Senate gets Buhari's list of ministers today

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...towards a better life for the people

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Abductors freed me after ransom was paid, Falae admits

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You provide safe haven for stolen funds, Buhari tells world leaders 9

Senate gets Buhari's list of ministers today

By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Gbenga Oke

•Amaechi, Dambazzau, Akeredolu, Falana, said to be on list •Misgivings over ministerial list, family affair, says Oyegun •APC's NWC orders fresh governorship primaries in Bayelsa •Sylva can go to court if aggrieved, says APC's NWC

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BUJA — IT is certain that the list of ministers is ready, and President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the prized document be submitted immediately to the Senate, which resumes from its six-week break, today.

The list was said to contain the names of people like former Rivers State Governor, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi; a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Rotimi Akeredolu; former

Continues on Page 5

BAYELSA POLL: Sylva, Alaibe not my match —Dickson •There's protest plot against me, says Alaibe AT THE UNITED NATIONS— President Muhammadu Buhari being received by President of South Korea, Park Geunhye, while the National Security Adviser, Gen.Babagana Monguno (l) and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal (M) watched as the President arrived for bilateral talks with the Korean delegation as part of the side meetings of the 70th UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters, New York. INSET: From left, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the President Security Solutions in Africa, Mr. Henry Morganstone with other participants at a high level meeting on addressing persistent and emerging security threats in Africa, organised by the African Business Roundtable and the Federal Government as part of the side meetings of the 70th UN General Assembly Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

COLUMNISTS:

Bloodbath In Rivers, gunmen kill 15 See Inside

Hopelessness of our anti-corruption war (2) •P.24

ARIBISALA IS BACK

Ebisan, proudly Nigerian •P.17

12 Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 3

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4—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

PILGRIMS: Leaving Mecca after the completion of 2015 Hajj. PHOTO:

Lamidi Bamidele.

Senate gets Buhari's list of ministers today that the previous one was invalid.

Continues from page 1 Army Chief, Lt-Gen. A b d u r r a h m a n Dambazzau, and activist lawyer, Femi Falana, among others.

It was gathered, yesterday, that President Buhari handed the list to his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, and directed him to forward it to the Senate President.

Therefore, Senate President, Bukola Saraki will tomorrow formally present Buhari’s ministerial list to senators.

President Buhari, currently attending the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, was said to have given the list of 36 ministerial nominees to Senator Ita Enang in New York.

It was gathered that President Buhari directed Senator Ita Enang to either hand over the list to the Senate President at the resumption of the plenary today or on Wednesday, depending

on the mood of the Senate.

However, it was learned that Enang who left New York for Nigeria, yesterday, will not arrive Abuja before 3pm today, when the Senate would have concluded its business for the day. The Presidency had repeatedly promised that the list would be available this month and tomorrow is the last day of September.

Meanwhile, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun, has dismissed as a family affair perceived misgivings between the party and President Buhari over the ministerial list.

Fresh primary poll in Bayelsa This came as APC National Working Committee, NWC, yesterday, said the party was going ahead with the conduct of a fresh governorship primary in Bayelsa State, insisting

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO AGE the mind of a man and in no time his entire body will be in jail. A man travels only where his mind has been to. There is absolutely no way you spend all of your life in the forest and at the end expect to build a boat. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Fill your life with light and darkness cannot overtake thee —Ella Randle

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IFE is a beautiful song, in living it, try and do so gratefully. Whenever you feel the pressure coming on strong, learn to laugh with resonance and a sweet smile, take a walk just at dawn or sunset and salute the day. Be happy, hug a loved one, write a love letter to yourself. Show the virtues of kindness, patience, tolerance, generosity, purity of thoughts and compassion to self and others.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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HEN it is time to mount the thatched roof, you look for the tallest in the community.

It also asked the former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, who purportedly won the last primary election, to approach the court should he find the decision of the NWC unwholesome.

Asked if the NWC discussed the ministerial list, Odigie-Oyegun said: “We know that the President will do what he needs to do. What happened or did not happen between us and the President is a matter for the party as a family.

It is a family affair, but he will do what he needs to do, when he needs to do it. You can trust him on that.”

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who was the chairman of the election panel, testified before the NWC that there was no election, stressing that hoodlums attacked him, making the exercise inclusive.

Briefing journalists after the NWC meeting at the party ’s national secretariat in Abuja, Odigie-Oyegun said the process for fresh primaries would commence today.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase, had been notified of the decision.

His words: “The main issue that occupied us today at the NWC meeting had to do with the Bayelsa governorship primaries. We want to make it very clear that as a party, the APC guards very jealously its records of free and fair primaries.

“The NWC sees it as a duty to provide a level playing ground for all those who aspire to offices in this party, unfortunately, in Bayelsa State, we had serious security challenges and so the process could not meet the standards which this party has set for itself and so we had no alternative

but to stop the process by ensuring that the chairman of the panel was effectively moved out of the venue with the help of security agencies.

“We decided, thereafter, that there should be a proper primary. So, we have written to INEC appropriately and decided to conduct fresh primaries for Bayelsa governorship election beginning tomorrow. We are getting in touch with the Inspector General of Police and all the other security agencies to please assist us in ensuring effective security.”

Oyegun stated that the party was not interested in who emerged the candidate eventually but that due process must be followed as APC stood for change and must reflect it in its dealings.

“Let me make one thing clear. The issue of who is candidate or not is not the issue here. That is not what is in consideration because it can be any of the 19 aspirants that obtained the form to contest that election. ‘’But for the APC, the party of change, it is essential that in party processes, elections within the party are also seen to be free, fair, totally above board and without any form of force. ‘’That is what we hope to achieve beginning from tomorrow. The venue remains Yenagoa because by law, you cannot change the venue because that is part of the Electoral Act,” he said.

Primary election c’ttee returned Sylva under pressure The national chairman also exonerated the panel that declared Sylva winner, saying anybody could have done so under the intense atmosphere.

“We sent people to do a job and it got to a situation where they had reasons to fear for their safety, rightly or wrongly. Anything that anybody does in such a situation to keep body and soul in one piece is welcome,’’ he said.

Reminded that Sylva might challenge NWC’s decision, Oyegun said: “That is what the courts are for. We will cross that bridge when we get there.

The Saraki issue is in court and I will not want to say one word about it.”

Speaking on security arrangement for the fresh primary, he said: “They say once beaten, twice shy. I am not a security man; I am not a security expert. But I am sure that the IGP is fully abreast of what happened that day as well as what can be done and need to be done to avoid a repetition and

we trust his judgement.”

Cancelled primary was a mini-war, says Oshiomhole Meanwhile, the chairman of the election panel, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, appeared before the NWC and testified to what transpired at the Yenagoa election.

Briefing journalists, the governor stated that he was not on any revenge mission but was being truthful about the situation, admitting that what happened in Bayelsa was a mini war.

He said: “I along with six other colleagues of mine were a panel to conduct the primaries.

We have reported back and we have signed the report, five of us and that report has been presented formally to the party and it details all the issues. You know them and that is how far I can go. The report belongs to the party. It is not for me as a steward to tell the master what to do, but we have reported.

“I really don’t want to go back to those issues.

These are not issues that transpired in a bedroom.

I do hope that some day we get to a point where even the media must defend the democratic space, concerning what happened in the stadium I have seen independent reports, “gun shots were being fired”, “AK 47 were recovered, two of them, Pump action, live ammunition.

“These are not secrets that transpired. I am not the issue and I don’t want to be the issue.

There are issues that are important to me. I didn’t go there as a governor. I went there as a party member on a national assignment for the party and it is a great honour.

“I have done that job along with my colleagues to the best of my ability and I have reported with the fear of God the truth as I know it and this has been signed by every member and we have

forwarded the report.”

Oshiomhole also denied speculations that he planned to favour one of the aspirants, Mr. Timi Alaibe, emphasizing that Sylva was his “brother”.

“You know Sylva is my brother and I can show you my phone, I’m not just calling him my brother, I have sent him a text saying my brother and he will remain my brother. So, if there is an argument or somebody is under tension what you need is our help, I know what it takes contesting for an election and I have passed through all of that and happily, I’m doing my second term.

“So, I will not create burden for anyone except that because of the tradition I’m coming from, democracy has only one meaning “one man, one vote”. It is a covenant between me and my God. I have fought electoral fraud in Edo and God mercifully aided me and we defeated some of the retrogressive forces and if there is nothing else I can do, the principle of one man one vote is something I’m committed to. If he is offended by that it is a pity. For emphasis, Sylva is my brother and I’m not going to fight him in the street”, he stated.

Meanwhile, there was palpable fear earlier in the day when the NWC meeting came on stream as the party secretariat witnessed an unusual horde of stern-looking police men and operatives from the Department of State Service, DSS. Vanguard gathered that the development was a measure to prevent anticipated showdown should there be an attack from, perhaps, Sylva’s camp.

It will be recalled that the social media went viral with the news credited to Sylva that the APC national chairman could not upturn his electoral victory or stop him from contesting the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Monarch, brother abducted in Akwa Ibom Kidnappers demand N200m ransom

By Emman Ovuakporie

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BUJA—THE monarch of Ibiaku Issiet in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Williams Etim, has been kidnapped along with his elder brother, Mr. Placid Etim.

The kidnappers have demanded N200 million ransom.

The victims were abducted at about 2:30am yesterday at their country home in Ibioku Essiet, according to a member of the family and former member of the House of Representatives, Bassey Effiong Etim.

Etim, who briefed journalists in Abuja on the development yesterday, said the criminals called him to demand N200 million ransom.

“They called me about 12:00noon today (yesterday) to demand N200 million, and I’m just wondering how I can raise that kind of money,” he lamented.

The ex-lawmaker, who was the Chairman of the House Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes, Drugs and Narcotics from 2007-2011, regretted the incessant kidnapping in the country, especially in its southern part.

Etim confessed that the abductees were his “blood brothers” and pleaded with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their rescue.

He, however, commended the President for the swift rescue of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae. He urged the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Department for State Service, DSS, and other security agencies to move swiftly to rescue the abductees.

“I am using this medium to commend the Federal government and the Inspector General of Police for the efforts in the rescue of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae. ‘’I’m in the same vein calling on the Inspector General of Police, the DSS and other security operatives to move and rescue these innocent and law abiding citizens presently suffering untold hardship in the den of kidnappers,” he said.

SURVIVORS: Unsold rams and goats after Eid-el-Kabir sale, at Madalla market in Niger State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

One dead, another shot as cultists clash in Ughelli 46 suspected cultists arrested by Police undergoing screening—Edo CP

By Simon Ebegbulem & Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—ONE person was yesterday confirmed dead, while another suffered gunshot wounds from cult-related attacks which occurred in different parts of Ughelli in Delta State over the weekend.

This came at a time 46 suspected cultists were arrested in the university town of Ekpoma, Edo State, by the state police command.

One of the victims, identified as Erhuvwu, also known as African Boy, was shot at the lower part of his back by a group of rival gang members opposite a popular hotel along Pipeline road on Saturday, while the second victim, simply identified as Matete, sustained serious injuries as a result of a gunshot and cuts from battle axed used on him by his assailants at Otovowodo.

Making the disclosure to Vanguard, a source in one of the groups stated that both attacks occurred last Saturday.

Palpable fear now grips residents of Ughelli and its environs over fear of reprisal attacks by members of the rival gangs of both victims.

In recent months, Ughelli has been faced with series of kidnappings and cult-related clashes which has witnessed loss of lives among rival cult groups.

Confirming the attack on Erhuvwu, a source close to his family disclosed that he had exchanged pleasantries with his five assailants who he was well acquainted with and was leaving them when they immediately shot him from behind.

Meanwhile, Edo State police

commissioner, Mrs. Chris Ezike, has said that the 46 suspected cultists arrested by the police at the university town of Ekpoma last Thursday were undergoing thorough investigation to ascertain if they were on the wanted list of the police.

The commissioner’s statement came as the parents of those arrested yesterday thronged the state Police Command

headquarters in Benin City to seek the release of their sons.

Ezike, who had vowed to crush cultists in the state, insisted that the “suspects have to be profiled, their photographs taken and cross-matched to know whether they are on the police wanted list before any release can be made.”

A crack team of detectives raided the university town last Thursday, following the killing of

four persons by suspected cultists and 46 suspected cultists were arrested, with arms.

Ezike noted that some of those arrested might be innocent, adding that that it was as a result of that the police were screening those arrested.

Earlier investigations indicated that six of the suspects who were confirmed to be innocent, had been released to their families.

Police Inspector to die by hanging for killing Chemistry graduate live among descent humans.

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By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— JUSTICE Adolphus Enebeli of a Rivers State High Court yesterday sentenced a Police Inspector, Mr Samuel Timothy, to death by hanging.

The Inspector shot dead one Onyekachi Nwasouba, a graduate of Industrial Chemistry on November 10 , 2010, at No 34 Old Aba road, Port Harcourt at about 5am that day.

The deceased reportedly pleaded, shouting that he was

not an armed robber before he was shot dead by the triggerhappy inspector.

The deceased, according to information available before the court, was a producer and distributor of his brand of sachet water.

He was out to distribute the sachet water to his clients when the sad incident occurred.

Justice Enebeli in his ruling, said the matter had been in his court since 2010, describing the convict as inhuman and not fit to

“According to Section 319 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I do not have the power to reduce your sentence. That, you, Inspector Timothy Sampson, be hanged on your neck until you are dead,” the judge ruled.

Justice Enebeli further discharged and acquitted Corporal Moses Obediah, saying the testimonies of witnesses and others before the court showed that he did not conspire with Inspector Timothy to brutally murder Nwasouba.

Royal father escapes from kidnappers in Imo

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By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—THE traditional ruler of Isiebu autonomous community in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Hyacinth Onyenankeya, narrowly escaped being kidnapped yesterday.

Confirming his narrow escape to Vanguard, the royal father explained that the suspected kidnappers

engaged the services of his house girl (names withheld).

“She was assigned the responsibility of ensuring that the back door of my Amaifeke, Orlu residence, and all the doors leading into my bedroom were left opened,” Eze Onyenankeya recounted.

Explaining how the bubble burst, the royal father said he was startled by a strange drop of a whitish substance, adding that on

flashing his torchlight at the window of his bedroom, he saw a figure walking away.

“I quickly alerted one of my tenants who also woke others up.

Some of them came out but my house help was seen in my guest house. ‘’She later confided in my sister, Cecilia Oguzie, and ran away from my house thereafter,” Eze Onyenankeya said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—7

Abductors freed me after ransom was paid, Falae admits His abduction, an insult to Yoruba race—Akinrinade A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—FORMER Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday admitted the payment of ransom to the Fulani herdsmen who kidnapped him for 72 hours.

A dependable source confided in Vanguard that N5 million was paid as ransom before the former Minister for Finance was released last week Thursday.

Chief Falae, who received the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alani Akinrinade in his residence in Akure, however, did not say the exact amount paid to the kidnappers.

Speaking with newsmen during the visit of Akinrinade, Chief Falae said his abductors threatened to kill him every 30 minutes until they received information that money had been given to them as demanded.

He said: “There were six of them with three or four guns and every half an hour or so, they will say, ‘Baba we are going to kill you if you don’t give us money. We are going to kill you.'

“On Wednesday, one of them came and said, ‘look we are going to leave here on Thursday morning. Since we cannot leave you here alone, if we don’t get what we want, we are going to kill you.' And they said they gave me until 3pm and if at 3pm they don’t get the money that they would execute me. I thank God that at 21 minutes to 3pm, one of them came and said, ‘the money don complete.’”

'How I was abducted'

Explaining how he was abducted, the former minister said: “When the hoodlums came, they slashed me with their cutlasses, they said I was not cooperating. And they dragged me barefooted into the bush.

“After dragging me around for about two hours, they stopped somewhere for us to rest and there they asked me to phone my wife and tell her that I have been kidnapped and taken out of Ondo State by car which was a lie.

“It was about 2.30pm on Monday we started walking with very few stops until 2am the following morning. I suspect that I must have covered a minimum of 15km. That morning I did not take anything. “ So all day, I had no food, no water and I walked close to 15km.

How I survived I cannot really remember. I had no food in my stomach, I had no shoes, my clothes were torn to shreds.

“At some point, one of them gave me rubber slippers. We walked until about 2am. At some point, they called for an okada.

“At about 2.30am, the okada man took me away and I had no clue where we were going.

Finally, they dumped me

somewhere. We stayed there until I was released on Thursday.

“In that place, we all slept on bare ground, unfortunately, the rain came in the night and I was thoroughly drenched where I was lying down.

“One of them brought a small umbrella to cover my head, my head was covered, but the rest of my body was not covered.

“They offered me bread, but I told them I cannot eat it. I demanded for a bottle of coke, which was what I drank everyday to have the strength to survive and to continue the march, because they were permanently moving.

“They were changing locations at two to three times a day. I suspect because they did not want the police to succeed in tracing them.”

Confirmation of ransom payment

"The confirmation of the payment of ransom was made on Wednesday afternoon, I was not allowed to go until Thursday morning.

“So the following morning, they said I should go. One of them took ropes to stitch my buba which was already in tatters, so that it could at least stay on me and I wouldn't look like a lunatic while leaving

that place.

“So when I came out of the bush, I was able to find an okada rider, who gave me a lift to Owo. “The place was about 10km from Owo town. The place was between Owo and Ifon. And I walked most of the distance between my farm to that place, that is about 25km that we had to trek.

Not tired, not hungry, and not afraid

“As I said, miraculously I was not tired, I was not hungry and I was not afraid of them at all. Each time they said, ‘Baba we will kill you,' I will tell them, ‘no, Insha Allah, you will not kill me.’

BUNKERING: Commander, 'Operation Pulo Shield' in the Niger Delta, Major General Alani Okunlola (left) and Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brigadier General Stevenson Olabanji, during a raid of newly discovered illegal bunkering site at Tamunotonye Ama community in Ogu-bolo Local Government near Onne Sea Port in Rivers. Photo: NAN.

“I did not break down, but I want to tell you that when I got back home I became completely exhausted. But I am now 80 per cent fit and I know in the next few days, I will be up again.”

Falae warns

Chief Falae, however, warned that "this sort of thing should not be allowed to happen again as it could result to even graver consequences.

“It is not because of me. As for me, I am a very humble person, but by virtue of what God has made me and the status God has given me, it is an insult to our race that a man like me could be abducted by a bunch of hoodlums.

“By the way, one of them told me that if after I had left them, talk nonsense that they will come and catch me again. That is the kind of insult I received.”

Earlier, Akinrinade had described the recent abduction of Chief Falae as an insult on the entire Yoruba nation.

Akinrinade asked the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the spate of kindnapping in the country.

According to him, kidnapping is more pronounced in the South West now. He added that criminals now penetrate Yorubaland more than before.

He said the recent abduction of Falae was the height of insult not only on the Yoruba race in South West Nigeria, but also the nation as a whole.

The former minister later said that only two of the kidnappers could speak some English. He said they were between the ages of 25 and 35.

Policeman killed my wife, shot me because of N2,000 bribe —TRICYCLE OPERATOR L

By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—GODWIN Ekpo, the tricycle operator whose wife was shot dead by Corporal Muse Aremu, attached to the Isheri Oshun division, two weeks ago, in Ijegun area of Lagos, has been discharged from the hospital, after undergoing surgery in his jaw.

This is just as he has revealed that life was snuffed out of his wife

by Aremu’s bullet, following his refusal to give the killer cop N2,000.

Ekpo, who is yet to come to terms with reality of the demise of his wife, Comfort Idongesit, described the incident as the worst tragedy that had befallen him.

Speaking with Vanguard, Ekpo said: “I don’t know what I did to the policeman to warrant such calamity. I have never had any issue with the police all my life. I was returning from church that fateful night in the company of my wife and four children; Mary, 12; Blessing, 9; Abraham, 7; and 11-month-old Elijah. On reaching Obalagbe, along Ijegun

road, some policemen stopped me. One of them came and demanded for N2,000. I told him the passengers were my family members and that I was returning from church. My wife who was with this baby (pointing to 11 months old Elijah), came down and was even explaining to the policeman. But he refused to listen. Before we knew it, he fired a shot which hit my wife on the head. She died right on the spot.

The bullet pierced through her head, hit me in the jaw and right arm. That was all I could remember until I found my self in the hospital.

"Oh! The wife of my youth is gone. She was a friend, a sister, a wife and a mother to me.

Where do I begin

from? How do I take care of these children alone, especially Elijah?

“Although the Police tried their best in paying for the treatment but that cannot bring back my Comfort Idongesit. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police visited me in the hospital, where I was told that my children’s education would be taken care of.

But they have not started school.

The tricycle operator with last baby of the family.

We are still waiting for the next move.

“I am appealing to the Federal Government, the governors of Lagos and Akwa-Ibom states, as well as well meaning Nigerians, to come to my aid. My life has been shattered by that singular incident of September 16, 2015,” he lamented.

Killer cop arraigned in court

Meanwhile, it would be recalled that the killer cop and members of his team have since been arrested on the order of the Commissioner of Police, with the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Officer queried.

The killer cop, 28-year-old Aremu was arraigned before an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court on September 18, 2015, on a two- count charge of murder and causing grievous bodily harm. Consequently, Magistrate Afolashade Botoku ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody for the next 30 days, and adjourned the matter till October 19, 2015.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Egbin generates 1,000Mw

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA—NIGERIA’S largest power generation plant, Egbin Power Plc, has started generating above 1000 Megawatts of electricity into the national grid.

Chairman of the company, Mr. Kola Adesina, said this while giving update on the activities of the company in Abuja yesterday. He attributed the increase to the power sector privatization.

He said: “This is the first time since inception of the power plant that it will achieve the feat because of the investment and upgrade activities on the plant by the new investors, Sahara Power Group and Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO. “We are already envisioning a future of 2670Mw in a few years and even go beyond to 10,000Mw in the next decade: if gas supply, transmission expansion and demand permits.”

We are waiting on Buhari for ministers' list— SENATE

By Henry Umoru & Emman Ovuakporie

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BUJA—AS the Senate resumes today from its six-week break, it said yesterday that it was yet to get the list of ministerial nominees from President Muhammadu Buhari.

This came as security operatives at the National Assembly were yesterday put on red alert, ahead of the resumption of sessions in both legislative chambers of the parliament.

The Senate, in a statement issued by Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Melaye, said senators were waiting for the President to forward to them the list of ministerial nominees.

Melaye (APC, Kogi West)

As NASS beefs up security ahead of resumption said they were fully prepared to settle down for legislative activities, including receiving, screening and clearing the nominees or disqualifying, if the need arose.

Melaye dispelled speculations of a likely postponement of resumption, adding that the Senate would commence legislative activities and welcome communication from President Buhari.

According to him, the Senate was committed to always do only those things that will promote the unity, prosperity and well being of Nigerians.

He also stated that there will be no “stormy session” in the Senate on resumption, as being peddled by a section of

the media, since both the leadership of the upper chamber and all senators were at peace among themselves and were focused on working for the betterment of the country at all times.

Melaye said: “I want to confirm that the Senate will resume tomorrow (today) and that we are set to carry out all our legislative responsibilities.

“I also want to use this opportunity to announce the resolve of the Senate to do only those things that will promote the unity, prosperity and well-being of the Nigerian people.”

Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu

Dogara, is expected to constitute leadership of standing committees of the House after resumption.

The non-composition of the committees had unsettled most members of the House, who are very apprehensive.

A few members spoken to, however, declined to comment on the development, perhaps for fear of making statements that may offend the leadership.

Vanguard investigation revealed that serious lobbying had been going on in the House as members scramble to get juicy committees.

Expectations are high that the Speaker will be fair in the sharing of the 90 substantive committees.

Military intensifies assault against insurgents

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—THE military said, yesterday, that with the deployment of 8,700 strong MultiNational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in the Lake Chad Basin area, the coordinated assaults on Boko Haram insurgents would be fast-tracked to decapitate the group.

Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, said: “The Armed Forces have renewed commitment to continue the ongoing coordinated assaults on Boko Haram in the NorthEast until the operation of the guerrillas are totally impaired and collapsed.

“For optimum success in the counter-offensives, the deployment of the 7th Brigade of the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in the Lake Chad Basin would ensure a total blockade.”

ANNIVERSARY SERVICE: Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo (4th right); Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Ikuinyi Ibani; Acting Chief Judge, Rivers State, Justice Daizy Okocha; Secretary to Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani, and Service Chiefs at the 55th Independence Day Anniversary inter-denominational Church service at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt.

N6.5bn SURE-P money missing, PS tells Benue probe panel

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI—THE judicial panel of inquiry set up

by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State to probe the immediate past Gabriel Suswam-led administration, was yesterday told that over N6.5 billion Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, funds, which accrued to the state, was unaccounted for.

Mr. Joseph Oko, Permanent Secretary, Administration, office of the Head of Service, HOS, made the disclosure yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, at the resumed sitting of the panel, headed by Justice Margaret Kpojime.

He told the panel that though the HOS was the

chairman of the programme in the state, his office was not in the picture of the financial transactions of the office.

Oko alleged that the office of the HOS served as the secretariat of the SURE-P, the committee set up by the government only received N25 million from the scheme as remittance for the training of participants in the scheme.

According to him, “though the Head of Service served as Chairman of the secretariat of the SURE-P committee, he never had access to the details of the funds allocated to the state since the inception of the programme.

“The information available to us through the Ministry of Finance indicated that the state received N7.7 billion from the Federation Account between May 2012 and

December 2014.

“We also understood that the committee spent N1.2 billion while the remaining balance of N6.5 billion is supposed to be accounted for by the office of the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Finance since they are the recipient of the funds.”

Oko said although allocation for the programme was disbursed to the state from May 2012, the scheme was inaugurated in October 24, 2014, two years later.

71 NYSC members disqualified from President’s Award

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA—THE DirectorGeneral of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, yesterday, revealed that 71 of 222 corps members short-listed for the forthcoming NYSC

President’s Award were automatically disqualified because they sought concessional positing.

Olawumi made the revelation at the opening ceremony of the 2015 President’s NYSC Honours Award National Selection

Committee meeting in Abuja.

He said to qualify, a corps member must have distinguished him or herself in four areas: orientation programme, primary assignment, community development service and the winding up programme.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—9

Foreign reserves in steady decline

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

N VISIT: From left— Osun State Commissioner of Police, Kola Sodipo; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Kalafite Adeyemi; Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Osogbo, yesterday.

You provide safe haven for stolen funds, Buhari tells world powers

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

N

EW YORK—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in New York, United States of America, told the international community that the readiness of developed countries to provide safe havens for stolen funds encourages corruption.

He, therefore, urged them to enact strict measures that would dismantle the havens for illgotten wealth.

