmacy, holds a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from Ahmadu Bello University C M Y K

Zaria (1976) before obtaining his Ph.D from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (July 1984). He has spent his entire career in the education sector and is currently the Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos.

Listed in the pharmaceuticals sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, PharmaDeko seems to be battling to stay afloat as the financial position indicates a dwindling fortune. The revenue for the period rose marginally by 2.2 percent to N1.06 billion from N1.04 billion; the cost of sales worsened by 12.85 percent, rising from N546.7 million in 2012 to N616.95 million within the review period. It generated meager N9 million from businesses outside its area of core competence. Despite the reduction in its tax charges within the year, it recorded loss after tax of N221.79 million as against profit after tax of N70.15 million in the corresponding period in 2012.The company paid dividend last nine years ago.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings’ shares rose by 6.71 percent or N1.83 to close at N29.09 from N27.26. It is believed that the N1.10 kobo interim dividends being proposed by the Board of Directors is spurring the rally on the stock. According to the bank, the register of members will closed on August 5th for the purpose of payment of the dividend. Stanbic IBTC was also among the 13 Nigerian banks named among the top 1,000 banks in the world by the Bankers Magazine. This is even as Fitch Ratings has affirmed the bank’s National Long-term rating at ‘AAA (nga)’ and National Short-term rating at ‘ F1+ ( nga)’.

Ikeja Hotel rose by 6.67 percent or N0.05 to close at N0.80 from N0.75; Portland Paints advanced by 6.10 percent or N0.30 to close at N5.22 from N.92; Diamond Bank went up by 6.10 percent or N0.30 to close at N6.70 from N6.32; Cutix Plc appreciated by 5.56 percent or N0.10 to close at N1.90 from N1.80; Mcnichols inched up by 4.44 percent or N0.06 to close at N0.52 from N0.50; C&I Leasing appreciated by four percent or N0.02, closing at N0.52 from N0.50, while GTB closed the list with 3.33 percent or N1.00, closing at N31.00 from N30.00 per share.

Can bank customers trust this

B

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

ANK customers need an umbrella group that will promote their interests and protect them from predatory banking practices. But can they trust an umbrella group, such as the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) being spearheaded by a professional banker, and Registrar of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in the person of Dr Uju Ogubunka?

The following factors are necessary in considering the above question.

The first is that bank customers need somebody or persons with thorough knowledge and workings of banks and banking practices to fight their cause against unfair and unprofessional practices. Thus, that a BCAN is been spearheaded by a professional banker might be a big plus for bank customers. Secondly, the Bankers Committee (comprising the CBN and bank chief executives) in 2001 established the sub-Committee on Ethics and Professionalism, which among other things is charged with resolving complaints from bank customers, the general public and from within the banking system. The sub-committee is domiciled at the

CIBN (as the secretariat) and com professional bankers and regulators industry. This notwithstanding, it has bank customers resolve some of their comp Since inception in 2001, the sub-commit received a total of 1,504 petitions/case wi claims of N227.7 billion and $414.8 mil local and foreign currencies respectively which it has resolved 1,350 with N12.7 and $16.5 million awarded/refund petitioners/customers by banks. Incide BCAN President, Dr. Ogubunka, is the se of the sub-committee.

The above implies that if a com comprising bankers and regulators, dom in CIBN is already helping bank cus resolve complaints against unprofes practices by banks, an umbrella body fo customers spearheaded by a professional b can be given the benefit of doubt to cha their interest. Another factor is that, an um body spearheaded by a professional bank attract more recognition and respect fr banks. Once they know that the leader association is somebody who knows the r the game and the codes of the professiona many years of experience, influence and c

INDEX MOVEMENT

WS MARKET NE

5 banks post N100.72b •UBN, Sterling Bank in red

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

A

total of N100.72 billion was last week announced as profits generated by Five Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, for the first half of the financial year ended June 30, 2014.

The banks include Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nig. Plc and First City Monument Bank Plc. The results released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, showed that with the exception of Sterling Bank and UBN, which recorded drop in profitability in their various results, the remaining three

had positive outing with Stanbic IBTC coming ahead of all in percentage term.

Specifically, Stanbic IBTC’s post tax profit for the period soared by 56.1 percent to N15.89 billion compared to N10.19 billion achieved in the equivalent period in 2013. Its gross earnings rose by 12.78 percent to N61.49 billion from N54.51 billion in June 2013. Zenith Bank, on the other hand, recorded 8.26 percent growth in profit after tax from N43.83 billion in 2013 to N47.45 billion in the review period. The bank’s gross earnings at N184.43 billion was up 7.84 percent above the N171.02 billion recorded in the same period in 2013.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 23

•Timothy DESIYAN

Chief Timothy ADESIYAN, President, Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria (NSSA):

bn half year profit FCMB was the next with 3.1 percent increase in post tax profit as the figure rose to N9.567 billion from N9.279 billion in 2013. It posted N69.62 billion in gross earnings as against N63.294 billion achieved in the corresponding period in 2013, representing 9.99 percent increase.

Union Bank led on the flip side with profit decline of 19.5 percent from N28.409 billion to N22.856 billion. It, however, achieved marginal increase in gross earnings, rising from N127.254 billion in 2013 to N138.318 billion within the period.

FCMB’s profit slipped by 6.67 percent to N5.53 billion from N5.92 billion in the same period in 2013, while the gross earnings for the period grew by 16.2 percent from N41.9 billion to N48.7 billion.

•Williams ADEBAYO

On difference between stocks, other investment instruments

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

T

•Olusegun OWOLABI

Bonds are not meant for all investors because of the money that is involved, but your return is sure. One will not be absolutely correct to say that minority shareholders are not informed about bonds, mutual funds and other investment instruments. The only issue is that it is your needs that determine the type of investment that will be good for you at a any given time.

Stocks and bonds are not comparable because while stocks are long term investments, bonds and some other securities are short term. And because stocks are long term investments, there are risks associated with the investment and if investors can endure, they will reap good return.

For instance, in the 90s, some investors bought shares of companies like Nestle and Guinness between N10 and N14 but today, they sells above N1,000 (One thousand naira) and N200 respectively and those investors are now reaping the good harvest of their patience and endurance.

Bonds on the other hand, give you a guaranteed percentage of return, of which some companies pay you two to three times a year. And if the company should have any problem, you still have nothing to lose, contrary to investment in stocks where your returns are at the

prerogative of the directors who may chose to declare dividend.

Just as everybody cannot invest in stocks, there are some investors who are investing in it and are making good money.

Pastor Williams ADEBAYO, Chairman, Greenwich shareholders Association of Nigeria: Bonds are okay, it only depends on the percentage that you are able to buy; there are government and corporate bonds.

Bonds can be converted to

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mittee miciled tomers ssional or bank banker, ampion mbrella ker will om the r of the rules of al, with contacts

in the industry, the banks would most likely tread cautiously when relating with the association.

Furthermore, a critical point to this argument is the fact that, irrespective of who is spearheading the group, whether a seasoned lawyer, a professional banker, or an engineer, the reality is that we are all bank customers, and consumers of their products. In the case of BCAN, though the arrowhead is a professional banker, he is also a bank customer. Experiences have shown that nobody is insulated from the unprofessional practices of banks. At some time and depending on the circumstances, bankers and staff of regulatory institutions have been victims of such practices.This implies that membership of an umbrella body for bank customers cannot be exclusive of bankers and regulators themselves, and by extension, they cannot be excluded from the leadership of such group. By extension, their presence in the membership and leadership of such body should occasion doubts about the intention and effectiveness of such body in promoting the interest of bank customers. If you however have a contrary opinion, please respond through vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com.

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INVESTORS SPEAK

s association? (2)

mprises in the helped plaints. ttee has ith total llion in y out of billion ded to entally, ecretary

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S FORUM

One advantage of bonds over stock is that irrespective of what happens to the company, you stand the chance of recovering your investments before liquidation of the company

One advantage of bonds over stock is that irrespective of what happens to the company, you stand the chance of recovering your investments before liquidation of the company

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shares after the duration of about five years.

I have some corporate bonds, including Kakawa, Mapco, Stanbic IBTC Fund and some state government bonds also. One advantage of bonds over stock is that irrespective of what happens to the company, you stand the chance of recovering your investments before liquidation of the company.

Bond is for wealthy people, but because it is redeemable, irrespective of what you put in, you can be rest assured that you get it back.

The minimum price for buying bond should be between N50, 000 to N100, 000, whereas in case of shares, you can invest as low as N10, 000.

Aside the government bonds and the others available, there are also funds that are doing very well. But this also is very expensive for most minority shareholders. They also guarantee your coupon regardless of what happen to their operation contrary to share where your return is based on the yearly performance of the company.

Mr. Olusegun OWOLABI, Coordinator, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association of Nigeria: Bonds are phenomenal now because people are actually moving away from investing in stocks to bonds. The reason for this movement is not farfetched; it is because of what happened in the market few years back, which made investors lose interest and confidence in long term investment.

The quantum of fund that is required for bond is much. This notwithstanding, if there is deeper information and enlightenment, more investors will embrace it.

Another reason responsible for this bend towards bonds is that the market has failed many people. And the return that is coming out of these investments is very minimal.

C M Y K

24 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Petroleum to contribute $108bn to Nigeria’s GDP — McKinsey report

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

From left: Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa; and Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, during the ministers’ visit to NCDMB headquarters, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. percent. This would make trade the largest sector of the economy, and provides a particularly good opportunity for makers of packaged foods and fast-moving consumer items such as juices, which could grow by more than 10 percent yearly. As regards agriculture, it stated that improvements on several fronts can help raise both the volume and value of Nigerian agricultural production in the next 15 years. The sector, which is now the largest at 22 percent of GDP, could more than double from $112 billion/year in 2013 to $263 billion by 2030.

It however said that this would require raising yields through greater use of fertiliser, seeds, and mechanised implements; shifting the crop mix to more valuable crops; increasing the amount of land under cultivation; reducing postharvest losses; and raising more livestock and increasing the output of forestry and fisheries.

For infrastructure, the report stated

that on the average, the value of a nation’s core infrastructure - roads, railways, ports, airports, the electrical system is about 70 percent of GDP. Whereas in Nigeria, core infrastructure is estimated to be about 35 – 40 percent of GDP. It has one-seventh the roads per kilometer as India. On a per capita basis, Nigeria has one-third the residential buildings of Indonesia and onesixth of the commercial space. Between core infrastructure and real estate, total infrastructure investments in Nigeria could reach $1.5 trillion between 2014 and 2030. This would not only make infrastructure building a major contributor to GDP, but also an enabler of growth across the economy.

Also, it reported that manufacturing in Nigeria remains at a relatively early stage of development, contributing $35 billion, or about seven percent of GDP, in 2013. It has, however, achieved strong growth recently, with output rising by 13 percent per year from 2010 to 2013.

ALSCON: BPE absolves Russian investor of asset-stripping

T

BY MICHAEL EBOH

he National Council on Privatisation (NCP)’s Fact-Finding Committee on Aluminum Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), has said that the allegation of asset stripping against UC Rusal–owners of the company was untrue as ALSCON’s machines and structures were intact.

Speaking after an assessment tour of the multi-million naira plant last week in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Amadi, said that what was construed as asset stripping was the disposal of scraps, non-liquid assets,

America, Chinese sign MoU for 1,500MW

By CHRIS OCHAYI

E

D

espite the challenges of insecurity, Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with poverty and withheld investments by the international oil companies, IOCs, the oil and gas sector has the potential to contribute about $108 billion yearly by 2030, up from $73 billion in 2013, a McKinsey Report has stated.

The report, which was released recently stated that while the oil and gas sector is expected to grow by 2.3 percent annually, its success is still vital to the Nigerian economy. According to the report, “with the right reforms, oil production could increase from 2.35 million barrels a day on average to a new high of 3.13 million barrels a day by 2030, contributing $22 billion to gross domestic product, GDP by 2030. Natural gas output could grow by as much as six percent per year, adding $13 billion to GDP by 2030.

“In total, the oil and gas sector has the potential to contribute $108 billion per year by 2030, up from $73 billion in 2013. However, this assumes that the sector is successful in dealing with current obstacles such as security and can attract fresh investment.”

The report also said that Nigeria has the potential to expand its economy by about 7.1 percent annually through 2030, raising GDP to more than $1.6 trillion. This could make Nigeria a top 20 global economy with higher GDP than the Netherlands, Thailand, or Malaysia in 2030.

What’s more, it added that a large consuming class is developing in Nigeria, with potentially as many as 160 million members by 2030, more than the current populations of France and Germany combined. This upside scenario is based on a bottom-up analysis of the potential for major sectors of the Nigerian economy, such as trade, agriculture, infrastructure and manufacturing.

According to McKinsey, based on an expanding consumer class in Nigeria, it is projected that consumption could more than triple, rising from current $388 billion/year to $1.4 trillion/year in 2030, an annual increase of about eight

Africa Power: FG,

faulty and inactive equipment and their parts by UC Rusal.

He identified the parts as: spent anode butts; anode stems and yokes; aluminum metal pads; cathode and anode busbar; coke and pitch for anode production and cathode bars.

Amadi who led two other members of the NCP; Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and Mr. Benson Upah, on the visit expressed displeasure over the closure of the plant, and urged the management to quickly develop and submit to the government, a business plan with timelines to keep the plant functional.

He also called for industrial harmony between the management of

ALSCON, as its absence could jeopardise smooth operations of the company. The Chairman, while appealing to the management of the company to reconsider recalling some of the sacked union officials, revealed that the committee would immediately present the report of its findings to the NCP for necessary action.

Earlier, the Managing Director UC Rusal, Mr. Dmitriy Zaviyalov, told the committee that the falling prices of aluminum metals in the global market and lack of gas supply to the company were hampering the operations of the plant.

He said that between 2007 and 2012, Rusal had invested about N24.54billion in the plant, but due to teething problems, suspended production in March 2013.

FFORTS by the Federal Government to benefit from the President Barrack Obama’s Power Africa Initiative, has yielded fruitful results as the government signed two Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, with the United States of America to build a 1,500megawatts power plant.

The MoU also includes the building of other infrastructure to boost electricity supply in Nigeria.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, signed the MoU on behalf of his country, while the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo signed for Nigeria.

Entwistle said that with the agreements, both countries had agreed to work together to increase access to and availability of electricity in Nigeria. Speaking, Nebo said that the Nigerian Government is grateful for the Power Africa Initiative, and indeed to President Barrack Obama for considering Nigeria as one of the six beneficiaries in the first phase of the programme.

He said Nigeria/U.S. relations have spanned centuries, recalling that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has a good number of American trained professionals in his cabinet.

According to him, “Americans have staged a significant role in the power sector, as they have maintained embedded professionals as advisors to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and Nigerian Bulk Electricity Company, Bulk Trader.

The Minister also acknowledged the role of the private sector and NGO of American origin – USAID as well as General Electric, as formidable allies in the nation’s quest to chase out darkness.

He appealed to the Americans to still do more for Nigeria, especially in the area of capacity building, just as he recognised the role of the Americans in helping to build a critical mass of professionals that would maintain and repair power plants.

He said, “In the area of metering, a lot of gap still exists, we will appreciate more U.S. based companies to come and invest,” and assured them of a level playground. He added that the target of the Power Africa Initiative in the first tranche of provision of basic electricity needs for 20 million will be achieved.

Earlier, after the exchange of signed document, Entwistle, noted that the MoU will no doubt co-ordinate the implementation of the Power Africa initiative. He added that this is the underscore President Barrack Obama’s recognition of the importance of electricity to the economic development of emerging economies like Nigeria. He assured that his country will step up support of institutional reforms, privatisation and regulation of the Nigeria power sector.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 25

FG considers new law to check power theft

BY MICHAEL EBOH

T

HE Federal Government has disclosed that it is considering a bill to curb energy theft and also make it possible for staffers of electricity distribution companies to collect their bills from customers without harassment.

The Director-General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, disclosed this on post privatisation monitoring tour of the newly privatised Eko and Ikeja distribution companies, DISCOs, in Lagos.

He said the Government is putting finishing touches to a draft ‘Electricity Anti-Theft Bill,’ that will provide the legal framework to empower electricity distribution companies to collect their bills without molestation.

Dikki said this is in line with the thrust of the Jonathan/ Sambo administration’s Transformation Agenda, which is to make the private sector the engine that drives the growth of the economy.

He commended the Ikeja and Eko DISCOs for the positive turnaround measures they have implemented in such a short period.

“This has given impetus to government’s drive for reforms and privatisation. We are emboldened to say that reform and privatisation works, as a result of the changes already brought about by the new Discos,” he maintained.

He noted that as a monolithic company, the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, had no incentive to

improve collection or customer service, but with reforms, the new owners will work hard to recover their huge investments.

Dikki also pointed out that investors were able to embrace reforms because there were the necessary legal and regulatory frameworks that provided a clear investment horizon.

He urged the National Assembly to replicate the gains recorded in the power and telecommunications sectors in the oil and gas sector by passing the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, in order to attract investments into the sector. ?He noted that the BPE embarked on the post privatisation

monitoring exercise to among others, find out the state of affairs in the power sector, the challenges faced by the investors, and obtain policy inputs to assist government in shaping policy that will stabilise and grow the sector.

Earlier in his brief to the team, a director of the Eko DISCO, Mr. Ernest Orji, ?noted that as 40 per cent shareholders, the investors see government as a partner, and as result, their goals are aligned.

He urged the Federal Government to urgently address the issue of capacity limitations in many transmission stations to facilitate the anticipated improvement in power generation and delivery to customers.

Orji pointed out that the shortfall in gas supply and frequent

vandalism of gas pipelines, transmission infrastructure, transformers, energy theft, among others, had further affected the generation and distribution of electricity in the country.

He said that average power demand for the Eko DISCO is 700 megawatts, MW, while the average load allocation from the National Grid was only 290MW, thereby making it impossible to meet the needs of their customers.

He noted that as part of their post-acquisition plan, Eko DISCO plans to invest over N42 billion in the next five years, of which it had already secured an initial $150 million for its capital expenditure.

From left: Sales Manager, Solar Turbines, Southern Africa, Mr. Pere Bouquest; Vice President, Oil & Gas, Mr. Ennodio Ramos; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu;Chairman/CEO, Lee Engineering and Construction Co., Dr. Leemon Ikpea; Regional Manager, Solar Turbines, Europe, Mr. Henrik Scherer; and Group Executive Director, Exploration & Production, Mr. Joseph Dawha, during a courtesy visit by Lee Engineering & Partners to Yakubu, in Abuja.

Imo State emerges winner of NNPC quiz competition

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

I

MO State, representing the South East geo-political zone, has won the 2014 Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, annual national quiz competition.

The quiz was won by three students from different secondary schools in Owerri, the state capital, who scored 155 points to emerge first position at the 13th edition of the quiz competition for secondary school students held last week in Abuja.

They will enjoy university scholarships by the NNPC. The students, who were drawn from the six geo-political zones were tested in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology,

during the grand finale of the two-day quiz competition.

The competition had the six zones of the federation represented, North-West was represented by Kaduna, North-East, represented by Taraba, North-Central represented by the Federal Capital Territory.

While the South-South was represented by Akwa Ibom, the South-East was represented by Imo, and the South-West

by Ogun states respectively. Ogun State scored 145 points to emerge second position, Akwa Ibom scored 144 to cling third position, FCT with 130 points emerged fourth as Taraba and Kaduna scored 120 and 90 points to emerge fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

Speaking during the grand finale of the event at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, felicitated with the winners and assured of

NNPC’s readiness to sustain the programme in order to mentor future leaders to succeed in their academic pursuits.

Yakubu said the competition which is the 13th edition has lived up to its objectives, adding that most of the winners of the competition in the past graduated with flying colours from various universities across the world.

According to him, since the National Quiz Competition debuted 13 years ago, it has helped in developing the interest of younger Nigerians in the study of Science and Technology courses in tertiary institutions both with and outside the country.

He said the scholarship scheme has not only helped in the development of science and technology in the country, but has also gone a long way in assisting the nation’s future leaders to prepare towards contributing their quota to national development.

Nigeria not among most energy efficient economies — Study

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

N

igeria, the 10th largest producer of oil in the world with a gas reserve of 187 trillion cubic feet, TCF, is missing in the list of energy efficient economies in the world, according to a study by the Washington-based, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The study ranked Germany as the world’s most energy efficient country, with strong codes on buildings while China is quickly stepping up its own efforts. The study however expressed concern about the pace of efforts by the United States and Australia.

It gave Germany the top score as it credited Europe’s largest economy for its mandatory codes on residential and commercial buildings, as it works to meet a goal of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 from 2008 levels.

“We are pleased to win a second title in a week’s time,” Philipp Ackermann, the deputy chief of mission at the German embassy in Washington said, alluding to his country ’s World Cup victory. Echoing the views of the report’s authors, Ackermann pointed out that Germany has achieved economic growth while improving efficiency and reducing harmful environmental effects of the energy trade.

“We all agree, I think - the cheapest energy is the energy you don’t have to produce in the first place. Our long-term goal is to fully decouple economic growth from energy use,” he said.

The study ranked Italy second, pointing to its efficiency in transportation, and ranked the European Union as a whole third. China and France were tied for fourth place, followed by Britain and Japan.

The report found that China used less energy per square foot than any other country, even if enforcement of building codes is not always rigorous.

“There’s a lot more China can do, they do waste a lot of energy as well, but they really are making quite a bit of progress,” said Steven Nadel, the council’s executive director.

The study found a “clear backward trend” in Australia, where Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, is sceptical about the science on climate change.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

43% of Nigerians buy petrol above N97/L — Survey

FG lauds Nigerian content achievements

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE second quarter petrol price monitoring polls conducted by NOIPolls Limited, has revealed a significant 33-point decline in the proportion of Nigerians who bought petrol above the official pump price of N97 per litre.

Findings by the polls released in Abuja, further revealed a continuous decrease in the proportion of respondents who bought petrol above the official price N97 from April‘s 76 percent to 43 percent in June 2014, representing a total of 33-point decline. The background research according to the firm indicated that some sense of normalcy in the supply of petrol across Nigeria was restored in April 2014, following the fuel scarcity experienced in the first quarter.

It said, “Further findings revealed that the South-East 80 percent and North-East 74 percent zones accounted for the highest proportion of respondents who bought petrol Above N97 in second quarter.

“Also, the majority of respondents that bought petrol from major marketer filling stations, 54 percent bought at the official price of N97, whereas the majority 76 percent of respondents who bought petrol from independent marketer filling stations bought at a price above the official pump price.

‘Embedded power will solve electricity challenges in Nigeria’

BY VERA SAMUEL ANGAFU & PRISCA SAM-DURU

T

HE Consul General of the Federal Republic Of Germany in Lagos, Mr Michael Derus, has stressed the need for Nigeria to take advantage of embedded power generation to solve the lingering power challenges as well as enable local businesses experience boom.

Derus also noted that solar energy is a big advantage in power generation especially when the general climatic condition in Nigeria favours the new technology. He further stated that the “embedded power generation is a model which enables private producers to generate electricity from small plants and sell directly to the DISCOs for onward supply to consumers,” adding that the technology has been quite effective in Germany, which had less favourable climatic condition. Derus spoke at a seminar on embedded power generation held by a delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria), last week in Lagos.

According to him, “If you look into the Nigeria’s general climate condition, solar and wind energy generated power solution would even be more favourable here than in Germany. Nigeria should really take advantage of new technology that is, embedded solution that we are presenting today, to solve power problem for the development of the country. “

By EDIRI EJOH

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HE Federal Government has com mended the achievements of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, within its four years of existence, describing the agency as a major contributor to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, was quoted to have given the commendation last week after visiting the headquarters of the Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

She was quoted in a statement from NCDMB as saying, “We are all extremely pleased at the Federal level with the various achievements this Board has recorded within this period of time. It is quite clear from our various movements particularly when we go to international fora and see the number of Nigerians that are now exhibiting the services they deliver to the industry. It is progressing robustly every year and growing from strength to strength. Within Nigeria, the success of Nigerian Content is incredible.” The Minister also underscored the adoption of the Nigerian Content philosophy by other sectors of the economy like the ministries of Communications Technology, and Power, as further proof that that the implementation of the Act has been effective.

She said, “the fact that Nigerian Content policies are about to be deployed in various parts of the economy, and ministries as well want to copy and learn from the Ministry of Petroleum is one of the things we can be actually proud of. It is one of the strengths of the oil and gas sector in the President Jonathan’s administration and

Ebugu BC-2 Booster Compressor installation in the OML 123

we are very pleased with it.” On her expectation for the future, AlisonMadueke expressed confidence that Nigerian Content implementation will “lend itself in a critical way to the growth of the nation’s economy and development of the citizenry in terms of knowledge, capacity building and employment generation.”

Speaking earlier at the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum (BSIEF), the Minister charged Nigerians, particularly indigenes of the state to take advantage of the Nigerian Content Act, and the fact that NCDMB is located in Yenagoa to play key roles in the oil and gas industry.

She listed key initiatives of the Board which would benefit Nigerians and Bayelsa indigenes directly to include, the pilot pipe mill being developed at Polaku; the NCDMB Headquarters building project in Yenagoa; the Oil

and Gas Industrial Park development in Utuoke; artisanal training programmes being organised by the Board in conjunction with the Federal University Utuoke, and a host of other activities.

The Minister further explained that over $200million will be invested in the pilot pipe mill project, which is expected to be completed before the end of 2015. Noting that civil works and development of jetty have started, she said over 500 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs will be created by the project while some community youths will be trained abroad to work in the plant.

Alison-Madueke who doubles as the chairman of NCDMB’s Governing Council also confirmed that the Board’s headquarters’ building project will cost over $200million and is planned to be completed in 36 months.

Mobil receives approval for projects in Akwa Ibom

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

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OBIL Producing Nigeria Unlim ited, MPN, said last week that it has received formal approval from National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, to proceed with its special community assistance projects in Akwa Ibom State, valued at N6 billion.

MPN, the operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC/MPN joint venture, JV, also said in a statement that the projects, which will address areas such as education, health and capacity building, will be executed in eight Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state. It added that these are parts of the JV’s long term, multi-year N24.6 billion Social Investment Package for Akwa Ibom State, which was previously announced in July 2013. “We acknowledge the leadership of Akwa Ibom

State government in moving discussions on these projects forward”, said Nolan O’Neal, Chairman and Managing Director of MPN. “We are confident that, through mutually beneficial relationship with communities where we operate, and the many businesses and vendors that provide necessary products and services, we will see the benefits of oil and gas operations multiplied as wide as is possible,” he added.

Following the announcement, MPN commenced with naming the first three project managers responsible for supervising the execution of the community-nominated projects: E & T Integrated EMS Limited, Union Consultants and Bil Integrated Systems Limited. These companies were selected following a competitive technical bid and evaluation process, jointly supervised by NAPIMS and MPN. The managers will oversee the exe-

cution of projects in Ibeno, Eket, and Onna LGAs respectively, with their services covering verification of the community-nominated projects, and engagement of local contractors.

The statement also said that the selection of Project Managers for the five other LGAs including Esit Eket, Mbo, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo, will be initiated after planned discussions with the State Government and representatives of the communities.

The projects are expected to have a positive impact on the local economy through direct and indirect job creation, as well as capacity building and promotion of local content within the communities.

MPN said it has operated in Akwa Ibom State for more than 50 years, and remains committed to delivering sustainable, long-term benefits to the communities and government of the state.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 27

Kano DISCO invests N500m for facility upgrade

NERC explains revision of fixed charges

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

S

ahelian Power SPV Limited, owners of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC), has commenced the upgrade and renovation of its facility, investing about N500 million in the last eight months.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Sahelian Power SPV Limited, Mr. Jamil Gwamna, when a post privatisation monitoring team from the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, in continuation of its monitoring exercise of privatised PHCN successor companies visited the company.

Gwamna, who was represented by Adamu Salihu, General Manager, Human Resource and Services, said KEDC, which covers three North-West states - Katsina, Kano and Jigawa, carried out infrastructural development projects in the areas of upgrade of Shuwarin S/S from 300KVA to 500KVA, 11/.415KV in March 2014.

Other upgraded facilities, he said, are Radio House 200KVA, 11/ .415KV S/S in March 2014; Ashton Road 300KVA, 11/.415KV Relief S/S in April 2014; upgrade of Ashton Road S/ S from 300KVA to 500KVA, 11/.415KV in April 2014.

He further stated that the company procured operational vehicles and also invested in Information Technology, accounts and customer billing, and the establishment of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Forum offices.

He said the NERC Forum offices were for customer complaints in all its business units, while the company is also undertaking network upgrade and total renovation and furnishing of its headquarters.

He maintained that the company has commenced the collection of data for calculations of Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection, ATC&C losses, in order to establish the baseline losses for the company, customer mapping for metering, cost of service studies.

T

HE Nigerian Electricity Reg ulatory Commission, NERC, has said the order to revise the conditions for the fixed charge was made in response to complaints by electricity customers on irregular supply with agitations on the cost of providing such service, arising from the MYTO 2.

The Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said this at a meeting with stakeholders in the sector last week in Abuja.

NERC issued a directive with ‘Order No: NERC/FC 133’ dated 1st May, 2014, that “a customer who has not received continuous or cumulative electricity supply for a period of 15 days in a month shall not be required to pay the Fixed Charge, provided that the disruption is not due to nonpayment of electricity bills or customers action.”

But the Enugu Disco submitted that the order was made without due consultations with the operators, and that outages are not caused by the Discos alone, as some faults may arise from transmission or generation failures.

Represented by its Administrative General Manager, AGM, Regulatory Affairs, Mr. Reuben Okoye, the company said it is difficult to independently determine customers that had outages in a period and that the penalty for outages should pass across the entire value chain.

Also speaking, a Director of Eko Disco, Ernest Orji, argued that the rule is difficult to implement as the

•Oil refinery

Discos do not yet have statistical meters to determine such claims from consumers.

“In our submission, we argue that there should be a new structure for Service Charge (SC) and no more FC so that a percentage of supply is given as compensation to consumers or exempt them from paying the SC for that period,” he said.

Mr. Abimbola Odubiyi of the Abuja Disco argued that the order will encourage the culture of consumers not paying their bills. He urged NERC to look into the order to ensure sustenance of the market financial progress and

extending the rule to the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Gencos and gas suppliers in the case of similar defaults.

Also speaking, the National Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Alhaji Sanusi Maijama’a, also criticised the fixed charge.

Maijama’a, underscored his criticism by noting, “If one million consumers pay the N750 FC monthly, then they are paying N750 billion to the Discos for doing nothing.

Sharp practices: Eko DISCO evelops code of conduct

By EDIRI EJOH

E

KO Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC (Eko DISCO) said it has developed a new code of conduct for its staff, warning that it will not hesitate to sanction any of its personnel engaged in unethical conducts, especially against its customers.

“The company has developed a new code of conduct to guide its staff in their interaction and relationship with customers and any act of rudeness or impoliteness by staff to customers will meet with serious sanctions against the staff,” it said.

The company, in a statement by Mr. Godwin Idemudia, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, also warned that it will no longer tolerate any act of molestation, harassment, or violent attacks perpetrated by anybody or

group of people against its staff while performing their legitimate duties.

He decried the spate of harassment and violent attacks of its staff on official duty in some communities in recent time.

He advised members of the public, who have any complaint on the conduct of any staff of the company to report to higher authorities either at the Business District or Company Headquarters level instead of resorting to taking the law into their hands. Idemudia said some individuals and communities have formed the habit of attacking EKEDC staff to avoid paying their electricity bills or disconnection for non-payment.

He cited the instance of a retired Army officer in Iba area under the company’s Festac Business District, who attempted to shoot one of the company’s staff that was in his house to ascertain whether the house had paid its electricity for the month.

According to him, the retired officer, after being alerted of the presence of

the EKEDC man by his son, ran inside and took a pistol with which he ran after the staff who was only saved by some people in the area. The case, he said, has been lodged with the police and investigations have started, adding that the company would pursue the case to a logical conclusion through diligent prosecution of the perpetrator in a court of competent jurisdiction.

He reminded members of the public that the law of the land does not allow anybody to perpetrate any form of harassment or molestation against the other, stressing that such acts are not only barbaric and uncivilised, they are also criminal.

He, however, noted that the company is doing everything to ensure that the customer is treated with utmost respect and esteem. He added that it will also not hold back from protecting the rights of its staff to perform their legitimate duties unhindered and unimpeded as guaranteed by the statute books of the land.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Obama: Managing of f-shore crises off-shore be ol beyyond his contr control

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ATCHING President Barack Obama as he addressed a number of press conferences last week, I recalled a book we read very long ago titled One Week, One Trouble by Anezi Okoro. It was about an urchin who got into trouble every week. But, the only similarity between Obama and the kid is their overwhelmed demeanor as both characters in their various ways and in different climes and era encountered a kettle of troubles.

As he sat in the Oval office in the White House, Obama’s fate was far beyond the complexities one-week-one-trouble. He had a myriad of problems that demanded his attention and solution as the leader of the so-called free world and most powerful nation in the world. In Iraq, militants of the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) were fighting their way towards Tikrit, the home town of former dictator, Saddham Hussein.

The militants made the issue more complex by ordering Christians in Mosul to convert to Islam or pay a ‘protection fine’ or face the sword. From Afghanistan came the crisis of the integrity of the presidential poll results between the two rivals in the run-off election, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.

As Obama dispatched his Secretary of State John Kerry to fire-brigade the Afghan electoral crisis, Israelis and Hamas militants engaged themselves in mortal combat in Gaza. The battle hit its zenith when Israeli forces commenced

troops from Iraq when the Nuri al-Maliki government refused to accent to U.S. conditions for their presence, and now Obama is expected to do something to halt the march towards Baghdad by ISIS forces. In Afghanistan, the U.S. is finalizing measures to get its troops out of the country, even as the presidential elections threaten to degenerate into a bigger crisis, as the Taliban militia leaders are waiting patiently to cash in on the troubles ahead.

In the Middle East, the U.S. government cannot directly talk to Hamas nor is it in a position to dictate to the Israeli government on how to go about confronting Hamas in Gaza. The story is not different in Ukraine as the rebels owe allegiance to Moscow and leaders of the European nations that suffered more casualties in the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 are a bit hesitant to go tough on Vladimir Putin because of strong economic ties with the Kremlin.

Back home, Obama is not having it easy either. His chief critic on foreign affairs, Senator John McCain of Arizona, gave MSNBC his views on events in Ukraine: “These latest (sanctions on Russia) enacted by the Obama administration, I think, are helpful. But if you ask the Ukrainian government that’s struggling, they would say they need weapons with which to defend themselves.” In other words, get more involved in the conflict, Mr. President, is what McCain appears to suggest.

The fact in all these simultaneous crisis situations is that President Obama has found himself dealing with a series of offshore conflicts over which he really has no control. That is a major issue for him to contend with, and certainly something that shows that despite its super-power image and strength, the United States cannot police the whole world. In fairness, President Obama fully appreciates this fact and from time to time tries to involve the United Nations and other countries to solve some of these apparently intractable problems. Most of these problems realistically call for multi-lateral approaches for solutions.

Unfortunately, some pockets of interests within the U.S. believe that their country has the capacity to lead the world and solve all of its problems with its military and economic might. When their president attempts to engage other nations in solving a crisis, they see him as a wimp. To them, arming America’s friends and allies and visiting military force upon America’s real and proxy enemies are the only solutions to international crises.

But, the present hydra-headed problems from Iraq to Ukraine amply demonstrate that when it comes to solving the world’s problems, the United States cannot act alone. It is even more difficult managing a crisis far away from home, and where the U.S. has little or no control or influence over the combatants.

In the Middle East, the U.S. government cannot directly talk to Hamas nor is it in a position to dictate to the Israel on how to go about confronting Hamas in Gaza a land invasion aimed at destroying Hamas’ tunnels. As the bloodbath surged between Hamas and Israel, Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 was blasted off the sky over Ukraine by a yet-tobe-determined group. The only known issue at the moment is that a very sophisticated surface-to-air missile was used to down the aircraft, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board.

The common denominators in these crises are: (a) the expectation that Obama, as the leader of the United States, is supposed to lead the rest of the world in finding solutions to the crises; and (b) the fact that the crises are taking place offshore, in areas where the U.S. is distanced from and is not in a position to physically intervene and halt the mayhem. President Obama has little to no control over the chief architects of the crises raging out of control in various parts of the world, yet he is expected to solve the problems; to throw America’s might and weight behind the boiler-plates of problems and find working solutions to all of them.

I imagine that in his quiet moments President Obama might be asking himself why all these global problems had to come at the same time. And what would be the best way to handle them all at once in the face of all odds against him, especially not being in control of the situations. Obama pulled out U.S.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 29

C M Y K

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C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

By Theodore Opara

Porsche siblings earn J.D. honours

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Iconic Mustang set for Nigeria N

IGERIA will be among the first countries in sub-Sahara Africa to drive the all-new Ford sensational sport car, the Mustang, even ahead of South Africa. The new Ford Mustang will be arriving Coscharis and Briscoe showrooms in September this year while South Africa will be getting their consignment later next year because the car is yet to be available in right hand drive which is what is used in South Africa.

In a chat with top officials of Coscharis and Briscoe Ford, Ford’s representatives in Nigeria during the recently concluded Ford Go Further in event, in South Africa, Vanguard Motoring gathered that

the two Ford dealers plan to use the powerful Ford Sport Car to lift their Ford showrooms in Nigeria.

“This is a powerful statement from Ford. It won’t be a bad idea bringing it to Nigeria immediately,”

said the Coscharis official who hinted that few units of the iconic car has already been ordered for the Nigerian customers. The Ford Mustang is available with a hallmark 8.0 litre engine and EcoBoost engine, and will win more converts for

Ford. Built in United States, the Ford Mustang is unarguably one of the most powerful cars by Ford Motors with its intimidating design. The unveiling of the new Mustang attracted over 150 journalists and hundreds of Ford dealers

from across the sub-Sahara Africa during the Ford Go Further event in South Africa recently. The event showcased Ford's new range of vehicles including the all new Ford Fusion, Focus, Ranger, among others.

Anyim charges new FRSC boss to surpass predecessor’s achievements

T

HE Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim has charged the new Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi to strive towards surpassing the present momentum which has earned the

FRSC the status of a global brand of a model of a lead on road safety management. Speaking after the formal decoration of the newly appointed Corps Marshal, Senator Anyim disclosed that the appointment was a fallout from the quest for excellence and competence

by President Goodluck

Former Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka (left) joins SGF Anyim Pius to decorate new Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi

Ebele Jonathan who was disposed to continuity and stability in the running of the affairs of the FRSC. “Let me also emphasis that the opportunity you have today must sincerely be credited to Mr. President, who demanded that the best capable persons for the job should be the person to have the job and that the hunt for the replacement of the outgoing Corps Marshal focused within and you clearly stood out”.

Still referring to the Presidential directive, Senator Anyim also said “The best for the job should have the job because no matter where you come from, it does not matter who he knows, it does not matter who his relations are and I want to say that Nigerians should begin to appreciate what the transformation agenda is all about”.

He further expressed his pleasure to witness where the Corps Marshal

of the FRSC is selected through the process where nobody complained about, adding that the process focused on dedication, commitment, hard work and indeed merit.

According to him, “At times when people leave positions, it appears there must be a new beginning.

I want to say that building an institution emphasizes on continuity, if we must build an institution that must endure beyond us, it means we must not see our position as a private estate, we must continue from where we joined and build from what we meet”.

Commending the immediate past FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka who has been appointed Minister of Aviation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation added “the outgoing Corps Marshal has internationalized the FRSC.

ORSCHE continues to remain a popular car brand in the United States. For the tenth year in a row American new car buyers have ranked sports car manufacturer Porsche highest in the latest survey J.D. Power ‘APEAL’ (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) Study. Just last month, Porsche in the U.S. was ranked highest among all nameplates in the 2014 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study.

At this year’s APEAL vehicle valuation Porsche 911 drives up to the highest rank in the “Premium Sporty Car ” segment.

The mid-engine models Boxster and Cayman ranked highest and second in the “Premium Sporty Car” category. The Cayenne for the fourth time in a row is best in its class “Premium SUV”.

Furthermore the Panamera gained three places and now ranks third among “Large Premium Cars”.

The overall ranking is the result of scores in ten different categories including driving dynamics, design, suitability for daily use and vehicle comfort.

Nissan boss outlines launch timetable

C

ARLOS Ghosn, pres ident and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has announced the Japanese carmaker’s launch timetable for the latest vehicle automation technologies aimed at accelerating consumer adoption of Autonomous Drive systems.

The Nissan CEO said new technologies including automated lane controls and highway traffic management systems, to be introduced over the next four years, would demonstrate to consumers the viability and value of Autonomous Drive systems, which Nissan intends to make commercially viable by 2020. Autonomous Drive technologies, which are being introduced progressively by Nissan, are designed to enhance road safety and driving conditions by automating everyday tasks for motorists.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 33

By Theodore Opara

Hyundai announces 2014 1st half business results H

YUNDAI Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, has announced its business results for the first half of 2014. In spite of strong sales of its new models and cost savings, a strong Korean won led to a 5.8 percent decrease in operating profit, compared to the same period last year.

Hyundai Motor sold 2,495,837 units globally (Korea: 345,709 / overseas: 2,150,128) during the first half of this year, a 4.4 percent increase from a year earlier. In Korea, Hyundai Motor ’s sales went up 6.2 percent, mainly due to robust sales of the recently-launched all-new Genesis and Sonata, while its overseas sales also rose 4.1 percent from the same period a year ago.

Hyundai Motor forecasts that an unfavorable business environment will continue in the second half, with uncertainties surrounding the global auto industry. In order to over-

come such difficulties, Hyundai Motor will enhance customer confidence by further strengthening its quality management as well as enhancing its brand power to reinforce fundamentals for future growth. In particular, Hyundai Motor will manage the quality of its products from the development stages and strengthen internal training programs to secure top-tier competitiveness.

Hyundai Motor ’s efforts on quality management have been proven by a variety of third-party agencies. To name a few, the company’s allnew Genesis and Sonata were rated as one of the safest cars on the road by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ’s (IIHS) crash tests in the U.S. For the remaining year, Hyundai Motor will stay focused on increasing sales and securing profitability by cutting costs and responding efficiently to regional demands with its latest products.