President Buhari, who made the disclosure while addressing world leaders at the ongoing 70th General Assembly of the United Nations in the US, also appealed to them to facilitate the return of identified stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

The President also observed that corruption, cross-border financial crimes, cyber crimes and human trafficking were major social vices militating against the collective good of the world in the 21st century.

Urging the international community to unite against the vices, the President reiterated his unwavering determination to fight corruption head-on.

He said: “Let me reaffirm the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows. By any consideration, corruption and cross-border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth, and the realization of the well-being of citizens across the globe.

“Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption.

“In particular, I call upon the

global community to urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.”

While lauding the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, adopted last Friday by world leaders, President Buhari also proposed the adoption of peace as a seventh essential element of the goals.

He said the greatest want of the world at the moment was peace and adopting it as one of the important elements of the SDGs was very crucial to the realization of other goals.

The President told the UN session that his government was poised to stamp out insecurity and terrorism in the Nigeria, assuring that the abducted Chibok Girls would be rescued.

He expressed concern over the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and called for effective

implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty to ensure that small arms and light weapons could only be legally transferred.

Reminding the global assembly that peaceful coexistence and selfdetermination were among the key principles that led to the establishment of the United Nations, President Buhari called for the urgent resolution of the question of self-determination for the people of Palestine and Western Sahara.

... as PDP blasts him for missing UN meeting on insurgency

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—THE national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, described as an insult to the country President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to attend the 70th United Nations’ General Assembly meeting of countries affected by insurgency.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, who addressed the media on the issue yesterday, accused the Presidency of being economical with the truth.

Metuh lamented that the President could afford to be absent at a meeting where the sensitive issue of humanitarian crisis arising from the insurgency in Lake Chad countries was discussed.

He said by claiming that Buhari was not aware of the meeting, the Presidency lied because the said meeting on

humanitarian crisis was contained on the official brochure tagged High Level Event on the Lake Chad Basin.

Metuh said: “Further reports indicate that due to the importance of that meeting, it was broadcast on United Nations’ official online television and radio channels, while officials of world bodies have continued to register their disappointment in our country due to the incompetence of the APC-led government. ‘’Instead of admitting failure and apologizing to Nigerians, the Presidency sought to hoodwink the public by claiming that the meeting was not one of the official events for which the President and his delegation are in New York.

“It is disheartening to note that the same meeting the President Buhari-led delegation shunned actually yielded a fall out of $6.8

million announced by the United States as funding for regional aid efforts.”

He regretted that whereas other affected Chad Basin countries were fully represented and had fruitful discussions with officials of the world body, the government of Nigeria, which had the biggest challenge of displaced persons, refused to attend the meeting.

On ministers as noise makers

Metuh also said that for calling ministers noise makers, President Buhari would not attach any value or importance to them if he eventually appointed them, adding that the nonappointment of ministers after about four months in office was a pointer to the fact that the President wanted to run an authoritarian government.

IGERIA’S foreign reserves is now on a steady decline against the backdrop of the decision

by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to protect the Naira from depreciation.

As at last trading day on Wednesday, September 23, the reserves had fallen to $30.485 billion, about $1.139 billion drop from this year ’s peak of $31.624 billion recorded about six weeks ago, August 9.

Foreign reserves, which mirrors an economy ’s relative strength and ability to finance its imports and foreign investors’ obligations, had witnessed an upward growth since June from $29 billion, reversed the trend on August 9 and has since been on the decline.

The declining trend, according to financial sector analysts, is a result of CBN’s operations in the foreign exchange market, where it tries to meet demands at a predetermined exchange rate amidst declining oil revenue.

However, foreign exchange market reports still indicate continued excess demand which has continued to put pressure on exchange rate, while premium on parallel market continue to widen.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said that the weak performance of the external sector and its vulnerability to external shocks reflect the dismal contributions of the nonoil sector and low production in the economy.

Many financial analysts have also attributed the outflows to recent announcement by USA investment banker, JP Morgan, that it was withdrawing Nigeria from its Government Bond Index for Emerging Markets, GBI-EM. Afrinvest Group, a Lagos-based investment banker, said the development would further pressure the external reserves as funds attracted to the economy through GBI-EM, will be expected to leave the financial system.

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Lagos boat operators to keep passengers’ manifest

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State Government has directed all boat operators to keep adequate manifest of all passengers on board for easy identification and record purpose henceforth.

The state government also advised boat operators to keep regular maintenance of their boats as well as minimizes their speed and avoid over loading, the measures werer to reduce mishaps and subsequent causalities.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Jafar Sanuth, who led a delegation of top government officials to Baiyeku Community on behalf of the state government, disclosed that the ill-fated boat was coming from Oke Ira Nla near Badore-Ajah and was heading to Baiyeku when it capsized.

Sanuth, who was visibly worried by the unfortunate incident, therefore, advised residents of the community on the importance of using safety precautions, especially the use of life jackets while boarding any boat.

In his own remarks, the Executive Secretary, Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Hon. Taiwo Orenuga, commended the state Government for the prompt response and advised Community Development Associations, CDA, in the area to further educate their members on safety precautions.

Unilag students protest over pest-infested hostels

By Dayo Adesulu & Kelechukwu Iruoma

L

AGOS—STUDENTS of University of Lagos, UNILAG, yesterday, for hours shut the university’s two gates, protesting the infestation of their residential halls by mosquitoes and bed bugs.

The protest, which started around 7am drew the attention of the campus community to the gates, as protesting students spread the infected mattresses on the school exit gates and the floor.

Some of the students who

L

AGOS—ALL cases at the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal were yesterday adjourned in honour of the two justices of the appeal court, who lost their lives at the stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

It was a solemn moment when the news of their deaths were broken at the floor of the Court of Appeal, Lagos division, as the justices and lawyers observed a minute silence for the repose of their souls.

seven days, we shall paralyse academic activities on campus.

“Our action today was as a result of the negligence on the part of school management to find solution to the bedbugs and mosquitoes ravaging the various hostels which they were aware of.

“We have met the school management and complained and their response has been that they will do something about it, but till now, nothing has be done. Protest is the only language that can make them swing to action.’’

Reacting to the allegation, UNILAG Head of Information,

LEGAL YEAR: Ambode promises partnership with judiciary

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Onozure Dania

L

AMBODE @ LEGAL YEAR SERVICE: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, with the state Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (clapping) and other Judges in the state, during the 2015/2016 Legal Year Service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, yesterday.

Lagos trade fair holds at 3 locations simultaneously

By Naomi Uzor

L

AGOS—THE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, yesterday, said the 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair, LITF, will, for the first time ever, hold simultaneously at three different venues.

The Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of the LCCI, Dr. Olawale Cole, said the

MINA STAMPEDE: Appeal Court justices’ death stalls hearings

By Onozure Dania & Monsuru Olowoopejo

spoke with Vanguard said: “We are publicly lying on the infected mattresses to inform the school authority of what we are passing through secretly.’’

One student, who craved anonymity said: “Almost all the hostels are infected with bedbugs and mosquitoes. ‘’For over five months now, the school management has been reluctant to address the issue.

Students are complaining of being feasted upon by bedbugs and mosquitoes. ''Some of them even find it difficult to sleep at night. If the situation is not addressed within

Mr Olagoke Oke said it was the policy of the institution to change students’ mattress every year, adding that replacement of the mattresses will be due at the end of this academic session. ‘’UNILAG has a policy of changing mattresses at the end of every session. Once they are through with this session, we will change them.’’

Olagoke, however noted that the protest which led to the closure of the two entrance gates for hours was the handiwork of some students who are not prepared for their examinations slated for next two weeks. ‘’We are guessing that they don’t want the examinations coming up in two weeks time to hold,’’ he said.

Justices Abubakar Abdulkadir Jega and Musa Hassan Alkali, of the Abuja and Ilorin Division of the Court of appeal respectively were among the pilgrims that lost their lives in the stampede during the symbolic hajj ritual of stoning the devil at the Jamarat Bridge outside Makkah, in Saudi Arabia.

At the resumed hearing of cases yesterday, Justice Shagbaor Ikyegh urged lawyers to observe a minute silence in honour of the two justices.

LCCI is breaking new grounds in response to the yearnings of the business world through the multiple venue development.

“The Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan will host the business to customer general fair, the Muson Centre, Onikan, will host the business-to-business and corporate exhibition and the Freedom Park, Broad street will host the creative industry fair, tagged Eko Akete.

“In hosting this fair in these venues, the LCCI aims to hold an all-inclusive fair, which will accommodate all sectors of the economy and expose the potentials of the Nigerian economy beyond oil” he said.

In a parley on the preparations of the fair tagged: “Enhancing Value Addition in the Non-Oil Economy”, scheduled to hold from the 6th to 15th of November, 2015, the Chairman trade promotion board of the LCCI, Dr. Olawale Cole, said the LCCI is breaking new grounds in response to the yearnings of the business world as the fair will hold simultaneously in three different venues.

“The Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan will host the business to

customer general fair, the Muson Centre, Onikan, will host the business-to-business and corporate exhibition and the Freedom Park, Broad street will host the creative industry fair, tagged Eko Akete” He noted that the fair has attracted numerous local and international companies and already, they have confirmed bookings from China, Egypt, Japan, Ghana, India, European Union, Indonesia and Pakistan for participation in the fair.

“The need to support the development of the non-oil sector in Nigeria especially now that the country urgently needs to diversify the economy cannot be over-emphasized. Nigeria is today a mono-economy country; and it has become clear to every Nigerian that things must change fast.'' ''In line with this, especially in today ’s business world, developmental initiatives such as investment conference and entrepreneurship development programs with special focus on the non-oil sector is a means of getting the country out of the present precarious situation,” Cole stated.

AG O S—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday reaffirmed that his administration will continue to partner with the state judiciary towards good governance.

This is coming as the Lord Bishop of Badagry, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Rt Reverend B.J Adeyemi, charged Judges and Magistrates not to take their appointments for granted.

At a special church service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos as part of activities heralding the commencement of the 2015/2016 legal year, Ambode described the judiciary as a vital arm of government without which the attainment of growth and economic development will be a mirage.

According to the governor, “This is new beginning. I just want to reiterate my commitment to partnering with the judiciary, this is because judiciary remains the most veritable instrument for attainment of growth and economic development in the state.

“I didn’t know that this is the first time a governor will be attending the service of new legal year in Lagos State. I just felt it was dutiful for me to be here.”

At the mosque service, where the deputy governor, Dr Idayat Aderanti-Adebule represented the state government, an Islamic scholar and a professor of history, Tajudeen Gbadamosi urged the judiciary not to frustrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to wipe out corruption from the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 11

Ogun police confirm arrest of blogger

BAIL-OUT: I won’t pay pension arrears, gratuities – FAYOSE

By Daud Olatunji

A

By Rotimi Olaleye

A

DO-EKITI—EKITI State Governor, Ayo Fayose, yesterday confirmed that he had no intention to pay outstanding pensions and gratuities from the states bailout fund of N9.6 billion.

According to him his government only got N9.6 billion out of the over N29 billion it applied for.

Retirees in the state had last week alleged that the governor had excluded the payment of their pension arrears and gratuities from the Federal Government’s bail-out.

Fayose made the clarification yesterday at Ikogosi-Ekiti during the opening ceremony of a twoday retreat for commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of agencies.

He also stated that out of the N5.6 billion applied for by the 16 local governments in the state, the FG only approved N991 million, adding that pension arrears and gratuities were also not approved.

In a statement in Ado-Ekiti by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said the clarification became necessary following insinuations that the state government did not want to pay pensions arrears and gratuities of retirees.

Governor Fayose said, “You people know that I don’t hide anything from you when allocations come. We applied for N29 billion from the bail-out fund.

It is to cover the August and September 2014 salary arrears left by the Fayemi government, leave bonus, pensions, gratuities and others. But for reasons we don’t know yet, the FG only approved N9.6 billion for salaries leaving other issues.

“The 16 local governments applied for N5.6 billion and we did all the necessary papers and presented them to the appropriate authorities, but only N991 million was approved. We were later told by the Central Bank of Nigeria that about 14 states had similar problems with the small amount approved for local governments.

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left, former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Otunba Abdul-Lateef Owoyemi; Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Leader, Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Commitee, Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Obateru Akinruntan, and Rev. Tola Oyediran, during the Olugbo's condolence visit to the Awolowo family on the death of HID Awolowo, in Ikenne, yesterday.

Police lost 435 officers, men in last 6 months — IGP Aregbesola suggests solutions to insecurity

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE Inspector General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, has said that the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has lost over 435 of its men and officers within the last six months.

Arase disclosed this yesterday in Osogbo while speaking at a session held with members of Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC and traditional rulers during his one day working visit to Osun State.

He emphasised the major role being played by the traditional rulers in maintaining security of lives and property in their

domain and urged them to do more in exposing criminals.

Mr Arase called on traditional rulers in the state to assist police in its work, saying the space was bigger for the police alone, stressing the need for community policing.

Meanwhile, Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, also yesterday suggested solutions to some of the security challenges facing the country, by demanding more efficient collaborations between the Nigerian Police and the Department of the State Services, DSS. Receiving the IGP who paid

him a courtesy visit in Osogbo, Aregbesola noted that the two security agencies must work together in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy.

He said the synergy was needed by the agencies for them to be able to effectively penetrate the ranks of the insurgents and kidnappers and bring their activities to a halt.

The governor also called on the IGP to provide an additional six Area Commands of police in the state to make nine Police Area Commands.

In his remarks, IGP Arase commended Aregbesola for providing police in the state with equipments that will make them discharge their duties effectively.

Akure youths protest Falae’s kidnap

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—YOUTHS under the aegis of Akure Youth Coalition, AYC, in Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday protested the abduction of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Chief Olu Falae They demanded that the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the metropolis be stopped forthwith.

The protesters marched to the Deji’s palace and Ondo State House of Assembly displaying various placards.

Findings showed that the youths who were from Akure South, Akure North, Ifedore and Idanre Local Government Areas assembled at the town hall as early as 8a.m.

Placards displayed by the protesters read: “Nomadic grazing must stop,” “Olu Falae is an elder statesman; Respect our elders!” “Stop nomadic herding now, give us a cattle ranch in the state for cattle rearers,” and “Do not turn Akure into a tearful fiefdom, respect our land,” Their President, Adekanbi Oluwatuyi, said: ‘’As peace loving youths of Akure Kingdom, it was pertinent for them to express their dissatisfaction over the threats and acrimony perpetuated by Fulani herdsmen in the metropolis.

“The herdsmen had continued to harass and intimidate our people on their farmland with their cattle forcibly entering into farms, they descend on anyone who dares challenge or query their actions."

BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of a blogger, Emmanuel Ojo for accusing the wife of the state governor, Mrs Olufunsho Amosun of allegedly laundering $300,000 in London.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the arrest on the telephone, said Ojo is being detained at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for questioning.

Vanguard gathered that Ojo was arrested for a story exposing the alleged quizzing of Ogun State first lady, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, in London for money laundering.

Ojo was said to have been trailed and arrested on Saturday and detained at Ibara Police Station, Abeokuta for wrongly accusing Mrs. Amosun.

She has since denied being involved in any money laundering saga.

Adejobi said the command received a complaint from the state government about the blogger, which led to his arrest.

Adejobi said investigations on the matter are ongoing.

He said, “We received a complaint from the state government on the suspect, and he was arrested. Presently he is with us at Eleweran, we are still conducting our investigations. If he is found wanting he will be charged to court accordingly.”

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said governor Amosun, was not connected with the arrest of the blogger as being speculated in some quarters.

He, however, confirmed that the state government made a formal complaint to the police and the director of the State Security Service, about a false allegation that the blogger made against the First lady.

MINISTERIAL LIST: Group roots for Omene

By Tare Youdeowei

A

GROUP, Selected Media Practitioners and Community Newspaper Publishers Association, has implored President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Chief Oghenove Omene as Minister of Petroleum.

In a statement signed by the group’s National President, Alhaji Ismaila Sambo and Secretary, Comrade Akinwunmi Oyebola, stated that the appointment be made based on Omene’s anti-corruption

disposition and international connections that could be useful to the administration.

“With the calibre of Chief Oghenovo Imoyi Omene as your Minister of Petroleum, you can be rest assured that the problem of corruption in that sector will be nicked in the bud and the perennial problem of fuel scarcity will be settled.

“Our investigation reveals that Chief Omene is a detribalized and incorruptible Nigerian who led Urhobo National Association of North America and helped make it relevant in America’s politics.''

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

BAYELSA APC PRIMARY: Alaibe alleges plot to sponsor protests against him Sylva won last Tuesday's primary, state APC Chair insists

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—AHEAD of the rescheduled primary by All Progressives Congress, APC, to pick its flagbearer for the December 5, governorship election in Bayelsa State, the battle to clinch the ticket is assuming a dangerous dimension, as one of the contenders, Timi Alaibe, yesterday, raised alarm over alleged plots to smear his name.

This came as Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, insisted that it stood by alleged victory of former Governor Timipre Sylva, at the disputed primary Tuesday.

Alaibe, speaking through the Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation, claimed that some faceless groups planned to sponsor violent protests in Yenagoa and Abuja to discredit him.

Spokesman of the campaign organisation, Patterson Ogon, in a statement in Yenagoa, said: "The faceless groups have perfected plans to print Tshirts and vests in the name of Alaibe and are planning to stage violent protests in Yenagoa and the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja.”

Ogon alleged that the politically motivated plot to rubbish Alaibe’s name was part of plans to frustrate him ahead of the rescheduled primary for the APC governorship ticket.

The statement read in part: “It has come to the notice of the Timi Alaibe Campaign Organisation that some faceless groups have printed T-shirts and vests in the name of Alaibe and have hired thugs to stage violent protests in Yenagoa and at the National

Secretariat of the APC in Abuja.

Their plan is to cause havoc and transfer the blame to Alaibe."

But APC Chairman in the state, Chief Orunimighe, insisted that the primary had been won and lost, arguing that reported cancellation of the election was baseless and unfounded.

“As Chairman of Bayelsa APC, I am not aware of any cancellation of the primary. With all due respect to the National

Chairman of our party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, he said nobody should make an announcement except they cleared with him. I want to believe that people who made statements from the national secretariat did not have clearance with him.

"So, I believe the cancellation rumour does not stand. For now, election has been held and I think that is how it stands.

Chief Timipre Sylva won the primary conducted last Tuesday,” he said.

VISIT: From left: Comrade David Ofonoye, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congres, NLC, Delta State; Comrade Norbert Chaizor, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State; Comrade Ogochukwu Onah, NAWOJ chairperson, Delta State and Comrade Churchil Oyowe, Secretary NUJ, Delta State, during a visit to NLC secretariat in Asaba.

Photo: Nath Onojake.

BAYELSA GOV POLL: Sylva, Alaibe not my match —DICKSON

By Gbenga Oke

B

AYELSA State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has boasted that former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, and former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, are not his match in the December 5 governorship election in the state.

Dickson also stated that none of the aspirants parading themselves in the All Progressives Congress, APC, can defeat him in any local government area of the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, Governor Dickson said APC aspirants were only relying on Federal might.

He said: “They are playing a gamble and the reason is that since APC is now in control of the Federal Government, what they are doing is not

because they can defeat me, but they want to rely on the federal might. I can tell you that if election takes place today in Bayelsa State, none of them will be lucky to even win one ward. I don’t even see that happening in any of the 105 wards. None of these candidates parading themselves can defeat me,

not even their party APC can defeat me in any local government even if we go for election today. They feel because they have made money, they can manipulate their way into power and that is why they are bragging all over the place that they have money to fight the sitting governor.

“Their calculation is that if anyone of them fights and wins the party primary, President Buhari, will use his federal might to rig the election. They feel strongly that the Police, Army or Department of State Service, DSS, will take over the state and install them as governor."

Ayade partners Spanish firm to boost C-River economy

G

OVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State, as part of an initiatives to boost the economy of the state, has concluded arrangements with a Spanish firm, Cavenco of Barcelona, Spain, to establish a world-class integrated poultry farm.

The farm to be sited in Ikom, is expected to commence with 6,000 per day birds production and later increase to 100,000 birds per day, within five years of its establishment.

Governor Ayade, who announced this in Calabar,

when he received the firm in his office, yesterday, said the initiative was a Public Private Partnership, PPP, meant to ensure sustainability and job creation.

He said: “Nigeria spends billions of naira annually importing poultry products. It is obvious that as a nation, we cannot continue with this primitive consumption style and for us to add value on our naira, we need to cut down on things that will reduce our dependence on foreign goods.”

Ayade described the

investment as a golden opportunity that would impact positively on the economy of the state maintaining that “this is going to create almost 2,000 sustainable jobs. It will also provide high quality meat to Nigerians and other neighbouring countries. It is an integrated farm that would span over four thousand hectres of land and supported by a British consortium that will make it more efficient, which is why government has instituted a structural and normative framework to drive the process.”

I’m not part of Oromoni’s selection as Ogbe-Ijoh monarch —OTUARO

By Emma Amaize

A

SABA—DEPUTY Governor of Delta State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, yesterday, said he was not a party to the selection/ appointment of Chief Couple Oromoni, or anybody for that matter, as Pere (King) of Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri Kingdom, against a subsisting court order as claimed in recent media reports.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Communication and Press, Mr. Bolou Kosin, Otuaro said: “As leaders believed to be respectable, Chief Alfred Yola and Sele Banni and their sponsors ought to have done the responsible thing by initiating contempt proceedings in court against whoever may have defied such court order, instead of blackmailing the deputy governor.

“Despite insults hurled at him, the Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro, wishes to appeal to the generally good people of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom to embrace peace necessary for the enjoyment of democratic dividends under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda of prosperity for all Deltans.

The Deputy Governor, hereby, encourages journalists to remain partners in progress by seeking and exercising decorum and balance in their reportage. Reporters who anchored the story could have done better by reaching the office of the deputy governor, which is always open to inquiries.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Boro Opudu, has decried what he called unnecessary attacks on the deputy governor of the state, by Chief Alfred Yola, and other subdivisional leaders in OgbeIjoh kingdom, Warri, over succession to the community’s kingship.

In a statement, the party said: “The PDP, Warri South West, states that His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, is innocent of the allegations against him. It was not the deputy governor of Delta State that appointed the new Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh.

It was the decision of the Ogbe-Ijoh people as it is their internal affair."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 13

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI @ 70TH UN ASSEMBL TERD AY. PPhot hot os bbyy AAba ba ASSEMBLYY, US, YES YESTERD TERDA hotos bayyomi Adeshida

President Muhammadu Buhari(7th right), Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa (left), Prof Joy Ogwu (2nd left), Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello(3rd left), Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (4th left); former Governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi (6th left) and others.

President Muhammadu Buhari with Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal and others.

Delegates at the Assembly.

President Muhammadu Buhari being received

by President of Korea, Park Geun-hye.

From right; Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Nigerian Permanent UN Representative, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; the President, Security Solutions in Africa, Mr. Henry Morganstone and former American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Robin Sanders with other participants.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (2nd right) with other participants.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 15

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16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

APPOINTMENTS: Shun ministerial positions,

Ohanaeze urges Igbo

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE apex Igbo socio-cultural group,Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Sunday, appealed to the Igbo nation to remain calm in the face of seeming lopsidedness of appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ohanaeze was reacting to the strident outcries that have attended the appointment of the president’s ‘kitchen cabinet’.

President General,Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Chief Enwo Gary Igariwey, spoke at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat in Enugu during an appraisal meeting on the Igbo nation.

Chief Igariwey said,”we had a meeting of a select group with Ohanaeze NEC to discuss Igbo day celebration. It will be held on a low key. Branches are free to celebrate as they want. But Ohanaeze national will mark Igbo day on a key.

“It will be a day of retreat,tact and unity. The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Akonauche na Njiko' (tact and unity).

On the issue of appointments, the PG said,”we ask our people not to be disappointed on the seeming lopsidedness of appointments made so far by the president.

“Our people should remain steadfast, think of home, and galvanise efforts towards the development of Igbo nation because nobody will do it for us.

We have helped in building Lagos and Abuja among others.

It is time to do the same in our own place.

“We should recreate that zeal and develop our place. This years’ celebration is not a time of festival and masquerades,but a tiime for rethink.”

Also, former Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Chief Joe Achuzie,who was miffed by the lopsided ‘kitchen cabinet’

appointments, charged Ndigbo to remain strong and form a veritable opposition that will take over power come 2019.

According to the former scribe,”having known that the president has distributed key

positions to his brothers, what worries me is that ministers have been regarded as mere servants by the president. In other words, if an Igbo is appointed minister,he or she will be a mere servant.

“The question is, are we to take

AWARD: From right, Engr. Umez Eronini, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, NSE Chairman Owerri, Engr. Godson Osueke, Senator Athan Achonu, Senator Ogba Obinna, Senator Albert Bassey, Senators Philip and Gyunka, and others, during the honour of Senator Athan Achonu, at 2015 Platinum Award of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, in Owerri, for his numerous contributions to the development of the engineering profession, weekend.

BATTLE FOR ENUGU-EAST SENATORIAL ZONE:

Tribunal to deliver judgment before Oct 13

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu,headed

by Justice M.O Adewara yesterday, adjourned for judgment,on the petition brought before it by former governor Chimaroke Nnamani,candidate of the Peoples Democratic Change,PDC,for the Enugu-East senatorial district election, conducted last March 28.

Nnamani is challenging the declaration by the Independent

National Election Commission,INEC,of Senator Gil Nnaji,of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,as winner at the poll.

The declaration by INEC had elicited protest from supporters of Nnamani in Enugu metropolis.

While adopting his final written address,Counsel to Nnamani, Mr. O. Jolaawo told the court that,"two issues are distilled at page 3 of our address. We adopt the said address in its entirety and urge the court to grant the prayers sought in this petition per page 18 of our petition.

"The sustenance of grounds one

Victims of Anambra/Kogi border clash get N5m relief materials

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—ANAMBRA State government has distributed relief materials worth over N5 million to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who abandoned their homes at

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up such positions to go and serve him,to go and make him popular? Without an Igbo man being a minister, I do not think the president will survive.

So,Igbo should not take ministerial position.”

Aguleri Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area in the wake of the border clashes between the people of Anambra and Kogi states.

The IDPs, made up of about 100 families, were victims of the invasion of some parts of the oil – rich community by people suspe cted to be from Odeke and Echeno in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The relief materials distributed to the IDPs include mattresses, blankets, towels, bags of rice and beans, gallons of groundnut oil, buckets and jerry cans.