Ford targets first mobility choice in Africa F

ORD Motor Company showed off four new models that are destined for African shores, and detailed its future plans for the SubSaharan Africa (SSA) region at its first African Go Further event held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Go Further is Ford’s brand promise and the name of product events it has held in Australia, Amsterdam, and Barcelona. The inaugural South African Go Further event marks the first time it is hosted on the African continent.

•Hyundai Santa Fe

With nearly 1,000 media, stakeholders, suppliers and VIPs in attendance, Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO for the Sub Saharan Region, outlined the company’s vision for driving growth in existing markets on the continent as well as entering new ones.

“South Africa remains our engine of growth for the continent, and moving forward, Sub-Saharan Africa will be a key market for Ford,” says Nemeth. “Our vision is to become the first choice for mobility in Africa, and our event today underscores our commitment to serve customers throughout Africa.”

The next two years will see an unprecedented expansion of Ford’s vehicle and technology

line-up in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region. In total, 17 vehicles will be launched or refreshed, including the new Focus, Fusion, Ranger XL-Plus, Transit and Tourneo Connect – which were on display for the first time at Go Further - and of course, Mustang.

SYNC connectivity will feature in many of the new vehicles. SYNC with AppLink will bring voice commands to select smartphone applications, and SYNC 2 will offer a new, interactive version of SYNC boasting a touch screen as well as voice command functionality.

EcoBoost drive train options will also be expanded. EcoBoost is a turbo direct-injection

technology that significantly improves power and fuel economy while reducing emissions.

Globally, EcoBoost is offered in 80 percent of Ford’s nameplates, and 30 percent of vehicles available in South Africa. By the end of 2015 this will increase to 33% in South Africa and 55% in SSA. “Our products are more than just nameplates,” adds Nemeth.

“The smart technologies, high safety, design and quality of engineering in Ford products are what people want and value. EcoBoost engines will power the new wave of modern vehicles, and SYNC connectivity will feature in 70 percent of our line-up by the end of 2015.”

Oyeyemi reads riot act to reckless drivers

T

HE new Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi, has read riot act to motorists on reckless driving, saying that tougher sanctions await reckless motorists who

Coscharis drops registration charges

A

S part of its previous deliberate effort to woo users of automobile brands it represent in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors has dropped registration fee for noncustomers who drives any of their vehicle brands. This means that anyone who brings his or her BMW, MINI, Jaguar, Land Rover, MG, Ford or Rolls - Royce vehicle for service

without any registration fee can be attended to.

According to the Group Managing Director, Mr. Josiah Samuel, “ this is to give opportunity to users of the various automobile brands we represent in Nigeria that did not purchase their vehicle from our dealership to experience our world class after sales services. We had over the years invested in both

our technicians and facilities to meet manufacturer ’s specifications, our after sales charges for this category of users that ordinarily would have attracted the registration fees is now waived to accommodate everyone till end of the year.”

However, these vehicles will have to be checked and evaluated prior to accepting them for repairs.

The essence of waiving the registration fee is to equally help control the negative experiences of owners of our brands in the hands of quack technicians lacking the requisite skill and p r o g r a m m i n g equipments needed for quality repairs which ultimately give negative perception about the brand image.

goes against the rules.

Oyeyemi gave this indication shortly after his appointment as the new Corps Marshal by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Although he said, “it was too early to unveil his agenda for the corps, he promised to work hard to build on the foundation already laid by his predecessor, Osita Chidoka, who has been appointed Minister of Aviation.

Speaking further, Oyeyemi identified attitude of the Nigerian motoring public as the bane towards safer roads in the country and pledged that the FRSC will harness its potentials to ensure strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.

Addressing a parade later at the FRSC national headquarters in Abuja, the new Corps Marshal commended the president for the confidence he has in the FRSC to deliver on its mandate by appointing a career officer from the Corps to succeed the former Corps Marshal.

He also gave kudos to his former boss and the FRSC Board for making positive recommendations in the same direction which facilitated the Presidential approval for him as the new Corps Marshal.

He also urged officers and men of the FRSC to perceive this development as encouraging for the growth of the FRSC as obtained in other ParaMilitary agencies.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Nigeria, UN Habitat sign MoU on safer cities, urban youth empowerment

BY JUDE NJOKU (with agency reports)

F

OUR years after signing a memorandum of understanding, MoU with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat on youth empowerment, safer cities and good governance, Nigeria last week signed another agreement with the UN agency to promote urban youth empowerment.

The agreement which was penned at the UN-Habitat headquarters in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi by the the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna and UN-Habitat’s Deputy Executive Director Dr. Aisa Kirabo, sought to renew Nigeria’s commitment in line with the 2010 MoU it signed with UNHabitat.

Speaking at the event, Mr.

man settlement issues. “This has seen the country play a big role in the New African Urban Agenda,” she said. The UNHabitat Deputy Executive Director said she had met with several Nigerian cabinet ministers and governors who strongly support the work that UN-Habitat is doing.

“UN-Habitat has the intellectual capacity to drive the youth agenda. It is also our belief that empowering the youth would be one of the ways of dealing with the Boko Haram menace Nigeria is currently grappling with,” she said.

The two officials used the event to endorse a contribution agreement worth USD 1 million which will mainly focus on: developing and producing the Nigeria State of Urban Youth report 2015-2016; establishing the Junior Professional Programme to engage young

UN-Habitat has the intellectual capacity to drive the youth agenda. It is also our belief that empowering the youth would be one of the ways of dealing with the Boko Haram menace Nigeria is currently grappling with Haruna said the Nigerian government was embarking on a deliberate policy that would focus on youth development, adding that it was imperative that any development agenda incorporates the youth .

“Nigeria is a country with a population of 170 million and 60 percent of this population is made up of the youth. Youth development is therefore a core component of our national development,” the former Adamawa State Governor said. The minister noted that the cooperative agreement is a crucial link in achieving youth development in Nigeria.

Dr. Kirabo who welcomed the partnership, noted that Nigeria has shown strong leadership on the continent in huC M Y K

Nigerians to perform services for UN-Habitat and the Government of Nigeria and training of trainers for the existing youth centres managers across Nigeria.T he agreement further aims at developing a framework for the Nigeria Ministry of Youth to upgrade their existing youth centers to the model of UN-Habitat One Stop Youth Centers as well as establishing a joint UN-Habitat/Federal Ministry of Youth Development monitoring and evaluation mechanism of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. Vanguard Homes & Property recalls that UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Youth Development signed a memorandum of understanding in 2010 under which the two parties

•Youth development minister, Mr. Boni Haruna with UN-Habitat’s Deputy Executive Director Dr. Aisa Kirabo, after the signing of the MOU in Abuja agreed to jointly carry out activities that would promote youth empowerment in Nigeria. Part of the activities jointly carried out was the first UN-Habitat African Urban Youth Assembly that took place in 2011.

One of the key outcomes of the African Urban Youth Assembly was the adoption of the UN-Habitat One Stop Youth Center model which is currently being implemented in Ondo and Zamfara Prof.

Oyebanji Oyeyinka, Chief Scientific Advisor, and the lead author of the State of Urban Youth Report introduced the programmes that now take on board activities related to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

New DG In another development, Mr. Joan Clos has been re-elected Executive Director of UNHabitat for a term beginning on 18 October 2014 and ending on 31 December 2017.

This followed the recommendation of the Secretary-General, after consultation with member states. The Spaniard was first elected to a four-year term in 2010.

Before joining UN-Habitat, Mr. Clos was twice elected Mayor of Barcelona, serving two terms from 1997 until 2006, and Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade of Spain between 2006 and 2008. He

also served as Spain’s Ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Clos has earned a reputation in public service and urban renewal projects, as well as for international empowerment of

local authorities. He has received a number of awards, including a gold medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1999 for transforming Barcelona.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—35

Nigeria requires N56 trillion to address housing shortfall

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

N

IGERIA requires a whopping N56 trillion to bridge the housing deficit estimated at 17 million housing units. To meet this target and the Millennium Development Goal, MDGs on housing, Nigeria should beef up its current annual housing production from 100,000 units to 700,000 units.

The Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, QSRBN, the regulatory agency for the practice of quantity surveying in the country, made the disclosures at the end of its yearly Building and Construction Economic Round-Table, BCERT 4, in Abuja.

Housing and construction account The regulatory body in a statement signed by its President, Mallam Hussaini Dikko and Registrar, Mr Godson Moneke, lamented that “housing and construction account for less than four per cent of Nigeria’s current rebased GDP. “Home ownership in Nigeria is just 25 per cent of the population as against 61 per cent in Benin Republic, 41 per cent in Libya, 56 per cent in South Africa, 63 per cent in Brazil, 70 per cent in the United States, 73 per cent in Kenya and 90 per cent in Singapore.”

According to them, home ownership is poor in Nigeria because most people cannot afford to procure it without government’s support and subsidies. Decrying govern-

Housing estate under construction ment’s withdrawal from direct involvement in the construction of houses, the experts noted that the scenario has subjected home ownership to the vagaries of market forces as driven by the private real

estate developers.

Furthermore, the absence of an intervention fund similar to those of aviation, textile, Nollywood and education had hampered the provision of affordable houses for Nigerians.

The quantity surveyors recommended the development of a master plan for home ownership and provision of funds for its implementation without delay.

The regulatory body also en-

Don seeks solution to challenges facing built environment

BY JUDE NJOKU

T

HE Dean, Faculty of Environmen tal Sciences in the University, Prof Kole Odusanmi has called for a collaboration between architects in practice and those in the academia, to improve the quality of architects produced by the universities in the country.

Speaking at the 40th anniversary of the department of Architecture in the University. Prof Odusanmi enjoined the staff and students of the department to think of how they can assist in solving

the myriad of challenges facing the nation’s built environment.

The Dean listed the challenges to include building collapse, dearth of research into local building materials, non-development of indigenous building technologies, lack of design and construction innovations suitable for our environment and shortage of artisans with good technical skills.

research, these challenges would soon be a thing of the past.

“We shall appreciate whatever assistance our colleagues in practice, construction industry and government can render to improve the quality of teaching and research in the department. This assistance can be either financial or moral.

We need financial support in carrying out research and in upgrading our Quality of teaching facilities like our studios,” he teaching said.

Representative of the Vice-ChancelThe Dean explained that with good lor and Dean, Faculty of Engineering in the University, Prof, O.A. Fakinlede decried the lack of care for the environment in Nigeria’s higher institutions.

According to him, the level of disorganisation and lack of With foreign buyers facing purchase costs care for the environment deof 25 percent of the sales price, the luxury picts a people living in a warrental market is attracting those deterred zone. from buying, which should help support He called for environmental future rental growth,’ she pointed out. activism to be championed by Dubai and Tokyo recorded the strongthe Architecture department of est rates of growth with prime rents risUNIL AG “Our standards ing by six percent and five percent reshould rise above what we spectively in the first three months of the have presently... we shouldn’t year. continue to glory in answerIn Dubai, prime rents continue to ing university of first choice outpace wage inflation. ‘This is raising when things are very disorconcerns about affordability and is leading ganised and our infrastructure domestic and expat buyers alike to is decaying,” he said. consider purchasing a home. However, In his welcome address, the the introduction of a mortgage cap and Acting Head of the Architechigher transfer fees at the end of 2013 ture department, Dr. M.B.O. has led some to defer this decision,’ Adegbile said the department explained Everett-Allen. is currently the only school of Whilst prime rents around the world rose architecture in Nigeria that by 4.7 percent in the year to March, they has full accreditation from the were outperformed by prime capital Commonwealth Association of values which increased by 6.1 percent Architects. over the same period

Nairobi, Dubai lead global rental index P

RIME residential rental growth in emerging markets such as Nairobi and Dubai continues to outpace that of the traditional financial centres of London and Hong Kong.

The latest quarterly prime global rental index from Knight Frank rose by 4.7 percent in the year to March 2014 with Nairobi topping the annual rankings for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Prime rents in the Kenyan capital increased by almost 26 percent in the 12 months to March, but there are signs the market is cooling with growth of only 2.1% recorded in the first three months of 2014.

The index shows that some of the world’s top financial centres, for example Singapore, London and Hong Kong, are positioned at the bottom of the rankings with annual falls of C M Y K

joined the Federal Government to encourage and fund its (QSRBN’s) current effort to develop a National Construction Cost Database. The database would promote accountability and transparency in the standardisation of costing and pricing of new homes for Nigerians to guarantee the success of the proposed master plan’s implementation.

They also called for research into the use of cheaper alternative building technology.

The new technology will determine minimum standard of houses to be built.

“Interest rates on mortgages for home ownership should be drastically reduced and that there should be generous concessions and drastic reduction of duties on housing materials. Mortgage banks, real estate developers and other stakeholders in the building/ housing sector should leverage ample opportunities in the Capital Market for cheaper finance to fund housing development,” the experts advised.

0.3percent , two percent and 6.3 percent respectively.

‘However, we expect prime rental growth in these key cities to strengthen over the remainder of 2014. Rising interest rates could push would-be buyers into prime rental markets in cities such as London and New York in 2015,’ said Kate EverettAllen, Head of International Research at Knight Frank.

She added that in London, the rental recovery looks to be taking hold as price growth starts to slow.

New registrations are up 17 percent year on year and tenant demand is coming from a diverse set of industries including oil and gas, mining and IT. ‘In Hong Kong, although there has been a relaxation of the Double Stamp Duty rule, a number of stringent cooling measures remain in place.

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Nigeria makes impressive debut at London flower show

BY VICTOR-AHIUMAYOUNG

F

LOWERS are very impor tant to man. Besides their lovely fragrance, they beautify the environment.

Flowers are also used to express feelings; they are used for religious activities and decorations.

No wonder environmental horticulture is said to be one of the fastest growing segment of agriculture, making professionals in the green industry to be in very high demand.

In Nigeria, some individuals have been assisting to create the knowledge of plants and flowers as well as rekindle enthusiasm for gardening and flowering and its importance to man.

One of the drivers of the first Garden Show in Nigeria is Winihin Ayuli-Jemide. She has for some years now, been at the forefront of promoting the cause of horticulture in Nigeria.

The garden and flower show is the product of a concerted effort by the Winihin Jemide Series to encourage new talents into the garden design world.

So far, the Nigerian Garden Show has received huge accolades and recognition in Nigeria and beyond.

Commissioner for the UK, Mrs. Salamatu Tafida who felt that the flower show not only showed the heart of the people and their daily life, but how fertile the Nigerian soil is.

After being taken on a tour of the stand by Mrs. Winihin Ayuli-Jemide, who carefully explained the planting and secreted symbolic details, both the Nigerian and UK press were equally impressed.

After a tour, John Jones, the Syndication Editor, Daily Telegraph said, “You are telling the world a new positive story about Nigeria for Nigerians.

Well done.”

Commenting on the Flower Show, Jemide explained that the series was aimed at creating a new Nigerian enterprise by supporting a future for gardening, gardeners and landscape design in the country.

This is why the debut exhibition at the Hampton Court

•Participants at the flower show Flower Show showcased the talent of two prize-winners of the Nigerian 2014 Garden Show - Aralia by Nature, winner of Best Stall Category and Jasmine Rose, winner of the Floral Arrangement Category.

These two companies con-

tributed to the intricate floral design on display at Hampton Court Flower Show.

The general public also showed great enthusiasm for Nigeria’s debut at the show.

“A fascinating cultural display” applauded Michael and

C M Y K

Encouraging infiltration “The show shows and mimics nature’s way of slowing down water, encouraging infiltration into the ground and taking pressure off urban drainage systems. Hopefully it will draw people’s attention to what can be done to harness rainfall, put it to good use and encourage natural filtration throughout a garden, particularly in urban environments.’”

Speaking on the idea behind the show, Jemide said: “My aim and hope was to receive the highest accolade available. I realise that now I am up against a lot of big names in the industry and it’s great that I’ve really been competing against myself all along.

I just wanted to ensure that Nigerians and attitude to flower and gardens was of the highest standard possible.”

Gardening enthusiasts Few days ago, Winihin Jemide Series, alongside the Garden and Flower Club of Nigeria, won great commendation from visiting dignitaries and gardening enthusiasts for their debut display at the 24th RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show titled “Waste to Wonderful”.

The exotic garden conceptualised by Jemide, was inspired by the way in which waste areas can be transformed into green spaces, promoting tranquility and beauty.

Jemide and her team came prepared to give the Royal Horticultural Society, RHS, and its 130,000 visitors from across the globe, a sight of beauty. She ingeniously wove Nigeria’s colourful history into her lush foliage and glorious floral displays with strategically placed symbolic artifacts synonymous with life, past and present. The clever use of vibrant warm, sunny shades in her striking floral arrangements depicted the nature of Nigerian people.

Among the dignitaries who visited the Nigerian stand was the wife of the Nigerian High

Carol Kaufman; “Great to see Nigeria represented”, declared Margie Chart.

Green life advocates, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi, who was among the dignitaries at the show said the significance of the event was to highlight the beauty of nature especially in Nigeria where the perception and knowledge of flowers is low.

According to him, “When people realise something is beautiful, they begin to appreciate the natural world. Then we are now coming into alignment with a very basic necessity which is to preserve the life supporting system of nature. Flowers look nice to appreciate and behold, they have fragrance but that is the beginning of the process. You have to look after them. So it is a very important occasion for us.

•Exotic garden

Parties discuss protection of ozone layer

T

HE 197 Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer recently discussed various issues regarding the protection of the earth’s fragile ozone layer. The setting was the 34th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties in Paris, France.

The Parties considered the appropriate funding requirement for the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the 2015 - 2017 triennium. Since 1991, the Fund has provided over US$3 billion to

support developing countries to phase out ozone-depleting substances, ODSs. The Parties developed draft decisions on several issues, including exemptions for various uses of ODSs: an extension of the global exemption for certain laboratory and analytical uses; a nomination for an essentialuse exemption for chlorofluorocarbon113 for aerospace applications in the Russian Federation; and an exemption for using carbon tetrachloride in testing water quality in China. The Parties also developed draft decisions on the import and export of used halons for civil

aviation, monitoring trade in hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and their substitutes, and emissions.

The Open-Ended Working Group also discussed alternatives to ozonedepleting substances in various sectors, current and future demand for those alternatives, their economic costs and implications, as well as the environmental benefits of avoiding alternatives to ODSs with high-global warming potential. The Parties sought from the Scientific Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol Parties information on four newly detected ODSs that are small but increasing in concentration in the atmosphere.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, JULY 29, 2014 —37 TUESDA

with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola.

Don't handle remains of people that died of the disease because they are still contagious.

Specially organised and trained teams should bury the remains, using appropriate safety equipment.

Sexual intercourse:Infected men who have recovered from the disease can still transmit the virus through their semen for up to seven weeks after recovery. People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus.

Prevention

• Workers with Doctors Without Borders carrying the body of a person killed by Ebola at a centre for victims of the virus in Guinea.

Ebola:

Reducing your risk of infection

By SOLA OGUNDIPE What it is

E

BOLA Virus Disease is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. Outbreaks that occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests, have a case fatality rate of up to 90 percent.

Latest outbreak

As of July 24, 2014, 1,093 infections, and 660 deaths had been reported in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Sierra Leone is the hardest-hit country with 454 cases, 219 of them fatal. Guinea-the first country affected by the outbreak-has reported 415 cases, but with most deaths at 314. Liberia reported 224 infections, along with 127 deaths. Others include Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sudan, Gabon.

Natural host

In Africa, the fruit bats, particularly species considered possible natural hosts for Ebola virus. Some of these bats are found in Nigeria.

Causes

Ebola causes Ebola virus disease in humans, with a case fatality rate ranging between 60 - 90 percent. Hunting for "bush meat" in forest and pre-forest areas and eating of bats have been associated with this outbreak.

Transmission

Originally known as "Zaire Fever", Ebola Virus disease is introduced into the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. Infection has been documented through the handling of infected chimpan-

zees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest.

Signs and symptoms

EVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.

Diagnosis

Definite diagnosis of Ebola virus infections is only attainable in a laboratory through several types of tests ranging from antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA, to virus isolation by cell culture.

Hospital records show that samples from patients are an extreme biohazard risk, hence testing is recommended to be conducted under maximum biological containment conditions.

Treatment

Currently, there are no clinically available licensed vaccines for EVD. Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care.

It is not always possible to identify patients with EVD early because initial symptoms may be non-specific. So healthcare workers apply standard precautions consistently that include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, safe injection practices and safe burial practices.

Hazardous practices

Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact

Wash your hands frequently: As with other infectious diseases, one of the most important preventive measures for Ebola virus is frequent hand-washing. Use sanitiser, soap and water, or use alcoholbased hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water aren't available.

Avoid bushmeat: Avoid buying or eating wild animals, including nonhuman primates sold in local markets. Avoid bat meats and bat products. Avoid buying or eating wild animals or keeping as pets.

Avoid undue contact: Avoid contact with anyone who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus. In particular, avoid contact with the person's body fluids and tissues, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions and saliva. People with Ebola are most contagious in the later stages of the disease.