A director in Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Mr. Chuks Onyejekwe who handed over the items to the victims listed places

of location of the IDPs to include Enugu Otu, Eziagulu Otu and Nkpu Nando in Aguleri Otu. According to Onyekwere, the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano was committed to bringing succour to the IDPs, explaining that the state government was also collaborating with the Kogi State and Federal Governments to find a lasting solution to the boundary dispute between the two states.

He also explained that the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has promised to send more materials to the Aguleri Otu IDPs and urged leaders of the affected communities to ensure equitable sharing of the materials brought to them.

and two or any of them or even of the second part of ground two thereof which is disjunctive is enough for your lordships to grant, at the very least, the relief of nullification.

“Respondents are making heavy weather of the fact that we did not bring evidence of place where we won the election or where INEC declared us as winner. This argument is extremely disconcerting and incredulous.

The purpose of a petition is to challenge our loss at the election. Paragraph 15 of the first schedule to the Electoral Act also supports our position.

"Petitioner was able to prove through the respondents, witnesses, RW1 to RW7, that substantial irregularities occurred in Isi-Uzo through RW1, through RW2 for Nkanu East, RW3 cross examination for Enugu South. RW4 was senatorial collation but under cross examination, gave evidence with respect to Enugu East and presidential election irregularities vis a vis senatorial accreditation. RW5 conceded to numerous and substantial irregularities and noncompliance with the electoral act in Isi-Uzo where she served as Electoral Officer.

"Also RW6 did so too with respect to Nkanu East, which substantially affected the results of the election and RW7 also did same for Enugu North.”

Catholic Church honours Obiano, others

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Awka Diocese of the Catholic Laity Council has installed Governor Willie Obiano as the pillar of the council, with the immediate past commissioner for works, Chief Callistus Ilozumba, a business man and philanthropist, Dr. Obinna Uzor and the Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Professor Josephat Ogbuagu as the grand patron, mayor and patron respectively.

Others honoured during the ceremony, which took place at the Pope John Paul 11 Major Seminary, Awka include Chief Barth Nwibe, Professor Steve Ibenta, Mr. Eric Ifeanyi, Chief Nzemeka Olisa, Mrs. Nkechi Ezeani, and Dr. Romanus Ejikeme.

Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor, who began the event with a concelebrated Mass reminded the laity that they were specially called to bear witness to the truths of the gospel by their engagement with circular affairs in the world.

European investors target Nigeria

By Glory Ekwenuya

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AGOS—MAJOR European Investors have line up for Nigeria at the18th Euro Finance Week conference coming up in Frankfurt Germany in November.

This was disclosed weekend by Cliff Ogbede whose company Kleef and VTS is the official country partner of the 18th Euro Finance Week.

According to him, the 18th Euro Finance Week conference slated to hold in Congress Messe Frankfurt, Germany from November 16 to 20, 2015, would play host to major European investors who genuinely want to invest under the new leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Euro Finance Week is the “biggest European financial services sector conference which offers a platform for financial policy formulation, business and investment promotion and high level business match making and networking,” Ogbede said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 17

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WO days to another October 1 independence anniversary, and all is bleak and depressing on the Nigerian front. No self-congratulatory messages. No stadium marchpass and celebrations. All we are getting is a steady diet of prison-rations: “Nigeria is corrupt.” “The treasury is empty.”

“Recession is knocking at the door.” With all the attendant political hullaballoo; you get the impression that even the very country called Nigeria is going to be probed and sent to jail.

But the saying goes: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This is no time to drown ourselves in the Slough of Despond. This is the time to dig deep and encourage ourselves. This is the time to remind ourselves who we are.

We are Nigerians and that means a lot more than the fourone-niners and the yahooyahoo maestros. There is something different; something wonderful; something special about Nigerians. Whatever the situation, we must never forget to celebrate who we are.

That is why, on this 55th independence anniversary of Nigeria, it is exciting to find national inspiration from an unusual source. While our president goes to the United Nations and bemoans, once again our corruption; while a political civil war has been declared between the presidency and the legislature by the mischievous embarrassment of the Senate president; a little-known voice from our burgeoning music industry decided it is time to celebrate our Nigerian-ness.

Nigeria's new music Nigeria’s new music sensation, EBISAN, has come out with her new single; just in time for our October 1 independence anniversary. It is entitled “THE NIGERIANS” and it provides tonic to our weary national soul. Thank God, Ebisan does not dwell on our struggles at national integration. She does not insist on the hemorrhage of our corruption. She does not bring out another litany of our misgivings, our doubts and our despair.

Surely, we need a holiday from all of this for a change.

What she gives us is a new national anthem; a new rallying-cry to remember who we are. We are Nigerians for heaven’s sake, and even in these difficult times, that is more than enough.

Mighty Nigerians: “Everywhere we go; People always ask us; Who we are; And we always tell them: We are Nigerians; Mighty Mighty Nigerians. And if they can’t hear us, Then we’ll shout a little louder.”

When I heard this single for C M Y K

good. President Muhammadu Buhari(7th Right), Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa(1stLeft), Prof Joy Ogwu (2nd Left), Niger State Governor Abubakar SaniBello(3rd Left), Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (4th Left), FormerGovernor of Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi(5th Left) at the UN Headquarters

Ebisan, proudly Nigerian the first time, I was inspired. I thought: “That’s telling!” Then I thought about it again. Who are we really? The answer is so simple, it easy to forget. It is so simple, it can easily be overlooked. It is so simple, we need every so often to remind ourselves. We are Nigerians.

We are Nigerians. Thank God, we are Nigerians.

There are certain inevitabilities about Nigeria and Nigerians. Our country has a manifest destiny to be one of the greatest countries in the world.

In spite of everything, Nigeria remains a miracle waiting to happen.

That miracle is not going to be worked by foreign investment.

It is going to be worked by Nigerians, because, when all is said and done, we are a very resourceful people. It is not only with regard to the people of Warri: the time is coming when Nigerians will refuse to carry last.

Incredible Nigerians: “Every day we get better; There’s so much that they need to know like; Every day we get stronger; It’s amazing the way we grow.

Yes we are, we are incredible,” It’s not for nothing that we are the largest Black Country on the planet. It’s not for nothing that we are now the biggest economy in Africa. It is not for

Everywhere we go, people always ask us who we are.

And we always tell them: we are Nigerians.

Mighty mighty Nigerians!

nothing that Hakeem BelloOsagie is a Nigerian. Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian. Olisa Agbakoba is a Nigerian.

Udoma Udo Udoma is a Nigeria. Odein Ajumogobia is a Nigerian. Jide Akintunde is a Nigerian. Patrick Utomi is a Nigerian.

Nigeria’s greatest assets are Nigerians. In every walk of life, at home and abroad; Nigerians excel.

Everywhere and anywhere, you will find us in the Premier League.

Q: What is so incredible about Nigerians?

Ebisan: There are so many things but I’ll mention just two.

The way we deal with adversity is amazing to me. When going through tough times or hard conditions, we refuse to have a defeatist attitude. I believe Nigerians are the most resilient people in the world. The second thing about us that I love is that wherever you go, you always know when there’s a Nigerian around. We stand out; we are a unique and are very special people and we need to apply our smartness to more positive things.

Front-running Nigerians “So when they come a little closer; They are blown away by the skills we show them. No we don’t act like we’re supposed to; We take the lead, no follow follow; ’Cause we are, we are, we are incredible.”

Nigerians are a completely different kettle of black Africans. We have not been brow-beaten by colonialism or apartheid.

We are not intimidated by Western prowess.

The Nigerian psychology refuses to accept the myth that the black man is somehow intellectually inferior to the white man. You can see this in operation everywhere. The Nigerian stands shoulder to shoulder vis-à-vis whites and Westerners and, in many cases, bests them. We only become second-best when we come together as a team, as a people and as a country. But all that will pass.

Q: What are the potentials you currently see in Nigeria?

Ebisan: More SMEs are being set up, there is more competition within the service industry, and I also see that my generation is producing a lot more entrepreneurs. The mindset is changing and we are aware that our oil will not last forever. Other industries such as the entertainment and fashion industries are rapidly growing and even attracting foreign interest. There is a lot happening around us to make me optimistic about where we are heading.

Game- changing Nigerians “So tell me do you feel me now; We are changing the game over and over; You know there’s no denying; We are on our way to the stars.”

Nigeria confounds every dire prognostication. The news of the disintegration of Nigeria has been highly exaggerated.

We were not supposed to survive 2015. But we are still here. We are still on our way; and we remain the only hope for the black man in the comity of nations.

Q: What gives you the impression Nigeria is on the way to the top?

Ebisan: Perhaps it’s the optimist in me but I truly sense that we are on a general quest for change, real tangible change. If we were ever guilty of complacency in the past, I feel it is no longer the case.

A lot has happened this year that has made me feel very hopeful about where we are going as a nation, from the way the elections were carried out to the enlightened conversations I have had with different individuals. We know we have a long road ahead but we are willing to be better.

Q: What is currently holding Nigeria back? Ebisan: We need more people to step up and play their part, however small it may be. The onus is not only on the government to make changes.

Great nations are built from individuals taking personal responsibility for the growth of their country and optimizing their gifts and opportunities.

Constant complaints with little action do none of us any

Bold Nigerians: “Look at the way we talk; Look at the way we walk. We hold our heads up high; Far too bold to be shy.”

If a Nigerian is somewhere, you will know. Someone told me that Nigerians are even easily recognizable at immigration posts all around the world. He says they know we are the only black Africans who look you straight in the eye without batting an eyelid. We fear no one. We are as bold as a lion. I never quite liked the logo of an elephant. Something heavy and ungainly about that. But we are better represented by the eagle. We are ready to soar, even into the eye of the storm.

Q: What are you trying to achieve with this single?

Ebisan: I want us to remember how awesome we are as a people whenever we listen to the song. I wrote ‘THE NIGERIANS’ to remind fellow Nigerians that there is nothing we cannot overcome because we are bold, fearless people. I want people to be proud of their roots whenever they listen to the song.

To remember that they are Nigerians first! So that whether you are in heavy traffic in Lagos, selling on the streets of Benin, mining in Nasarawa, or cooking white soup in Calabar; a smile will cross your face as soon as this song comes up.

Happy birthday, Nigeria Q: Tell us about your new single, “THE NIGERIANS” and why you wrote it.

Ebisan: I usually write love songs and am generally inspired by love, this single is not far off from that. I love my country (I no go lie…hahaha) and I decided to write about it.

Some people meet us and wonder why we have the audacity to be so bold, some people are endeared to us, either way it is never a lukewarm feeling. We conjure up strong emotions in whomever we meet and that’s intriguing to me. I decided to write about it.

Q: Do you intend to write other songs about Nigeria?

Ebisan: I already have another song I wrote about Nigeria years ago, I am considering releasing that in the future as part of my upcoming album.

Q: How come your single can be downloaded for free?

Ebisan: My single can only be streamed for free but not downloaded for free. It is for sale on iTunes and all other online music stores.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s interest in establishing a new aviation national carrier became evident when, early in August 2015, he directed visiting top ministry of aviation officials led by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Binta Bello, to take steps towards actualising the project which was strongly recommended by the Ahmed Joda transition committee.

Proponents of a new national carrier play up the benefits, which include national pride and the opportunities it will afford Nigeria to enjoy the fuller benefits of the Bilateral Aviation Services Agreements (BASA).

Nigeria has made several attempts at owning national carriers but came out with our fingers burnt. The first was the ugly experiences of operating the defunct Nigerian Airways between 1958 and 2005. This exposed the crass inability of government employees to run businesses, especially airlines. The federal government sank billions of dollars in acquiring planes of all types. At a point, the Nigerian Airways could boast of dozens of aircraft plying most important routes at home and internationally but by 2005 the Airways had to be liquidated.

The Move For Aviation National Carrier A second attempt involved a government partnership with Virgin Atlantic owned by British billionaire, Richard Branson. The Virgin Nigeria that resulted from that effort soon collapsed. There were other attempts to float national carriers known variously as “Air Nigeria” and “Nigerian Global”. The nation only spent huge resources and yet nothing came of the effort.

Beyond national pride and providing a lucrative avenue to provide jobs and political patronage to highly connected individuals, what grand national agenda does Nigeria truly intend to achieve? To get the credible answer to this question the federal

government must consult not just professionals and civil servants in the sector.

The airline owners should also be brought on board so that if the national carrier is eventually floated, the interests of all parties will be protected for the overall good of the nation.

We are calling for a pause to ponder on this policy move. It looks very much like another white elephant project. Nigeria is not financially in shape to cough out the $5 billion, which experts believe, is the least amount it will take to float a new national carrier.

Besides, the defunct Nigerian Airways owed heavily to international creditors, who are waiting to collect their money as soon as government goes into another aviation venture.

We call on the Federal Government to focus more energy on ensuring that existing airlines operate in a more conducive environment devoid of multiple taxation, expensive aviation fuel and the lot. We should rather empower our indigenous airlines to grow to a point where we can comfortably promote the viable ones among them to emerge as national carriers.

OPINION Open letter to Group MD, NNPC

By Yohannah Bakut

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IR, I am strongly compelled by recent developments at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), particularly the recent appointment of Dr. Babatunde Victor Adeniran as Group Executive Director, (Commercial & Investment) of NNPC, to write you.

Ordinarily, in seasons such as we are today where government is in dire need of people of like minds; true prefects of their classes with unassailable character and hallowed pedigree to reposition NNPC as well as the nation at large, a private letter would have been ideal but because as the saying goes, when a well-behaved child returns home with double honours, it is no longer his immediate family members that celebrate but the entire community.

Therefore, to me, celebrating this great step in the right direction as exemplified in Dr.Adeniran’s appointment would not be properly captured in a private letter hence an open letter has become inevitable.

But more than anything else, an open letter would expose the antics of mischief makers, as well as ensure that they are put in check or better still, confined to the waste bin where they rightly belong.

Conversely, too, as NNPC begins a fresh start at recovery driven by competence and experience translated into putting as they say, round pegs in round holes such

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positive moves would be applauded to further deepen the ongoing reorganization. Never forget sir that the subject matter of the NNPC borders on national concern as opposed to personal interest that can only be handled in the open since it affects every citizen of Nigeria.

Yet , I must sincerely apologize for forcing my way to your table, particularly as I am in the know of the enormous responsibilities before you - personal, professional and national - deserving equal attention in the face of very limited time.

Sir, beyond commending you for taking a bold step defined by Dr.Adeniran’s appointment, this letter also aims at drawing your attention to the seeming well-orchestrated and scripted campaign of calumny against his person by some individuals and disgruntled groups, which mean no good for the corporation and the nation at large, especially an organization known as Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC).

While everyone has a right to his or her opinion in a democratic setting such as ours, it touches on patriotic poverty and disdainful absurdity to place personal interest far and above national interest.

All over the world today, visionary leaders

You must strongly resist distractions and ignore such self-serving groups

with thirst for excellence run with their First Eleven and never with a Reserve Team, much less, a Feeder Team, which undoubtedly, is what CSNAC, a strange and alien organization, is suggesting by their ill-advised media campaigns against Dr.Adeniran. Or, how else would one interpret the fact that an organization without history could suddenly wake up from the blues to advertise desperation for cheap attention as well as present selfserving negative campaigns to Nigerians as if they were in national interest. This, sir, combined among others, to make this open letter inevitable.

Sir, in times like ours where people with shades of opinion easily dissolve into groups for selfish as opposed to general good, one can only be suspicious of CSNAC and treat its moves with a pinch of salt in order to avoid walking into booby traps eyes wide open.

While intrigues and counter intrigues, blackmail and name-calling are normal in all fledgling democracies, it smacks of narrow-mindedness taken to a ridiculous height, to unjustly impugn on the integrity and character of a man whose career records are unassailable and meet the standard First Eleven required to turnaround the NNPC for national good.

At the risk of sounding patronising, sir, I recall the enormous contributions of Dr.Adeniran as Senior Technical Adviser on Oil and Gas Commercial, to Total E & P Nigeria Limited spanning over 22 years.

While as humans, we may have our shortcomings, there is no doubt that the NNPC and the nation would need this

massive experience in its repositioning drive. Therefore, for all well-meaning Nigerians, what matters most is national interest and positive result than recourse to negative tendencies that deprive the nation of the services of high-potent professionals as Dr.Adeniran.

Unfortunately, everybody cannot think in the same way as exemplified by CSNAC’s ill-advised and mischievous campaign borne out of inordinate attraction to the filthy lucre of politics and lack of patriotism.

Interestingly, Nigerians are in the know of moves like the CSNAC’s always deceptively dressed in the toga of uprightness while it is actually base greed and ego massage aimed at attacking common ideals.

Sir, there is no gain emphasising fact that Nigerians are looking up to you to provide leadership in this critical time, but more than anything else, to be responsible for your decisions since at the end of it all the bulk stops on your table.

I, therefore, enjoin you to follow your conviction, stand your grounds and insist on working with the First Eleven of proven, tested and excellence-driven persons, including Dr.Adeniran so they can provide a strong pillar of support in your drive to reposition NNPC for optimal performance and accountability. And, as you do this, you must strongly resist distractions and ignore such self-serving groups that would in the character of sponsored groups still turn 90 degrees to call you names in time of challenge.

•Mr. Bakut, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015— —19

At 55 are we truly independent?

By Sunny Ikhioya

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XACTLY two days time, we shall be celebrating another independence day, a day that we have always looked forward to with nostalgia; with reminisces, of hopes built and dashed, of good and bad. We remember the celebrations, the military parades and Air Force displays, the merriments and parties, the sober and the drunk, and then the expectations- usually the president uses the occasion to outline the road map of the administration and what goodies are coming the way of the people but, the goodies never come, only promises.

As we reflect on these past independence days, there is this hollow feeling, of emptiness and unfulfilled dreams and above all disappointment. Fifty five years after the nation was granted independence, the question is still been asked; what have we done with our independence?

Have both our individual and national aspirations been fulfilled? Are we truly free? Are we more integrated as a people under one progressive nation?

Have the dreams envisaged by our founding fathers on Independence Day, the first of October, nineteen sixty been fulfilled? Can we say that we are a truly independent country

after fifty five years? At fifty five years, one is already a senior citizen in any society all over the world, at fifty five can Nigeria rub shoulders with any of the developed nations of the world?

Or, can Nigeria call the bluff of such countries like the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France or even China and Japan?

What will happen if the world decides to leave us alone, as they did with the Boko Haram fight under Goodluck Jonathan's government and like they are presently doing with North Korea? Will Nigeria be able to survive on its own? These are the critical issues facing this nation at this relatively old age of fifty five years.

At what point do we say that we have achieved true independence? Whether as individuals or as a nation, you will never achieve one hundred percent independence – I will come back to this later – but you can feel and see true independence amongst nations that have attained that height; in the happiness of its citizens, the freedom to move to anywhere they want, at any time and place, in their freedom to express themselves in any way they want to – freedom of speech, culture and association. You will see true independence in the way justice is dispensed in such societies and how laws are passed

and dispensed with by the legislative and judicial arms of government, you will see independence in the school systems and curricula, tailored to produce creative minds, you see independence in the abundance of food; a nation that cannot feed itself can never be independent.

Developed countries always produce surplus food and give the remnants out to under developed nations as aids. In the USA for example, the percentage of the population feeding the country is less than five percent, yet every year, they record surplus.

You also see independence in the number of citizens that engage in the sporting, leisure and

The ability to defend your territorial boundaries without external assistance puts you in the league of the independents

Jesus and the criminals

By Ekanpou Enewaridideke

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ROM the cradle darkness walked upon the surface of the Niger Delta killing any splutter of fluorescence like sunrise extinguishing lamps in Soyinka’s ‘Death in the Dawn’. From 1957 and beyond the consumed fluorescence turned into a vast void, only the crude oil flowing forcibly to illuminate demarcated territories. So some criminals emerged and militarily engaged the mastermind of the darkness and the vast void as graphically captured in the language of the ordinary people in the book Dewdrops From Nigeria’s Starved Tree: ‘The Niger Delta enjoys recognition as one of the most developmentally impoverished regions in the whole world.

The only transgression of Niger Delta against Nigeria is being the reservoir of the black gold.’

With a dexterity unbeatable the Federal Government of Nigeria and the oil companies had created the darkness and the vast void for years, bringing in its trail combatant Niger Delta bees resentful of the developmental VAST VOID. The criminals merged into major Isaac Boro born 10 September 1938, declared Niger Delta Republic in 1966 and for twelve days he took up arms against the enemies and died in 20 April 1968 under questionable mysterious circumstances outside the liberation struggle after witnessing the birth of Rivers State in 1968. Boro thus became the first JESUS CHRIST of the Niger Delta.

Before Boro’s death he was recklessly maligned, derogated and differently appellated but worked devotedly for the Federal Government of Nigeria when engaged as a dependable material in the execution of the ill-fated condemnable civil war of 1967-70 after he had meaningfully and heroically wound up his liberation struggle in the Niger Delta – a meaningless civil war in which the Ibos were, regrettably, starved and massacred mindlessly with sadism by veterans of exploitation and hegemony in Nigeria.

However, for authoritative clarity and

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meaningful progression on the issue of marginalization, exploitation, massacre and provocation of the Ibos in connection with the Biafra Republic before and during the Nigerian civil war of 29 May 1967, it is the Odenigbos, Ugwus, Kainenes and Olannas of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun who could tell the story so the remaining half of the Half of a Yellow Sun could be completed by me.

Depriving people of a healthy space to experiment their ideals, intuitions, theories and talents towards meaningful existence in a nation as it was in the Biafran days replicated in the Niger Delta, would always breed a whirlpool. This is the fulcrum of Odenigbo’s thesis in Half of a Yellow Sun when he contends that: ‘The real tragedy of our post colonial world is not that the majority of people had no say in whether or not they wanted this new world; rather, it is that the majority have not been given the tools to negotiate this new world’. Deprivation and exclusion were the inspirational forces behind Boro’s Delta Volunteer Service of forty ablebodied men formed alongside with Samuel Owonaru and Nothinghan Dick in 23 February 1966 (the day the Holy Communion of war was showered on all in a circle in the forest), and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo’s MEND now dead.

Upon the retirement of Boro from the earth and his subsequent canonization as the first Jesus Christ of the Niger Delta, the darkness and the vast void came back with a bizarre virulent newness. Niger Deltans were turned into either Israelites in the hands of the Philistines at war or

Though famed to be connected to the poor, the dispossessed, the gods, the Angels, the rich and the cosmic, he is yet to be found invoking these links to suffocate people

entertainment business, when a country produces surplus, they can afford to enjoy the fruits of their labour, not the other way round. In Nigeria, we prefer to enjoy before we labour, that is why we have been unable to sustain our productive capabilities. An independent nation is also characterised by its power and might. The ability to defend your territorial boundaries without external assistance puts you in the league of the independents. A nation must have the military capabilities both in technology and human materials to put away any internal and external threats. When you run to neighbouring countries to offer you assistance in your fight against insurgents, your independence and sovereignty is compromised. An independent country must be able to give bite to their words and laws.

In summary therefore, you can say you are an independent country when you have control over your nation’s affairs both internally and externally.

Although a nation cannot operate on its own without relationships with other nations, although a country is not hundred percent self sufficient, as they have to depend on others for raw materials like oil and other agricultural products; the truly independent nations make the rules and supervise the operations of the international relations. That is why America and Britain went to Iraq, Libya

like the Israelites in the comfort of king Pharaoh of Egypt. Groaning under the spiky enslavement of the veterans of exploitation, balkanization and systematic pulverization, Niger Deltans were too cowered to come out canoeing confrontationally on an alternative canal against the surging surfs of annihilation.

The tears of major Jasper Isaac Boro still stood as a tree freshly cut, dripping with sap. The veterans of annihilation were emboldened and so grew luxuriantly jubilant like palm fronds in the affectionate grip of a gentle breeze in Gbaramatu forest. A malevolent new storm of exploitation was thus yielded inalienable right of walk over the Niger Delta by the veterans of annihilation.

Mysteriously, rather mysteriously, Niger Deltans lived like anaestheticized souls side by side with the destroyers of light camouflaged as light-bearers.

Living complacently as anaestheticized souls, a dangerous lull invaded the Niger Delta struggle in the wake of Boro’s retirement. The path walked on by Boro was overgrown with thick weeds turned a virgin forest, terrifying the Chinua Achebe’s UNOKAS of Umuofia in Things Fall Apart. As a man characterized by possession of the required ‘vital linkage with the poor and dispossessed of the land’ comparable to Nkem Osodi of Kangan in Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah, poised to leave indelible imprint for people to follow, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo transparently led a manumission war against the veterans of exploitation in the late 1990’s and salvaged the people.

With a commitment, consistency, transparency, sophistication and mysticism that amaze Nigerians up till now, Tompolo methodically cleared the thick forest of Boro and began his manumission struggle in the Niger Delta because his convictions were fired by Ralph Waldo Emerson who teaches thus: ‘Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail’. And indeed the trail left by Tompolo in the Niger Delta manumission struggle would perpetually resist effacement no matter the twisted verbal gymnastics manufactured by the Ministry of Propaganda, Instigation and

and the other countries. That is why Britain, France and other European countries never take their eyes off and feet from their past colonies. That is why China is presently threatening the Asian sea coastlines and others.

Can Nigeria take a significant decision without reaching out for big brothers abroad as witnessed during the last election? What has happened to our agriculture, our industries, infrastructures and our army?

When every single Nigerian can come out irrespective of tribe and say he is a citizen and be treated with respect, equity and justice, when everyone can aspire to positions without godfathers, when resources are justly allocated and government agencies located in places of comparative advantage, not for ethnic balancing, when Nigerians travel abroad with their heads held high and filled with pride as embassy staff are available at their beck and call, where there are no superior and subordinate tribal groupings and where the secularity of the Nigerian state is clearly spelt out and implemented.

When foreign countries accord respect to our citizens and receive every decision we take as an independent country without contradictions, then can we say we are an independent country.

That will be the day. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Lie-programming Affairs in Nigeria.

Independently Tompolo pursues progressive ideals by which the path he had cleared for man would be invariably denuded of suffocating weeds. Niger Delta must be developed and Nigeria must remain one indivisible entity. The goals, the dreams of Niger Delta must be systematically pursued and achieved within Nigeria, measurably distant away from thoughts of dismemberment but based on new codes of togetherness however the virulence, the pangs, the anguish and the agonies of provocation from the veterans of exploitation. He will never dismantle his progressive ideals to satisfy propagandists but always unwaveringly cocooned within his tested carapace of philosophical, moral, mystical intuitions and projections, calmly patriotically in tune with the theory of a united, indivisible and prosperous nation because the cosmically decreed length of time for man is not long enough to be frittered away walking on the thorny path of propaganda czars who vindictively paint Tompolo in the colour of a freedom activist dangerous to nation-building.

Before the cosmic tide is full, the whole gamut of Tompolo’s progressive ideals would be tenaciously lived to the fullest in the consolidation of a united, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria because he is daily nurtured and empowered ideationally by Steve Jobs (1955-2011) thus: ‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary’.

Because the thick-forest was cleared by him for habitation, Tompolo has thus become the SECOND JESUS CHRIST of the Niger Delta. Though famed to be connected to the poor, the dispossessed, the gods, the Angels, the rich and the cosmic, he is yet to be found invoking these links to suffocate people.

•Mr. Enewaridideke, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Akparemogbene, Delta State.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Waterways tragedy:

How captain, 5 passengers died in boat mishap •As Govt vows to embark on strict enforcement of waterways guideline

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

B

ARELY five days after Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, charged parents and operators of boats to ensure that their wards and passengers use life jacket when boarding a boat, tragedy struck on the waterways again when a ferry boat capsized killing five out of the 22 passengers, including two crew members on board.

The week end tragedy which occurred in Bayeku community, Ikorodu Local Government Area cut short the joy of the Sallah celebration for most residents.

The boat was said to have departed the shore of Oke Ira-Nla Jetty, Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Government Area en route Igbogbo Bayeju, Ikorodu.

According to an eyewitness, the ferry boat with 20 passengers and two crew members suddenly capsized in the middle of the waters after it developed a mechanical fault.

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele, who confirmed the incident, said it was due to over-speeding and inexperience on the part of the ferry captain.

Ferry captain According to Akindele: “A ferry conveying 20 passengers and two crew members capsized at Bayeku,Igbogbo, Ikorodu water ways. The distress call was relayed to the Lagos State Command and Control Centre at about 1.29 pm on Saturday, 25th September, 2015. However, the incident occurred at about few minutes past 12.00 pm, according to information made available to the agency’s response team by the Head of Operations Lagos State Inland Water Ways Authority.

“Investigation also revealed that 20 passengers were on board and two crew members (the captain and his assistant) before the mishap.”

He also said 15 passengers and two crew members, making 17 people, were rescued by local fishermen around Bayeku Jetty, Igbogbo. Four of the people rescued were rushed to Micai Hospital at Bayeku Oduloye bus stop. The LASEMA boss said three of the survivors were presently respondC M Y K

ing to treatment, while one was confirmed dead. Also, four out of the seven other rescued passengers, rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital, were later confirmed dead; two were treated and discharged, while one still in critical condition was receiving treatment at press time.

“In all 17 people were rescued which include two crew members and 15 passengers and five confirmed dead (four adult male and one adult female). Investigation revealed that the boat was not in a good condition before setting out and the captain who was said to be inexperienced was overspeeding when the boat developed a fault in its steering and thereafter capsized.

*The ill-fated boat after it was recovered by LASWA at Ebute-Ero, Lagos Island. The individuals were said to have plunged into the lagoon after being hit by the bus.

Also confirming the incident, Director, Lagos Fire Service, Mr. Raqak Fadipe, said it happened early in the morning “when an event catering Iveco bus had an accident opposite the Ebute Ero Police Station. The driver was drunk; two persons who were hit by the bus fell into the lagoon.”

Further investigation

Chances of survivors

As at press time the bodies of victims were yet to be recovered from the lagoon. The matter, it was gathered, had been handed over to Marine Police for further investigation. The driver of the bus had also been detained for further investigation by the Marine Police.

“The boat being an enclosed vessel further exacerbated the chances of survivors,” Akindele explained.

The captain of the ill-fated boat had since been arrested and under-going interrogation by Marine Police from Awolowo Road, Ikoyi for further action.

Govt vows to embark on strict enforcement of guideline: Meantime, the state government said it has concluded plans to embark on an aggressive campaign and enforcement of guidelines for commercial boat operators in a bid to stem the tide of boat mishaps in the state.

Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mrs. Abisola Kamson, who stated this at the weekend said the new measure is in line with the commitment of state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to ensure safety standard on water transportation as well as ensure efficient and cost-effective mode of transportation.

Kamson, who was reacting on the boat mishap at the weekend, said upon receiving the notification, the Authority’s Water Guards were immediately deployed to the scene of the incident to assist in rescue efforts.

She subsequently led a delegation of state officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Community Affairs, Senior Special Assistant to the

*The engine of the boat Governor on Security, and the Baale of Baiyeku, Chief Saheed Aleje Ajibode, to the site of the incident.

The LASWA boss said preliminary investigation by the Authority revealed that aside the mechanical fault that developed when the steering cable connected to the engine propeller cut, the captain of the boat was possibly also over-speeding, adding that he is presently being questioned by the Marine Police.

“The Lagos State Government in its drive to promote a multi-

The captain who was said to be inexperienced was over- speeding when the boat developed a fault in its steering and thereafter capsized

modal transport system, especially the movement of passengers, goods and services on its waterways, will under no circumstances compromise safety standards and the protection of lives and property.

“As such we restate our commitment to the promotion of all safety measures and ensure that all operators comply with all safety standards in line with global best practices,” she said.

She said the Authority in furtherance of its core functions and policy objectives is set to convene a stakeholders meeting where all commercial and private boat owners will converge and dialogue on the activities of boat operation in the state.

Two plunge into lagoon: Similarly, two persons were reportedly killed when a drunken driver of a private bus rammed into a barrier along the Lagos lagoon

Ambode’s charge on water safety: It would be recalled that most casualties recorded in various boat mishaps in the state were attributed to the non-use of life jackets by victims. This formed the basis of Ambode’s charge during the recently organised campaign on Water Transport Safety Awareness. The programme featured the distribution of 2,400 life jackets donated by one of the leading oil companies to students of primary and secondary schools and boat operators in Sabokoji Community, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.

The governor, who was represented by the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, Mrs. Abisola Kamson, said the distribution was part of efforts to improve safety on waterways, adding that the jacket was particularly designed for the students who would be getting to school via ferry. A demonstration of how to use the jacket and how to resuscitate victims of boat mishaps were also made.

According to her, the gesture was part of concerted efforts by the administration to improve safety on Lagos waterways.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

— 21

ABUCCI urges FG to provide incentives for SMEs

By Favour Nnabugwu

T

VISIT; From left: British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ray Kyles; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh and British High Commissioner Designate to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, during a courtesy visit to Unilever Nigeria’s Head Office in Lagos, yesterday. Photo By Akeem Salau.

African Union moves to restrict cargo shipment to local ship owners Speaking at the meeting, Chairperson of the African Union ComHE African Union has be mission, AUC, Dr. Nkosazana gun moves to empower Dlamini Zuma, said heads of govship-owners on the continent ernment have agreed to exploit through the creation of an Afrithe benefits of Blue seas/Oceans ca Cabotage Act restricting carof the continent. riage of goods within Africa to “It is indeed befitting that this indigenous ship-owners. conference is convened under the This was the highlight of a theme, African Cargo for African stakeholders meeting in Lagos Ship owners. yesterday. The stakeholders Agenda 2063 states that Africa’s meeting, with the theme, “AfriBlue seas/Oceans economy, which can Cargo for African Ship ownis three times the size of its landers”, focussed on modalities for the mass, shall be a major contributor establishment of the Africa Caboto the continent’s transformation tage Act. and growth, through knowledge on marine and aquatic biotechnology, the growth of an 121.35 -1.35 African-wide Shipping industry, the develop$3,238.00 -38.00 ment of Sea, river and lake transport and fish$11.81 0.07 ing, and exploitation and beneficiation of deep Sea mineral and 47.66 -0.94 other resources. It also commits us all to use and conserve these nat44.81 -0.89 ural resources in a susCURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL tainable manner, as the heritage of current and DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 future generations.

POUNDS 302.6044 303.3764 304.1483 EURO 218.6576 219.2154 219.7732 “Africa ‘s blue seas / FRANC 201.3561 201.8697 202.3834 Oceans economy is a YEN 1.6344 1.6386 1.6428 key driver in the Africa CFA 0.317 0.327 0.337 transformation that we WAUA 275.6977 276.401 277.1043 all look forward to. With RENMINBI 30.7346 30.8134 30.8923 RIYAL 52.2569 52.3902 52.5235 the proposed Maritime SDR 275.2428 275.945 276.6471 Director-General in AfKRONA 29.3058 29.3805 29.4553 rican Union, the 2050 AIT Strategy, the MarCBN Exchange Rate as at 28/ 09 /15 itime Transport Charter,

T

By Godfrey Bivbere

we shall witness the growth of an African Maritime Industry.

“The agenda 2063 was adopted by the Assembly in January 2015, and the implementation has commenced. A five year Plan of action including the financing of the agenda has been drafted. Various consultations have been taking place. Today is the first of the consultations with the maritime sector in 40 countries in collaboration with the African Ship-owners Association.

President of African Ship

Owners Association, ASA, Temisan Omatseye, said it is an AU project but is being driven by ASA. Omatseye explained that the benefit to practitioners can only be imagined.

On the issue of the volume of cargo indigenous ship owners can handle from global shipping, Omatseye said the objective is not to confront the developed shipping world but that they intent to collaborate with them to achieve the desired goal.

Railway workers identify factors hindering effective services

M

EANWHILE, the Railway Workers Union in a statement said that the corporation is lacking passenger coaches and wagons for goods to meet the growing demands of the public. The union said that President Muhammadu Buhari should take the anti-corruption campaign to the railway sector to track stolen funds.

“It will be good that the gain of the anti-corruption campaign is invested in the railway to reverse the infrastructural deficiency in the rail transport system.’’ The statement urged the Federal Government to come up with a realistic longterm development plan that

would be followed in the sustainable development of the nation’s rail transport system.

It said that a well-developed and effectively managed railway would reduce carnage on the roads, strengthen the integration of the nation and stimulate socio-economic growth.

The statement further called on Buhari to appoint a technocrat as transport minister, who would help in the sustainable development of the transport sub-sector.

It said that workers were expecting a technocrat who understood the economic importance and relevance of the rail transport system to the development of the nation.

HE Federal g o v e r n m e n t and other stakeholders have been urged to provide support and appropriate incentives for the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCI), Mr Tony Ejinkeonye made this call at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Abuja International Trade Fair . He said that the theme for this year's fair titled, ‘Entrepreneurship as a Panacea for Economic Growth’ which commenced on September 18, was chosen based on the reality that about 75 per cent of the organised private sector was made up of SMEs. He said that the call became necessary given the importance of SMEs in the development of any economy.

The ABUCCI President also urged the government to reposition the manufacturing sector as it is the engine of growth of any economy.

The ABUCCI President, who also appealed to the government to make the development of infrastructure a priority, said that it was important for the current administration and other stakeholders to seriously address the transport sector, especially the rehabilitation of the railway system and road network facilities. This, he said, would greatly enhance the transportation of both raw materials and finished goods.

Ejinkonye noted that the current administration’s effort in bringing solution to the fuel crisis had led to an increase in economic activities in the country. On the trade fair, he said it was targeted at promoting accelerated development of commerce; promote the revitalisation and diversification of the nation’s economy to boost non-oil exports.

According to him, "The 2015 is also designed to galvanise international entrepreneurship into the nation’s economy."

“Entrepreneurship is the engine that drives every 21st century economy; robust entrepreneurships is a must for a robust national economy, he said."

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

This should provide some additional LC liquidity into the banking system but around N1.3trillion (USD6.5billion) of deposits were sucked out of the banks in September, reflecting transfers to the TSA

INVESTOR' ,

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

E

-TRANSACT led the top 10 performers last week with 13.17 per cent or N0.32 increase, closing at N2.75 from N2.43 at the beginning of the week. NEM Insurance followed with 7.69 per cent or N0.05 appreciation, closing at N0.70 from N0.65. Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc emerged third on the list, rising by 6.25 per cent or N15.00 to close at N255.00 from N240.00; Axamansard closed as the fourth most active stock, rising by five per cent or N0.13 to close at N2.73 from N2.60 per share, while UACN Property Development Co. Plc emerged fifth on the list with 4.99 per cent or N0.37 price increase, closing at N7.79 from N7.42 per share.

The rest were Forte Oil, which rose by 4.89 per cent or N11.19 to close at N239.99 from N228.80; Portland Paints and Products Plc advanced by 4.87 per cent or N0.20 to close at N4.31 from N4.11; Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Plc went up by 4.84 per cent or N0.06 to close at N1.30 from N1.24; Custodain and Allied Plc appreciated by 4.68 per cent or N0.19 to close at N4.25 from N4.06, while Cutix plc closed as the last on the list with 4.38 per cent or N0.07 price appreciation to close at N1.67 from N1.60 per share.

E-transact, which topped the list, recently entered into partnership with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company for the sale of electricity and revenue collection through electronic power purchase option. The partnership will allow consumers to buy electricity units using payment channels like inter-switch, credit-cards, ATMs, PoS Machines or mobile money platforms via electronic wallets on mobile phones. Last year, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) slammed N2.7 million on the company for late filling of its 2013 full year financial result.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, the company recorded 107.1 per cent increase in profit before tax to N280.22 million compared to N135.31 million posted in the same quarter in 2014. Its profit after tax grew by 91 per cent to N168.13 million as against N88.01 million in the previous quarter, while the company’s

revenue at N2.08 billion was 29.3 per cent increase over N1.61 billion recorded in 2014.

E-transact had assured investors of its desire to consolidate on profitability with n e w relationships, enhancing a n d deepening existing ones and exploring new partnerships locally and internationally. eTranzact is the first online real-time payment system that allows account holders to pay for goods and services purchased from merchants, transfer funds to any bank account, cell phone, any card, pay bills and order products.

Like eTransact, N.E.M Insurance, which closed as the second most active stock within the week, got N300,000 (Three hundred thousand) as fine from the Exchange for late filing of its 2014 full year financial result.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, NEM grew gross premium written by 10.73 per cent from N5.81 million in 2014 to N6.43 million. Its profit before taxation rose to N1.87 million from N1.38 million, representing 35.72 per cent increase, while profit after tax at N1.58 million was 54.14 per cent growth over N1.09 million recorded in the same period in 2014. The net assets stood at N7.48 million as against N5.90 million posted in the first quarter in 2014, indicating 26.81 per cent growth.

Seplat announced an increase in investment in natural gas and crude oil processing and development. Specifically, the company said it has so far invested 300 million dollars in gas business, noting that the investment w o u l d boost its revenue a n d increase shareholders value in 2015 financial year. The company has been recording decline in earnings. Its 2015 first quarter (Q1) pretax profit declined by 33.4 per cent to N4.83 billion from N7.25 billion posted a year earlier. Profit after tax (PAT) also dipped by 32.8 per cent to N4.87 billion from N7.25 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2014. However, its revenue grew from N22.72 billion in the Q1 2014 to N25.56 billion in the review period, indicating a growth of 12.5 percent. Seplat was the first oil and gas upstream firm to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Fitch: Nigerian Banks’ foreign currency liquidity still tight

By Peter Egwuatu, with Agency Report

F

ITCH Ratings has declared that reducing reserve requirements to 25 per cent will not add liquidity to the Nigerian banking system because the reduction will not

lead to additional Foreign Currency (FC).

Fitch noted that substantial government-related FC deposits are exempt from reserve requirements and have already been withdrawn from the system after the

government ordered all publicsector deposits to be moved from commercial banks into the centralised Treasury Single Account (TSA) earlier this month. Nigeria’s Monetary Committee reduced mandatory reserve

PARTNERSHIP: From left: Senior Manager, Business Development, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Henry Okoede; Managing Director, NIBSS, Mr. Adebisi Shonubi and CEO, VAS2Nets Technologies Ltd, Mr. Ayo Stuffman at the MTN and NIBSS Partnership in Lagos.

MARKET NEWS

NSE emerges Best Corporate Social Responsibility company

A

S a further testament to its sustainability and corporate social responsibility achievements in promoting a sustainable capital market, the Nigerian Stock Exchange was presented with the “Best Corporate Social Responsibility Award” at the 2015 African Business Awards in New York.

The African Business Awards, launched in 2008 by African Business magazine, is designed to celebrate excellence in African business, by recognising the individuals and companies that are driving Africa’s rapidly transforming economy and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and communities all over the continent.

The Managing Director of IC Publications/Group Publisher, African Business Magazine, Mr. Omar Ben Yedder, said “It is encouraging to read the many achievements that are

taking place all over the continent, despite the headwinds and difficult global environment. The continent continues to be blessed with some remarkable individuals, who are driven and relentless in their ambitions in playing a transformative role. The calibre of entries is very high and continues to reflect and recognise Africa’s outstanding

The NSE is devoted to taking a leading role in creating a more sustainable and inclusive economy for our stakeholders

individuals and businesses.

These entries are assessed by a judging panel of renowned individuals who are chosen for their expertise on the African business industry, with scores based on a set of qualitative and quantitative criteria”.

Receiving the award, the CEO, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, expressed appreciation for the honour and reiterated the Exchange’s commitment to providing a platform for sustainable growth and development in the African economy. “The NSE is devoted to taking a leading role in creating a more sustainable and inclusive economy for our stakeholders. Sustainability is a critical component of our business strategy. It is about responsible and inclusive investment services, increasing opportunity, preserving resources, improving lives, creating jobs and meeting the needs of the various stakeholders that we serve. We

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 23

,

'S FORUM requirements on all local-currency (LC) deposits to 25 per cent from 31 per cent last week in the hope that this might ease liquidity pressure, stimulate new lending and boost economic growth.

According to Fitch, “This should provide some additional LC liquidity into the banking system but around N1.3trillion (USD6.5billion) of deposits were sucked out of the banks in September, reflecting transfers to the TSA. Public-sector deposits traditionally account for around 10 per cent of total banking sector deposits. Lower reserve requirements will not offset the tighter FC liquidity at Nigeria’s banks. A currency split of public-sector deposits is not disclosed but in our opinion, FC deposits are substantial, held up by oilrelated deposits.” “ The centralising of public-sector and government-related FC deposits at the TSA has made it increasingly difficult for

The centralising of public-sector and governmentrelated FC deposits at the TSA has made it increasingly difficult for commercial banks to meet customer demand for FC will continue to leverage our CSR platforms to share how, through efficient utilisation of resources, support of our committed employees and partners, we are transforming lives and communities.”

Leveraging its unique position as the biggest Exchange in West Africa, NSE is championing sustainability along four key impact areas of Marketplace, its platform

commercial banks to meet customer demand for FC. FC availability was already strained in 2015 due to falling oil revenues, central bank action to defend naira depreciation and heightened negative investor sentiment towards emerging markets.

“Warnings throughout the year that JP Morgan intended to remove Nigeria from its Emerging Markets index, which occurred in mid-September, also triggered heavy FC outflows as investors sold Nigerian securities.

Nigerian securities Viability Ratings assigned to Nigeria’s banks, all in the ‘b’ category, already reflect a wide range of weaknesses, including the increasingly strained FC liquidity position. Our sector outlook for Nigerian banks remains negative. Key financial metrics reported by Nigerian banks are likely to continue to weaken in the closing months of 2015. Impaired loans have been rising over the past 12 months” Fitch stated.

We expect them to rise above the central bank’s informal 5 per cent of total loans cap but to remain below 10 per cent at year-end. Pressure is mounting on regulatory capital ratios and we expect Tier 1 capital ratios at many banks to fall below 15 per cent, which is low by recent Nigerian standards. Loan growth is slowing under the strain of lower oil prices. Our expectations for loan growth are muted - a nominal 5 per cent increase in 2015, which is low by Nigerian standards - due to the much deteriorated operating environment.

for promoting market-based approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives; Community, where the NSE makes contributions to positively impact lives; Workplace, through which the Exchange facilitates diversity, wellbeing and harness the talent and skills of its people; and the environment as it focuses on reducing its environmental impact.

NB’s Maltina gets NSN quality endorsement

By Princewill Ekwujuru

F

OR maintaining product quality for 39-years, Maltina, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc has gotten the endorsed by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NSN. The nutrition association th endorsed the brand during its 45 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Lagos.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Vice-President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, praised Maltina for the nutrient-rich product. Dr. Brai who doubles as the Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Society, said: “Nigerian Breweries approached us because they were confident of the quality of the products they offer. And then we subjected them to rigorous examinations and laboratory analysis to ascertain the product claims. At the end of the process, we were

convinced that what Maltina claims are the same with our results.

“As Chairman of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, I can say boldly that, aside its numerous nutritional benefits, Maltina is rich in calcium and vitamin A. These are key strong points of the product.

Receiving the endorsement certification on behalf of the company, Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Mr. Adewole Adedeji, said the endorsement is very important to the brand because it’s an attestation to the claim of complete richness. He added that the endorsement was a further validation that the product claims are based on verifiable proofs and testament to the highly beneficial constituents of the Maltina brand which is also the only malt drink in Nigeria that is calcium-enriched, a key nutrient needed for the development of healthy bones and teeth, normal blood clotting, and peak performance of the nervous system.

Many of the Awaited-PolicyDirections will run canter to Today’s Expectations,which were mostly false,but unknown to many;therefore the need for The Radical-Economic-Rethinking

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Only legitimate cash would have free access to circulation — Shareholder’s Activist

By Providence Obuh

A Concerned Shareholder’s Activist, penultimate week, wrote Investor’s Forum via Investor’s speak, expressing his views on issues bordering on the country’s economy. The shareholder’s activist, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo stated this: “The rules/law says that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is the Banker of the Federal Government and also the Banker of all Banks operating in Nigeria.

IMPUNITY: ules, Regulations and Policies made are not followed, while the supervising-authorities failed to act, due to the fact that those that were supposed to be the Eagle-Eyes were those behind the abuses; therefore encouraging impunity, which had been the bane of severalproblems in Nigeria.

Treasury Single Account (TSA) is the best thing, because duplication of banks'-accounts were the avenues for all our economic-leakages.

TSA would help the economy, check corruption and encourage accountability in-order to block several-avenues for leakages and thereby enabling government to get more resources of our commonwealth into one purse for the nation’s economic development; while the policy should be backed with”An Act of the National Assembly, NASS”, in-order to institutionalised most of our policies.

R

Economic development The Committee on Recovery of Looted-Fund and Other Committees/ Task-Force/Regulatory-Agencies on Corruption at work, should collate all the lapses observed and package them into laws to the NASS; in-order to amend/block and Institutionalised them;as deterrent to these

There will be less circulation of wealth;due to EconomicPolicingRegime

*Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo unethical- ways, while we should enforce the laws accordingly; without which the Rules/ Regulations/Policies/Laws would be useless.

These new thinking needs departure from the currenteconomic-norms to total-radicaleconomic-revolution;which would be full of surprises. Also governemtn should rely less on economic-data,forecast & analysis from analysts and put emphasis on self-assessment.

Much of the awaited-policydirections will run counter to today’s expectations; therefore the need for radical-economicrethinking.

Most of our expected neweconomic-policy would make nonsense of all permutations,plans and would render most planners to confusion,because it will be aneconomic-revolution;that only those that were familiar with the ChineseEconomic-Discovery-Directions,in the ”Years of Total-Isolation”under Chairman Mao; will quickly see the vision,direction and set on the way to the New-Radical-EconomicPolicy-Direction.

There will be less circulation of wealth;due to Economic-PolicingRegime,while only legitimate cash would have free access to circulation,which will then affect the Sales of Luxury-Items, but it would encourage and improve the domestic-economy, unemployment and security-space, while the some wouldn’t lose hope and continue to plan ahead of the economicrediscovery; because there were advantages in disadvantages.

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Hopeless of our anti-corruption war (2) "Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 per cent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds"-Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, Jan 15,1966.

"N78m too little for Fashola to steal"- Ben Akabueze, Sept 18,2015.

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ETWEEN the time Nzeogwu railed against corruption in high places during the first military putsch in Nigeria in 1966 and September 18,2015 when Ben Akabueze,a former commissioner in Lagos declared that it would be infra-dig of Mr. Raji Fashola to steal a little sum like N78m ( the amount Lagos government announced he spent on a website)when he was presiding over an average of N400b annually for eight years;Nigeria has sunk below,below.

The Nigerian situation is not only about corrupt officials but corruption itself being one of the officials of state. In 2009, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak had to resign his office as Sports Minister in Ghana for mis-applying $10,000 to sponsor Ms. Edith Zinayela, Secretary to the Majority Leader in Parliament, to embark on a trip to Germany in his official entourage.

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bloodied in the nose. One of them was Joshua Dariye who was arrested in London for money laundering. But shortly after Obasanjo handed over Dariye wrote to his successor,Umaru Yar'Adua that his loot had been re-looted. He said that the worth of his loot was N741, 056,000, while just N29.3 million was returned to Plateau state "where is the remaining N712 million?"

At one sordid point in our history, Sani Abacha decided to fight corruption by setting up Failed Banks Tribunals to recover loots from thieving bank officials. By the time the maximum ruler expired allegedly in the embrace of oriental beauties he had looted 1000% more than he ever recovered from the rogue bankers.

High drama over assets declaration:

Assistant on Domestic Affairs to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

This was on the day the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was holding its National Convention to pick the presidential candidate for the April 2007 general elections.

When I arrived at Uba’s residence, I met Dangote and Uba as well as four others: then EFCC Chairman, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu; former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori; his Kwara State counterpart, Dr. Bukola Saraki; and Zenon Oil Chairman, Mr. Femi Otedola.

Since my arrival did not change the tone of discussion, it was easy for me to keep abreast of what the issue was: then Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, had been selected by President Olusegun Obasanjo as running mate to his anointed PDP

presidential candidate, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Odili’s name had even been written into the acceptance speech to be read

by Yar’Adua after what would have been no more than a hollow ritual at the Eagle Square. The essence of the gathering was to stop Odili from becoming Yar’Adua’s running mate on grounds of alleged corruption.

When I asked why I was invited to the meeting, they said they had an “exclusive story” for THISDAY which would highlight allegations of corruption against Odili but with a caveat: it had to be published in next morning’s edition of the newspaper. The evidence was to be supplied by Ribadu who held a file containing the documents. While I considered the proposition somewhat ridiculous, I also wondered how a THISDAY publication could affect the decision to make Odili the running mate. It was then they explained what was going on".

Official entourage

Anti-corruption caucus

That would not happen in Nigeria where corruption only wears the garb of corruption mostly when the accused are not properly aligned.