Watch out for people with flulike symptoms and sudden fever. Gloves and other appropriate protective clothing should be worn when handling sick animals or their tissues.

Follow infection-control procedures: If you're a health care worker, wear protective clothing and carefully disinfect and dispose of needles and other instruments. Injection needles and syringes should not be reused.

Cancer: Only 1 in 5 Nigerian women examine their breasts

By CHIOMA OBINNA

D

ESPITE revealing statis tics that breast cancer is the most common cancers among Nigerian women, only one in five Nigerian women examine their breasts regularly.

Making this assertion during a free breast cancer screening organised by Shoprite, Founder, Run For Cure Africa, RFCA, Ebele Mbanugo, stated that though the disease has high survival rate if detected and treated early, many women in Nigeria are still ignorant about the importance of regular screening.

The event which took place in partnership with the University College Hospital, Ibadan, had over 600 persons screened for breast cancer, with 50 undergoing mammogram.

Mbanugo urged women to protect themselves from what she described as ‘horrific disease’, highlighting the need for more awareness campaign directly targeted at rural dwellers.

There are predictions by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that, cancer rates will soar by 70 per cent in next 20 years. Yet, most Nigerians are neither aware of what cancer is, risk factors nor figures relating to cancer incidence. Breast cancer is the number one cancer in Nigeria which has a 90 percent mortality rate mostly due to late detection. Average cost of treating breast cancer at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital is about N1, 000,000.

According to the World Health Organisation, Nigeria ranks 17th in the world where leading cause of death is breast cancer.

Speaking on behalf of Shoprite, Ibadan, the Store Manager Mr. Fatai Oshungboye said:“The breast cancer awareness is just one of such events that we are happy to be a part of in Ibadan and look forward to replicating such programmes in many communities across Nigeria.”

In the view of Prof Millicent Obajimi of the UCH, Ibadan : “Early detection does not necessarily depend on expensive diagnostic equipment. Detection is just the first step, the next step is to make sure the patient receives the results of appropriate tests and is guided to treatment.”

38—Vanguard, TUESD AY, JULY 29, 2014 TUESDA

Strike: Doctors divided over demands

By VICTORIA OJEME

C

RACKS have appeared in the setup of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, as some doctors have threatened to pull out of the Association currently on a nationwide indefinite strike.

Pointers to this development emerged weekend as a result of a sharp division among the doctors that became pronounced during the delegates meeting of the NMA which took place in Abuja.

This has led some doctors to threaten that they would break from the NMA and form their own separate body.

The two-hour meeting which was scheduled to start by 8am could not begin until 9am and lasted over 12 hours.

It was later gathered that NMA could not resolve its internal issues and hence the delegates voted that the strike should continue.

A reliable source who attended the meeting told our reporter that the meeting could not arrive at a conclusion to call off the strike because the NMA officials refused to table to the entire delegates the 24-point demands it gave the Federal government for assessment at the meeting.

The source said rather, the NMA officials only tabled three points to the delegates for discussion.

This, however brought a heated argument and sharp division among the doctors. This also led other members of the delegate to accuse the NMA officials for having ulterior motives in embarking on the strike.

The source who pleaded anonymity said: “The meeting could not arrive at a tangible conclusion on the strike because the delegates demanded the 24-points demands be placed on the table for assessment and therefore call-off the strike,

• The nationwide doctors’ strike called by the Nigeria Medical Association has been on since July 1, 2014 over federal government’s failure to implement their 24-point demand.

MTN, NHIS partner to launch mobile health insurance scheme

By CHIOMA OBINNA

M

TN Nigeria has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, to help bring affordable health care services closer to its subscribers and the nation at large. The aggregator of this innovative collaboration is Salt and Einstein.

Speaking on the rationale behind the first-of-its-kind scheme and partnership , Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, .

Michael Ikpoki, said:“At MTN, we believe that health insurance contributes to removing the financial barriers to healthcare, thereby giving people unrestricted access to good health care without having to pay out-of-pocket. More than bringing flexibility and ease to paying for health care service, health insurance is also a means of providing greater access to healthcare for larger segments of a population. Indeed we believe health insurance is imperative for closing the gap between the availability of health care service and the ability of the citizenry to access it”.

He said the MTN Y’ello health cover is

an all-inclusive mobile health insurance scheme, which will afford all Nigerians the opportunity to access good, affordable and quality healthcare service wherever, whenever the need arises.

The scheme will allow subscribers to gain access to pre-defined treatments and also freedom to choose their own Health Maintenance Organisation, HMO, and healthcare provider from over 6,000 registered partners across Nigeria.Subscribers will also have access to unlimited visits to the hospital with at a weekly deduction of N250.00 only.

Flagging off the scheme, Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas noted: “This new service will provide Nigerians affordable health insurance cover on a prepaid basis. Through the Y’ello Health, mobile subscribers are able to opt into a micro healthcare insurance scheme through Health Management Organisations, HMOs, using their mobile phones for a range of pre-defined medical treatments for which affordable premium can also be remitted through the subscribers’ mobile phone.

but the officials only presented three points. “This did not go down well to the delegates. Most of the doctors are eager to call off the strike.

“The meeting was aimed at assessing the impact of the strike and also look at efforts of the government on meeting the 24-point demands. We wanted to see if the government have really tried in meeting some of the demands, then we call off the strike and continue with negotiation.

“Most doctors are worried that innocent people are suffering while others are dying. Again, the issue of Ebola has come up. Therefore most of the doctors are eager to go back to work as to save people from dying unnecessarily. “ There is division among the doctors.

Majority of the doctors said if the officials cannot bring to the table the 24points demand for discussion, then there is no way the strike could be suspended.”

In the view of President of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, Dr Steven Oluwole: “Contrary to the misrepresentations of members of the NMA, some of the issues date back decades. The endurance of members have been abused by government and a section of the public. “ The Oath of the Physician should not be used to blackmail doctors, or to permit destruction of the medical profession by self-seeking and adventurous health workers who seek hideous ascendancy.”

On the Ebola outbreak, he stated that government and the public expect the doctors to confront the Ebola virus, but ignore that the virus has no respect for persons.

“A leading doctor in Liberia has died of infection by the Ebola virus. While doctor receives N5,000 hazard allowance, professionals who are exposed to less hazards receive higher hazard allowance in Nigerian public service.

“It is extremely insensitive for some agents of government to suggest that money will not be printed to satisfy doctors. These agents spend much more public funds on less savoury purposes.

Doctors are exposed to hazards daily.

We have not published the number of doctors that have died or have contracted infectious diseases from patients over the decades. Many have had their careers truncated without compensation,: he remarked.

Care for low income earners hinder MDGs 4 & 5

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

T

HE low level access of care in rural communities in Nigeria has been identified as one of the major contributors to the uncertainty of Nigeria achieving the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, 4 and 5 before the end of 2015.

This concern led Development Communications Network, DevComs, in partnership with other Civil Society Organisations to put together the ‘Not Again Campaign’ funded by the MacArthur Foundation to increase advocacy for the realisation of MDG s4 and 5 which are; to reduce child mortality rates and to improve maternal health.

At a media sensitisation workshop on Maternal Health Accountability in Nigeria organised for journalists in Lagos State tagged; “Improving maternal health care in low income communities in Nigeria”, the Programme Officer of DevComs, Ayodele Adesanmi, stated that the workshop was to foster collaboration between the government, Civil Society Organisations, stakeholders and the media on issues of maternal and child mortality and issues affecting the low income community dwellers with the core aim of charting a roadmap to show concern and educate policy maker in improving maternal health care.

Executive Director, Grassroots People and Gender Development, Mrs. Vivian Emesowum, while giving her presentation stated the important of achieving the MDG 4 and 5 has other goals revolve around it.

“Maternal and child survival is tied to other MDGs and there are some critical areas that need focus which include where women deliver and who attends to her.

“Research has shown that most deaths cluster around labour or within 24 hours after delivery. The LACSOP MCMR 2013 study which was conducted in 30 LGAs in Lagos State indicated that 10 PHCs do not have basic emergency delivery and care equipment, seven do not have laboratory equipment with functional malaria and HIV test kits, 11 do Continues on Page 39

•L-R: Chairman, Salt &Einstein MTS, Dr Ernest Ndukwe; NHIS Executive Secretary, Dr. Femi Thomas and Chief Executive Officer MTN Nigeria, Mike Ipoki during the official launch of the Mobile Health Insurance Scheme in Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, JULY 29, 2014 —39 TUESDA

Nigerian experts worry over high prevalence of hypertension, stroke

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

N

IGERIANS have been urged to undergo regular screening as a habit to avoid health challenges such as hypertension, stroke and diabetes.

Speaking during the 7th edition of the Cardiovascular Summit, organised by Pfizer, Nigeria and East Africa Region, NEAR, Dr. Amam Mbakwem, an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Lagos and a Consultant Cardiologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, said the reluctance of Nigerians to be conversant with their health status contributes to the high rate of death resulting from noncommunicable diseases as majority of people wait till something goes wrong in their body before reaching out to healthcare providers.

Mbakwem said this attitude needs to be dislodged as it will continue to hinder effort towards management of Noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and diabetes.

“To say hypertension is becoming common place in Nigeria is not far from the truth. This is because the disease condition has assumed an epidemic dimension. Most hypertensive people have no symptoms at all, according to medical literature.

“Sometimes hypertension causes symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations of the heart and nose bleeds. It can be dangerous to ignore such symptoms, but neither can they be relied upon to signify the disease.

Further, Mbakwem stated: “Looking back 20 years when we had a prevalence of less than 15 per cent and comparing

•L:R: Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe; Cardiologist at University of North Carolina, Prof. Ross Simpson; Prof. Adesola Ogunniyi of Department of Medicine UCH Ibadan; Associate Professor of Medicine, CMU/LUTH, Dr. Amam Mbakwem with Regional Medical Director, Pfizer NEAR, Dr. Iqbal Omar at the Cardiovascular Summit held recently in Lagos. with the upsurge of about 25 percent and even as far up as 40 per cent now, this is not just peculiar to Nigeria as we have same in most of the West African countries.

In adults too, we find that there is also an up rise in heart disease which used to be as low as 5 per cent now rising to about 7- 10 per cent in the population of Nigeria. Cardiovascular disease contributed approximately 17 million deaths globally while 80 percent of the burden is in low and middle income countries. It was predicted that coronary heart disease and stroke will become leading causes of death and disability worldwide and mortality from

cardiovascular disease, CVD, will increase to 20 million.”

Medical Director, Carolinas Centre for Excellence, Professor Ross Simpson hinted that hypertension remains the dominant risk factor for stroke and to remain healthy people must embrace regular medical check-ups, as well as a healthy diet.

“People should check their blood cholesterol level always, avoid smoking totally, as well as limit their intake of alcohol. Exercise is very important.

People should also eat enough fruits and vegetables. We should always make conscious efforts to eat fat-free oil and avoid too much salt intake so as to avoid

cholesterol, that blocks blood arteries which leads to high blood pressure , heart failure and stroke,” He said. He warned that any little sharp left side chest pain could be a warning of an impending heart attack, adding that it could be a sign that the blood arteries are clogged.

On his part, Regional Medical Director for Cardiovascular Diseases, Pfizer NEAR, Dr. Iqbal Omar noted that the Summit was part of the ongoing contribution of Pfizer to the advancement of medical knowledge and patient care in Nigeria and East Africa as CVD is increasing in prevalence.

“The challenge for our health system is to balance the need for acute care for communicable disease with this new need for longer term chronic disease management that is why we are bringing together healthcare practitioners from across the region along with international experts to discuss and debate global and local best practices in the management of CVD,” he stated.

MDGs 4 & 5 Continues from Page 38 not have ambulance services, 10 do not have power supply in the labour rooms and only six PHCs have portable water supply while 24 rely on well and boreholes,” she added Emesowum however identified a new era of strategic thinking in care during delivery has a priority to record success, noted that more healthcare worker need to be deployed to rural communities and ensure skills and competencies to provide evidence-based care with more investment to retain existing staff.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

New thinking on APC presidential ticket

Ekiti fallout:

The outcome of the Ekiti Gubernatorial election was a shocker to many in the All Progressives Congress, APC. However, only few could have predicted how that election result was going to affect the party’s thinking on its presidential platform

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

N

EW permutations for the 2015 presidential ticket of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC have emerged following the defeat of the party in the Ekiti gubernatorial election last month. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the outgoing governor of the state who was defeated in that election, had according to party insiders, been in pole position to be projected as the party’s vice-presidential running mate in the 2015 election.

Fayemi was expected by many to run as the APC presidential running mate as the sitting governor of Ekiti State next year.

Fayemi’s prospects had brightened following serious objections to party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu taking that slot on account of religious balancing. Tinubu is a Muslim and suggestions of him pairing with any of the leading Muslim aspirants in the North, especially Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, had been a major issue of contention.

Major issue of contention Though there were insinuations that Tinubu did not mind, many party enthusiasts bothered by inscriptions of the party as an Islamic party fought against such a pair of Buhari and Tinubu as formidable as it looked.

With religion putting Tinbubu aside, Fayemi before the election became one of those non-Muslims that had been factored as possible running mate to any of the leading presidential aspirants in the party. The Ekiti governor, according to sources, had been especially touted to run with Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State.

The increasingly powerful lobby of APC governors where Fayemi is believed to have a strong sway, and which was instrumental to many recent decisions of the party, Vanguard learnt, would have been used by the governors to project the Kwankwanso-Fayemi ticket.

Besides Fayemi, another prospective running mate had been

Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former governor of Ekiti State. However, the defeat of Fayemi, Vanguard learnt, has led to a diminution of either options in a presidential ticket throwing up fresh permutations that have led to the emergence of new options. One of the increasingly toasted options is Senator Olurunimbe Mamora, former minority leader of the Senate.

Other permutations said to be especially favoured in the calculation of the Tinubu camp are Yemi Cardoso, a former commissioner for economic planning in Lagos, Prof. Yemi Osibajo also a former commissioner for justice in Lagos State and Senator Ajayi Borofice, presently representing Ondo State in the Senate.

Mamora’s emergence follows the illegibility of Governor Babatunde Fashola, also on religious consideration. The popular Lagos State governor is a Muslim.

Mamora, it was learnt, is especially being linked to the APC’s leading presidential aspirant Buhari by some party stakeholders who are drumming such a ticket as a win-win ticket. The former senator is being projected for his loyalty, integrity and popularity as factors that would sell the ticket in the Southwest and the rest of the country.

“He’s a Christian, popular and

Emergence of Sam Nda-Isaiah

acceptable to Christian and Muslim communities,” a source canvassing the ticket revealed at the weekend.

Continuing, the source said of Mamora, “He is a highly respected liberal democrat and a professional; former Lagos Speaker, two-term Senator and well loved across party and religious lines.

He can easily reach out to the National Assembly for President Buhari. “ Noting similarities between

The emergence of Sam NdaIsaiah as one of the aspirants has also opened possibilities of a Muslim from any of the Southwest States emerging as a running mate. However, given the present lukewarm attitude of many party stakeholders in the region to the prospects of the newspaper columnist and publisher, not much thought has been made of the personalities that could fit the mould for a running mate for a Northern Christian presidential candidate.

•Buhari

•Oshiomhole

Match-ups Presidential candidate Buhari Buhari Buhari Buhari Tambuwal Oshiomhole Kwankwaso

APC being that he is from Ondo State, a state that is now under the control of Labour Party and which had in the past thrown support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The calculation behind Borofice is that he is from a state that is not within the control of the APC, so by projecting him as a vice-president, he could draw votes that would ordinarily have been mobilised by the governor for the PDP,” a source privy to the permutations told Vanguard.

Such projections, however, are out of joint with other available factors in the contest.

Running Mate Mamora Cardoso Osibajo Borofice Oshiomhole Tambuwal ???

Mamora and Buhari, the source said: “He’s highly principled and also has disdain for corruption like Buhari and he will be acceptable to the Afenifere/Oodua Groups which will enable Buhari win not less than 80% of Yoruba votes.”

But a source close to Tinubu played down the Mamora option saying that Mamora was dropped from going back to the Senate in 2011 on account of his perceived

•Boroffice

•Mamora

disloyalty to Tinubu in the internal conflict between the Tinubu and Fashola camps ahead of that year’s gubernatorial election.

Mamora was said to have sided with Fashola and thereby incurred the wrath of Tinubu leading to his being replaced with Senator Gbenga Ashafa in the 2011 election.

Cardoso who served in the Tinubu cabinet it was learnt, is also being seriously canvassed on the basis of his economic expertise and projected as one who could help a possible President Buhari to manage the economic affairs of the country.

The projection of Senator Borofice it was gathered is aimed at cutting from the votes of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ondo State.

The idea behind Borofice is that he could draw out votes for

Another permutation that some believe could electrify the party is the presentation of Adams Oshiomhole as a running mate or possibly a presidential candidate.

Oshiomhole who has acquitted himself fairly in Edo State and won commendations for his infrastructural developments is considered as a possible weapon of mass destruction if put on the presidential ticket and could especially impede the PDP in its SouthSouth base. In the past, a matchup between Oshiomhole and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal had been projected as a serious challenge that for the PDP. However, given the relative independent mindedness of the Edo governor, not many in the APC hierarchy seem to be giving much consideration to lifting him up.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—41

Jonathan should exchange prisoners for Chibok girls — Evah Bokoh Haram:

COMRADE Joseph Evah, Human Rights activist and former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC) is Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group. In this interview he spoke on the survival of former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari in a bomb blast.

He said his survival saved Nigeria the genocide that would have been worse than what happened in Rwanda. Excerpts:

BY AZU AKANWA OKO Haram bombing is getting deadly by the day, what is your opinion?

In fact, it is full blown war that we are witnessing and I am ashamed of our Northern leaders that they are helpless.

Northern leaders should be ashamed of themselves that they can’t call their children to order. They thought they had the mandate of their people be Nigeria military rulers and civilian presidents. So what is happening? Why are they all running and hiding in Abuja?

It is a shame if Niger Delta political leaders entered canoe to move into the creek why are these Northern leaders staying back?

What is your advice to President Goodluck Jonathan now?

President Goodluck Jonathan should use the Ramadan

B

fasting period to exchange the prisoners of war now. He should bring out prisoners of Boko Haram and exchange them with the Chibok girls now. I am appealing to the president to go the extra-mile as an African statesman to do this for the sake of peace. Let the world know that President Jonathan means well. Americans and Britain recently exchanged prisoners with the Taliban fighters, if America can do that we can try something similar. In fact, Israel did that with Hamas few years ago before this their current war.

We want our girls to come out this period and I believe if we take this approach some of the Boko Haram fighters may report and help this nation in the peace process.

How will you describe the attack on General Buhari?

Let me tell you the truth the survival of Buhari in that bomb blast was the greatest miracle

Ebonyi 2015: I

•Evah

from God this year. It was not General Buhari that was lucky, it was Nigeria that was actually lucky that Buhari survived the attack. Some people don’t know the implications because they are ignorant of history. The killing of two political leaders in a plane crash that was bombed in Rwanda was what led to the worst genocide in Africa history. In some families in Rwanda, there is no generation to tell the story. Let me tell you how the scenario will look like, if the bomb had

don’t fight election to lose — Senator Nwagu

SENATOR Paulinus Igwe Nwagu representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial District is the chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs. He is the first among the many speculated gubernatorial aspirants to openly declare his aspiration.

Senator Nwagu in this interview rebuffs suggestions that the gubernatorial ticket has been zoned to a senatorial district saying the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP had never discussed it in any platform.

He also bared his mind on some key national issues including how the Federal Government is tackling the insurgency championed by the Boko Haram Islamic sect. Excerpts: BYPETEROKUTU

W

HAT is the security situation in the country?

You can’t fight insurgency in one day. I can say clearly that what police and other security agencies have done to curtail it.

Can you throw more light on your governorship ambition in the state?

If you know me very well, you will know that I don’t talk anyhow. If I say something, I stand by it and if am determined to do something, I will do it. I am ready to serve the state because I have the capabilities.

I have served in most political capacities and it is one area I also want to serve in and that is

succeeded, the same people who organised it will use their propaganda to say President Jonathan has killed Buhari and that his body has been taken away to Aso Rock or Niger Delta and the local people who are ignorant will start the killing that will spread like harmattan fire across the North and the Southern part will not be able to control their tempers.

So what I am telling Northern leaders who now appear helpless in this Boko Haram crisis is to say whether they don’t

want Nigeria to remain together.

Nobody wants to stay in any forced marriage. If they want us to end this marriage called Nigeria, let us go our different ways peacefully instead of pretending in the name of Boko Haram and telling us that your children (Boko Haram) are faceless. God we thank you for the miracle that Buhari is alive.

Those who are boosting that if this bomb had killed him nothing would have happened need to re-examine their heads learn from history and pray against such calamity.

If you see the army killing themselves in the barracks what can anybody do? This is the senerio we are talking about that happened in Nigeria before Gowon took over. In Abeokuta barracks, no Igbo officer stayed alive to tell the story, almost all officers were killed with their wives on the bed. That is the power of propaganda and rumour in a crisis period.

Even now some abnormal people are already saying President Jonathan is behind the attack. Can you imagine such careless and dangerous talk?

The new states proposed by the National Conference did not include any Ijaw states. What is your reaction?