The cruel joke of anti-graft war in Nigeria can never be better illustrated than a story told by my good brother and friend,Olusegun Adeniyi in his column in THISDAY of January 9,2011. It is better served in his own words: "On the night of December 16, 2006, I got a call from Alhaji Aliko Dangote who sought to know whether I was in Abuja. When I answered in the affirmative, he requested that I joined him and a few other people he would not name at the residence of Senator Andy Uba, then a Senior Special

Res ipsa loquitur. The composition of this anticorruption caucus would make one bend double with laughter were it not for the monumental tragedy that is at play. It is not different from some poster boys of corruption who have been lately talking of clearing "the rots" of the past of which they are very active participants. A friend of mine quipped the other day that it is easier counting the number of houses that don't belong to one of them in the state where he once governed than the ones he owns.

In the days of Obasanjo farcical fight against corruption, he ensured that some governors who were aligned with his archfoe who was his also his Vice were

The 1999 constitution upon which entire governance machinery rests in Nigeria is the greatest enabler of corruption in the country

We have just been treated to high drama over the alleged false declaration of assets by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

While this column holds that anyone who runs foul of the law should face the music, and the allegations against him are weighty to warrant proper trial when we start a real anti- graft war- the fact remains that Saraki would not have been prosecuted for what ALL politicians do if not that he defied the party supremacists. Among the "supremacists" choreographing Saraki's ordeals are people who need more than a lifetime in jail for all they had illegally acquired as public office holders.Those who prostrated out of the dock a few years ago on worse charges are now talking of how impossible it is to "overlook certain things in the past". I thought they said the "past" was only six years of Jonathan! That giants of corruption are gloating over this shows it is not about fighting corruption.

They would have fooled at least the unwary that they are dealing with corruption if the "Lion of Bourdillon" has not been showing his fingers all over the place and causing nausea as the spokesman of the administration's anti-graft crusade. A society where Lawrence Anini becomes the head of Special Anti-Robbery Squad should just legalise robbery!

Hate Saraki or like him,(I am certainly not his fan)we must insist that every due process of law should be followed in determining his guilt or otherwise. Hounding him out of his seat with what is known in Lagos as "jankara" would herald a fascist order in Nigeria.

Our fathers from the depth of their wisdom say when a man used a pestle to beat his fullblooded brother,his half-brother should know that the Amber light is on. Father Niemoller admonition in the days of Hitler

still ring true: First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak The comedy of it all is that the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Court trying Saraki and the Chairman of the Conduct Bureau are under investigations for allegations of corruption.The EFCC chairman himself is answering allegations of corruption from Saraki's Senate.

Between 2003 when EFCC was established and now,hundreds of cases have been filed against corrupt officials with less than two dozens conviction.The Commission has succeeded more in dealing with plebeian rogues who deal in advance fee frauds than the captains in the corruption industry who are able to steal more than enough to perverse the entire system.

For people in the latter category ,the whole ordeal of corruption trial is not more than the one week of interrogation by the EFCC and media hype. Once they are charged to the courts and the Senior Advocates of Nigeria take over,that is the end of the story.

Anti-cor ruption on corruption foundation The bottom line is that there is no way corruption can be fought successfully in a country that is built on a foundation of corruption and whose constitution mandates corruption. The 1999 constitution upon which entire governance machinery rests in Nigeria is the greatest enabler of corruption in the country.The process of accessing political power is also so expensive that it is easier for the camel to shuttle effortlessly through the eye of the needle than for clean money to take anyone to political office.

A government that therefore seeks to concentrate only on "fighting corruption" within the present structures of Nigeria without creating alternative incentives would at the end of the day discover that it is wasting it's time.That was what Ricardo meant by saying that throwing bad eggs into the sea on its own is not capable of making good eggs flow to the shores.

It would make more sense to fashion out an agenda of deliverables,build institutions that make it difficult for thieves to access the treasury and ultimately reconstitute Nigeria in a way that the architecture of corruption would be smashed so that it would no longer be fashionable for political office holders to be comfortable with the legacy of theft Until then it would be what Yoruba call "ole gbe,ole gba"(thieves recovering from thieves) Concluded.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—25

Nigeria can't take above 20 modular refineries — institute

By Michael Eboh

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Refinery

NNPC mulls $40bn sovereign bond ••As NDPC targets 0.5m barrels production

By Sebastine Obasi

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HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said it is planning to float sovereign bonds in excess of $40 billion to fund its projects in the oil industry.

This is just as the production arm of the Corporation, Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, targets 500,000 barrels daily production capacity.

The Group Managing Director, GMD, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, made this known during an interaction with journalists in Lagos.

He said: “In the medium term, I will like to see us being able to float sovereign bonds and sovereign funds in excess of $40 billion. There are lots of takers for it. It will enable us fund the oil industry. I will be glad the day I will not ask the Federal Government for money to invest in the upstream sector so that they can use that money for other benefits.”

Kachikwu also said that NNPC will grow its skill set to be able to compete with world class oil companies, saying, “We need to grow our skill set. We have been in this for about 25 years and we still don’t have a fairly solid operation like PetroBras of Brazil, Petronas of Malaysia, or Saudi Aramco. We need to grow NPDC to what it ought to be. One of the things we are doing is to review the contract models, to clean up the mess in there.

“Once we finish that we will like to get into a stage where we can sit down with them and say what our goal is really.What are the handicaps? How do we ensure that the best brains are sitting in there? Today, we are doing about 200,000 barrels, C M Y K

100,000 is self-produced. About 80,000 is produced by others for NPDC. NPDC has asset base that can get them to 300,000 barrels in the next one year. It has a capacity of 500,000 barrels.

“If NPDC does 500,000, it will compete fairly with Shell and ExxonMobil. That’s where we need to be going. That’s where we need to train our engineers. That’s where we need to train our managers. The advantage in doing that is that then we can use that as our base model to benchmark some of the projects people have been doing with the majors.”

He said further that the NPDC will be restructured to be self-sustaining and profitable. “We have a fast track, growth process, policy issue to grow the NPDC. We need to find a way to make them stand on their feet. On all fronts we have so much to do. As difficult as the terrain looks, it is

Of course, we have long term projects that will be reviewed later.

Therefore, cost is key; relationship is key. We cannot afford to carry on as if we are people who do oil business a favour

very exciting. I have asked my people to look at these as opportunities.

“They should not be burdened by the load factor. If we can in one or two years, turn around the operational environment and produce transparency, produce emphasis on performance, produce good investments in the sector, and get the major investors to churn out jobs, we would have changed very dramatically, once and for all, what is to be done in this sector, ” he added.

Lowest price producers Kachikwu also revealed that part of the plan is to get Nigeria back to its position as one of the lowest oil price producers. “We need to get things back to what Nigeria used to be, which was one of the lowest price producers. This means that we need to be moving towards the $20 margin. It requires a lot of analysis. It requires careful choice of projects that fall in within those sets of band and have an immediate impact.

“For the next two years, I am going to focus on what I call the low hanging fruits. Where are those integrity projects that cost very little to bring on; abandoned fields that have been worked before, which cost very little to bring on board and yield very immediate returns.

There are quite a lot of them.

“Of course, we have long term projects that will be reviewed later. Therefore, cost is key; relationship is key. We cannot afford to carry on as if we are people who do oil business a favour,” he added.

HE International Institute for Petroleum, Energy Law and Policy, IIPELP, and other stakeholders in the oil gas sector have argued that Nigeria does not require more than 20 modular refineries.

This follows the revelation that the Federal Government had granted licenses to investors to build 65 modular refineries in the country, as exclusively reported by Vanguard.

The Chief Executive officer of IIPELP, Mr. Timothy Okon, a former executive director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, argued that the Niger Delta region cannot accommodate too many of such refineries Okon and other stakeholders in the sector, while commending government for the move, however noted that building more than 20 modular refineries would present a number of economic and social risks for the country.

Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Okon said: “You cannot have 2,000 barrels per day refineries scattered all over the Niger Delta. The economies of scale and the fact that you have all these proliferations do not result into the refineries being profitable.”

He added that based on the location of certain infrastructure in the Niger Delta, and a host of other factors, the region cannot not accommodate more than 20 modular refineries at the moment.

Modular refineries He said: “Personally, from the works that we have done, you cannot physically put more than 20 modular refineries in the Niger Delta for basic reasons of logistics, evacuation of products and then the location of the fields themselves. The aim is defeated if you want to build a modular refinery far from the feedstock itself. Then you have the problem of piping the crude, crude theft and all of these issues.

“One of the reasons why advocacy for modular refineries became very topical is because we lose a lot of crude sending crude oil to the current refineries. With modular refineries, you can’t actually do more than 20 based on the actual location of things we have looked at within the Niger Delta itself. You need economies of scale; you cannot have 2,000 barrels refineries scattered all over the place, it would lead to a serious challenge in terms of pollution and others.”

Also speaking, Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr. Chijioke Nwaozuzu, also argued that locating 65 modular refineries in the Niger Delta will throw up serious environmental issues that would likely harm the country.

He said: “In any case, I am not sure we will end up with such numbers at the end of the day. It is a cause for serious concern for 65 modular refineries to be operating in and around the Niger Delta area.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Shell sponsors 3 Nigerian varsities to Eco-marathon ••As UNIBEN produces lightweight gasoline engine

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TUDENTS from three Nigerian universities have built cars they will race at the Shell Eco-marathon, Africa, SEMA competition, scheduled to hold in South Africa, between October 2 and 4, which was facilitated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC Joint Venture.

Students from the University of Lagos, University of Benin, and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, collectively known as Team Nigeria, will join 40 other teams from four countries to test the energy efficiency of their cars at the Zwartkops Raceway, near Pretoria.

This is even as the University of Benin, UniBen team, said it is now working on the local production of lightweight gasoline engine for cars, and the commercial production of lightweight utility vehicles suitable for farm road mobility.

The Shell Eco-marathon is being hosted by the School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg.

The competition challenges students in different continents (America, Europe, Asia and Africa) to build and race energyefficient cars, and rewards those that travel farthest with the least amount of fuel.

Support for education Commenting, the Managing Director, SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said:“The sponsorship of the students opens an exciting phase in our long-standing support for education in Nigeria.

“In addition to awarding scholarships, building schools and donating science equipment, we’re challenging the leaders of tomorrow to begin to think about, and act on the difficult energy choices facing a rapidly increasing world population.”

Grooming Team Nigeria In 2014, the SPDC JV provided seed funding for the three universities and sponsored them to the European edition of the competition in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. They also participated in the maiden edition of Shell Eco-Marathon Africa which held in South Africa in 2014, with the University of Benin team winning the Best Designed Car award.

Ahead of the current competition, SPDC organised a test drive at the Campos Mini stadium in Lagos in March 2015, to test the readiness of the students.

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at the Shell Eco-marathon event in Rotterdam to making the project a source of pride to Nigeria.

He said: “I’m particularly impressed with your ability to form a team across many departments in the university and work hard to be better by each passing day.”

He also charged the team to imbibe every leadership lesson learnt while working on the project, and encouraged them to accommodate as many students as possible who would want to share in the innovative task.

Team UniBen was one of the first two teams from Sub-Saharan Africa to ever participate in this global competition.

The General Manager, External Relations, SPDC, Mr. Igo Weli, said: “The test drive was very successful and watched by cheering parents. The outcome of the event provided the assurance that the Nigerian students will pass the rigorous technical inspection before being allowed to race at Shell Ecomarathon in Europe or Africa.

We’re pleased that our support has encouraged other universities to take part in this project designed to drive the efficient use of energy.”

The SPDC JV has a long history of supporting education through scholarships and other initiatives. It has endowed professorial chairs for teaching and research in eight Nigerian universities, established two centres of excellence at the University of Benin and University of Nigeria and also provides sabbatical opportunities for Nigerian university professors and senior lecturers.

In 2014 alone, about $14.8 million was invested in scholarships and other education programmes by the SPDC JV and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCo.

competitions, which held at the Kyalami Racetrack, Midrand, South Africa.

The team won the award for the Most Innovative Design, and further distinguished themselves by repairing the engine of another team’s vehicle!

According to Ibhadede, Shell’s support to Team UNIBEN led to a proposed partnership between a Benin city-based company and the (Nigerian)National Automotive

Team UniBen dream

UNVEILING: The Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty Emmanuel Sideso, unveiling Delta Cruz on Thursday. at Effurun, Delta State, in readiness for the 2015 Shell Ecomarathon competition in South Africa, in October.

During the 2014 competitions, the UniBen team said it was inspired to dream even bigger than it set out to do.

From the initial project of building a fuel efficient vehicle for the 2014 Shell Eco-marathon competition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the team is now planning to commercialise its products.

“The purpose here is essentially to develop local skills in engine making technology,” said the Project Coordinator of the team, Prof. Akii Ibhadede, who led other members of the team on a ‘thank you’ visit to the former Managing Director of SPDC, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu.

Ibhadede commended Shell for its support which he said contributed to the success of Team UniBen at the October 2014

The sponsorship of the students opens an exciting phase in our long-standing support for education in Nigeria

Council, to develop and produce, on a pilot scale, the lightweight utility vehicle for farm roads.

Apart from local capacity development, Ibhadede said the partnership will create employment opportunities in the local automobile industry, and therefore sought Shell’s continued support to make Team UNIBEN’s dream come true.

Responding, Sunmonu had commended the team for its resilience and determination to move from its mere participation

NERC, TCN bicker over autonomous account

By Chris Ochayi

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BUJA: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has threatened to sue the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and its Market Operator, MO, for operating an autonomous bank account.

The notice gave the erring MO seven days ultimatum to take remedial actions by winding down the operation of the unilateral account and report compliance, failing which it will face disciplinary action from the Commission.

The MO is a division of the TCN, which issues market settlements and invoices due to market participants and service providers in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, NESI. Industry watchers have predicted that the constant internal squabbling at the TCN may lead to the failure of the recently renewed N1.6billion management contract with Manitoba Hydro International Limited. The Transmission Company is under the contract management of Manitoba Hydro of Canada, and a licensee of NERC. Spokesman for NERC, Dr. Usman Arabi, in a statement in Abuja, said: “TCN licence empowers it to manage the

Market Operator (MO) and the System Operator (SO), which is responsible for the wheeling of electrons (electricity) from generation to electricity distribution companies.

“However, issues arose when at the dusk of the immediate past administration, the Federal Government appointed some staff in the Market Operator division as a separate management and TCN in response removed names of the elevated staff from its payroll.

“The Market Operator, which incidentally partly manages cash flow in the electricity market reacted by opening a separate bank account other than the one known to TCN.

Separate bank accounts The matter was subsequently brought before the Commission at its August 19, 2015 regulatory meeting.

“Parties were consequently issued directives on August 27, 2015, to take remedial actions which they are yet to comply with.

In separate notices signed by the Deputy General Manager, Enforcement Unit, NERC, Mr. Chijioke Obi, parties were told that their continued actions were in disobedience to Section 63(1) of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005 which

stipulates: A licensee shall comply with the provisions of his licence, regulation, codes, and other requirements issued by the Commission from time to time.’

“They were also reminded of the section 3(1) of the licence conditions which stipulates:‘ Licensee shall comply with any orders, directions and determinations made by the Commission pursuant to the Act, any regulations made under Act or this licence.’

“Specifically, TCN was directed to ‘put the appointed/elevated staff back on the payroll and on the level that matches the present status in the interim until a counter Presidential directive to the one elevating and appointing them to the positions on the instructions former president is made.’

“Whereas the Market Operator was directed to, ‘Immediately close the subsidiary account, restore the original account to the normal condition of consensual approval and inform the Commission accordingly.’ And that it should, ‘Continue funding the System Operator with the previously designated amount as paid other market participants.’

“The Commission in the notices to parties said that their failures to comply with the relevant laws and conditions of TCN licence would compel it to start enforcement proceedings against TCN and may invoke disciplinary measures as may be appropriate.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—27

Oil unlikely to return to $100/pbl for years — OPIS

By Sebastine Obasi with agency report

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T is unlikely that oil price will return to $100 per barrel for years, said the United States, USbased, Oil Price Information Service, OPIS, in its latest report.

Oil traders said goodbye to $100 oil prices a little over a year ago, and they might be staying away even longer than some expect, it stated.

West Texas Intermediate, WTI, crude-oil prices won’t likely climb back to $100 a barrel this year, or next, according to Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at OPIS. “Generally, it is difficult to make a case for $100 a barrel oil through the next few years. Anything beyond the realm of the next 18 months smacks of witchcraft rather than real analysis. Generally, it is difficult to make a case for $100 a barrel oil through the next few years.”

Kloza sees a more realistic range between $40 and $60 a barrel for monthly WTI averages over the next 15 months. “Anything north of $60 a barrel brings a return of drilledbut-uncompleted shale wells, and anything south of $40 a barrel probably inspires cuts in some of the larger domestic and overseas projects,” he added.

Oil prices have dropped more than 50 percent from their peak in the summer of 2014, pressured by a global glut of supplies and concerns about a slowdown in energy demand from China.

The OPIS report is in tandem with a statement from an executive from

DEMOSTRATION: Students of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, demonstrating their self-built energy-efficient car, Delta Cruz.

Brazil’s Petroleo Brasileiro SA, who recently also said that oil prices won’t make it back to $100 at all. “It won’t

Investment banks project that light duty vehicle counts in India and China will advance to around 250 million versus about 50 million in 2008

get to $100 again. If it gets to $70, we’ll be happy,” Cristina Pinho, an executive manager at Petrobras said at an event in Rio de Janeiro, according to Bloomberg News.

CSOs advocate increased transparency in NNPC’s remittances

By Michael Eboh

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COALITION of Civil Society Organisations, CSO, have emphasised the need for increased transparency in the oil and gas sector and called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to ensure that it remits to the

Bongo spill: Ilaje communities accuse Shell of marginalisation

By Sebastine Obasi

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laje communities in Ondo State, have threatened to institute a legal action against the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, for excluding them from the compensation agreement reached between the communities and SNEPCO over the Bonga oil Spill since 2011.

Contrary to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, directive to SNEPCO to pay $3.6 billion to affected communities for the Bonga oil spill of December 20, 2011, the company is yet to pay some of the communities.

Although Shell did not comment on the issue when contacted, but according to the General Secretary of Abereke Communities/Field Coordinator, Communities Environmental Protection Committee, CEPCOM, Ilaje, Mr. Taiwo Aiyedatiwa, the communities are host to the Bonga offshore facility, based on the operational map of Shell at their disposal.

He also alleged that Shell has failed to carry out its corporate social responsibilities to the Ilaje coastal Communities since their operation in the area till date.

He said: "Last year in the month of

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January 2014, we were aware that SNEPCO called almost 88 coastal communities in Delta and Bayelsa states to a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja. Through the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, in which the Minister of Environment, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other regulatory bodies are in attendance, SNEPCO agreed to compensate the communities."

"But to our surprise, Ilaje Local Government of Ondo State, which plays host to SNEPCO that was also affected by the oil spill reported the matter through our various letters to the company, regulatory bodies and Presidency. No single Community was invited by the oil company and its committee that handled the matter as the oil spill affected five coastal states in the Niger Delta, such as Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, and Rivers."

Therefore, the community leader wants the relevant authorities to prevail on SNEPCO to call a stakeholders’ forum and invite the Ilaje coastal communities that were badly affected by the oil spill and compensate them for their properties that were destroyed by

Also, billionaire Saudi businessman, Prince AlWaleed bin Talal, made headlines in January, this year when he predicted oil would never again top $100

a barrel, deeming such price levels “artificial.”

The OPIS argued that a $100 price for WTI is not possible without a change in Saudi Arabia’s “policy of market share, as opposed to the long-held policy of being the (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’) swing producer.”

It further said a change in Saudi policy isn’t very likely, but the Saudis do “have the power to alter the calculus that has prevailed for crude-oil prices since after the OPEC meeting last November.”

According to OPIS, a slide in emerging-market growth, particularly in China, would change the “variable of rising demand and weakness in the spot prices for gasoline and diesel and heating oil could tug crude-oil prices lower in the fourth quarter.”

Looking much further forward, OPIS was optimistic that higher oil prices are on tap in the next decade. “Investment banks project that light duty vehicle counts in India and China will advance to around 250 million versus about 50 million in 2008,” it stated.

the oil spill. The communities also want the company to clean up and bring back the aquatic lives of their environment.

NOSDRA’s Director-General, Mr. Peter Idabor, had in a letter to the oil firm, said that the Agency imposed a sanction on the company in 2014 for the damage done to the natural resources and means of livelihood by the spill since 2011.

Idabor said the company did not make any attempt to provide relief materials for the shoreline fishing communities with respect to the acute and chronic impact of the crude oil on the environment.

According to the NOSDRA DG: "Despite the fact that the incident was caused by equipment failure and the admission by the then Managing Director that 40,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into the Atlantic Ocean, no attempt was made by the oil company to provide relief materials for the shoreline fishing communities with respect to the acute and chronic impact of the crude oil on the environment."

Federation Account in the same currency that it sells the nation's crude.

The CSOs in a communiqué issued after a workshop organised by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, in Abuja, insisted that remitting proceeds from oil sales in the same currency it was sold will eliminate the exchange rate differentials that has led to huge loss of revenue to the country.

The CSOs, in the communiqué signed by the Executive Director, ANEEJ, Mr. David Ugolor, and officials of seven other CSOs, also called on the National Assembly to key into the ongoing reform programme by abrogating the NNPC Act. According to them, the National Assembly should, therefore, urgently pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, into law, so as to embrace ongoing reforms and eliminate all other obnoxious and outdated legislations currently governing the oil and gas sector.

The CSOs commended the present administration for its commitment to reform the oil and gas sector, and urged it to sustain the ongoing reform of the NNPC, ensuring that it is comprehensive.

According to them, the government should strive to reposition the sector for greater efficiency and productivity as well as eliminate the massive corruption that has bogged down the operations of the NNPC and its over 12 subsidiaries. The CSOs also urge the government to strengthen all the anti-

corruption agencies and fund them adequately so as to enable the recovery of all oil revenue looted by politically exposed persons and prosecute them, as promised Nigerians.

Furthermore, participants at the conference with the theme: ‘Oil and Gas Reforms in Nigeria: What Policy Options?’ urged the government to step up their crude oil refining capacity to 100 per cent and create the enabling environment for private sector participation in oil refining.

Private sector participation In addition, they called for the “Immediate review of all Joint Venture Contracts of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation by the NNPC management and President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the 2015 Audit Bill passed by the Seventh National Assembly into law.

“Government should only make available Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA) to refineries based on their refining capacity and NNPC should be transparent and accountable in marketing crude oil. “CSOs to set up a Task Force to engage the on-going oil and gas reforms in the country to bring an end to the massive fraud that has characterised the NNPC in Nigeria. ANEEJ is tasked to lead the Task Force with a concrete action plan.”

Participants at the forum were drawn from the Federal Government, including the Independent Corruption and Other related Offences Commission, ICPC; Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, AGF; Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS; and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

•Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge

N29bn Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge fails to address gridlock A

By Ebun Sessou

LTHOUGH the Ikoyi link bridge was designed to serve as a solution to the problem of the perennial traffic bottleneck on Lekki-Epe road, particularly around Ikate and Jakande round about and Lekki Phase I, unfortunately, the ceaseless traffic gridlock experienced by the residents in the area have continued to pose untold hardship.

When the bridge was constructed, it was also expected to serve as a by-pass for residents in that area.

Regrettably, the people still go through tough time using that road on a daily basis. One of the people in that area who spoke to Vanguard, Mr Dada Jimoh, a businessman who lives in Agunji area recounts his ordeal while using that road on his way work.

“I go to work in Apapa everyday. I wake up as early as 4.00am just to escape traffic in Lekki. Unfortunately, I don’t get home until 11.30pm due to the gridlock. “People stay in traffic for more than five hours. For instance, if you leave your office around 6pm, you cannot get home until 10 or 11pm.

“I do not see the need for the C M Y K

Lekki link bridge because the story is the same. The only people who enjoy using the link bridge as by-pass are those who leave their offices as early as 3.00pm”, he said.

“We learnt that the bridge is designed to serve as a strategic by-pass and to reduce the travel time along Falomo Bridge, Alfred Rewane Road, Independence Bridge and Ahmadu Bello Way, but what do we get in return?”, he lamented.

Unpalatable experience “When the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge was commissioned by the past administration led by Babatunde Fashola in 2013, the expectation was for it to alleviate our problem, little did we know that, it will add to our problems”, added Mr Deji, an IT consultant shares his unpalatable experience using the road. “Look I ply this road on a daily basis but there is no basis for plying that road. I don’t get value for the money I pay using the road.

“The problem is in phases.

First, if you think of using the Lekki gate, then, you should be prepared to face the traffic from

Lekki phase 1 or Marwa and if you are lucky, you will meet it at Ikate or Elegunshi round-about.

“And if you narrowly escape that road, you will have to be prepared for the madness in Jakande and VGC to Ajah round-about.

“And if you pass through the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, you will meet the traffic at Ikate roundabout until you get to Ajah. And you can be there for at least three hours”, he said. But, Tunji who works in Falomo, has a nice story to tell. He is happy that such bridge was built in his favour. “My office is in Falomo while I live in Ikate. Since, the

I go to work in Apapa everyday. I wake up as early as 4.00am just to escape traffic in Lekki, unfortunately, I don’t get home until 11.30pm due to the gridlock

former Governor commissioned the bridge, my life has not remained the same. I am happy because I leave my office as late as 5pm and still get to my house before 6pm.

My office is just about 25minutes away and I don’t need to pass the Lekki road before connecting my house. It saves me time and energy, “ he smiled.

Steve, a resident of Admiralty Road in Ikoyi, said, for once, he had reason to commend the past administration. “Although I don’t drive my car, it takes me just 25 minutes using a cab everyday to get to my house.

Another resident, Mr. Rasak accused the Lagos State government of insensitivity to the plight of the common man.

“An average Lagosian who would like to ply the bridge to cut off traffic will be denied the opportunity because of the tolling. “Why are they tolling every road they build? It means that if they were the people who built the Third Mainland Bridge, they would have made the bridge for the exclusive use of the rich.

“I live around the Mobil House and work at Falomo.

Now apart from paying the toll of N250 if I’m not going to ply this link bridge, I will have to pay N120 at the Lekki Toll Plaza on one trip. And when I’m coming back, I will pay the same amount.

“As a salary earner, paying

N740 five times a week amounts to N3,700. Definitely, I’m deprived of opportunity to use the bridge because there is no way I can afford the toll, together with fuelling the car. From my house to my place of work at Falomo, it is about 15 minutes but because of toll, see the distance I have to travel. I don’t think the government is fair to me as a taxpayer, “he lamented.

Architectural design The bridge, built by construction giants, Julius Berger, has a total length of 1.358km. The length of the main bridge is 466m while the cable bridge (the suspended section) is 170m, the height of Pyron is 87m from water level navigational requirement while the clearance average is 9m above high water level.

It costs a total of N29bn to build. It is expected to decongest traffic in Lekki area and is a cynosure of all eyes because of its beauty. One major feature of the newly inaugurated bridge is where it is suspended by cables. It is a beauty to behold.

Tolling categories: The toll rates are N250 for saloon cars; N300 for mini vans, Sport Utility Vehicles and light pick-up trucks; N400 for non-commercial buses with a maximum sitting capacity of 26 persons; N100 for motorcycles with 200 engine capacity and above.

Lekki-Ikoyi bridge: The bridge was built by the state Continues on page 29

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 29

Why high rise buildings take over Ikoyi landscape — Experts were built on expansive plots of land with lot of air from the trees planted within the neighbourhood for natural air were later allocated to top government officials as their official quarters.

Ikoyi remained Government Reserved Area, GRA, for top Nigerians and other nationals till the privatisation policy of the federal government during Obasanjo administration which led to the sale of the quarters to private individuals and organisations.

Ikoyi which is located between the popular Obalende and Victoria Island, now plays host to government property, private buildings, schools, businesses, hotels and public institutions.

Private owners

•Typical highrise estate on Gerald road Ikoyi

By Kingsley Adegboye

KOYI, since its creation, has remained the most affluent highbrow area of Lagos.

This explains why that upscale residential area, carved out of Lagos Island, was developed during the colonial era as a residential cantonment for the British colonial masters

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and expatriates who lived in expansive residences built between 1900 and 1950. Since then, Ikoyi has remained popular with the upper class residents of Nigeria and other nationals.

But after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, the former colonial officials’ residences that

However, since the purchase of the quarters by private owners, Ikoyi has witnessed the sudden emergence of high rise residential buildings springing up from the former colonial masters’ residences. The area has now become home to several large luxury apartments, residential estates and up-scale office developments, while the trees that gave charm to the highbrow community then, are no more in existence.

Speaking on the emergence of high rise buildings in Ikoyi, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, 2nd vice president of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, said the reason for the springing up of high rise buildings in Ikoyi as it is presently being witnessed, is to maximise land.

Awobodu who is the past chairman, Lagos state branch of NIOB, added that another factor responsible for it,is as a result of affluence of Ikoyi as a highbrow area coupled with its closeness to Victoria Island which is highly commercial, hence real estate developers are cashing in on this advantage to construct high rise structures, as they are optimistic that there will be market for their products.

He noted that this is made possible because of the planning pattern of the colonial masters’ quarters which comprised small structures in a vast area of land with abundant landscaping, stressing that because of affluence of Ikoyi, people are now taking advantage of the neighbourhood to construct high rise buildings on the available land space.

Builder Awobodu also revealed that the collapse of the Nigeria’s capital market has further boosted the springing up of high rise residential

The reason for the springing up of high rise buildings in Ikoyi as it is presently being witnessed, is to maximise land

N29bn Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge fails to address gridlock Continues from page 28 government and has Lagos Tolling Company as concessioner working with two technical partners. By the agreement, 73 per cent of revenue generated goes to the state government, while 27 per cent will be for the tolling company. Also, 80 per cent of all incidental activities like adverts go to the state government, while 20 per cent goes to the operating company. The concession agreement is for 10 years, and has a five-year renewable period. Prohibited from the route are commercial motorcycles popularly known as okada, tricycles, commercial vehicles including Danfo and high capacity buses, heavy-duty trucks, articulated trucks and lorries, among others.

Controversy: Some members of the 7th state Assembly faulted the tolling of the Lekki-Ikoyi C M Y K

link bridge by the past administration.

About 20 lawmakers present at the plenary questioned why the state government should concession and collect tolls on a bridge built with taxpayers’ money and fully paid by the government.

Voluminous document Besides, they also found it improper for the state to present a voluminous document on terms and conditions of concession agreement and tolling to them for approval, some days before the commissioning of the project.

They noted that construction of the bridge was a laudable initiative, but queried the rationale behind the tolling. “On this onekilometre bridge, we are not convinced at all, after all, we did

not borrow money to have this done,” they said. They questioned the reason for the concession, coupled with prohibition of some vehicles from plying the bridge.

A member of the Federal House of Representative, Abayomi Abdul-Kabir Ayeola of All Progressive Congress, APC, in an interview with Vanguard, said, the residents in the area will continue to have problems despite the Lekki link bridge.

According to him, the solution to the Lekki problem is not the link bridge or the massive round-about but overhead bridges to be constructed in places including Lekki phase 1, Ikate, Jakande, Ajah as well as Abraham Adesanya. He assured that, those roundabouts will be removed because they are not meant to be permanent structures.

So, Lagosians should be assured that there will be overhead bridges, if not that road will be useless. The road will be fixed.

And everything needed to make the road enjoyable will be introduced.

T h e alternative roads are n o t enough.

We are planning to construct the coastal r o a d f r o m Maroko t o navigate Badore to Eleko.

buildings in Ikoyi, as capital market operators are now looking at real estate sector as a business venture that can never depreciate, hence some operators are now diversifying into real estate business, and they are concentrating on Ikoyi as potential market for the business. He said investors are ever willing to invest in real estate projects in Ikoyi because it is a highbrow area.

Corroborating Awobodu, Mr. Jemine Adollo, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Le’Venue Property Development Company Ltd. said the construction of high rise residential buildings is not restricted to Ikoyi alone but a common phenomenon across the world, pointing out that the idea behind it is for land maximisation. *

Communal living Adollo who disclosed that attention is now being shifted towards communal living, said it is another, factor responsible for high rise residential buildings in Ikoyi, adding that most people now opt to live in a serviced estates with shared amenities such as pool, gym, recreational facilities and others, but most importantly, where security and electricity are guaranteed Explaining that Ikoyi is a highbrow area that is sought after, Le’Venue boss said due to its proximity to Victoria Island and Lagos Island, much of Lagos’s business tourism is centered on Ikoyi, which has a mix of excellent 4-star hotels. He further noted that Ikoyi has some of the most opulent residential facilities in Nigeria, and is thought to have the most expensive real estate on the entire African continent, saying that due to the limited available land in Ikoyi, so many vertical apartment buildings have take over the entire area.

30 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Firm explores opportunities in real estate letting/sales

By Providence Obuh

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*Housing Estate

Developer seeks restructuring of REDAN, Act backing it

By Kingsley Adegboye

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O ensure proper regulation of real estate developers in the country, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Le’Venue Property Development Company Ltd, Mr. Jemine Adollo has called for restructuring of the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Nigeria (REDAN) and an Act to it up like the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and other professional bodies.

Regulatory body Adollo who spoke to Vanguard Homes & Property lamented that because REDAN is not a regulatory body, but just an association, it has no control over anybody, adding that because nobody is regulated, developers do whatever they like irrespective of whether their actions are right or wrong.

According to the chief executive of the renowned Lagos-based real estate firm, “REDAN is not a regulatory agency. It is just an association of real estate developers, and it is not compulsory you must be a member of the association.

REDAN has no powers. It is what we can call tooth-less bulldog. It is empowered to chart a course for its members.

“So, for the body to have powers to regulate and control, it has to be restructured to be like the Institute of Chattered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) or the Nigerian Institute of C M Y K

Management (NIM) and other professional bodies. Then, we would be able to reduce the quacks and unserious minded persons in the industry.

“There is need to look at how REDAN was formed and to see whether an Act should be enacted to give it more powers to regulate the industry. Then, we can amend that Act in such a way that we can still come and regularise our activities with it.

Why should you buy land from government, you will still not be able to take possession because land-grabbers (omoniles) will tell you, that is my father’s land.

The land-grabbers will tell you government has not paid me for the land, so, you can’t take possession.

“What happens presently is that you pay government for land, then you go and pay the omoniles for the same land.

Government can leave the omoniles with their land so that developers can buy directly from them and then go and regularise with the government. The government will collect money for land and still collect money for regularisation.

“How can government be selling to us land that belongs to someone else, and when we get to the site, we can’t take possession, because they must equally collect money for the land. Those are some of the issues we have in the housing industry.

Housing industry

We also looked at government’s Vision 20:2020 with about five more years to go, we saw that the best area of the economy to participate is housing

But with the structuring of REDAN, and with an enabling Act to back it up, activities of unscrupulous developers as well as quacks can be checkmated by the body ”, Le’Venue boss argued.

Commenting on the activities of company, Adollo said “We have a passion for our people and housing. About 10 years ago, the owners of the business came together and said where can we participate in the national economy make meaningful impact on the lives of our people, not just in Delta state, but Nigeria as a whole.

This is because most of the

people that own the firm are not from Delta state.

They saw a huge gap in the demand for housing in Nigeria and the number of people that have access to housing. That was how we started.

We also looked at government’s Vision 20:2020 with about five more years to go. We saw that the best area of the economy to participate is housing. We want to augment what government is doing to providing houses for the Nigerian people, and what we have done over the years is that we have built various developments.

Large scale development “We have housing project in Delta state and some other parts of the country, but not on a large scale. However, we are now at the point where we are going into large scale development. We hope that by next year, we should be able to contribute about 2,000 housing units to the shortfall annually. If we have better funding to do more, we will do that.

“We have the ideas and we are poised to partner with any state government in whatever housing policy they want to initiate for the benefit of their people. We are also ready to help them come up with better housing policy that will enable them make a mark and their people will remember them for”, Adollo noted.

HE wind of change that has greeted the Real Estate Lettings and Sales platform in recent times cannot be over emphasised as the number of websites and agents seeking to be part of Nigeria’s fastest growing sector increases with a view to harnessing the marketing capacity.

However, to help real estate investors, home buyers, and apartment seekers find property just right for them in Lagos State, an online real estate start-up, ToLet.com.ng, has unveiled its rental focused platform to include rental and sales properties to its inventory so as to bring success to the real estate sales space.

ToLet.com.ng is Nigeria’s leading property platform, focused on providing users with up-to-date information, guidance as well as the best real estate agent network, all of which are needed to make better-informed property decisions.

Speaking at the launch of its Upgraded Services and Website launch in Lagos, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Eludire Oladapo, said that the goal of the company is tailored around providing users with the best property search experience either online or offline.

Property search To achieve this, Oladapo said, “we have created a fast and smooth online search system, while also using technology to connect you with legitimate and verified real estate agents to ensure the offline physical aspect of choice property search is equally seamless.

“ToLet.com.ng has rapidly grown to become Nigeria’s leading online destination for property consumers to search for homes and the favoured online marketing partner for Nigeria’s landlords, estate agents, letting agents and property developers.

“As we continually work towards our mission to become the largest property transactions platform in Africa, we will continue to ensure our products remain centered around providing our users simple, convenient and simple property transactions,” he said.

Also, Chief Business Officer, Mr. Sulaiman Balogun, assured real estate agents seeking to be part of Nigeria’s fastest growing real estate lettings platform that asides harnessing the marketing power of the ToLet.com.ng website.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 —31

NESREA, NASRDA sign pact on environmental sustainability

By Funmi Olasupo

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(L–R): Immediate Past Chairman, Nigerite Limited, Dr. Femi Orebe; Professor of Housing and Urban Regeneration, University of Lagos, Prof. Timothy Gbenga Nubi; Managing Director, Nigerite Ltd., Mr. Frank Le Bris; Head of Dry Construction, Nigerite Limited, Bldr. Wale Ogungbe and Chief Consultant, Dapo Onaeko & Associates, Engr. ‘Dapo Onaeko during the commissioning of Kalsi Experience Centre inside Nigerite Premises, Ikeja, Lagos. Inset: Kalsi Experience Center Building.

S part of efforts to ensure environmental sustainability in the country, The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) have entered into an agreement.

Both Agencies last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Headquarters of the Space Research Centre in Abuja.

Describing the MoU as epoch making, the Director-General of NESREA, Dr. Lawrence Anukam, expressed his

NYSC launches training programme for corps members to boost housing sector I

By Caleb Ayansina

N a bid to bridge shortage of skilled manpower in housing sector, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has teamed up with the Housing Developers’ Cooperative Society to train corps members in the area of needed skill in the housing sector.

The aspects covered in the two weeks training at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Abuja are; electrical installation, plumbing, welding, fabrication and aluminum. Others are; tiling, painting, plaster of Paris (POP), bricklaying/interlocking paving stone as well as carpentry and joinery.

Trained personnel Speaking during the training, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta noted that the scarcity of trained personnel in some specialized areas in housing sector has contributed to youth unemployment.

Jimeta however, expressed optimism that the training would leverage on window of opportunities for a multiplier effects in housing sector in the country.

“Given the prevailing arrangement by the NYSC partners to train more corps members in phases, I am optimistic that the housing sector with its vast advantage of backward and forward linkages, will leverage on this window of opportunity for a multiplier effect on both employment and general development of our nation,” she said.

C M Y K

In his remarks, the Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawumi said: “The inauguration of 200 youth corps members for training in special areas of labour need in the housing development sector reaffirms our pledge to give useful skills to every willing graduate partaking in the national service.

“The location of additional equipment at the Kubwa Camp for training in various areas in housing sector is already meeting management’s desire to create skills development village where more than hundred units of trades can be transferred to corps members.

“This dream is going to be achieved as more partnership understandings are being pursued by the scheme on daily basis. “This concept is intended for the six geopolitical zones of the country in order to give more corps members the opportunity to train during their service year”, NYSC boss said.

This dream is going to be achieved as more partnership understandings are being pursued by the scheme on daily basis

Brig-Gen. Olawumi who lauded the partners of the scheme, noted that “The success of this expansion in skills acquisition would not have been made possible without their support.”

The Housing Development Institute had earlier promised to absorb a good number of youths at its project sites after the training.

The NYSC Director of SAED, Mrs. Mary Danabia explained that “The corps members

attending were selected based on their interest and confirmation to participate in the training. They were invited from the 36 states and FCT.” In his remarks, the FCT State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Olanipekun Alao said, “this is another occasion showcasing the creative intelligence of the leadership of the scheme”, advising the participants to pay serious attention to the programme.

satisfaction that this was a framework that would vastly enhance environmental protection and longevity, stressing that the two Agencies have a lot in common in terms of environmental management and control.

Dr. Anukam said “We are ready to work together to ensure that we leverage on this synergy to improve and address environmental issues across the country. NESREA is ready to partner with other agencies to ensure that we deliver on our mandate to make Nigeria a cleaner and healthier environment”.

Earlier, the Director-General of NASRDA Professor Saidu Onaido Mohammed, who described the signing of the MoU as a special day, said the MoU was an opportunity to create the enabling environment to effectively monitor environmental activities within Nigeria’s territorial waters and pollution control.

He said “I want to assure NESREA that we would work together to achieve a common goal of making our environment safer and secure for all Nigerians. This agreement will not be kept in the shelves. We are willing to ensure its full implementation because it will pave the way for professionals to make contributions to environmental issues”, Mohammed stated.

Firm to honour construction gurus with awards

By Kingsley Adegboye

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LANS have been concluded to hold the maiden edition of the Nigeria Construction Awards which is meant to honour companies and individuals for their accomplishments and strides in the Nigerian built environment.

According to Mr. Akin Naphtal, CEO, InstinctWave, publisher of InstinctBusiness magazine, organizers of the Awards ceremony which comes up November 20, 2015, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event will assist in showcasing how the construction industry is pivotal to the economy of the nation while recognizing and rewarding companies and individuals who are pushing new frontiers in the industry and are exceptional in the past years.

Mr. Naphtal said “The construction sector plays an important role in economic growth. However, the construction sector has been overlooked in terms of rewarding innovation and creativity. Our goal is to celebrate the achievements of those construction companies and individuals who have made it their responsibility to transform the construction industry and advance the country’s infrastructure development”.

He stated further that in Nigeria,construction began in the early 1940’s with a few foreign companies, adding that the ‘oil boom’ that followed about 10 years after Independence led to an upsurge in construction and demand for construction services, as the country at that period opened up to foreign and local investors for infrastructure to drive economic growth.

Pointing out that the Construction Awards will also present the opportunity for stakeholders to advocate for the industrialization of the country by way of investments in the area of civil engineering, building construction, industrial construction and residential construction as well as beautification, noted that every ambition that the Nigerian government has such as creating much-needed housing, improving public services, developing its tourism sector, improving transport links, creating new jobs and eradicating poverty can be linked to the construction sector.

“The awards ceremony will not be just another networking opportunity, but companies and individuals will use the platform to tell their success stories and accomplishments while creating inroads to generate synergies in the sector”, Naphtal assured.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Prof Bede Okigbo: The foremost Nigerian religious scientist

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By Chiedu Eze

HURCH attendance, fervent religious attitudes, and a strong faith in a supreme being are reportedly declining in many parts of the world, especially in the US where the recent research by Pew Research Center showed “the steadily rising share of people who are religiously unaffiliated – from 16 per cent in 2007 to 23 per cent in 2014.” The results also showed that “the increase in religious unaffiliated is becoming a worldwide phenomenon with these unbelievers making up the largest religious group in many countries and territories and also the second-largest group in roughly (48 per cent) of the world’s nations.” People of no religion, now referred to as “Nones” rank second in size in most of the Americas and Europe, as well as in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa.

Even Ireland, that cradle of Nigerian Catholicism, is not exempt. Irish writer, Mary O’Regan, has been commenting on the recent vote for same-sex marriage which she categorised as “one for the history books – the first time a country has legitimised gay marriage by popular vote” and she attributed this to the Church’s loss of power and influence in Irish life, which has left a vacuum and elephantine emptiness that is now filled by secularism.

Religious explosion If religion is losing ground in many parts of the world, the reverse appears to be the case in Nigeria which at present seems to be experiencing a religious explosion – not only among the masses whom Karl Marx said depended on it as opium addicts – but also among the most educated, including our leading scientists such as the world renowned agronomist, Professor Bede Nwoye Okigbo, who retired as Scientific Director, the United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa, and before that had held scientific positions at Moor Plantation and the University of Ibadan; the University of Nigeria, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, following scientific studies at Washington State University, Pullman, and Cornell University, Ithaca, both in the United States of America.

With a 1958 Ph.D in Agronomy – the science and technology of food plants, fibre and land use, genetics, and soil science, and nearly 60 years of active involvement in scientific experiments, Professor Okigbo has an intimate knowledge of science, the scientific process, and the elements that constitute the

essence of science.

As a qualified geneticist, he is well acquainted with the principles of natural selection, the survival of species and the science of procreation and regeneration in plants and animals. In his country home in Ojoto which is quintessentially a man-made “forest of a thousand foreign and indigenous plants”, he practices agronomy and genetics every day. Case in point: One of his mango trees has three branches each yielding different varieties of mango fruits, to the amazement of village children and even some old adults alike. He literally adores every tree and derives unimaginable pleasure in telling stories of the individual circumstances of his trees and shrubs, as if they have their physical persona and spiritual souls.

Professor Okigbo embraced science very early in his life at Government College Umuahia where, according to Chinua Achebe, one of his classmates, the young Bede was more at home in the school garden and farm than in the dormitory or games field. Since those leafy days at Umuahia experimenting with okra and water leaf, and later continuing with further scientific studies in Nigeria and the US, Professor Okigbo has not looked back nor is he in any doubt about the uncontrollable force of nature and the power of science. He grew up in a Christian family which is reputed to have brought the Roman Catholic Mission (church and school) to his hometown of Ojoto in Anambra State.

But being a staunch Catholic with unwavering faith in God, and believing the Bible to be the true word of God, Professor Okigbo has no doubt also that God’s hand and footprints are all over the universe and in all of

Professor Okigbo is convinced there is God’s hand in his fulfilling career starting with his going to live with his uncle Chief James Okigbo

the affairs of men and women.”

He hastens to add that he is “100% convinced that God is real; when we die, we must stand before the creator and give a minute-byminute account of our actions a n d inactions on earth. It’s a pity many of us are ignorant of the various important religions of the world, and we are all the poorer for this.” Even at a ripe old age of 90, he still reads every day, and said that he now rereading The Complete •Prof Bede Okigbo in Knight Uniform Idiot’s Guide to creation. At St. Odilia’s Church World Religions. Knowing more Ojoto where he worships every about world religions opens our Sunday, he sits in his familiar spot eyes to the infinite presence of a in the second pew, up close and living God and the changing personal with the parish priest, landscape Monsignor Nwosu, who often for world uses him to illustrate some of the beliefs. points of his usually witty, F o r humorous, and instructive instance, homilies.

Indonesia Professor Okigbo is convinced i s there is God’s hand in his currently fulfilling career starting with his home to going to live with his uncle Chief t h e James Okigbo, following the world’s death of his mother when he was largest only four years old. It was also Muslim the hand of God that led him to population Government College Umuahia, but by with another uncle Warrant 2050, it Officer Edward Okigbo providing will be the decisive admission deposit I n d i a that secured his place in the first with its year class. Other acts of God in m o r e his life include his fortuitous than 310 admission to Washington State million University, the Ford Foundation Muslims. extension of his undergraduate But by scholarship to cover his master’s 2 0 7 0 , education at Cornell University Muslims from 1954 to 1957, the ease with a n d which he completed doctoral Christians studies, and his successful a r e careers as university teacher, projected international scholar, and now a to be Knight of the Catholic Church roughly and most revered head of the e q u a l , Okigbo family. w i t h “Couldn’t all these be simple Muslims plain good luck?” He shrugs off t h e the question, affirming in his slightly characteristic loud baritone voice: l a r g e r “Luck does not negate the g r o u p existence and the hand of God in

after that year, according to Pew Research Center (2015).

Although he is ardently religious, Professor Okigbo has no doubt that “science has an important place in today’s world because of the scientific method of staking a claim, collecting relevant data, testing hypotheses, accepting or rejecting or modifying our positions, as the case may be. Science has brought tremendous improvements in agriculture, medicine, transportation and many others spheres of our social world.” What does he think about the fate of our ancestors who died before Christ’s birth who did not have the opportunity to know about Christianity?

Science and firm faith Reiterating his belief in the second coming of Christ at the end of time, he says “people who died before Christ and thus never had the chance to accept Christ as their Messiah are at the mercy of God’s judgment and in the end, God will judge us all according to our deeds.”

Professor Okigbo, renowned agronomist, entomologist and geneticist extraordinaire shows us that being a scientist should not necessarily make us agnostics.

Science and a firm faith in a supreme God are not necessarily incompatible or mutually exclusive. In his view, being a thorough going scientist makes it easier – not more difficult – to believe in an all-powerful supernatural being who is responsible for the unwavering regularities and other amazing features of nature and our natural environment. To understand plant and animal genetics and ecology is to see the hand of God all around us all the time.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 33

The herdsmen from hell

By Femi Fani Kayode Throughout history it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better and the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most that has made it possible for evil to triumph - His Royal Majesty Haile Selassie 1, Emperor of Ethiopia.

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F there was ever a time to remember the words of Haile Selassie and speak out against evil this is it. With the abduction of the elder statesman and June 12 struggle hero, Chief Olu Falae, from his home by a group of Fulani herdsmen in south western Nigeria it is time for us to seriously consider the expulsion of all Fulani herdsmen from the southern part of our country. We thank God and commend the efforts of the Inspector-General of the Nigerian police that Chief Falae was returned home safely after a harrowing three days. Given his status in Yoruba land, had this not been so there would have been cataclysmic consequences for the unity of our country.

It is because we wish to avoid such a scenario that it is important that we get these marauders and vandals out of our territory as quickly as possible. This is especially so given the fact that,

by Falae’s testimony, it is clear that the Fulani herdsmen that abducted him were working hand in hand with Boko Haram.

East African tse-tse fly These herdsmen have become the pests of our nation. They are like the East African tse-tse fly: wherever they go they suck the life blood out of their hosts and, like the locust, they destroy everything in their path. They are like leeches: they indulge in a parasitic mode of nutrition and they suck the blood of the carcass until their victim is left for dead.

Like the Arab Janjaweed, they are only known for the most hideous of things. This includes terror, intimidation, theft, murder, rape, abduction, mutilation, the violation of the rights of others, the destruction of the land and crops of farmers and the destruction of property. Anyone that doubts this should ask the people of the north central zone what they have been suffering in the hands of these vagabonds and vagrants for the last 50 years. This is especially so in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Kwara, Nassarawa, Taraba and Adamawa states.

Yet up until 20 years ago this was essentially a northern problem and it did not affect the south. Sadly that has changed. It has now become a national plague that knows no boundaries and whose poison threatens to consume us all. In the last few years the Fulani herdsmen have

attacked, ravaged and pillaged many rural communities south of the River Niger and they have slaughtered and raped thousands of innocent people in the SouthSouth, the South-East and the South-Western zones of our country.

We recall how, after a violent clash between them and some Yoruba farmers in Oyo State in 2000, General Buhari (as he then was) led a strong delegation of northern leaders to see the late Governor of Oyo State, Governor Lam Adesina. On arrival Buhari put the following question to him: “why are your people killing my people?” This was a classic case of a Freudian slip. The Bible says ''out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. The general had spoken his mind.

Governor Adesina was shocked with disbelief and he responded by telling Buhari that he was rather surprised that a former Head of State would refer to one ethnic group as “his” people whilst referring to another as someone else's. He said that this was especially so given the fact that people were killed on both sides of the divide in what was a sad and unfortunate conflict. The insensitivity of Buhari to the Yoruba farmers and their plight in the hands of the Fulani raiders was noted from that moment on.

Ever since that conversation took place the lines have been drawn and the South West has been on alert.

The abduction of Falae may well have brought things to a head because today virtually every selfrespecting Yoruba man is calling for strong resistance to these alien cattle-rearers whose criminal activities have led to nothing but blood, tears and carnage. If the government refuses to stop them then it is very clear that some communities may end up doing so themselves. Yet there is an even more sinister dimension to this problem than most people care to admit. That dimension is best illustrated by the following question. Can there be any truth in the assertion that the Fulani herdsmen are nothing less than the vanguard and covert armed wing of the Fulani ruling class which has managed to infiltrate the south under the ingenious guise of selling cows?

Who is pulling the strings from behind the scenes and who is attempting to test our resolve and test the waters?

Olu Falae Are they sleeper cells of a much bigger army and a much wider cause? Are they, as Falae has suggested, working hand in hand with Boko Haram? If a major conflict were to arise would those sleeper cells be activated and would they commence the wholesale slaughter of the indigenous population in their host states? As painful as it may appear these are questions that we must ask. The fact that the herdsmen demanded for a 100 million naira ransom from Falae speaks volumes. The question is this: what do mere cattle-rearers want with 100 million naira? Even more instructive is the fact that when they were offered two million naira they responded by saying that that amount would not be enough for Boko Haram.

Given all this, it is clear to me that we must begin to look at the wider picture. We must accept the ugly reality that there may be more to all this than meets the eye. This is especially so given the fact that up until the time of writing this piece not one of Falae’s captors has b e e n apprehended by the police and they seem to have vanished into thin air. One wonders w h a t transpired.