We reject the insult on us.

Frankly speaking it was an insult that Niger Delta people were not considered for a state.

being the Governor of Ebonyi state.

What areas would you put focus on if you are elected governor?

Every area is important. But there are areas of utmost priority.

Security is the first as far as every state of the country is concerned.

Having served in one of the largest committees of the National Assembly, I should know how to secure the state.

Even as a local government area Chairman, I knew how to secure my area. This is before infrastructural development. All I will do for the state are contained in my manifesto.

How do you react to the suggestion by the incumbent governor that his successor

•Nwagu

should come from the Southern Senatorial zone?

I have not been everything in politics. If I had, I would not be contesting the governorship. I had only been a councillor, chairman of a council, member House of Representatives and now a Senator. I have never been a governor or House of Assembly member.

In democracy, there are two principles: freedom and participation. This gives rise to a democratically elected

government. I have said this before and would still repeat it again, zoning is for weaklings.

It has not been discussed in Ebonyi. After winning my election, I will call the people for us to discuss zoning. I am a lawmaker I know what I am saying.

Zoning is for those who are not ready to serve the state. If you are ready, come out and say what you can do. One should not wait to be given governor and even those who want to be councillors should come out and showcase their plans. If Obama, a BlackAmerican can win that country’s presidency, why shouldn’t I, an Ezza man and a Nigerian not be allowed to contest for the governorship?

Are we going to sacrifice efficiency on the platter of zoning? The state is young and we need to stabilise. Anybody discussing zoning is selfish. I have not even heard the governor talk about zoning. I have been in politics for 36 years and I know what I am talking about. If it has ever been discussed, I will be the first to canvass for it. The PDP has never discussed it. In

1998, before the 1999 elections, nobody talked about zoning. In 2007, there was still no zoning.

Agboti from the south contested but Elechi from central won. I know what our people need. We don’t need a weak governor. We need someone who will improve the already existing structures. By the time I am elected, you will see the difference. I know this because I am equal to the task.

If you didn’t win the primaries conducted by your party, will you join another political party in order to fulfil your governorship ambition?

Do you look at me like someone who would contest election and fail? Those coming now into the party are doing so because they feel the food is ready. Where were they when we were fighting for the party? My party however believes in the rule of law. We can’t go against the constitution of the party and that of the country. We are going into primaries and all the delegates will file out and vote for the person of their choice. We all would come out. I am a founding member of the PDP and no one would edge me out. All these people making this noise now were former members of APP.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Scene of a bomb explosion

Counter-terrorism war starts in Lagos • As Police give 17 tips to residents

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOSIANS were on June 25, 2014, gripped with fear, following an explosion that rocked Apapa area of the state which left in its trail the death of four persons while others were injured.

Though report had it that it was a clear case of bomb explosion but the Lagos State Police Command described it as a gas explosion even though the Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility for the explosion.

Another near bomb explosion incident which was however foiled , was attempted by suspected terrorists to blow up tank farms in Ijora area of Lagos last year. But for intelligence report matched with prompt action by security agencies which led to the arrest of the suspected terrorist, lives would have no doubt been lost.

In view of the foregoing, Vanguard reliably gathered that security stakeholders have gone back to the drawing board to re-strategise with a view to ensure that formidable measures were put in place to secure lives and property of Lagosians.

To this effect, the Lagos State Police Command has called on Lagosians to be vigilant and join hands with security operatives, by availing them with information that would not only make the state safe but also safeguard the citizenry.

Part of the information as contained in a Counter-Terrorism Campaign by the Police high Command include drawing its attention or those of other security agencies to vehicles parked or abandoned by unknown persons.

Infact, the Lagos State Police Command boss, had in one of his briefings suggested that it was better to raise false alarm on objects suspected to be combustive than to ignore it, only to cause the loss of human lives.

Briefing newsmen at the weekend, spokes person of the Command, Ngozi Braide, disclosed that in view of the current security and terrorism threats in some parts of the country, the Police High Command had launched a Counter Terrorism Campaign with a charge to landlords in Lagos to conduct back ground checks on all their prospective tenants, as well as create avenues to meet with their tenants from time to time.

She highlighted some security tips which include the need for legitimate sellers of chemicals such as fertilizer, ammonium products, acids e.tc to be wary of persons they sell such products to and report suspicious orders to the appropriate authority.

On the part of the command, Braide hinted that security measures such as intensified surveillance around public places

such as markets, churches, mosques, schools, parks, had been put in place.

Vanguard also gathered that plain clothes policemen have been placed on surveillance in places considered as hot spots in Lagos. Some of these places include Ajegunle, Agege, IdiAraba, Iyana-Ipaja, Iyana-Iba, Mushin, Alaba-Rago along Badagry expressway, Pen-cinema, Orile, Mile Two, Ayobo, Ajah, Ijora Badia, among other places.

It was also reliable gathered that consistent raids of places considered as hot spots are ongoing. So far, over 400 arrests have reportedly been made. Most of those arrested were discovered to be illegal immigrants. Among the arrested were truck pushers, wheel barrow traders and Bureau-dechange operators.

But the fight against terrorism as stressed by Braide should not be left alone to security agencies. She therefore advised Lagosians to adhere strictly to the security tips against terrorism as contained in the Counter-Terrorism Campaign pamphlet .

The tips: *Know your neigbours: You must strive to know not only the person living in your house but in your surrounding environment . Find out their means of livelihood as every strange face must be probed

*Observe what your neigbour normally brings home at night or what he normally moves away in the morning hours, as this may be dangerous to the safety of all. *Community leaders, working in conjunction with the local police, are encourage to form neigbourhood associations and periodically meet to appraise security situations in their areas. *Do not keep any object that will aid criminals to have easy access to your premises, e.g ladder beside the wall. *Owners of uncompleted building must clear them off undesirable persons or request the assistance of security agencies to do so where necessary. *Park owners, garage operators and operators of shopping malls must ensure that they thoroughly scan, search and take stock of vehicles parked within and around the premises of such public places. *Hotels and hospitality industries should always screen their guests and lodgers properly and ensure that they obtain accurate details of all guests. *Corporate citizens, highend commercial and residential establishment, institutions, mega churches/mosque and individuals with valuable assets, including hotels and park owners are encourage to install Close Circuit Televisions and other surveillance system stra-

tegically on their premises to help in monitoring criminal activities. *Draw the attention of the police or other security agencies to vehicles parked or abandoned by unknown persons. *Empty containers, gas cylinders, dustbins and other receptacles not in use, must be properly disposed off or kept away from the reach of unauthorized persons. *Do not allow unknown person to drop or abandon bag, boxes, foot barrows, or trolleys, articles of trade, cartons or any wrapped or sealed containers around your premises. *Legitimate sellers of chemicals such as fertilizers, ammonium product, acid, etc should be wary of persons they sell such product to. All suspicious order should be immediately reported to security agencies. * Always check your surroundings for suspicious , unexplained and dangerous objects and immediately informed the police where any such object is found. * Never except to take possession of or watch over any bag or object kept by unknown person or person *Be vigilant at public places as bombs can be kept by unscrupulous persons in unattended bags , packages, containers, cars, etc. *In the unforeseen circumstances of a bomb blast, stay away from the blast scene.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

— 43

Lagos generates 12,000 tonnes of garbage daily zSays Oresanya, LAWMA boss

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

A

S Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, battles to rid Lagos of garbage and other unwanted materials in spite of daunting challenges, refuse generation in the megacity has risen from 10,000 to 12,000 metric tonnes per day.

Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya who disclosed this attributed the increase to the cosmopolitan nature of the state with its attendant population explosion of over 22 million in a relatively small land mass, which he said is tantamount to a population of four countries, put together in West Africa.

According to Oresanya, LAWMA evacuates at least 12,000 tonnes of refuse daily against 10,000 earlier being generated.

He said that given the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State, it was expected that large volumes of waste would be generated by the people regularly.

Rapid population growth, coupled with unbridled urban pollution, is among the many health and sanitation challenges facing the city.

Oresanya who expressed determination of the state government in rising up to the occasion of ensuring filth free Lagos, identified unwholesome attitude of most of the residents as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse as a major challenge to the agency in recent times.

He stated, In Lagos we generate daily average of about 12,000 metric tones and you know what 1,000 tonnes looks like; 1,000 tonnes will fill 100 trailers.

Lagosians still have this bad habit of throwing wastes from their cars and still dumping wastes in unauthorised areas.

Though the habit is reducing but it s a major one and we are addressing it while we will continue to appeal to them, (residents) through sensitization and moral suasion.

Oresanya added that due to the efficiency recorded in refuse management, the agency was making efforts to absolve through licensing, more Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators to improve the current

capacity of waste collection and disposal and improved service delivery.

While stating that the PSP operators have been agitating for the upward review of charges, the agency has not approved any increase in service charged by the operators, saying any operator that is charging above the normal approved charges should be reported to LAWMA. He disclosed that a number of PSP operators found wanting in the discharge of their duties had been sanctioned appropriately.

However, the sanction is a corrective rather than punitive measure.

Currently, PSP operators charged N500 per flat and N200 per shop on a monthly basis for waste collection.

He therefore, enjoined anyone not satisfied with any of the operators or who wishes to pass other information to reach the agency through the following toll free lines: 5577 and 07080601020.

Effect of Apapa gridlock on LAWMA

2014

zA LAWMA garbage truck

activities Worried by the recent traffic gridlock experienced in Apapa Wharf and environs, LAWMA, has raised alarm on the negative impact on its operations in the area in recent weeks and therefore decided to shift its operations in the areas to night time.

L AWMA said the measure became necessary following thorough assessment of the situation, having observed that PSP trucks found it difficult to access the areas in the execution of their duties.

Oresanya, stated; For this reason, management of LAWMA

decided that waste collection and disposal services in Apapa, Wharf and its environs will be carried out by the assigned PSPs at night until further notice.

The agency has established various programmes to consolidate on the job of waste management in the state, and these include the introduction of additional mini-trucks to cater for the needs of inner communities in the state, establishment of safety corps marshals for road sweepers, involving

the youths in business of waste management and lots of others.

Despite the current unpleasant traffic situation, the authority is giving the total assurance that it will not relent in its resolve to deliver efficient waste management services to the people of Lagos no matter the circumstance.

Meanwhile, the organization implored all to desist from patronizing cartpushers or any form of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on major highways and drainage canals.

OPD handles 4,036 cases, N8.3m compensation paid

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

T

he Office of the Public Defender, OPD, has disclosed that it treated a total number of 4,036 cases and ensured that N8,332,598.00 compensation was paid to deserving people between January and July 2014.

Established as an agency of the Lagos state government under the OPD Law, 2003 to serve as an autonomous institution providing free legal services to the poor and disadvantaged the indigent residents.

Director of the OPD, Mrs Omotola Rotimi, stated this in a chat with Vanguard affirming the the number of cases the organisation has handled this year has double the one of last year just at the middle of the year.

According to her, OPD has handled 1590 court cases -both in civil and criminal, 2,403 petitions, 42 police matters, 21 rescue mission, 22 public interest and a total of N51,266,946.56 compensation was paid last year.

OPD collaborates with UNICEF to render pro bonoservices to children and juveniles who have either been detained at the Police Station or remanded in prison custody or Remand Homes.

The Office also works with the British Council

(DFID) in its case tracking system project with the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Prisons, Police and the Judiciary towards improved criminal justice system in the State.

“The N8.332 million compensation that the OPD assisted the aggrieved people since January and now (July) vary a lot. The company then pays the victims , it could also be that and their benefits were not given to then and the people come to report to OPD. After our intervention, the company might agree that they will pay three months or six months and so on, she said “People whose jobs were terminated without due process, some were involved in accidents in their work place and get thrown out of the job without any benefit and any wrong termination of employment. What is noticeable is that more people are now coming out to lay their complaints, she said “We have handled 4,036 cases since January to now, this cases show that a lot of people are more aware of the OPD, and they know that they can now access justice . People are now coming out to come to complaints.

“People are no more suffering and dying in silence as it was before. The public sensitization has gone far.

44— VANGUARD,

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Oyinlola is supporting me — Omisore EID-EL FITRI:

By Gbenga Olarinoye

Aregbesola, Omisore greet Muslims

P

DP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore has declared that he enjoys a cordial relationship with the immediate former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The assertion was to rebut claims in political circles of a chasm between the two of them which also fueled claims that Oyinlola is set to defect to the APC, a party full of politicians who once antagonised him.

Maintaining that Oyinlola remained a leader in the PDP, he declared that “Oyinlola is solidly behind us in the mission to rescue Osun state from squanders.”

Omisore, who spoke through the Director General of his campaign organisation, Chief Lere Oyewumi during an interaction with newsmen in Osogbo noted that “Oyinlola is still with us in the PDP and he is solidly in support of our ambition.”

On the defection of some Oyinlola’s loyalists to the APC, Omisore said: “Oyinlola himself came out openly to declare that he is still in the PDP, notwithstanding the defection of some of his loyalists to the APC.” He stressed that Oyinlola had in recent times held meetings with other leaders of the PDP,

By Dapo Akinrefon

O

•Osun State PDP gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore and his running mate, Hon. Adejare Bello acknowledging cheers from supporters during the house-to-house campaign in Ilesa East and West over the weekend. saying that “Oyinlola cannot abandon the PDP at this stage, having led the party for several years with monumental achievements.”

“We cannot do away with Oyinlola. We will keep referring to him as a leader of the party.

He built solid foundation for the PDP in the state for seven and a half years. Even those in the APC refer to Bola Ige and Awolowo as their leaders and these characters did not have anything doing with Awolowo and Ige while alive,” he said.

According to him “as I talk to you, Prince Oyinlola still relates with us in the PDP and the relationship we have with him is a very cordial one. By the grace of God we will together celebrate the victory of PDP come August 9, this year.”

Omisore didn’t instigate arrest of RMS boss

By Dapo Akinrefon

T

HE Omisore Campaign Organisation has faulted newspaper reports accusing the PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore of instigating the clampdown on a research and marketing firm, RMS, which is located in Lagos.

A statement by Omisore’s Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi described the report as “false and blatant lies peddled to score cheap political point” because of the government’s dwindling fortune and outright rejection by the people.”

He added that “even when the result of the so -called opinion poll that only exist in their imagination has not been made public, Osun State government said its governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was the preferred candidate in August 9 election. We want the public to know that there is no iota of truth whatsoever in the report. It was a calculated attempt to smear the image of Senator Omisore and an attempt to attack the Federal Government by Aregbesola led administration because of the defeat starring them in the face as the August 9 election draws

closer.”

“The Managing Director of RMS has since refuted the Osun mischief that his arrest

by DSS was based purely on the census his staff were doing on Guinness in Enugu where some of them were arrested and had nothing to do with Osun gubernatorial poll. We

want to state that the RMS managing director is alive and can be contacted to know the true story.”

“No amount of blackmail and mischief will help Ogbeni Aregbesola and his co-travelers because the people of Osun State that they have impoverished and destroyed

their means of livelihood through anti-people policies will not hesitate to vote them out on August 9, 2014. The security agencies should also be vigilant to nip in the bud any sinister plan by the APC and Ogbeni Aregbesola to circumvent the wishes of the good people of Osun state.”

NYSC members warned against electoral offence

By Gbenga Olarinoye

M

EMBERS of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that would serve as adhoc staff for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the August 9 governorship election in Osun State have been warned against engaging in any act that is capable of constituting electoral offences.

The Osun state Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Affairs, Mr. Bashiru Ajibola gave the warning while featuring on a programme tagged “Newspoint”, organised by the state Correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Osogbo.

According to Ajibola, NYSC members, as fresh graduates, should uphold the sanctity of the constitution of the country and work towards the peaceful conduct of the election by shunning any

act capable of marring the election.

The commissioner appealed to the corps members that would work with the electoral body in the

state to be fair and transparent throughout the exercise saying they can’t afford to fail the state and the country at large.

One man live debate is Aregbesola’s propaganda — Akinwusi

S

OCIAL Democratic Party (SDP), candidate, Mr. Olusegun Akinwusi has described last Saturday’s debate in which only Governor Rauf Aregbesola featured as part of the usual propaganda of the APC administration.

Akinwusi, in a statement yesterday, described the debate as a charade and a mockery of the people of Osun State.

“We have 20 governorship candidates in Osun state. I am the first person to have challenged Aregbesola to a live debate to let

us discuss the state economy, the huge debt profile of the state and his so-called achievement.

“Information had it that the so called international community said to have organized the debate never existed and my two cocontestants of Labour Party and PDP were invited on phone an hour to the programme.

“For the avoidance of doubt, if Aregbesola is manly enough, he should let us sit together to debate about his governance. Who is afraid of Akinwusi that they are trying to avoid him to speak to the public about our state?”, he contended.

SUN State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his main opponent from the PDP in the August 9 governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore yesterday felicitated with Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el Fitri celebration.

In his message, Governor Aregbesola congratulated Muslims for the successful monthlong fasting and “devotion to the will of Allah which ended Sunday.

He said “the period which has elevated the spiritual consciousness of Muslims will lead them to take the right decisions on matters which affect their faith and their lives in an environment that is constantly threatened by thugs, rapists, assassins and mischievous politicians.”

He added that “those who have been faithful in their devotion during this Ramadan will come with clear conscience to sort out the evil from the good when they take a critical decision on August 9 whether or not criminals should capture power in Osun, or Allah’s grace that rained on the State since November 2010 should continue.”

Omisore too Omisore, in a statement said: “It is note worthy that the past one month has been a period of penitence, sober reflections, repentance and closeness to the Almighty Allah by all Islamic adherents all over the world of which Osun people make a significant part. Without any doubt, the period afforded all patriotic indigenes opportunity to pray for peace, tranquillity and development of the state and the Nation at large.”

Omisore enjoined Osun people “to continue in this spirit of Ramadan according to the teachings of the holy Prophet for the common good of all. As the August 9, 2014 governorship election is drawing closer, I implore everyone to remain lawabiding as we perform our civic responsibilities.”

We should all eschew violence and resist any attempt to take laws into our hands. In conclusion, I’m seizing this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all ,most importantly the Muslim faithful who defied all odds to demonstrate their uncommon love, solidarity and support.

The impact of your prayers are tremendous. It is my prayer that our collective aspirations shall come to reality very soon. I wish you happy and peaceful eid-el fitri celebration”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—45

Nigeria can explode over derivation, warns ex-Ohanaeze leader

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — FORMER President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has described Nigeria as an inflammable commodity that could explode anytime.

Ikedife, a delegate at the ongoing National Conference, warned that the country could explode, if the confab failed to handle the issue of derivation formula with honesty, seriousness and without unnecessary sentiment.

According to him, it is unfortunate that some delegates at the confab are trying to scuttle efforts to amicably settle the issue of derivation formula to the satisfaction of everybody, particularly Niger Delta people.

He noted that people of the Niger Delta had been suffering because of oil exploration and long years of neglect.

“With the stalemate on the issue of derivation formula Nigeria can be seen as an inflammable commodity and nobody should carry naked fire to where there is an inflammable commodity.

“This issue of derivation, if we push it to the bitter end it may end up in a way that an explosion will be in the face of all of us.

“Many realised that the quantum of unhappiness, quantum of anger is very high and we must not push the issue to the brinks of explosion,” Ikedife cautioned.

He said while some people like him were working assiduously to

tidy up issues at stake, especially the contentious derivation formula, some others at the conference were busy drawing the issue back with personal goals they set out to achieve before arrival at the conference.

He said: “Some people from a particular section of the country are bent on ensuring that no meaningful decision was taken on the issue of derivation.

“They are not aware of what the people in whose community the mineral recourses are tapped or

explored suffer or they know but deliberately want them to continue suffering, and are at the conference working to put stumbling blocks to the way forward to settle the issue.

He appealed to all the delegates currently on recess to "adjust their minds towards achieving meaningful decision on the issue when the conference reconvenes on August 11, 2014."

Ikedife insisted that the Federal Government had given Nigerians an opportunity, through the con-

fab, to resolve the contentious issue of derivation for the country to have peace.

Assessing the performance of the confab, Ikedife gave it a pass mark, but noted that the only reservation he had was on the issue of no-go areas as directed by the Presidency.

“Much as we obey the President’s directive, suppose the solutions to Nigerian’s problems are to be found in the no-go areas, should we not chase the solution into those areas?

MASS: From left, Abia State governor, Theodore Orji; the celebrant, Rev. Fr. Leonard Uzuegbu; Lady Mercy Orji, governor's wife, and Lady Nene Ananaba, deputy governor's wife, after the first Holy Mass of Rev. Fr. Uzuegbu, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Ugba Ibeku, in Umuahia.

Imo go vt tto o build N1 6bn mega mar ket at Mgbidi govt N16bn mark

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — IN its bid to convert Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area into a commercial city, Imo State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with a private developer to build a N16 billion international market in the town.

The proposed market, which is to be known as Heartland Gateway International Market, Mgbidi, is aimed at creating a one-spot business environment, as well as boost the economy of the state.

The Chief Executive Officer of promoters of the project, Pastor Nath Omoruyi, disclosed this in his address to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, during the pre-construction site visit to the market.

According to Omoruyi, the MoU gives the promoters the leeway to design, build, manage, operate and otherwise hold assets of and title to all promoters of the project.