Were they granted amnesty or are they ghosts? Can there be any truth in the suggestion that there was some kind of official collusion in t h e abduction?

Was it an attempt to put Falae, and by extension the Yoruba, in their place for vigorously supporting the idea of a national conference?

Is it an attempt to intimidate those from the South West that opposed President Buhari in the 2 0 1 5 presidential elections? If so it will not work.

Afenifere, the leading socio-cultural group of the South West of

which Falae is a leading member, and the Yoruba people generally have a way of rising to the occasion when they are threatened, cheated or persecuted. History proves that.

Worthy of note are the words of Dr. Frederick Fasheun and Otunba Gani Adams, both leaders of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) in this matter. Only the unwise would ignore their counsel.

The question is this: who is pulling the strings from behind the scenes and who is attempting to test our resolve and test the waters? Whatever the answer to these questions are one thing remains clear. The days of killing people with impunity and stripping them of their lands and possessions are long over. The Fulani herdsmen may well believe that they have one of their own in the Villa today but that

does not mean that they will get away with their murderous ways or their sheer impunity. It is most unwise for them to continue to test the resolve of the people of the south in this way. I say this because collectively southerners are slow to anger but irresistible in battle. When pushed to the wall they often indulge in what Dr. Amanze Obi, the respected columnist for Nigeria’s Sun newspaper, once described as ''southern fury''.

Permit me to conclude this intervention with an interesting and relevant contribution from the famous British historian, writer and educationalist Dr. T.R. Batten.

He wrote: “The Fulani were at their most influential in Gobir.Then a dispute broke out between their Imam, Usman Dan Fodio and Sarkin Gobir Yunfa.The Fulani rallied behind their leader who encouraged him to defy their Hausa Chief. He began a jihad and fighting broke out. Thus the Fulani seized the country by force against the will of those who lived there. The enmity had nothing to do with religion for among those who fought (against the Fulani) were many Muslims. It was about the Fulani’s wish to seize power from the Hausas.”

It follows that the herdsman and those that they represent conquer by infiltration, assimilation and guile. Those that doubt this should find out what became of the ancient Hausa kingdoms.

May God deliver us from the vagabonds and vagrants in our midst.

34—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

generality of Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, senators and a section of lawmakers elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress,APC. Though, the spread of Saraki’s support is a truism, it is regarded as a stumbling block against any impeachment move, against the Senate President, who was earlier given a vote of confidence by over 80 senators.

Indeed, if such plays out, the tone for a stormy phase, which observers say could be distractive and as well consume a considerate phase in the life of the senate.

Expected list of ministerial nominees Given that political vendetta is believed to be the fulcrum of the crisis in the Senate since inception, the expected list of ministerial nominees, may trigger crisis of interests among the senators, who are not on the same page with the presidency and APC leadership.

With allegations that senators from the PDP states are planning to block the clearance of ministerial nominees from their states when the president submits his list, Nigerians may be treated to surprises on the issue.

The matter may become more contentious given allegations that prominent among the reasons for Saraki’s travail, is the desire to have easy clearance of eventual nominees.

•Saraki: Embattled Senator

RESUMPTION:

Tension in Saraki's Senate

Committee chairmanship

As the Senate resumes plenary today, the stage is set for another legislative phase that would be characterised by drama and intrigues given the quantum of national issues.

By Charles Kumolu

T

HE resumption of the Senate today from its one month recess would unarguably be met with so many dicey national issues that require its imprint.

Indeed, the approach to be employed in handling the concerns is likely to put the Senate on the spot light.

With so many contentious questions left unresolved before it embarked on break in August and others that had taken place while it was on recess, today’s resumption heralds a period of uncertainty among the lawmakers.

After sitting for 14 days in two months since its inauguration, the Senate in a move that rattled Nigerians, embarked on its third recess since the commencement of the legislative year on June 8, 2015, leaving so many issues unaddressed.

Key issues The specific concerns before the senate as of August 29, 2015, were the leadership crisis occasioned by the emergence of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, imbroglio over sharing of principal offices, reduction of salaries and

C M Y K

allowances of legislators, power sector probe among others.

However, other issues of note that became more topical while the Senate was on vacation include; Controversy over false assets declaration charges against the Senate President, expected ministerial list, alleged impeachment moves against Saraki and ratification of appointments made so far by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Therefore, as legislative business commences today, there is indeed anxiety among the populace regarding the steps that would be taken on these issues.

Detailed observation A detailed observation of the underlying issues provides an insight into what to expect from the lawmakers, who have roundly been criticised for allegedly not paying much attention to legislative activities since their inauguration.

Saraki/CCT controversy The invitation of Saraki to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal , CC T, and his subsequent appearance, seem to have dwarfed other challenges before the lawmakers given its

attending mixed signals across the country.

With arguments and counterarguments as to the merit and demerit of such development, the relative calm that had existed in the Senate before its vacation, seems to have been mortally affected.

Obviously, another fire has been rekindled among the

The invitation of Saraki to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal , CC T, and his subsequent appearance, seem to have dwarfed other challenges before the lawmakers given its attending mixed signals across the country

lawmakers, who were hitherto factionalised by leadership crisis.

And this time, the soul of the senate leadership is believed to be at stake, given the perceived intensity of the matter.

Alleged impeachment moves On the strength of the allegations against the Senate leadership, the prospects of witnessing an anti Saraki revolt in the Senate from today onward are real.

It is one of the few possible developments that could be described as certain as the lawmakers resume. Already, the events preceding this day, did not foreclose such, as media reports had predicted such.

It was gathered that those, who will spearhead the onslaught, may lay claims to morality and subsequently call on the senate president to throw in the towel.

Expectedly, senators under the aegis of the Unity Forum have been touted as those that could lead the campaign.

In spite claims of having secured the needed numerical support to go ahead with such plans, analysts contend that the Senate president may survive what they describedas impeachment scare considering his acceptability among the

Indications that another impasse may come up over the sharing of principal offices, when the senate resumes exist.

Having constituted special standing committees before embarking on vacation, it is expected that the formal committees would be eventually constituted in line with the vexatious amendments of the Senate Rules 2015, which made it mandatory for the leadership of the senate to appoint the leadership of the committees among the six geopolitical zones.

Pointedly, Order 3 (4) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, as amended, states that: “The appointment of senators as chairmen and members of committees shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the six geopolitical zones of the country and there shall be no predominance of senators from a few geopolitical zones.”

The Senate Leader, Sen Ali Ndume, had said that the standing committees would be announced when members resume.

The committees earlier constituted include; Senate Services, under the chairmanship of Ibrahim Gobir, who is an APC senator from Sokoto State; Rules and Business, headed by Senator

Continues on page 35

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—35

REPS: Jumbo pay review, oversight, anti-graft war top issues •Lawmakers intensify lobbying for com'ttee membership

By Emman Ovuakporie

A

S the House of Representatives reconvenes today from its annual recess, Nigerians are yearning to know what the Hon Yakubu Dogara led 8th House has in stock for them.

The Bauchi-born three-time lawmaker had at the beginning unveiled a Legislative Agenda he said is primarily designed to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

But what may be uppermost in the minds of his country men is whether the House will tow the line of the executive arm by reducing what has been termed jumbo pay for federal legislators.

Towards this end, Dogara had barely seven weeks of assumption of office, inaugurated a committee to look into how the jumbo pay and essentials for lawmakers could be adequately redressed.

•Dogara: Speaker, House of Reps

Educated guesswork Known as the NEEDS committee, while inaugurating the committee on August 15 the speaker advised the 20-man team to explore all avenues of addressing the situation as it deems it necessary.

In his words: “We have all been making, at best, educated

guesswork on whether the legislature is adequately funded or not. An appropriate needs assessment may well find out that the legislature in Nigeria is over-funded or that it is underfunded.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

1999 has vested the law making powers of the Federation in the National Assembly, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Constitution further empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the

Tension in Saraki's Senate Continues from page 34 Babajide Omoworare, an APC senator from Osun State; Ethics and Privileges, chaired by Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East) and Public Accounts Committee, headed by Sen Andy Uba (PDP, Anambra South).

The senators, who may wish to serve in the committees, were asked by the Senate leadership to pick forms from the Clerk of the Senate and indicate the committees where they wish to serve.

Power probe The legislators are also expected to continue with the probe of the power sector, which it had embarked upon lately.

The investigation, which has attracted criticisms from many, who described as a misplaced priority, seeks to unearth irregularities in the sector that had resulted in the poor power supply despite huge investment in the sector.

The Senate had constituted the ad-hoc Committee to carry out a holistic investigation into the C M Y K

management of funds appropriated to the power sector from the Olusegun Obasanjo civilian administration to date.

Announcing the 13-man adhoc committee, Senate President, Bukola Saraki urged members of the committee to consider their reputation and integrity and come up with a report that would be acceptable to Nigerians.

Challenge of power supply He lamented that a lot of money had been spent on the sector with no results, while Nigeria is still faced with the challenge of power supply.

The committee which has Senator Abubakar Kyari, APC, Borno North, as chairman, was also saddled with the responsibility of looking into irregularities in the unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. Approval of appointments Some key appointments made

by President Buhari, are

expected to be ratified by the Senate as it resumes.

However, some of them had already attracted condemnations, following the notion that the President had not carried the National Assembly,NASS, along in making the appointments.

Some legislators had expressed anger over what they termed as the refusal of the presidency to subject nominees into appointive offices to screening and confirmation processes before assumption of office.

In claiming that , the legislators argued that such actions violated the law.

The appointments in this regard are; the appointment of the acting chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, appointment of the board of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service ,FIRS, and the National Communications Commission, NCC.

conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged or intended to be charged with the duty and responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly; disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly.

“Of course, these powers can be exercised only for the purpose of making laws and to correct defects in existing laws and to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative

Dogara in his agenda had declared that the 8th House would not spare government officials with oily fingers in the course of carrying out their legislative duties

competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it.”

He had told the committee that there should be an empirical and objective study to determine the things needed for effective legislation even as he urged the committee to make comparative study of the cost of running legislatures in other parts of the world. ‘’You should in the course of your work also make a comparative study of the cost of running legislatures in other relevant jurisdictions. These are only suggestions as you should feel free to adopt any methodology you deem fit in carrying out this assignment.”

Six weeks after, the NEEDS committee is yet to submit its report but the underlining factor is the fact that work is in progress in that direction.

The National Assembly in the 2015 Appropriation Act had slashed N30billion from its N150billion budget.

Many lawmakers had considered the N30billion slash as a heavy sacrifice above any other attempt to further reduce their annual budget.

Some of the new lawmakers had publicly declared that N30bn drop in their annual budget is enough as any attempt to further cut their salaries could be suicidal.

Another burning issue is how the House would tackle the double headed monster called corruption.

Substantive committees Dogara in his agenda had declared that the 8th House would not spare government officials with oily fingers in the course of carrying out their legislative duties.

The business as usual style that enriched the pockets of government functionaries this time around would be checkmated in all spheres.

Various adhoc committees were put in place including that of the non-implementation of the 2015 budget pending when substantive committees will be constituted.

This brings us to the issue of constitution of substantive committees in the 8th House.

This is one sensitive area that Nigerians are patiently waiting for the Dogara House to handle with absolute care as it could snowball into a wildfire.

Lobbying is part of legislative business and our lawmakers are good at it as Dogara may have to use both telescopic and microscopic lenses to examine how the committees would be finally constituted.

So far, the Dogara-led House despite the initial hiccups appears too have started on a sound footing. In 34 sessions it passed 16 bills and 39 resolutions.

36— Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

GEMINI; If you like to cut-corners you’ll need to prepare for unpleasant surprise as those you least expect’ll disappoint you. Prepare to protect your image.

CANCER; Relying on the element of luck today may fail to give you the desired results. Then it’ll be wrong of you to disrespect the law and/or it’s enforcement agents.

LEO; It’s important to differentiate between enterprise, gambling and adventure, because you may not go free by unnecessary mistake. Take love very seriously.

VIRGO; Many people are not in the mood to take thing lightly probably because of tension generated by the Moon and Saturn. Thus you’ll need to be prepared to take responsibility of whatever you do and/ or say.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

The Weather

A

lady recently said to me This weather is just not friendly. The sun is too much. Let the sun subside before I do it.

And I looked at her and said, ‘Supposing it starts raining now,

what will you do?’

The truth is that the weather has never been friendly. Of course, it is not the business of the weather to be friend-

TERROR MUDA

ly to you. But your duty is to do everything within your power to be able to use the weather as it is. Tell me, have you ever seen a perfect

in “Scavenger Elite”

weather? Whether rain or sun, people have always complained.

Yet, some people are making fortune from it, rain or sunshine. You too must do the same. For he that must succeed does not need to look at the weather.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA; Unnecessary argument can not help your cause today, no matter how logical you think you are. Take domestic issues more seriously than before.

SCORPIO; Good results, your mood looks less buoyant. Whatever this is the wrong time to gamble with matters of the heart.

SAGITTARIUS; Since you cant run away from your shadow it is better you face challenges coming your way both at home and in the office. Eventual success’ll be yours very soon.

CAPRICORN; Although, partnership related issues are becoming seriously, today you will need to rely on your creative mind to get the desired results.

AQUARIUS; Similar to yesterday as money continues to dominate issues. This is the wrong time to rely too heavily on friends either for assistance or advice. Yet you’ll succeed.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

PISCES; You’ll continue to be relevant in the scheme of things, although you’ll be made to operate under pressure through career/business related affairs but great success indicated for you today. Be stable.

ARIES; It’s your day when good luck’ll crown your efforts. The more secretive you are the better for your cause. Avoid unnecessary argument.

TAURUS; Reliable associates of yours may unconsciously disappoint you .Nursing false hope may force emotion to run very high. Be patient please.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Who am I?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, Kindly analyse my star and tell me the type of person I am. Because not only other people do misunderstand me I do not sometimes know myself. Please tell me the truth.

Lucky, Oyo Dear Lucky, As you were born when both career-oriented-Saturn and loving Venus were prominent in the heaven, you are giving to both ambition and love related issues.

And with Venus having more powers than Saturn, PEACE, LOVE and harmony will always have final influence whenever you are to take important final decision.

As loving, gentle, caring and good hearted as you are, with your final-dispositor (Venus) at 90th degree apart to rebellious Uranus in Kingly Leo, FREEDOM and JUSTICE must come to play before the said love and peace will get your final approval.

Naturally Cancer makes it’s natives to appear timid and cool headed but another vigorous aspect in your chart is conjunction formed by aggressive Mars and manipulative Pluto when you were born; thus your will-power is very strong, making it difficult for people to manipulate you at will.

To crown it all the Moon (an indicator of sub-conscious-self ) was placed in genius related Aquarius.

Therefore will power strengthened by educated mind will always want to have FREEDOM. With your natal Sun (basic selfhood) and Moon placed in Cancer and Aquarius respectively, you are mainly a Cancer born person and partly Aquarian; meaning that basic characteristics of the two said Star sings (Cancer and Aquarius) are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 , 2015—37

Labour gives NPA deadline over 8 month’s unpaid wages

By Victor AhiumaYoung

M

ARITIME Workers’ Union of Nigeria, MWUN, weekend, gave the management of Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Friday deadline to pay over eight months unpaid wages to dockworkers or the nation’s ports would be shut from Monday.

This came after the quick intervention of the leadership of MWUN aborted a wild cat, (unplanned) strike that would have shut the ports from yesterday, over the unpaid wages .

The union, therefore, directed all its officials at all the ports formations across the country to ensure that workers maintained peace and mobilise for an indefinite strike from Monday if NPA failed to approve and complete payment by October 2.

It was gathered that aggrieved workers had planned to shut ports across the country over alleged refusal by NPA to pay no fewer than 3,000 Tally Clerks and On Board Security men despite several agreements among stakeholders including both the Ministries of Transport and Labour and Productivity.

The latest of such agreement was signed in July, at a meeting in Abuja, called by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. The meeting was attended by officials of Ministry of Transport, NPA among other

stakeholders where it was agreed that the workers should be paid before the end of August.

Since the last agreement, the management of NPA had been accused of foot dragging over the payment as the new Managing Director, was said to have insisted that he would not approve payment since the agreement was reached before he was appointed Managing Director.

Vanguard gathered that the aggrieved workers had decided to resort to self-help after complaining that they were no longer sure if their leaders had not compromised, because their

leaders had been promising since July that the money would be paid but the money has not been paid.

However, at a meeting with all the leaders of the workers including unit officials in Lagos on Sunday, the President General of the union, Mr. Anthony Emmanuel Nted, pleaded with the workers to give the NPA up till Friday, and if the payment was not made, they should commence an indefinite strike by Monday.

Addressing the union’s officials Nted, said since September 24, he had been to Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar, trying to plead with the workers to give the NPA up till

this Friday.

According to him, “I in particular, was called several names and the most painful part is that, I was told to my face in one of the meetings by workers in Calabar that they had begun to doubt if we had not compromised. One even asked me if I am sure that we are not promising payment to buy time.

So, please, prevail on your workers to still exercise patience till this Friday, if the wage are not paid, with our backing, the portswilbeshutfromMondayOctober 5,anditwouldremainshutnationwide until all the wages are paid."

VISIT: Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Ovwigho Igbuya (left) and Senator representing Delta Central, Chief Ighoyota Amori, during a thank you visit of Urhobo politicians to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, at Government House, Asaba.

I'm still in PDP, says Macaulay, ex-Delta SSG

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—FORMER Secretary to the Delta State Government, Ovuozorie Macaulay, has said he invested his life and time in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and therefore cannot afford to dump the party for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Macaulay who spoke at Igbide, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, when he paid a courtesy call on the President General of Isoko Development Union, IDU, Chief Paul Omu,

Dedication

T

HE official dedication of the new modern church, St. Brigid Catholic Church, Imam Thani street, Ijesha Tedo will hold on October 11, 2015 by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins with 9.00. mass.

The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Ania, will celebrate the mass with his Grace, while reception holds immediately after the mass in the church premises.

described the rumour of his planned defection from the PDP as laughable.

According to him, “the rumour that I want to dump PDP for APC is nothing but laughable. This rumour has been on even before we left government. So, it is not new to me. But I want to say that I have invested all my time and life in PDP. I am still a full member of the party. My body and soul

still belong to PDP and as such I can’t afford to leave the party I have contributed so much to build.”

He enjoined the people of Isoko nation and Deltans to close ranks and work for the unity and development of Isoko and the entire state.

Macaulay who is the pioneer chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in the state, said

he had decided on a thank you visits to traditional rulers and leaders in the area for their supports and encouragements while he was in government for 12 years.

Macaulay also visited the member representing Isoko Federal constituency,LeoOgor,BishopofOleh Diocese, some traditional rulers in Isoko North and South and Gen Ufuoma Obada retd, in Agbarho.

Uzere people worry over abandoned projects

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

LEH—THE people of Uzere, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, have decried the spate of projects abandonment in the community by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Speaking with newsmen, President General of the community, Mr. Columbus

Oguname, lamented that Uzere, as the second community where oil was discovered in Nigeria, was being neglected by the federal and the state governments.

Arguing that the interventionist agencies were set up for the development of oil producing communities, he alleged that the projects being executed in the community by the commissions were awarded in such a way that they could not be completed.

According to him, “We have pockets of projects from NDDC

and DESOPADEC and they are all done in such a way that they cannot be completed. It is either the government will not mobilize or they will mobilize in such a way that the projects cannot be completed. I can as well, say that we have not benefited from NDDC and DESOPADEC because there is no project that is completed. We are not feeling the impact of DESOPADEC and NDDC in this community.”

NPDC MD lauded over payment of indigenous contractors

T

By Lucky Oji

HE Managing Director of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, Mr. Sadeeq Abubakar Mai-Bornu, has been commended for the payment of indigenous contractors and prompt intervention in resolving the dispute between NPDC and Host Communities, HOSTCOM in OMLs 30, 34 and 65, respectively.

Mr. Chris Eriyamremu, an opinion leader in Ofuoma oil-bearing community in OML30, who made the commendation yesterday urged NPDC and host communities to sustain the cordial relationship in the interest of both parties.

He, however, thanked Mai-Bornu for ensuring that indigenouscontractorswerepaid and others still waiting for payment, adding that with the appointment of Mai-Bornu as NPDC boss, the suffering of host communitiesappearedtobeover.

He expressed confidence that Mai-Bornu had the capability to effectivelymanageNPDCwhich he has demonstrated by his uncommon commitment.

Ibusa indigenes tasked on devt

P

By Bartholomew Madukwe

RESIDENT-General of Ibusa Community Development Union, ICDU, Professor Tom Arinze, has called on sons and daughter of Ibusa Community in Delta State, to pull their resources together for the development of the community.

Speaking at a special meeting organised by Ibusa Think Tank Committee for Community Advancement, Lagos, he lamented that the Ibusa people had failed to form a united front.

In his address titled, “Operation: Bring Back our Town, Ibusa” Prof.

Arinze explained that the major reason why Ibusa town had not achieved muchindevelopmentstrideswas because the people have been singing with discordant tunes.

“Ratherthanpullourresources together,wehavebeenoperating along parallel lines," he said.

38 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

ABSENTEEISM: Umahi suspends salaries of commissioners, others

By Peter Okutu

A

B A K A L I K I — APPARENTLY startled by the poor attendance of government officials to the

Industrialist kidnapped in Festac, Lagos

debate competition put in place to mark next month’s October 1st celebration at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Abakaliki, Governor Dave Umahi of

Ebonyi state, Monday suspended the September overheads and October salaries of the officials involved.

Those affected include some

Commissioners, Deputy Chief of Staff, Special Advisers and Council Chairmen in the state.

Others suspended were Personal Assistants, Senior Special Assistants, Special

It'll be difficult for PDP, APC to take over Anambra from APGA —Ex-Minister

F

ORMER MINISTER of Health, Dr, Tim Menakaya has said the it will be difficult for any political party in the country, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, to take over power in Anambra State from the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, because the party has continued to perform beyond people's expectation since it took over power in the state.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard in Onitsha yesterday, Dr Menakaya also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to form his

By Ogechi Uche – Ebosie

T

HE RESIDENTS of Festac are worried about the kidnap of an industrialist, Chief James Uduji, CEO, Cometstar Manufacturing Company, and the recipient of The SUN Newspapers Manufacturer of the Year, 2014.

According to an eyewitness report, on September 7, 2015, Chief Uduji was returning from office when a car blocked his car at his 7th Avenue residence, and his driver and another occupant sitting on front seat were shot.

The gang dragged out Chief Uduji before whisking him away in their own car to an unknown destination.

Family members reported the incident to the Area Command in Festac immediately, but up till date, the victim had not been released or the culprit arrested.

cabinet without further delay, saying that his administration will perform better than it is doing when he appoints the Ministers and after other key appointments are made.

Dr Menakaya who is also a member of APGA Board of Trustees said “since APGA took over office from the time of former Governor Peter Obi and subsequently Governor Willie Obiano, Anambra state has been moving forward and the dividends of democracy is being felt by the people and residents of state.

“If you were in the state at the Anambra State Stakeholders meeting held in Awka

yesterday, you will know that it will be difficult to wrestle power from the hands of APGA in Anambra state, because of the achievements of Governor Willie Obiano after one year and eight months in office.

"APGA has done so well in all sectors of its administration in the state and everybody that is in the state and those coming into the state can attest to that on security of lives and property, construction and rehabilitation of roads and in attracting investments into the state. You cannot fault the party and its administration in the state” he said.

Deloitte’s 2015 Tech Trends report highlights fusion of business, IT

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ELOITTE, THE largest professional services network in the world, will tomorrow, unveil its 2015 Tech Trends report which the firm says is inspired by a fundamental transformation in the way C-suite leaders and CIOs collaborate to leverage disruptive change, chart business strategy, and pursue potentially transformative opportunities.

The event will largely reveal to company executives which major technology trends predictions will impact their business over the next 12-18 months.

The theme for this year ’s report is the 'Fusion of business

Chief Uduji

and IT.' According to Deloitte, “the list of trends we spotlight have been developed, using an ongoing process of primary and secondary researches that involve feedback from client executives on current and future priorities, perspectives from industry and academic luminaries, research by technology alliances, industry analysts, competitons positioning and sourced ideas and examples from our global network of practitioners.”

The event, which is the second in the series and scheduled to hold at Four Points By Sheraton, will have as guest speaker Kamal Ramsingh,

Technology Leader, Deloitte Consulting Africa.

Deloitte’s Technology Trends report, is an annual in-depth examination of current technology trends, ranging from the way some organizations are using application programming interfaces to extend services and create new revenue streams, to the dramatic impact connectivity and analytics are having on digital marketing.

It is also about the evolving role of the CIO to changing IT skill sets and delivery models, which help make sense of the dynamics behind the changes driven by the confluence of business and technology.

Advisers and other government functionaries over their lateness to the School debate titled “Government Anti Corruption Crusade and its Internally Generated Revenue Drive” held in Abakaliki.

Announcing the suspension of the salaries, Governor Umahi also stressed that those affected would forfeit their September overhead.

Vanguard learned that trouble started when Governor Umahi arrived the venue of the debate slated to commence exactly 11am and met only few attendees.

Bishop Onaga lauds Ugwuanyi on credible PDP primaries in Kogi

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—THE Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for conducting a credible and exemplary governorship primary election for the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, in Kogi State earlier feared to be violence-prone.

The Bishop represented by the Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. John Nwafor, in a homily during a mass to mark the 55th anniversary of Nigeria, called on all Nigerians to emulate the governor ’s exemplary maintenance of rules and regulations in conduct of elections in the country to avoid violence.

He noted that after the primary election, the contenders in the election in Kogi State accepted the result and became more united as a result of the transparent manner the primary was conducted.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On President Buhari's anti-corruption war

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very person should be probed, whether in government or private.

Jonathan, Yar'Adua, OBJ, Abdusalami, Abacha, Sonekan, IBB, Saraki, Shagari, OBJ, Murtala, Gowon, Ironsi or Balewa should be probed. -Mr. Etebele Julius, Worker

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es; but he must start from 1999, if not; such a probe will not only be a witch-hunt, a biased one. Let the looters bring their loot and go free, then a new era of accountability will start. Mr. Pius Onyeka Ezugwu, Engineer

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hat I have to say is that they should let the probe begin now without further delay. President Buhari should probe all those who have stolen from Nigeria irrespective of period or time. Mr. Adekunle Jegede, Teacher

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he sanctimonious posture of this administration is getting people pissed off. GEJ administration ought to be probed and judgment served, but does PMB have the moral uprightness to tackle this? Miss Hope Macaluay, Worker

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orruption will kill Nige ria if we fail to kill it.