He assured that the market would be a modern and very organised market place, as well as serve as a launching pad for sev-

eral business developments.

“Due to popular demand from our various off-takers, especially Ohanaeze Ndigbo, we are acquiring more land and adjusting our designs, thereby increasing the number of shopping units and warehouses to 10,000 units, but this will only be realised at the completion of a second phase,” Omoruyi said.

He explained that the construction was estimated to last two

years, pointing out that the first phase would be completed in 12 months.

Omoruyi, who also spoke on the viability of the project and its direct benefits, said that upon completion, the volume of trade and business transactions would be between N400 million and N500 million daily.

According to him, this will guarantee a good return on in vestment for any investor.

“The high volume of trade and daily business activities with the attendant job creation would create an enabling environment for the establishment of various industries and other commercial ventures whose services, products and goods would be exchanged daily at the market,” he said.

He then assured that the market would provide an enabling environment for mega investment and subsequent economic growth.

...trains 12,000 to tackle insecurity

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — NO fewer than 12,000 people in Imo State have been recruited, trained and posted to Imo Security Network, ISN; Imo Civil Guards, ICG, and Imo Community Watch, ICW. Special Assistant to Imo State Governor on Security Operations, Sir Victor Anderson Akuchie, disclosed this during an exclusive chat with Vanguard in Owerri.

“This is part of the government’s ‘youths must work programme’.

Within seven months of their deployment, kidnapping and armed

robbery have been reduced to the barest minimum,” Akuchie said.

While recalling that there was an upsurge of kidnapping and armed robbery in the past three or four years, Akuchie, however, explained that none of the outfits was in conflict with any of the federal security organisations.

“Our job is to assist the federal security agencies in making the state safe for both residents and those passing through Imo territory.

“Investors can now come and invest in the state,” stressing that the threat of armed robbery and

kidnapping is no longer the issue.

“Through working with the police and other federal law enforcement agencies, we will achieve a crime free state before the end of this year,” Akuchie said.

On the probability that criminals operating in the state had finetuned their strategy to infiltrate the ranks of the security outfit, Akuchie noted that in security operation, everybody was a suspect, adding that windows of probation would last between six months and one year.

Imo private doctors smile to banks over strik e strike

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI — OWN ERS of private medical establishments in Imo State are now smiling to their banks, following the indefinite industrial action embarked upon by doctors employed by government.

All activities in government-owned hospitals in the state had virtually come to a halt, as doctors obeyed their leaders’ call to remain at home until government positively responded to their demands.

Vanguard investigations revealed that since members of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, went on strike to press home their demands, there had been an upsurge of patients patronising private hospitals.

A patient in one of the hospitals in Owerri that simply identified herself as Ifeoma, lamented that despite the increasing number of patients flooding the private hospitals and clinics, the doctors’ bills had remained very high.

Gov Orji condoles with generator fumes victims

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA — ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has sympathised with members of the Young Peoples Christian Fellowship involved in generator fumes incident which left a six-year-old boy dead and others injured.

The incident occurred at 8, Eziukwu Road, Aba, Friday night during a prayer vigil by some people from Ututu in Arochukwu Local Government Area, Governor Orji, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, said he received the sad news with shock, adding that he had been praying for their quick recovery.

Orji, who is currently on overseas’ trip, had directed his deputy to visit the place and hospitals where the injured are receiving treatment.

46— Vanguard , TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

We're still angry over last population census —Niger govt zSays State was grossly under counted M

By Wole Masadomi

INNA—NIGER State government has said that it is still angry over the outcome of the last national population census in the country, saying that the state was grossly under counted.

It, therefore, said it had taken the necessary steps to ensure that the people were adequately sensitised and mobilised towards the 2016 Census.

Acting governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, spoke when the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Farouk Bahago, paid him Sallah homage at Government House, yesterday, and called on people of the state to submit themselves for counting during the forthcoming census, as according to him, the exercise was not aimed at introducing or imposing any form of taxation on the people but at knowing the exact population of the country which would in turn ensure proper planning and distribution of social amenities to the people.

He said: “From the finding of the state, it was discovered that the people were grossly under counted because our people refused to be counted out of ignorance and that is why the government has raised a team to sensitise and mobilise our people on the need to be counted in the 2016 Census.”

Ibeto asked traditional rulers, village, ward and district heads to rise up to the challenge of mobilising and also sensitising their people on the need to be counted.

He further used the occasion to call on people of the state to unite more than ever before towards flushing out criminals, especially the insurgents in their midst so as

to enjoy peace.

The acting governor noted that the recent ban on Okada as a means of transportation had started yielding results as statistics had shown drastic reduction in crimes in Minna, the state capital. He added that the government also planned to carve out designated areas for beggars in Minna, where people

could go to give alms or assist such beggars.

Earlier, the Emir, Alhaji Bahago had thanked Allah for the successful fasting in the state and urged the people of the state not to relent in praying for peace to reign in the state and country at large.

A mini Durbar was staged to commemorate the Sallah celebration.

INVESTITURE: International Peace Ambassador, Amb. Mohammed Najeeb (left), presenting a certificate to the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation, Mrs. Josephine Washima (right), and General Secretary, Universal Peace Federation, Mr. Raphael Oko, during the investiture of Special Ambassadors for Peace for the National Unification Initiative by the Universal Peace Federation in Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

COURT INJUNCTION: Jos ICD boss laments demolition of structures by govt

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—DESPITE the Federal High Court, Jos injunction restraining Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang and the Jos Metropolitan Development Board, JMDB, from demolishing structures at the site of Jos Inland Container Depot, ICD, Heipang, the duo went ahead with the action.

The demolished structures were at Heipang in Barkin Ladi Local Government Council of the state.

The Group General Manager, Duncan Group of Companies, which was the company managing the Depot, Dr. Godfrey Shitgurum lamented the situation in an interview with newsmen in Jos, yesterday.

Shitgurum explained that the court injunction was duly served on the JMDB and the Plateau State Ministry of

Justice on Monday July 21, 2014.

He said that one Christiana Bot of JMDB and Hauwa Samuel of the state Ministry of Justice received copies of the injuction respectively.

His words: “It has become imperative for us at Duncan Maritime Ventures Limited to state our position following the destruction of our facilities at the Jos Inland Container Depot, Heipang by the Plateau State government through its agency, the JMDB. “This is done with the view to putting the record straight and disabuse certain misconception. Since the inception of the Jos ICD project, transactions have been between Duncan Maritime and the Federal Government through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, a parastatal of the Federal

Ministry of Transport and had never had any direct contact with the Plateau State government.”

He, however, expressed surprise that “ without any information from either the Ministry of Transport or the Nigerian Shipper’s Council, the JMDB moved into their site...and destroyed the company’s property.”

Shitgurum listed the destroyed property to include, the gate of the complex which was at 86 per cent completion and the administrative block, also at 45 per cent completion, as well as over 26,000 blocks, timber and several other items yet to be computed.

According to him, “the Federal Government’s idea of setting up the ICDs was to bring the facilities closer to the majority of Nigerians at the hinterland, as well as reduce the

cost of clearing of goods, lower the prices of commodities, reduce unemployment rate as well as facilitate development in the benefiting states among others.’’

Gov Lamido assures residents of adequate security

D

U T S E — GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa yesterday, assured nonindigenes living in the state that their rights as Nigerian citizens, would be protected.

Lamido gave the assurance when he received the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi, who paid him Sallah homage in Dutse.

He explained that all non - indigenes living in the state were there as a matter of ‘ right’ not ‘privilege’, hence would not be discriminated against.

The Governor said that Nigerians were free to live where ever they chose without any undue harassment by any individual or government.

The governor said those asking Nigerians to register in their own country were sending a wrong signal that was not healthy for the unity of the country.

According to him, leadership is about understanding the people being governed, with a view to protecting their lives and property, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.

Earlier in his remarks, the Emir of Dutse, Sunusi, thanked the governor for transforming the state in the past seven years of his administration.

He said that both indigenes and nonindigenes had been living peacefully in the state, promising that efforts would be made to sustain the status-quo.

EID-EL-FITR: Gombe CAN chair lauds govt on security

G

OMBE—REV. Abare Kala, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Gombe State, has commended the state government for providing adequate security during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

Kala told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Gombe, yesterday, that considering the incidents that occurred in some states few days to Sallah, the state government and security agents deserved a pat on the back for ensuring

an incident-free celebration.

He said: “We really thank the Almighty God for his protection, the celebration was observed under a peaceful atmosphere.

“The security agents and the state government deserve commendation. We shall continue praying for Almighty God to continue to give them the strength and wisdom to tackle the security challenges.

“We will continue to pray for peace in Gombe, North East subregion and the country at large.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 —47

Bauchi maize farmers record 100% yield

Bauchi metropolis residents decry activities of horse riders

B

B

AUCHI — RESIDENTS of Bauchi metropolis have expressed concern over the activities of some horse riders that had posed threat to lives of innocent people.

Expressing their feelings in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Bauchi State yesterday, they said some horse riders, mostly youths, had turned the highways to a horse-riding arena, causing accidents and sometimes killing pedestrians.

Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, a civil servant, narrated how she witnessed an incident where a horse-rider killed a pregnant woman.

She said: “Sometimes ago, I was by the road side when a horse rider crushed a commercial motorcyclist that was carrying a pregnant woman. The woman died on the spot and the cyclist was seriously injured.

“I was also once a victim of the horse riders. My car mirror was equally bashed by a horse rider within the metropolis, sometime ago.

“Therefore something needs to done on the issue of riding horses in highways within the metropolis,” she said.

Mrs Amina Ahmed, a journalist in Bauchi, told NAN how a 13-year-old horse rider crushed a motorcyclist and his passenger along a busy highway.

She said: “The incident occurred along Ran Road. The boy was plying the road, galloping dangerously, when the horse crushed the motorcyclist and his passenger.

“The victims, who gave their names as Jibrin Dare and Shehu Usman from Babi village, had to be rushed to the hospital by a good Samaritan."

Alhaji Adamu Ahmed, a horse rider who plays polo, while acknowledging the threat posed by horse riders within the metropolis, suggested that an alternative place be provided for whoever wanted to ride a horse.

Speaking to NAN on the issue, Chairman, House Committee on Security, Bauchi State Assembly, Malam Iliyasu Zwal, said he had initiated a law moderating the activities of horse riders within the metropolis.

According to him, the law has been assented to by Gov. Isa Yuguda since August 2012, but has not been implemented.

From left: Kwara State Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisra; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State during Sallah homage to the Emir's palace, in Ilorin, yesterday.

7 killed, 3 injured in Kogi auto crash L

OKOJA — THE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Sunday in Lokoja confirmed the death of seven persons in a multiple road accident which occurred on the Ankpa-Anyingba road in Kogi.

The commission’s Kogi Sector Commander, Mr Godwin Omiko, who confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said three other persons were critically injured in the crash.

“Five of the accident victims were lucky as they escaped unhurt,” Omiko who spoke on telephone said.

He said the accident which happened late Saturday evening involved three private cars and a motorcycle.

“The cars included two Honda Accord cars, with number plates, FCT ABJ 775 GB and Lagos GGE 715 CQ, and a Sienna LE car with number plate, KNA 52 LG,” the FRSC official said.

Omiko said a total of 15 people were involved in the accident while those who died included five male adults and two female adults.

The Sector Commander said

the injured were taken to the General Hospital at Anyingba for treatment, while the relatives of the dead ones had started coming to pick them.

Omiko said the road, which connects states in the SouthSouth and South-East, had been cleared of the obstruction and smooth vehicular movement restored.

He blamed the accident on wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving, and appealed to motorists to drive with caution and observe speed limit regulations.

2015: Moro calls for power-shift to Idoma-speaking area of Benue

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI — MINISTER of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has reiterated the need for power to shift from the Tiv-speaking area of Benue State to the Idoma-speaking area in 2015.

Moro lamented that “in the 38 years of the state, nobody from the southern zone had governed the state, hence my position on the matter is premised on the principles of equity, justice and fairply.”

The minister spoke yesterday when he received the leadership of the Opiatoha K’ Idoma, an umbrella body of Idoma indigenes, at his country home in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.

His words: “In the present circumstance, I believe that it is in the interest of justice, equity and fairplay for our Tiv brothers to support and ensure that power shifts from the Tiv speaking areas of the state to the Idoma area. ”I know that power cannot be ceded cheaply, we must work for it to ensure that an Idoma man emerges the next governor of the state. ”Benue is made up of three

senatorial zones, and since the governorship position had already rotated among the two other zones, it is only equitable and in the true sense of democracy to ensure that the next governor of the state comes from the zone that has not taken its own turn in the coming election.

“We must also be wary of pretenders who are looking for the position of the deputy governor and those who are out to create stumbling blocks for the Senate President with their selfish and inordinate ambitions.”

Moro, however, urged the group to continue to rally support for Senator David Mark as well as ensure the emergence of a credible governorship contender from Benue South in the next election.

Earlier in his speech, President of Opiatoha K’ Idoma, Chief Baba Odangla, had called for power-shift in the state, saying the Idoma race was proud of the attainment of Senator Mark and Moro in ensuring the growth and stability of democracy in the country.

AUCHI — MAIZE Farmers in Bauchi State had been recording 100 per cent yield per hectare in the past three years as a results of adopting striga weed control techniques introduced in 2011.

Programme Manager of Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme, BSADP, Dr Iliyasu Gital, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Bauchi yesterday that the techniques had helped control damage done to crops by triga weed, specie of parasitic plant that suffocates and destroys crops.

He said the techniques, namely crop rotation, mixed cropping and the application of viral powder, were copied from Kenya, and had proved to be very effective.

Gital explained that before the introduction of the techniques, 25 Agriculture Extension Agents were trained, after which each of them selected 20 farmers within his areas of jurisdictions for trial.

He said: ”Twenty farmlands were selected, who established demonstration farms. Each farmer adopted one of the newly introduced techniques of triga control on their maize, sorghum and cow-pea farms.

“Where farmers used to get 50 per cent yield, they got 100 per cent of their potential yield, while where some earlier recorded zero yield due to damage by striga, they got 50 per cent and subsequent years, recorded 100 per cent.”

According to him, the success of the techniques is being reviewed constantly and where problems are detected, experts are invited to conduct research.

NIPR holds retreat for chapter chairmen, secretaries

T

HE Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) will hold a retreat for its state Chapter Chairmen and Secretaries across the country in Lagos.

The event which is scheduled for August 2, 2014 will take place at Dunban International Hotels Ltd, Isheri Road, Ogba, Lagos State A release by Dr. Grace Achum, Special Assistant on Media to NIPR President, said the theme of the retreat is

“Advancing the NIPR Cause,’ while topics such as “Leadership Partnership & Evaluation, Effective Secretariat Management, Laws of NIPR and Opportunities for Internally Generated Revenue” will be discussed.

Some of the speakers expected at the event are Karibi George, NIPR Council member; Mr. Willy Ogbidi, Chief of Staff to NIPR President; Mr. Jide Ologun,

immediate past chairman of the Lagos State Chapter and Rev. Abraham Olusola-Niyi, Vice Chairman, Lagos State Chapter.

According to the statement, the retreat will provide platform for all the stakeholders at the state level to synergise, bring to the fore, the challenges in the administration of the chapter, with a view to proffering solutions to them.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

CONFERENCE: From left: Mr Inye Kemabonta, Director of Standards

RALLY: From left; Prof. John Bosco Akpan, President, Voice of the Poor Foundation; Mr and Regulation, National Information Technology Development Agency, Saidi Balogun, President, The Golden Movies Ambassadors; Deaconess Adedoyin Beyioku, NITDA (left) and the DG, NITDA , Peter Jack at the just-concluded Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, 2014 national conference held in Enugu State.

National President, Deaf Women Association of Nigeria; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Guest Speaker and President, Women Arise; Tee Mac Iseli, Chief Nonye Mojekwu, CEO, OzzyBoscoSmile Foundation and Ms Wofai Samuel during a campaign for the release of abducted Chibok school girls in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: Mrs. Yemisi Suswam issuing a certificate to one of the 700 graduands of the Sev-Av Skills and Craft Acquisition Centre, her pet project, in Makurdi.

BRIEFING: From left; Mr Adewale Adeoye, President, Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER); Kudu Abubakar, Deputy President, Arewa Youth Counsultative Forum (AYCF); Comrade Kehinde Adegbuyi, President, Coalition of Nigeria Civil Rights Group and Abass Mafeng, General Secretary, United Middle-Belt Youth Congress during a press conference by the Nigerian Human Rights Community on the state of the nation held in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

VISIT: From left; Imam Moshood Elesinwere; Alhaji AbdulRasaq Yusuf; HRM Oba Abdul Fatai Aromire Ojora, the Ojora of Ijoraland and Imam Abdul Lateef Faro, Chief Imam of Ijoraland during the visit of Islamic leaders to the Ojora's palace shortly after the Eid-el-fitri prayer at Ijora, Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

DONATION: From left; Prof. Temitope Alonge; Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan (UCH), Mrs Dupe Akindeko, representing the donor, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide; Minister of state, FCT and Mrs Funmilayo Aigbomiah, Special Assistant to the Minister during the donation of medical equipment and supplies worth N20m by Olajumoke Akinjide Foundation to the UCH. Photo by Dare Fasube.

PRIZE GIVING DAY: Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Public Communications, Mrs. Seyi Enitan-Olubode, presenting educational materials to pupils of Holy Trinity Anglican Primary School, Iboro, during the Prize-Giving Day for pupils, teachers and principals of public schools at Joga/Iboro Ward, Yewa North LGA.

INDUCTION: Veteran journalist, Mr. Oye Ogunwale (right), being presented with a certificate of induction as most senior evangelist of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), by Most Senior Evangelist Leke Tiyamiyu (middle), while the shepherd in charge of Celestial Church of Christ, Jakande Estate Parish One Cathedral, Superior Evangelist (Dr) Aiyeyemi Nejo, watch in Lagos.

LAUNCH: From left; General Manager, Consumer Products Division, L'Oreal Central West Africa, Sekou Coulibaly; Managing Director, Idorenyen Enang; Head of Education, Titilola Igri-Offor, and President, Lagos State Barbers, Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, Lanre Atanda at the launch of Dark & Lovely Braids and Weaves in Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 49

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 51

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Intrepidity of a leader ffor or eq uity in A bia Stat e (2) equity Abia State

By DON UBANI

This is the concluding part of this discourse which was first published in Vanguard last Friday

L

EST we have forgotten, the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, had successfully insisted on power shift on senatorial basis that gave rise to the emergence of his successor; Mr. Willie Obiano.

Governor T.A. Orji’s advocacy for power shift based on senatorial understanding simply

presents him as a leader who appreciates the fact that the strongest link in a chain is, surely, its weakest link. Being the consummate administrator that he is, the Governor realizes that no society can enjoy full development and growth if within it a section or an area perceives itself as a victim of calculated marginalization and deprivation. This thinking makes the humble but resultoriented Ochendo a statesman of note. Politicians think of self advantages but T.A. Orji is concerned with what will enthrone peace, harmony, security and

progress in his state even when he would have left office.

People from all walks of life and shades of opinion in the state have, out of their own volition, acknowledged Ochendo as a man that is worth his salt.

It would, therefore, be expected that all and sundry should appreciate the wisdom of Sir T.A. Orji’s advocacy for equity in rotation of the governorship of the state.

There could be very many wealthy gubernatorial aspirants from either the North or Central Senatorial Zones of the State who, if equity and political mo-

rality were to be thrown to the wind, would easily grab the seat based on cash and carry syndrome. Interestingly, such wealthy personalities had, for the umpteenth time, publicly expressed their appreciation of and belief in Ochendo’s concern for equity and peaceful co-existence. It would, therefore, not be out of place if such persons toe the line of patriotism and selflessness by giving support to the governor in his bid to enthrone equity. It must be mentioned here that the Northern senatorial zone of Abia State did not succeed itself in 2007. It will

also follow that the central senatorial zone will not succeed itself in 2015.

To the good indigenes of Abia South, made up of the three clans of Asa, Ndoki and Ngwa, in their alphabetical order, every care must be taken to make sure they put their acts together. In the pursuit of their aspiration, ego, bitterness and inconsiderate rigidity for which many political actors from the zone are known, should this time, give way to selfless, liberal, patriotic and friendly consideration. That negative and self-destructive tendency of “if not me, let all of us fail” for which they are known and ridiculed should be a very distant thing of the past. Again, some prominent men in the zone who, like Esau in the Bible, are fond of selling their birth right because of greed, should, for goodness sake realize that this is the most crucial moment in the political history of the zone.

Political history of the zone Furthermore, it should be noted that he who goes to equity should go with clean hands. Since AbiaSouth is asking for the governorship of the state in 2015 based on equity and competence, the zone should also make sure that equity reflects holistically in the zone.

In this regard, should an Ngwa indigene of Abia–South, for instance, clinche the governorship of the state, the Senator for the zone should come from Asa. This is because Ngwa should not produce the governor and the Senator at the same time. Taking cognizance of the fact that an Ndoki man; Hon. Adolphus Wabara, represented AbiaSouth at the Senate for eight consecutive years, 1999-2007, equity would demand that if the senate position of Abia-South should rotate to Ukwa in 2015, the position should go to Asa which is Ukwawest. The House of Representatives seat should, in that case, be retained

by Ukwa-East.

On the other hand, if an indigene of Ukwa becomes the Governor in 2015, the Ngwa group should retain the senatorial position. Under such a circumstance, the House of Representatives’ seat for Ukwa would be occupied by an indigene of the Local Government Area that did not produce the Governor. In summary, Governor T.A. Orji must be commended for his intrepidity and resoluteness in his pursuit of equity.

Chief (Sir) Don Ubani, ksc, JP wrote from Aba

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 53

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Udu council aspirants urged to be peaceful

A

HEAD of the October 25 local government elections in Delta State, the Transition Committee Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Mr. Raymond Edijala, has advised chairmanship and councillorship aspirants in the council to be peaceful in their campaigns to avoid crisis.

Edijala spoke during the council’s peace and security committee meeting with aspirants of all political parties, urging the aspirants to go about their electioneering campaigns peacefully.

The aspirants, Mr. Lawson Oghoifo, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP councillorship aspirant; Mr. Wisdom Ghaghara, All Progressive Congress, APC, councillorship aspirant, and Mrs. Esther Omene, PDP chairmanship aspirant thanked the Udu council boss, the peace and security committee and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the meeting, and promised to abide by electoral laws.

45 students get Ikisikpo scholarship

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—FORTYFIVE students of Bayelsa State origin, among them 10 postgraduate students, have benefited from a scholarship scheme sponsored by Clever Ikisikpo Educational Foundation, bringing to 150 the number of students that have so far benefited from the scheme.

The lucky students, who gathered at the Ogbia Brotherhood Hall in Ogbia Local Government Area, where the ceremony held, called on other politicians to emulate the gesture of the foundation.

Senator Clever Ikisikpo, a former teacher, who represents Bayelsa East senatorial district, established the educational foundation after he left the state House of Assembly for the House of Representatives in 2007.

CONFERMENT: From left— Austin Igbine, Secretary-General, Ithihikpebe Campaign Organisation, ICO; Mr. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Executive Chairman; Mr. Ambby Okuhor and others members ICO strategy group at Igbide Kingdom, during the conferment of Azano of Igbide Kingdom chieftancy title on Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (rtd.) by HRM Obukeni I (right) at Igbide, Isoko North, Delta State.

A'Court dismisses monarch's suit against Edo govt

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, has dismissed the appeal by HRH Peter Osigbeme and three others in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State against the judgment of the lower court on the succession to the Apa/ Clan Head chieftaincy stool.

Other appellants in the suit are Boyo Okpo, James Okhakume and Sir Donald Egbegbe for themselves and on behalf of Imiekpe and Imiebe ruling houses.

The respondents in the appeal are Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Local Government (Edo State) and Etsako East Traditional Rulers Council.

Earlier

The lower court had in its ruling delivered in 2003 by Justice Cromwell Idahosa now Chief Judge of Edo State, held that the plea of res judicata cannot be sustained at the stage it was brought in view of the differences in the claims in suit and the instant case.

Dissatisfied with the judgment of the lower court, the appellants lodged an appeal at the appellate court, asking it to determine whether the term “claims” or “ relief ” has the same meaning as reliefs in the consideration of the doctrine of estopel per rem judicatem; Whether the erstwhile former 1st respondent, having conceded in the pleadings before the court

that he had been disqualified and barred from contesting the position of the Apa/clan head, Onwuoweko of Okpekpe, by a judicial commission of inquiry, has any locus standi

to challenge the appointment of the 1st appellant as the Apa/ Clanhead, Onwueweko of Okpekpe.

The appellate court, in its judgment delivered by Justice Ayobade LokuloSodipe, described the

appeal as unmeritorious, and all the issues formulated for determination resolved against them.

It affirmed the judgment of the lower court and awarded a cost of N25,000 in favour of the 1st respondent and against the appellants.

NULGE leader petitions Setraco over assault on Nigerian by Lebanese

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA— A former President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Bayelsa State chapter, Dr. Peter Singabele has petitioned the management of Setraco Nigeria Limited over assault on a Nigerian employee by a Lebanese staff of the company.

In an SOS petition, which Vanguard obtained in Yenagoa, Singabele noted that the Lebanese (names withheld), a manager with the construction company, allegedly assaulted one Nsikak Amos, an electrician with the same company, resulting in severe bleeding and rupturing of his ear drum.

He said: “Nsikak Amos, 26, an indigene of Akwa Ibom

State, who has been with Setraco as an electrician since 2004 was on night duty on March 13 when he was sent to buy breakers fuse.

“The young man was given N3,000 by the manager, a Lebanese. Amos however, came back with only one fuse instead of two which was on the receipt. Although Amos returned with the balance of N2,000, the manager became annoyed and allegedly slapped Amos on his left ear, calling him ‘black monkey’.

“On walking away, Amos noticed that blood was gushing out from his left ear.

He ran to a hospital where it was discovered that the ear drum had been ruptured.

“He reported to the Area command Opolo Bayelsa State on March 19 of the same

month, where a medical report form was given and he was referred to Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for further examination where he was referred abroad for further treatment.”

Singabele said since the incident, the company had stopped paying Amos.

He urged the company to pay the victim’s salary arrears to enable him offset his medical bills, while the Lebanese, who he said had been allowed to leave the country, should be made to face the law.

When contacted the Bayelsa Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the incident and urged for restraint among the parties as investigations were ongoing.

SALLAH: Oshiomhole seeks prayers for Nigeria

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

In an Eid-el-Fitr message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, the governor enjoined Muslim faithful to sustain the spirit of godliness,

charity, perseverance and spiritual intercession for the nation.

He said: “The Ramadan offered the Muslim faithful another opportunity to shun evil for good; another opportunity to re-mould and reshape his life physically and spiritually to meet with the aspirations of Almighty Allah as laid down in the Holy Qur’an.

“Having observed strictly the injunctions of Almighty Allah by self-denial through fasting and prayers and by offering Zakat to the lessprivileged, the lessons learnt during the Holy month should not be lost.”

The governor noted that the spiritual intercession of the Muslim Ummah would remain indispensable to the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 55

56 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; Emphasis will continue to be on career related issues. However you will not be wrong if you take mattersof-the-heart more seriously now. Be more loving.

LIBRA; Mid-morning till early afternoon period may bring more promises than it can actually deliver; your being clever will see you through. Be very practical.

SCORPIO; Continue to attach necessary importance to your family values. Here is a day when joint ventures can bring you under pressure between 9.46am and 12.43pm.

SAGITTARIUS; Other people will continue to feature in your activities; that is to say you will need to be as cooperative as reason permits. Watch it between 9.46am&12.43pm CAPRICORN; You may be in position to minimise the pressure of yesterday. And you will need to watch your mood from 9.46am to 12.43pm.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

Share Your Money

I

F there is anything people don’t like to share, it is money.

Money is the most renowned symbol of riches. Some people kill in order to have it. Any wonder, it is difficult to part with?

There are people who hold on to money as if it will never be exhausted.

The truth is that money shared is money gained. That

TERROR MUDA

is the way the world goes round. No one comes to the world with money. And no one goes away with it at the point of death. Money there-

in “Never say goodbye”

fore should be like sport.

Honestly, if you have money and you refuse to touch people’s lives, you are the poorest man on earth. Do you want to be poor with all your money?

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; It is important you don’t take things for granted around mid-morning and early afternoon period so that you will not run into avoidable disappointments.

PISCES; If you are in position to control your actions you would fare better if you can wait till after 12,43pm before you make an important move. Be family minded.

ARIES; Your being receptive can enhance your prospects but that is not to say you have to be naïve, especially during mid-morning and early afternoon periods.

TAURUS; Success is boldly printed on your cards and like yesterday if priority attention is given to money the scope of your success will be wider.

GEMINI; Although things may be happening around you, you are the right person to make things happen and give others opportunities.. Be wise.

CANCER; Take note that others may break promises made before early afternoon period; that is to say you should not take anybody for granted before 12.43pm.

LEO; Although friends are willing to assist you circumstances may not allow complete help as expected. 9.46am to 12.43pm can be a bit sensitive

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Are they compatible?

Dear Joshua, Kindly analyse horoscopes of two young lovers willing to share the rest of thie lives together. I am concern because one of the is my own son. However I want you to leave out their birth dates.

Yemi, Umuahia.

Dear Yemi, COMPATIBILITY GUIDE What will follow here-under are analyses of their horoscopes , so that they will know each other very well vis-à-vis strong and weak points of each other. By this you will decide if actually what you are looking for is in the relationship.

THE HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT OF THE LADY SUN SIGN = AQUARIUS; SUN IN 13TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS. MOON SIGN = CANCER ; MOON IN 3RD DEGREE OF CANCER MERCURY IN IST DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN ZERO DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 29TH DEGREE OF PISCES JUPITER IN 29TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF SCORPIO. URANUS IN 16TH DEGREE OF SAGITTARIUS. NEPTUNE IN 2ND DEGREE OF CAPRICORN PLUTO IN 4TH DEGREE OF SCORPIO. NORTH NODE IN 23RD DEGREE OF TAURUS. SOUTH NODE IN 23RD DEGREE OF SCORPIO. ANALYSIS OF THE CHART SUMMARY Here is a gentle person who cares so much for both her extended family (especially her mother) and her personal family. She can be highly emotional, although highly intelligent too THE WEAK POINT She can unexpectedly burst into tears whenever she fails to control her husband. And if she does not result to weeping she can many times force this man to turn violent to the detriment of too many things. She in particular will many times become jealous for no reason and can be difficult to manage by this man.

Although she loves freedom, she will want to be in firm control of the man’s freedom. Issues of control and freedom must be clearly defined before final marital rite, or else serious trouble would be the result.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—57

Delta Speaker urges Muslims to pray for peace, unity

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

S

PEAKER of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Onwusanya, has charged Muslims in Nigeria to use the occasion of Eid-el-fitr celebration to pray for an end to the insurgency in the country.

Onwusanya, in his good will message to Muslims in Delta State, also enjoined them to exhibit peace and love and to continue to live in

BIRTHAY: From left— Asagba's wife; HRM, Professor Chike Edozien,

Asagba of Asaba; Ngozi Edozien and Mrs Valerie Edozien-Nwojobe, daughters, at the 89 birthday celebration of the monarch. PHOTOS: Nath Onojake.

The monarch, his family and Asaba-in-Council.

harmony with their neighbours.

He pointed out that the degree of insurgency in the country calls for contributions from politicians and religious leaders for unity and an end to the problem of insecurity.

He said: “Religious leaders and their followers should support government efforts with prayers, while politicians on their part should forget party affiliations and cooperate with the Federal Government in finding solution to the insurgency.”

Edo govt redeems pledge to CAN

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE Edo State Government has redeemed its pledge to provide a bus for the use of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and in the building of the association’s secretariat.

Redeeming the pledge by presenting the keys of a 33-seater Coaster bus to the Chairman of the state CAN, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said although the state government may not be able to sponsor individuals on holy

pilgrimage, the government’s commitment to recognised faith-based associations, which help to instill morals in the people of the state, remains unshaken.

He said: “This bus has been procured for quite some time now and I realised that we have not formally presented it to you. So, I decided to invite you to formally present the bus since the request was also made formally by your leadership.

“Every month, we will be committed to putting N25 million in your account so that over the next 10 months, we will be able to raise the N250 million.”

Ibibio elders back A'Ibom SSG for governor

N'Delta leaders committed to region's devt— MINISTER

T

U

HE prospects of Mr. Gabriel Emmanuel joining the Akwa Ibom State governorship race received a boost yesterday, when the Ibibio Elders’ Forum unanimously resolved to back the governorship aspiration of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to promote growth and sustainable development of the state.

The elders said they were motivated by what they described as the humane disposition, humility and administrative ingenuity of Emmanuel, who is from the Eket senatorial district.

Chairman of the forum, Dr. Uko, has, meanwhile, decried the high level of falsehood, bad propaganda and blackmail of Ibibio illustrious sons.

Extolling the sterling qualities of Emmanuel as overwhelming and convincing, he admonished him to remain as a man of God that he has always been.

He said Emmanuel stands out as the most credible candidate for the job and wondered why people feel Governor Akpabio has no say on who succeeds him.

By Chioma Onuegbu YO— MINISTER of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, has said that the leaders of the Niger Delta region have always remained committed to the

even development and promotion of peace in the region.

Oru spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where he was awarded Paul Harris Fellow emblem and certificate in recognition of

his service to humanity by Imabridge Africa-US in collaboration with Rotary Club of Uyo. He said: “I know the position of leaders of the Niger Delta. We are all committed to the

Confusion in Delta Central over Orubebe's guber ambition

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI— CHAIRMAN of Delta Peoples Forum, Mr. Terry Noah, has said that Elder Godsday Orubebe’s entrance into the 2015 governorship race has set confusion in Delta Central senatorial district, which has the Urhobo ethnic as majority.

Naoh, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former commissioner, spoke to Orubebe’s supporters at Bomadi, where Delta Ijaw presented the former minister as Ijaw’s sole candidate for the 2015 governorship race in the state.

He said: “If there is anything Delta needs now, it is a leader with the fear of God. Orubebe has

humility and fear of God. As an Urhobo, I can tell you that Orubebe has set confusion in Delta Central.”

Orubebe’s presentation to the Ijaw of Delta as their sole candidate for the 2015 governorship race was at the instance of the Delta Ijaw Congress, DIC, led by its Chairman, Brig. Gen. Cletus Emein (rtd.) on the political enlightenment and inauguration of DIC Youth

Wing at Bomadi.

Emein reminded the Ijaw, who shares Delta South senatorial district with other ethnic neighbours, that “since the days of Mid-West through the creation of Delta State in 1991, Ijaw have never occupied any of the three key political administrative positions of governor, deputy and Secretary to the State Government.”

development of oil producing region and it would be totally wrong for people to insinuate that the leaders are responsible for the underdevelopment of the region.

“The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, promote economic development, infrastructural and even human capital development in the areas of organising training for youths to address restiveness and promote peace in the nine oilproducing states of the region.”

On the current state of the East West Road, the minister said his primary assignment was to focus on the completion of the road by the end of the year, noting that all the contractors handling the five sections of the project had promised to work very hard towards its completion.

Jagbe new Clan Head installed, commends judiciary

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A new Odionwele , Clan Head of Jagbe in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State has been installed. He is Pa Ferdinand Ejekhine, a retired school teacher, aged 92.

Speaking shortly after his installation, Pa Ejekhine commended the judiciary for the restoration of the gerontocracy system of leadership in the clan, which he said had led to many legal battles and disputes.

While reiterating the loyalty

of his community to Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s government, Ejekhine appealed to government to hasten the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to him as his predecessor never enjoyed the allowances due him as a result of non-presentation of the staff.

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, TUESDAY, JULY 29 , 2014

BRIEFS

France offers Iraq Christians asylum

T

Ebola outbreak: Liberia shuts most border points M

OST border cross ings in Liberia have been closed and communities hit by an Ebola outbreak face quarantine to try to halt the spread of the virus.

Screening centres are also being set up at the few major entry points that will remain open, such as the main airport.

Meanwhile, Nigeria largest’s airline, Arik Air, has suspended all flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone after a man with Ebola flew to Nigeria last week.

The virus has killed at least 660 people in West Africa since February.

The outbreak began in southern Guinea and spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. It is the

Emirates to stop flying over Iraq after MH17 disaster

E

Members of UN Security Council at an emergency on the Gaza crises world’s deadliest so far.

Nigeria has put all its entry points on red alert

after confirming that a Liberian man died of Ebola after arriving at

Lagos airport on Tuesday.

MH17 jet downed by missile shrapnel — Ukraine •As fighting stops international police from reaching site

S

ECURITY officials in Ukraine say the downed Malaysia Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine suffered an explosive loss of pressure after it was punctured by shrapnel from a missile.

They say the information came from the plane’s flight data recorders, which are being analysed by British experts. However, it remains unclear who fired a missile, with pro-Russia rebels and Ukraine blaming each other.

Many of the 298 people killed on board flight MH17 were from the Netherlands.

Dutch investigators

leading the inquiry into the crash have refused to comment on the Ukrainian claims.

Heavy fighting has prevented an international police force composed of Dutch and Aus-

tralian officers from reaching the crash site for a second consecutive day.

Israel, Palestine lash out at Kerry over truce

U

NITED States Sec retary of State John Kerry’s efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have made him and the White House the subject of blunt criticism within Israel, adding tension to an already strained diplomatic relationship.

Kerry spent much of last week shuttling between Cairo, Tel Aviv and Ramallah trying to end the three-week Israeli offensive, which

•Kerry has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, many of them civilians.

The shuttle diplomacy marked his first visit to

the region since April, when months of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority collapsed over the former’s refusal to honour the final round of a prisoner release.

His meetings ended on Friday night with a draft calling for an immediate ceasefire, with further discussions in Cairo about a permanent truce.

Deaths as strikes resume in Gaza

M

ISSILES have struck several sites in Gaza, including a park inside a refugee camp and an outpatient building of the strip’s largest hospital, disrupting a relative lull at the start of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Eight people, including seven children, died following missile fire on a park inside the Shati refugee camp on the edge of Gaza City, med-

HE French government says it is ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians forced to flee

by Islamist militants in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Many fled Mosul after the Islamic State (IS) group which seized much of northern Iraq told them to convert to Islam, pay a tax or face death.

Iraq is home to one of the world’s most ancient Christian communities.

Two top ministers said, “We are ready, if they so desire, to help facilitate asylum on our territory.”

It was a joint message from Laurent Fabius and Bernard Cazeneuve, respectively foreign minister and interior minister in the Socialist government.

ics said.

The children were playing on a swing when the strike hit the park, Ayman Sahabani, the head of the emergency room at Shifa hospital, told reporters.

The Israeli army swiftly denied it was behind the strike, tweeting that a misfired rocket from Gaza had hit the playground.

“We had no activity in the area. We know it was

launched from within Gaza and landed short,” Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, an Israeli army spokesman, said.

However Hamas denied it had fired any rockets in the area and said it was “categorically an airstrike by Israel”.

It said it had collected schrapnel from the scene that it could prove was from an Israeli munition.

Medics said that an

Israeli missile also hit a building, believed to be an outpatient clinic, close to the main gate of Shifa hospital, the same hospital where the victims of the playground strike were taken.

Al Jazeera’s Imtiaz Tyab, reporting from the hospital, said there were chaotic scenes as “a number of small bodies were brought into this hospital”.

MIRATES Airline will stop flying over Iraq to protest against the threat of Islamic militants on the ground.

The airline told the BBC it was taking “precautionary measures” and “ working on alternative routing plans for flights using Iraqi airspace”.

The move follows the Malaysian Airlines’ Flight MH17 disaster. MH17 was shot down while flying over Ukraine.

Emirates said it is already re-routing some flights. It will take a few days for the re-routing to be completed, the airline added.

“We are closely monitoring the situation along with international agencies, and will never compromise the safety of our customers and crew,” said Emirates.

UN Security Council calls for Gaza ceasefire

U

N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the sides in the Gaza conflict have “expressed serious interest” in his request for a further 24 hour humanitarian ceasefire as the UN Security Council called for “an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire” in the war during an emergency meeting.

The council met just after midnight on Monday morning as Muslims started celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Court strikes down Virginia’s gay marriage ban

A

FEDERAL Appeals Court has ruled that Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, the latest in a string of decisions overturning bans across the country.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled that state constitutional and statutory provisions barring gay marriage and denying recognition of such unions performed in other states violate the U.S. Constitution. The Virginia gay marriage case is one of several that could go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Criticism of Kerry infuriates White House

T

HE Obama administration has pushed back at a torrent of Israeli criticism aimed at Secretary of State John Kerry’s latest bid to secure a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, with U.S. officials saying Kerry had in no way abandoned key Israeli need Israel has no better friend, no stronger defender than John Kerry,” said Tony Blinken, President Barack Obama’s deputy national security adviser. He said the criticism of Kerry was based on “people leaking things that are either misinformed, or attempting to misinform.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014—59

Aregbesola’s real ‘stomach infrastructure’ Dear sir,

T

HE governorship election of June 21 in Ekiti State has come and gone. However, one development that lingers on in the aftermath is a new phrase that has entered into the nation’s political lexicon. This is ‘stomach infrastructure’. It refers to the practice of the electorate asking to be paid upfront the dividends of democracy, in material term.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ayodele Fayose, has become the poster boy of this tendency as there are allegations that he won because he wooed the voters with food items, especially rice. Many politicians across the land have suddenly become jittery while analysts have expressed concern over the dysfunction that is setting in the democratic process whereby factors like personality, impressive track record and performance in office may no longer determine the outcome of elections but the capacity of candidates to induce voters with food.

Tarring roads and providing social infrastructure may not cut it again but stomach infrastructure.

The PDP has now wrongly projected this perverse tendency to the coming governorship election in Osun State and is now claiming that it would buy the election, just as it did in Ekiti. Well, Osun is not Ekiti and therefore will not produce the same outcome.

However, if the stomach infrastructure rule will also hold in Osun, then, Aregbesola is far ahead of the PDP in this department. You will recall that Aregbesola has started the stomach infrastructure campaign long before the election. For close to three years now, the government of Ogbeni Aregbesola introduced (and has been running) the home grown school feeding programme for primary school pupils in the state. More than 300,000

pupils are now being fed a sumptuous meal every school day. This is a rich meal containing beef, catfish, chicken, egg and fruits. In addition, a deworming exercise is carried out on a regular basis so that worms will not be sharing the food with the kids.

This programme is so successful and popular that the British Parliament recently sent a delegation to come and study it preparatory to recommending it to other states in Nigeria and other countries in Africa.

The Federal Government has also reluctantly decided to copy this programme and sponsor it in other states in Nigeria.

This programme tagged ‘O’MEALS’ is also integrated into agriculture and other empowerment programmes in Osun.

These are the cocoyam farming, poultry farming and fish farming. The government gave most of these hitherto unemployed youths training, helped them to set up and buys off their produce in bulk from them.

We even have reports that the parents of the pupils were asking their wards to bring part of their food home so they can share with their siblings. This has made school enrolment to surge in Osun.

To the best of my knowledge, Omisore has no such programme. All he’s been heard saying is that he will return schools to missionaries. When Aregbesola’s stomach infrastructure through O’MEALS clashed with Omisore’s stomach infrastructure of rice and N2,000 cash, there is no debating that O’MEALS will carry the day.

The moral here is that political victory belongs to those who have foresight and had worked in advance, not those who crash into election with worthless and subversive gifts.

Mike Ogundele, Osogbo, Osun State

Re-Stomach infrastructure Dear sir,

I

WOULD be grateful if you allow me a space in your non-partisan and widely read newspaper to express my views on the just- concluded governorship election in Ekiti State.

I was shocked at the magnitude of abusive words rained on us by the All Peoples Congress, APC governors in South West for electing former governor, Ayodele Fayose as the next governor of Ekiti State.

In their naive opinion, the choice of Fayose by the electorate, is preferring stomach infrastructure to the provision of social infrastructure.

The fact is that Governor Fayemi failed to identify with the masses. These vocal APC members did not care to ascertain why Ekiti people who felt marginalised

by Fayemi’s administration, decided to vote for the opposition PDP. They also failed to reckon with the travails of teachers in the state in the hands of the governor.

The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who is popular for his messianic role of making life meaningful for the poor, never considered himself too big to know the happenings at the grassroots and the feelings of the masses.

Although Governor Fashola of Lagos State won my heart when he transformed

Oshodi which was once a safe haven for criminals, we (Lagosians) are saddened by the activities of the so-called Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, who have impoverished many of people, especially petty traders, all in the name of enforcing what they call environmental laws. Some of those whose wares were carried away to unknown destinations, say being alive today, is only by the grace of God. Instead of APC members wasting time and efforts on litigation over the Ekiti election, they should do their homework on how to prevent other South Western states from being won by PDP. Even Lagosians are now asking for a Christian governorship candidate who they feel, will be fair to both the rich and the down-trodden irrespective of their religious persuasions.

We the Ekitis, though ridiculed because of the outcome of the election, are consoled by the sayings of our elders that, a man who says the people of yore are foolish, has abused his ancestors. Those who insulted us are also victims because we (Yorubas) share common ancestors.

James Adeyemi, Abule-Egba, Lagos State.

Dropping of theft charges against Abacha’s son

T

HE dropping of N446 billion theft charge against Abacha’s son is an unequivocal pointer to the fact that President Jonathan’s junta is a “government of the corrupt by the corrupt for the corrupt through the instrumentality of a bovine Judiciary”.

What a shame that Jonathan is sacrificing Nigeria’s political sanctity on the altar of his luciferous greed for power. We have lost the fight against corruption. Nigeria is finally on the road to Yugoslavia.

Chief Bobson Gbinije, Mandate Against Poverty(MAP)Warri 2347050481424 Terrorism and Bok o Haram’s acBoko tivities Issues of security in Nigeria can not be left for government to tackle alone. It’s time Nigerians come together to restore peace to our country and lets stop these political criticism and tackle the activities of these insurgents once and for all. It is vertically worldwide challenge and the only way to conquer terrorism is by being united. No one is left out in the fight against insurgency.

Gabriel O. Francis +2347057789779 Ekiti State’s recent election Looking at the conspiracy that surrounded the Ekiti poll, would it be right to say there are really no lessons to be learnt from it? But the real question is; who are the long-term winners? Is it Fayose or the people of Ekiti? The voters, for me, cannot claim to be winners because they voted massively against a government working assiduously to upgrade Ekiti, infrastructure wise. Even though the process is democratic, I don’t think a Fayose- led administration would bring the dividends of democracy the way Fayemi did.

Anonymous writes in from Ekiti State Jonathan’s request of $1 bn loan to fight insurgency President Jonathan’s request for a whooping $1billion dollars( 160 billion naira) external loan to prosecute the war against Boko Haram’s insurgency and terrorism is sheer presidential rascality, a barmecidal- dish adventure and an escapade calcu-

lated to throw money down the drain and to raise his presidential campaign funds. What has happened to his own army, police and security budgetary allocations over the year now? We call for dialogue and strategic repositioning on the Boko Haram, Chibok,, terrorism and general insecurity matters in Nigeria.

Chief Bobson Gbinijie, Mandate Against Proverty, 07068621168 Military to combat Boko Haram Due to the inability of the army to prove its mettle, there have been lots of foreign attention and interference.

The army that brought succour to many African nations is now in utter distress.

The military should wake up to its responsibility and salvage what remains of its pride.

Chukwuma Dioka.

Owerri 2347054911808 Parents of the kidnapped Chibok girls The Borno State Governor should show Nigerians the over 250 fathers and mothers of the so-called abductees.

Nigerian women including Ezekweseli should stop crying more than the bereaved. Even APC that has never condemned Boko Haram is now at the forefront, insulting the Presidency. The truth will surely come out one day.

Dedemo 2348033783758 Defectors should resign their positions Why should a governor and other political appointees defect to another party and still remain in their respective positions?

It is unconstitutional to be voted for under a political party as a governor and you now defect to another party and still retain such political position or seat.

If they are honest with themselves, they should resign because their seats have become vacant .

Anonymous 2348136582917 Boko Haram insurgency and killing of innocent souls The rate of innocent killings in the northern part of the country is so rampant and needs urgent solution before it consumes this nation. You don’t dialogue with your enemy. Since they have refused to come out to explain their actions and what they are agitating for, they should be ignored.

Prince Monday Okorodudu 08077273741

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deed and words return back to us sooner or later. Be kind to get kindness back in return.

Simon Adewale08056180103, Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable.

Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Amalaha targets Rio Olympics gold C

HIKA Amalaha, Ni geria’s 2014 Commonwealth Games weightlifting gold medallist, said in Glasgow, Scotland that her target was to win at the 2016 Olympics scheduled for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Amalaha won gold on Friday in the women’s weightlifting 53 kg category.

The gold medallist revealed that dedication, determination and discipline were the three Ds which would propel her to victory at the 2016 Olympics.

Amalaha said she was already working on her strategy for the Olympics the same way she did with the five Ps of “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”.

She said this ensured her success in Glasgow.

“Before I landed in Glasgow for this Commonwealth Games, I prepared very well. I always worked with my five Ps, which is ‘proper preparation prevents poor performance’.

“So, I had to work hard

to prevent poor performance and I worked for the gold and for the record.

“The next thing is for me to be determined, discipline and dedicated, which is what I will use to work for the next Olympics,” Amalaha said.

She also pointed out that the series of competitions lined up for her would help prepare her for the Olympics.

“I have some competitions ahead and I have to train for them. This is to prepare very well to ensure I go for the gold in Olympics."

GOLDEN GIRL . . . Nigeria’s gold medalist Chika Amalaha competing in the women’s weightlifting 53kg class, at the SECC Precinct during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Photo: AFP PHOTO

Danagogo boosts athletes, coaches morale T

HE morale in Team Nigeria’s camp has been boosted with a pledge of financial reward from the Minister of Sports/Chairman National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo to coaches at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Spokesman of Team Nigeria/PRO of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Tony Ubani has disclosed that the Minister promised any coach whose athlete wins a gold the sum of $5,500 as a way to motivate the coaches to psyche their athletes to put in their best.

“The minister has

promised that the NSC will give any coach whose athlete wins a gold medal $5,500 as a way of motivating them to psyche their athletes to put in their best. He said he was impressed with the performance of the athletes so far,” Ubani said.

He added that the reward for coaches is in ad-

dition to the $8,000 already approved for each gold medallist as well as the $4,000 and $3,000 approved for each silver and bronze medallist respectively.

The minister who announced the financial package during an interactive session with the Nigerian athletes and of-

Efe Ajagba is as good as gold — Okorodudu J

ERRY Okorodudu has assessed the Nigerian pugilists who romped into the quarter finals of the on going Commonwealth Games and predicted that Nigerian boxing was on its way back to reckoning.

Okorodudu should know because he had been at the roped square and tasted bitter punches and also delivered devastating punches to his opponents on his way to many podium appearances.

The ex Olympian after watching the Nigerian pugilists who have fought seven times and won five said that the current Pugilists have shown signs that the once great act of self defence in which Nigeria excelled before

kissing the canvass was on its way back to greatness. ‘’See Efe Ajagba in the Super Heavyweight.

He was amazing and is as good as gold. He knocked off his opponents with ease and I

don’t see anything that will stop him from winning gold”, the once glamour boxer who got christened ‘’jerry curled Jerry” because of his curly hair said. The hairs are no more but Jer-

ry is still a force to be reckoned with in Boxing. ‘’There is also Efetobori Fictory. This one has the reflex and great movement on the canvass. He was so good in his last fight against an Aussie

that Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye sprayed Dollars on him. He dismissed the Australian in 15 seconds that the crowd applauded sporadically.

Nigeria wins bronze in T/Tennis T

EAM Nigeria claims bronze in table tennis, as Quadri remains unbeaten After missing out from the medal podium at the 2010 Delhi Games, Team Nigeria on Monday returned to the zenith of table tennis at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games after beating India 3-1 to claim the bronze medal in the men’s team event.

In 2010, Team Nigeria failed to win any medal having been a regular medal winning team since table tennis became part of the Commonwealth Games in 2002, but the efforts of the present board of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF)-led

by Wahid Oshodi yielded positively as the Segun Toriola-inspired team

achieved the impossible against the highly rated Indian team.

Even in the rating of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Nigeria has been seeded below India and most of the Indian players are rated higher that the entire Nigerian team. But bookmakers were proved wrong, the youthful Nigerian side turned the table against the

Asian giant to clinch Nigeria’s first medal in table tennis at the Commonwealth Games in the last eight years.

Despite the 3-0 bashing suffered by Toriola against Sharath Achanta, who is rated 40 in the world, Nigeria’s rave of the moment, Aruna Quadri restored parity for Nigeria after beating Harmeet Desai 3-1.

ficials at the Games Village’s Chef-de- Mission conference room, Glasgow?, said that the financial gesture was designed to motivate the athletes to victory.

We’ll wrestle more medals for Team Nigeria

— Ohaike

T

EAM Nigeria’s chances of adding more medals to her kitty gets brighter with the beginning of events in Wrestling at the ongoing XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The venue for Wrestling is at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and Technical Director of Nigerian Wrestling Federation, Damian Ohaike has predicted more medals swoop for Team Nigeria. ‘’We’ve never disappointed when it comes to Wrestling. We’re going to do well and I am sure that more medals will be won by my matsmen and women”, Ohaike said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 61

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014 — 63

Kawu: NFF to employ forensic experts

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

P PA R E N T LY surprised by the sudden claim by the chairman of the Nigeria Nationwide League, Ahmed Kawu that he was forced to sign the impeachment paper which was used to impeach the former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari from office, a member of the board says they may soon employ the services of the Nigeria Police to carry out a forensic test on the signatures of all the members who signed the impeachment document.

A board member of the NFF, Chief Effiong Johnson said the action of Kawu was “childish and regrettable” and that “Kawu is not man enough to face Maigari and tell him that he willingly supported his impeachment” which, he said, was done in the interest of Nigerian football.

Kawu had immediately after the communiqué of

•Maigari

•Effiong Johnson

the board meeting which impeached Maigari told journalists that he was forced to sign the document, an allegation the other seven board members said was “a huge fallacy ” and an attempt by the embattled Kano State born administrator to deceive Maigari to believe he was on his side.

Johnson who is also the Akwa Ibom State FA chairman told Sports Vanguard in a telephone chat that the action of Kawu may force the NFF to invite the police to carry out a forensic test on all the members who signed the impeachment paper to ascertain whether anybody ’s signature was forged or

not.

“Kawu should just shut-up because nobody forced him to sign and nobody has ever forged his signature, he is just being childish by accusing people and claiming that he was forced to sign.

“Very soon the board will invite the police for a forensic test on the signatures of all the members that signed, so he should shut up. If he believes that Maigari, the former president of the NFF was his godfather or if he was a member of the cabal, he wouldn’t have signed the document but we did what we did in the interest of Nigerian football,” Johnson stated.

1

60 players made up of five zonal male and female teams will be vying for honours when the National Finals of season four of the annual Airtel Rising Stars U-17 tournament kicks off in Lagos on tomorrow, at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos.

The number consists of a male and female team of 16 players from each of the five zones namely Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ilorin, Abuja and Lagos. They qualified for the national finals after winning their respective zonal cfinals

D

ELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan once again showed while Delta State has remained as the undisputed number one sports State in Nigeria.

His presence at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Scotland confirmed his undying love for sports in Nigeria.

Governor Uduaghan who has set the pace with world class facilities in his state, the latest being the World Class Gym he built for Weightlifting reaped the fruits of the gym when almost all the Weightlifting athletes who lifted Nigeria with gold medals come from Delta. ‘’The important thing is that they are serving Nigeria. And I’m happy that they are from my state and all efforts in building these facilities are not in vain”, the amiable Governor said at the Clyde Auditorium where he came to felicitate with Delta Athletes.

The athletes jumped for joy on citing the unassum-

ing Governor who interacted with them and promised to reward them at the end of the Commonwealth Games. ‘’In Delta, we appreciate and reward all our athletes who bring honour to the state."

You can see the marvelous job they are doing for Nigeria and Delta. It is in our character to welcome them home as heroes and heroines”, the Governor said as the athletes burst into loud celebration.

The Governor’s presence enlivened Team Nigeria as he went round to add his support to many Nigerian athletes who were on duty.

Thereafter, the Governor was presented with a Celtic jersey by Efe Ambrose who plies his trade with Celtic FC of Scotland. Efe is a household name in Scotland and he said that he was honoured presenting his jersey to a Governor who has done well for humanity and for all Deltans.

GOOD LIFT: Obioma Okoli competes in the 63kg women’s weightlifting event at the Commonwealth Games. She won a silver medal for Nigeria.

concluded recently The four-day national finals promises to offer best of grassroots football laced with excitement, entertainment.

Winner of the national finals in each category will represent the country at the Africa Championship to be hosted in Gabon in August.

Port Harcourt zone will be represented in the

male and female categories by Rivers State which defeated Delta and Akwa Ibom states in the respective categories in the final matches played inside the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.

White Chiefs FC and White Princesses FC, both of Enugu will represent the zone in the male and female categories.

Ilorin zone will be represented by Kwara State in both categories.

(l-r) Ex-Super Eagles Goalie and ARS Technical Adviser, Peter Rufai, Airtel Regional Operations Director, Lagos, Femi Oshinlaja and ARS Technical Adviser, Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah at the ARS draw in Lagos.

TAN goes grassroots

Uduaghan inspires Team Nigeria, to I reward Delta athletes

160 for ARS national finals

N an effort to help d e v e l o p grassroots sports, the Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Ambassadors of Nigeria will soon begin a youth competition that will involve the 774 local government councils in

the country.

According to the sports coordinator of TAN, Waidi Akanni, the focus of the project is to ensure that most of the hidden talents in the nooks and crannies of the country were

discovered and trained for the benefit of their locality and the country.

He also said that the coaches and former international who would be on the project would be retrained so that they can impact positively on the kids they would be working with.

Okoli

Continues from BP Weightlifting at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow said.

She had won gold medals for Nigeria in the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

She also repeated her golden lift in Malaysia but seems to appreciate and savour the silver medal more than gold. ‘’This silver is more precious than Gold. In short, it is Golden silver ”, she said as tears glistened in her eyes.

Using her backhand, she wiped the tears of joy and revealed why she so much cherishes the silver medal. ‘’I had a bad injury on my knee(she pulled up her track to reveal her knee that was bandaged). ‘’My knee cap shifted from my first lift

and the pain was so agonising. The Doctors took me to ascertain the extent of injury and ruled me out from the rest of the lifts. I was devastated. I felt lonely and could not believe that I will no longer defend my last gold in India. I tried to plead with the medics to find a way to treat me but they warned me not to lift again. I rebuked them.

But I had that urge in me and I didn’t go back to the medics again as I bore my pain alone. Unknown to them, I went back when my next lift was called. I limped and held the babel, looked up to heaven and prayed a silent prayer.

The crowd roared when I held the weight over my head with one leg.

My opponent also lifted

the same weight with me but because my body weight was more than hers, she won gold. Winning silver with one leg was so amazing that all the lifters could not believe it. The Doctors were shocked when they saw me lifting. I did that because of my love for Nigeria and my love for lifting. That is why I think that this silver(pointing) means everything to me. I am happy. I am happy ”, she said as tears began to drop from her eyes. ‘’I thank my coaches and colleagues and our Nigerian officials. They stood by me. They knew what I can do when it comes to lifting weight.

I dedicate this medal to God for having mercy on me”, she said.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2014

Uduaghan cheers as Okagbare wins gold N

VICTORY PUNCH . . . Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (C) celebrates as she crosses the finish line ahead of third placed Jamaica’s Schillonie Calvert (R) and fourth placed England’s Asha Philip (L) to win the final of the women’s 100m athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: AFP

I defied Doctors warning to win medal for Nigeria — Obioma Okoli

W

ITH her precious silver medal dangling on her chest,

she beams her toothpaste smile as she acknowledged banters

from her colleagues. ‘’I’ve never felt this good in my career”, Obi-

oma Okoli winner of Nigeria’s silver medal in

Continues on Page 63

IGERIA’S Blessing Okagbare sensationally became the Commonwealth champion last night when she ran 10.85 seconds to beat the pack that included Jamaican duo of Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart who took the silver and bronze in 11.03 and 11.07 respectively.

On the stands cheering was Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State who has been the pillar of many Nigerian athletes including Okagbare. He was emotional about the victory, jumping and sending high fives to Nigerians around him.

“It was a deserved victory. She has made Nigeria proud and we are happy about this sweet victory,” Uduaghan said.

After the World Championship in Russia last year, Uduaghan approved special training grants for Okagbare.

Blessing was so emotional that she shed tears

and promised Uduaghan that she would deliver a world title in his honour. She did so yesterday.

“This is great for Nigeria. Uduaghan is a powerful motivator. He inspired this victory,” Amaju Pinnick, the Delta State chairman of Sports Commission said.

Uduaghan had visited Nigerian athletes yesterday to motivate them.

The athletes jumped in celebration to receive him.

“It feels great to get this far and win. I’m grateful to God. I thank all those behind this success especially our Governor who is here to support us morally after his financial support,” Blessing said.

She had pulled out her spike shoe to celebrate immediately after the race that saw another Nigerian Blessing Asumnu placing last.

She hopes to make up with the relay event.

Nigeria wins bronze in T/Tennis — Pg. 60

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ACROSS 2 Throw (5) 7 Cab (4) 8 Uncertain (6) 9 Clearing (5) 11 Expire (3) 13 Jewel (3) 15 Whirlpool (4) 16 Silent (3) 18 Rod (4) 19 Cautious (7) 20 Singer (4) 22 Excuse (4) 23 Foolish (7) 25 Loan (4) 27 Decay (3) 28 Stir (4) 30 Label (3) 31 Bow (3) 33 Pry (5) 36 Middle (6) 37 Elderly (4) 38 Irrigate (5)

DOWN 1 Sound (5) 2 Hog (3) 3 Beverage (3) 4 Colour (3) 5 Serpent (3) 6 Verdant (5) 10 Stubborn (4) 11 Non-payment (7) 12 Revising (7) 13 Warship (7) 14 Threatened (7) 16 Chief (5) 17 Deserve (5) 18 Trophy (3) 21 Unusual (3) 24 Ripped (4) 26 Relaxed (5) 29 Elector (5) 32 Pig-pen (3) 33 Stitch (3) 34 Abroad (3) 35 Equality (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Part 4, Cur 6, Step 9, Lea 10, Condense 11, Oath 14, Top 16, Meant 19, Demeaned 21, Beret 23, Diminish 24, Terse 27, Lap 31, Just 33, Redolent 34, Die 35, Tend 36, God 37, Pipe.

DOWN: 2, Amon 3, Tidy 4, Condoned 5, Rued 6, Slope 7, Tea 8, Eaten 12, Admit 13, Smear 14, Tab 15, Peril 17, Acrid 18, Tight 20, Demanded 22, Tip 25, Elude 26, Sited 28, Brag 29, Clap 30, Snap 32, Sin.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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