There should come a time when we have to say no to impunity, and now is the time. PMB, go ahead and recover all the loots from all, not some of the looters, prosecute and jail them. Mr. Eze Nwaoha, Barber

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ot only Saraki should be probed. Let this administration get all the money the past and others looted. Nigerian people should continue praying for President Buhari; may God help him. God bless Nigeria. -Mr. Samson Akinpelu, Businessman

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 39

BOKO HARAM: Chief of Air Staff reiterates resolve to tackle insurgency

By Umar Yusuf

By Esther Onyegbula

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OLA—THE Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddiqi Abubakar has reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces will tackle and handle the insurgency problem with the seriousness it deserved.

Towards this end, he gave an assurance that new military hardware will continue to be acquired until the battle against the Boko Haram was completely won.

The Chief of Air Staff, who spoke in Yola, yesterday while inspecting two newly-acquired aircraft at the Air Wing of the 75 Strike Force added that the aircraft will certainly enhance the zeal and determination to prosecute the fight against insurgency.

He disclosed that the two aircraft are equipped with the facilities that will boost the morale of not only the Air Force personnel but the entire military prosecutors of the insurgency fight.

He explained that the Aircraft had among others things facilities to evacuate and treat victims before sending them to the hospital.

He appealed to the people of the North East to avail the Air Force with intelligence reports, emphasizing that there was no where in the world that fight against insurgency is won without the participation of the people.

“Whatever Intelligence report the people have will go a long way in assisting the military to identify where the criminals are hiding, because at times the terrain is always difficult for our military to penetrate.

“It is also difficult for an aircraft to identify a 13-year-old girl carrying explosives except with the

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SIGNING: From left; Mr Afolabi Olorode, Director/Head, Financial Advisory, FBN Capital; Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, MD /CEO, Nigeria Breweries PLC; Mrs. Yetunde Sadiku, MD/CEO, IBTC Bank Capital and Mr Mark Rutten, Finance Director, NB PLC during the signing ceremony of NB PLC Commercial Papers in Lagos. Photo by Diran Oshe. people around her” he stated.

Asked about the situation that surrounded Sambisa forest, the Chief of Air Staff stated as far as the military was concerned, the dreaded forest had been

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ABBA—A political leader in Kogi State, Chief Sola Adedoyin, has called on the federal government to expedite action on the release of bailout funds to states across the federation without political prejudice.

Adedoyin made the call during a chat with Vanguard at Kabba, saying many states across the federation were finding it difficult to pay workers.

He said: “A bailout is expected to be an economic intervention and not a tool for political control. The hungry local government staff is not interested in politics. He wants to meet his economic needs and fulfil his dreams.

“Some politicians in the state are already boasting that the funds will not be released to Kogi because APC doesn’t want council staff to be paid before the election. Issues like this should not be our focus. The federal C M Y K

degraded alongside its inhabitants, saying that on daily basis the Air Force fighter jets carried out raids there.

Addressing a refresher seminar on Law of Armed

Conflict and Humanitarian Law, the Chief of Air Staff reiterated that the Nigerian military will prosecute the war against insurgency, in accordance with international laws.

El-Rufai pledges to sustain Kaduna's polio-free status

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ADUNA—GOVERNOR Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday promised to intensify efforts on ground to ensure total eradication of the Wild Polio Virus in the state.

El-Rufai made the pledge at the opening of a three-day bi-annual meeting for effective field activity implementation of immunisation programme in the state.

Don’t play politics with bailout, Adedoyin urges FG government should do what is

By Kingsley Fanwo

Mimiko wants genuine health data

needful and remove people from hunger.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should remain the man of integrity that we all know him to be and resist the temptation of falling into the hands of people who think they can extend their empire to Kogi State through actions aimed at discrediting the state government. This is a time all political divides must be closed to cater for the welfare of our people.

“It is unfortunate to withhold the funds from some states for political reasons. APC should run a government that is concerned about the welfare of the people and not one that is only desperate for political powers.”

Adedoyin called on politicians in the state not to turn the state to a war zone during the forthcoming governorship election, saying the lives of Kogi people were more precious than political positions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Director-General of WHO, Ms Margaret Chan, had on Sept.

25 delisted Nigeria as Polio endemic country.

Represented by Mr Andrew Nok, the state Commissioner for Health, el-Rufai said it was important to improve on the gains by sustaining intervention mechanisms in the state.

“The state government shall not relent in its effort to rid the country of the scourge of poliomyelitis even as it has been declassified from the group of polio-endemic nations.

“We have adopted the one PHC-per-political ward strategy in order to increase access to basic healthcare including improvement in routine immunisation.

“We are deliberately committing a lot of resources to improve on our routine immunisation as well as working towards achieving more than 80 per cent coverage in every ward.”

The governor said that the first executive Bill sent to the State House of Assembly on assumption of office for “harmonisation of the Primary Health Care under one roof,” had been passed into law.

Stakeholders lament comatose state of paper mills technological developments in

By Vivian Enemuo

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HE Director General, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, has said the poverty alleviation and employment generation aspirations of government, might not be realised if the paper mills in the country remained inactive.

Speaking during stakeholders’ forum on optimizing pulp and paper production in Nigeria, at an event organised by the council in collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Ibrahim said: “With the gap between the recent

the sector and the obsolete pulp and paper production facilities in Nigeria, new investments are required in the sector if the country would become selfsufficient in pulp and paper production.”

He explained that the country expended about N50 billion on the importation of paper and paper products annually, saying, “Studies carried out locally indicate that the cost of the delay in the privatized mills to commence production is enormous to the economy. The cost implication of non-performance of the Nigeria Paper Mill, NPM, Jebba in 2006, 2007 and 2008 to the economy was N7.8 billion on annual basis.

NDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has called for proper verification of emerging data from different sources in the health sector to differentiate genuine data-backed results from politically generated ones.

Mimiko, who spoke in Lagos while receiving an honorary fellowship award by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, NPMCN, during the college's 33rd convocation ceremony challenged scholars at the event to be more proactive in verifying data emanating from different sources so as to differentiate genuine databacked results from politically generated ones.

The governor promised that his government will continue to invest in the state’s health facilities until it is established as a point of reference in medical tourism in Nigeria and beyond.

Corporate governance society annual conference holds today

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HE Society for C o r p o r a t e Governance Nigeria (SCGN) will hold its 2015 Annual Corporate Governance Conference today, as part of its commitment to the development of good corporate governance practice in the country.

Its General Manager, Resource Development, Mrs. Chioma Mordi, who said this in a statement, added that the conference will bring together experts from various areas of specialties to discuss the impact of corporate governance practices in Nigeria.

The event, which also marks the 10th anniversary of the society, will be chaired by Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, CON, OFR at Oriental Hotel, Lagos by 10.00am.

Speakers to discuss the topic include: the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Okwu Joseph Nnnana; Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr. Enase Okonedo and Group Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse, Mr. Austin Okere.

Mrs. Mordi stated that the theme of the conference is: “The Impact of Corporate Governance – the Nigerian Case.”

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

CONDOLENCE: Former governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio (middle) signing the condolence register during a visit to the family of former governor of old Cross River State, late Senator Donald Etiebet in Abak. With him are the Deputy Governor, Obong Moses Ekpo (right), and son of the late Etiebet, Anietie (2nd left).

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: From left— Rumbi Sithole of Dangote Foundation; Hadiza Maaji of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Muhammadu Sagagi of the DFID; Mr. Zubaida Abubakar, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State; and Abimbola Okoya, General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, BATNF, at the first Kano Women Development and Strategic Empowerment Forum in Government House, Kano.

ETISALAT: Principal Consultant, Etisalat Academy, United Arab Emirates, Ahand Alexander (middle), flanked by Mohammed Abdullahi (left) and Kelechi Okogwu, both students of Etisalat Telecommunications Engineering Postgraduate Programme, ETEPP, during a training session for the students at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

GLO: From left—Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe Damijo, Shaffy Bello, Helen Paul and Mr. & Mrs Emeka Ossai, all guests at the Glo Slide ‘n’ Bounce music concert in Lagos.

CRUSADE: From left— Apostle Solomon Akinsanya, Pastor Timothy Odedele, Primate Grabriel Omotosho and Prophet Lawrence Olowoyin at the ongoing Lagos City-Wide Crusade organized, by Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigerian, PFN, in Lagos.

CAC REVIVAL: From left— Host Pastor, Pastor Olusola Ajisafe; Chairman, Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Ojodu Zone, Pastor Samuel Adeyemi, and Guest Pastor, Pastor Joseph Adegboro, during the 21st combined revival service of CAC, Mercyland of Christ, Perfection Centre, Akute, Ogun State.

BABCOCK: President/ Vice Chancellor, Babcock University, Professor

James Makinde (centre) and officials of the university, cutting the 2015 Founders' Day commemoration cake at the institution's premises, IlishanRemo, Ogun State.

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FOOLS IN UNIFORM: From left—Deacon Steven Eferurhobo, Mr. Jibrin Idris, author; his wife, Dorothy; Engr. Chris Ekpekurede, Mrs. Pat Oboh-Sule and Dr. Eseoghene Umoru-Sule at the launch of Idris's book, Fools in Uniform, at the College of Education Warri, Delta State. PHOTO: Egufe Yafugborhi.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 41

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42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

RIVERS GOV POLL: Army lied, INEC tells tribunal ...insists election was successful, violence free

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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B U J A — T H E Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, told the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, that the Nigerian Army lied when it testified that the election that produced Governor Nyesom Wike, was marred by violence.

The commission alleged that the Army authorities, in a bid to discredit the outcome of the April 11 governorship election it conducted in Rivers State, sent soldiers that gave false evidence before the Justice Ambrosa Suleiman-led panel.

It will be recalled that sequel to an application by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the tribunal subpoenaed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General T. Y. Buratai, to produce some of the soldiers that were deployed in the state during the election, to appear and testify before the court.

The soldiers, in their separate testimonies, told the tribunal that the election was marred by violence and sporadic gun shots by thugs, a situation they said scared voters away.

Four of the Army officers who are all captains, Garba Sani, who was in charge of Tai Local Government Area; Abubakar Mohammed, from Bonny Camp, Lagos; Fred Bala from Maiduguri, and Captain Isa Almakura, told the tribunal that they led different troops that were deployed in Rivers State during the election.

They testified that armed thugs attacked INEC officials at different local government areas in the state and carted away election materials, stating that no election took place at Tai LGA. Specifically, Capt.

Almakura, who covered Ikwerre LGA alongside 30 other soldiers, told the tribunal that at a time, his team got confused by the “bombardment of phone calls” from INEC ad-hoc staff who, he said, were shouting for help and rescue from thugs that invaded their polling units.

"On our arrival at polling units in Osuala, Onuerelu, Omerelu and Alu, we found the INEC ad hoc staff, mainly corps members, mercilessly beaten up by the thugs”, he

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added.

However, at the resumed hearing on the petition yesterday, INEC, through its lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, produced eight witnesses from the said LGAs who faulted the evidence by the Nigerian Army.

The INEC witnesses who were all presiding officers that conducted the election, told the tribunal that contrary to the testimony by the Army officers, the election was peaceful, successful and devoid of violence.

While tendering as evidence, result sheets from the different areas they manned, the witnesses told the court that they resorted to the use of manual accreditation of voters after the Card Reader Machines failed.

The witnesses equally adduced the incidence forms that were filled by electorate whose voters’ cards the card reader machines could not recognise.

The INEC witnesses said they personally submitted the result sheets at the collation centre.

The PW-12, Onyije Ifeanyi, a

former corps member, told the court that he was the presiding officer in charge of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni LGA. He said: “My lords, I took the result to the collation centre myself where I had to wait for my turn because there were other presiding officers that also came to submit theirs. It is not true that there was violence in the area I covered. There was no incident of invasion by armed men. The election was peacefully conducted and everything went successfully.”

Ifeanyi testified that a total of

114 voters were accredited with the card reader machines, saying that his unit recorded 39 cases of failed accreditation.

In his testimony, the PW-13, Tubonini Mcbala, who was the presiding officer at Unit 8, ward 1 at Degema LGA, while insisting that the election was peaceful, told the tribunal that the poll was also monitored by agents of the APC. While being cross-examined by counsel to the petitioners, Chief Akinolu Olujimi, SAN, the witness said: “My Lords, there was no incident of shooting or thugs carting away election materials."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—43

Peterside lauds security agencies' fight against illegal bunkering G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State in last April's election, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has commended troops of Operation Pulo Shield, OPS, of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, and the Police, for the seizure of eight boats and 2.3 million litres of stolen diesel from an illegal oil refining site in the state.

Peterside, who particularly praised the officers and men for their gallantry, described their action as inspiring and an indication of more decisive steps ahead in the fight against illegal bunkering and other economic crimes against Nigeria.

The governorship candidate in a statement by Sylvester Asoya, his Special Assistant on Media, said: “Security is very important because everything hinges on it. Progress and development are not only

dependent but also measured by how secure the people are.

Therefore, we commend this latest onslaught on criminal elements in our state. I must state unequivocally that this offensive has rekindled faith in our people. It also reenforces our belief in the fact that the huge security problem facing Rivers State is receiving the urgent attention it deserves.

“Like every Rivers person, I am incredibly worried over the rising wave of crime in our dear state, especially kidnapping and armed robbery. The economy of Rivers State is on the verge of collapse because of insecurity. Every day, we make headlines for all the wrong reasons, we are not happy about this.

Unfortunately the current occupants of Government

House, Port Harcourt, are more interested in other things than the security and safety of Rivers people. I am, however, not surprised as, a government midwifed by morally bankrupt people cannot muster the will power and moral might to eradicate criminality as lions do not give birth to sheep.

“As a people, it will amount to sheer foolhardiness if we

say we do not need help. As a matter of fact, we need every attention and support to rid Rivers State of these strange happenings. ”I, therefore, wish to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to intervene urgently by treating Rivers State security with special concern because of its strategic economic importance.”

Gunmen abduct 55-yr-old woman in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

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WOMAN identified as Mrs. Adioyili Agidi, has been kidnapped by armed men at Opume, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Aged 55, Mrs. Agidi was reportedly whisked away on Sunday by unknown gunmen who operated in a speedboat.

It was gathered that the

gunmen, numbering six, stormed the house of their victim at Opume and seized her.

Opume, which could be accessed by water and land, is the community of A.J. Turner, a prominent political leader and friend of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The bandits were said to have shot sporadically into the air to scare Agidi’s neighbours

before whisking her away at about 9am.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ijaw Youth Council, Ogbia clan, Mr. Osaanya Osaanya, called on the abductors to release the woman with immediate effect.

He also appealed to security agencies to check the frequent cases of kidnappings in the area,

describing Agidi's abduction as one too many.

He said: “We are sending a strong message to community leaders especially in Opume to be vigilant. We have noticed that each time a prominent chief visits the community, there will be a kidnap incident.

“Ijaw youths in the council, under my leadership, will assist security agencies to ensure that the woman is released.”

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

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46— VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

UN ASSEMBLY: World leaders divided over Syria •US, France insist Assad must go •We need him to defeat ISIS—Russia

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IVISIONS among world leaders on Syria have been laid bare in speeches at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.

The US and France insisted Syria’s President Assad must go, but Russia said it would be an “enormous mistake” not to work with him to tackle Islamic State (IS) militants.

However, the US and Russia did hint at compromise. Barack Obama said he would work with any nation and Vladimir Putin called for a “broad coalition”.

The pair will meet in New York later.

In his speech, Mr Obama said compromise among powers would be essential to ending the Syrian conflict, which has claimed more than 200,000 lives and forced four million to flee abroad.

“Lasting stability can only take hold when the people of Syria forge an agreement to live together peacefully,” he said.

“The US is prepared to work with any nation, including Russia and Iran, to resolve the conflict. But we must recognise that there cannot be, after so much bloodshed, so much carnage, a return to the pre-war status quo.”

He also described alAssad, as a “tyrant” for dropping barrel bombs to “massacre innocent children.”

Ignoring Assad will be counter productive —Putin Speaking soon after, Mr Putin said it was an “enormous mistake to refuse to cooperate with the Syrian government and its armed forces who are valiantly fighting terrorism face-to-face”.

He also called for the creation of a “broad antiterror coalition” to fight IS, comparing it to the international forces that fought against Nazi Germany in World War Two. The US and Russian leaders have long differed on Syria: the US opposes President Bashar al-Assad remaining in power, while Russia has been a staunch ally, and has recently stepped up military support.

Some Western leaders have recently softened

•Obama: Assad must go

their stance towards the Syrian president, conceding that he might be able to stay on during a political transition.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to reflect that in talks this week.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, a key Syrian ally, said his country was prepared to help in “paving the way for democracy” in Syria.

He complained about sanctions imposed on Iran and said the country never had the intention of producing a nuclear weapon. He added that nuclear weapons states now play a positive role in the creation of a nuclear weapons-free Middle East and should “not allow the Zionist regime” to remain the only impediment. He added that Iran is ready

•Hollande: Solution to crisis can't come through Assad

to assist in tackling terrorism and to bring about democracy in Syria and Yemen, via elections rather than arms.

Rouhani urged the world to form a “united front” against extremism and violence and said the biggest threat facing the world is for the terrorist organisations to become a terrorist state, referring to the Islamic State (Isis).

“We are prepared to assist in eradication of terrorism. We are prepared to help bring democracy to Syria, Yemen,” he said.

Iran wants peace in the region based on win-win situation, he said.

Rouhani said Iran wants to become a business hub in the region. Iranian business leaders say that the Rouhani administration want them to act swiftly.

But French President

Francois Hollande said that, while he was prepared to work with Iran and Russia, he would explain to them that “the route to a solution does not go through Bashar alAssad.”

Referring to the CO21 conference that will take place in Paris in November/December, Hollande said: “In Paris, we are asking one question: is humanity capable of taking the decision to preserve life on the planet...if it’s not agreed at Paris, which is already late, it will be too late for the world.”

He said the first condition was to reach a “universal agreement, obligatory with everyone playing their part”.

Hollande said the developed world needed to come up with €100 billion to help “emerging

Measures needed on climate change —Xi Jinping, Chinese President

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LSO the Chinese President Xi Jinping took the podium and urged members of the international community to adopt measures to combat climate change.

His remarks come a few days after announcing a

•Xi Jinping: Let us unite to confront climate change

new cap and trade. “We should firmly pursue green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable development,” he said.

“China will shoulder its share of responsibility and China will continue to play its part in this common endeavor.”

King Abdullah II of Jordan brought back the topic of instability in the Middle East. His speech focused largely on urging that extremists must be defeated.

The peaceful world is under threat from “the outlaws of Islam,” he said, who “target religious differences hoping to kill cooperation and compassion.”

Jordan is among one of the many nations joined with the United States in a coalition to degrade ISIS terrorists.

“Let us ask if they were not defeated,” he said.

“Can we tolerate a future where mass murder, public beheadings, kidnapping and slavery is a common practice?”

He asked the U.N. members to think for a moment what it would be like to not fight against extremists who would seek to destroy — as ISIS has — cultural treasures that had stood for thousands of years.

The battle against such terrorists, Abdullah said, is a “third world war.”

•Putin: The world needs Assad to defeat ISIS

countries”. Not all would be loans, some would be donations.

His threepoint plan was for an agreement, fiveyear checks on progress and finance for climate change.

He then moved on to talk about Syria and the refugee crisis.

“Everyone knows it’s a tragedy that the Syrian people are suffering, everyone knows we have to find a solution, so let’s find that solution. Three years ago I was addressing you, there were already 30,000 victims of that tragedy, today there are 250,000 victims, 12,000 of them children...

“At that time there weren’t terrorists, no

fundamentalists there was just a dictator, a dictator who was massacring his people.”

Syrian refugees not just fleeing war, but the regime of al-Assad, which Hollande said was: “Dropping bombs on innocent civilian population.”

He reiterated France’s insistance that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has to be replaced by a “transitional government’.

“We want to work with everyone who wants to work with us.

We talk of a coalition, it is possible, enviable...necessary, but it has to have a clear basis, and this was set out three years ago...a transitional government” in Syria.

Key global alliance needed on Syria —Banki Moon

U

N Secretary General Ban Kimoon said five countries - Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran - were key to finding a political solution in Syria, but unless they could compromise it would be “futile” to expect change on the ground.

Moscow has suggested there are plans to form an international contact group involving all the countries Mr Ban mentioned plus Egypt.

The threat of IS extremists and the flow of Syrian refugees to Europe has added urgency to the search for a deal to end the civil war.

In addition to Russia’s military build-up in Syria, Iraq on Sunday announced that it had signed an agreement on security and intelligence

•Rouhani: World leaders have failed Syria

co-operation with Russia, Iran and Syria to help combat IS. A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against IS in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.

The UK announced this month it had carried out a drone strike against two British citizens in Syria, but has yet to fly

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 47

Govt workers have right to refuse gay marriage licenses —Pope P OPE Francis said on Monday government officials have a “human right” to refuse to discharge a duty, such as issuing marriage licenses to homosexuals, if they feel it violates their conscience.

Speaking to reporters as he returned home from a 10-day trip to the United States and Cuba, Francis also repeated his condemnation of priests who had sexually abused children, saying the victims had been “crushed by evil”.

Although the Argentine-born pontiff delved into some of the United States’ thorniest political debates during his visit, he never specifically referred to a controversy over same-sex marriages, which the Church firmly opposes.

On the flight back to Rome, he was asked if he supported individuals, including government officials, who refuse to abide by some laws, such as issuing marriage licenses to gays.

*Pope Francis leaves with a ‘God bless America’ and plea for tolerance as he boards Shepherd One on a dramatic day in Philadelphia marking the end of his US visit

Taliban overrun key Afghan city of Kunduz vancing on the airport. *Over 500 prisoners freed

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HE Taliban have overrun the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, taking control of most areas and freeing hundreds of prisoners from its jail.

Hundreds of militants stormed the city before dawn, quickly seizing key buildings and ad-

Assad defends presence of Hezbollah fighters in Syria

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YRIAN President Bashar al-Assad has defended the presence of fighters from the Lebanese Shia Hezbollah movement among the ranks of the Syrian army, saying his government had legitimately requested their help.

In an interview aired on Tuesday night on the official Hezbollah channel, al-Manar, Assad said the presence of nonSyrian fighters among the Syrian army was no justification for the presence of foreign fighters in the ranks of the rebels.

Hezbollah has led several battles against rebel groups in Syria along the Lebanese borders in the suburbs of Homs and in the mountainous Qalamoun region. The Iranianbacked group is now

heavily involved in fighting for the Damascus suburb of Zabadani.

When asked to compare Hezbollah fighting in Syria with foreign fighters supporting the rebels, Assad said: “There is a big difference. The Syrian state requested the assistance of Hezbollah.

“It was a request by the Syrian state - which is a legitimate state - in order to help defend the Syrian people.”

Germany quells migrant mass brawl at camp in Calden

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mass brawl has erupted at a tented camp for migrants in Germany, with Albanians and Pakistanis fighting each other with sticks and irritant sprays.

It took police several

Trump wants Putin to fight ISIS in Syria duce its already small

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ONALD Trump wants to flip the U.S. strategy against ISIS on its head, drawing down the America’s involvement in fighting the militant group in Syria in favor of a greater Russian presence.

While most of his fellow Republican presidential hopefuls are calling for a bigger military effort to destroy the group, Trump said the U.S. should re-

The government says it has sent reinforcements to Kunduz and fighting is ongoing.

Kunduz would be the first provincial capital taken by the Taliban since they lost power in 2001’s US-led invasion.

The attack came a day before the first anniversary of President Ashraf Ghani’s unity government. Kunduz is strategically important as it acts as a transport hub for the north of the country. It also has symbolic significance for the Taliban as it was their former northern stronghold before their government was overthrown.

“With the capturing of the police compound and governor’s office in Kunduz, the whole province fell to our hands and our fighters are now advancing towards the airport,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on his Twitter account.

footprint in Syria. And in Iraq, Trump said he would be willing to send round forces to fight the radical militant group.

“Now let me just say this: ISIS in Syria, (Syrian President Bashar elAssad, in Syria, Assad and ISIS are mortal enemies. We go in to fight ISIS. Why aren’t we letting ISIS go and fight Assad and then we pick up the remnants?”

hours to quell the violence between some 400 migrants at Calden, near Kassel in central Germany, German media report.

Fourteen people were injured, three of them police officers. It began with an argument in the camp’s canteen.

Meanwhile the antiimmigration Freedom Party has surged in polls in Austria. The violence at Calden, in the German state of Hesse, left some migrants shivering in the cold outside the camp until they could be moved back in late on Sunday.

But one migrant group was moved out to separate accommodation.

It is not yet clear what type of irritant gas was used in the fighting.

Burkina Faso coup guards refuse to disarm A

unit of guards that carried out a coup in Burkina Faso before handing back power is refusing to disarm.

The chief of army staff accused presidential guards of intimidating people carrying out the disarmament.

Interim President Michel Kafando was formally reinstated on Wednesday after an in-

tervention from the army and several West African leaders.

On Friday, his government ordered the presidential guards’ unit that carried out the coup to be disbanded. The presidential guards - known as the RSP - are a unit of 1,200 well-armed and well-trained men loyal to Blaise Compaore, the country’s long-time rul-

Rwandan rebel leaders sentenced in Germany

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German court has sentenced two Rwandan rebel leaders for masterminding attacks on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni were accused of ordering militias to commit mass murder and rape between 2008 and 2009.

The trial took place under a law which allows the prosecution of foreigners for crimes committed outside Germany.

It was hailed as a breakthrough in bringing Rwandan rebels to justice.

Murwanashyaka, who is the leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), was given a 13year sentence, while Musoni, his deputy, was sentenced to eight years.

Musoni was released immediately because of the time he has already spent in custody.

The presence of the FDLR in eastern DR Congo was one of the key factors behind years of conflict which have led to an estimated five million deaths in the region.

The two men, who were arrested in 2009,

had both been living in Germany since the early 1990s and from there coordinated attacks on civilians in the east of the DR Congo.

They faced accusations that they ordered the killing of people because they were not cooperating with the FDLR. At the start of the trial four years ago, German prosecutor Christian Ritscher said “the two defendants had knowledge of everything, at least most of it”.

er who was ousted in a popular uprising which set alight the parliament building last year.

Members of the RSP stormed the cabinet room on 16 September taking prisoner the interim president, the prime minister and others.

Coup leader Gen Gilbert Diendere said he seized power because of plans to disband the RSP and exclude Mr. Compaore's allies from standing in upcoming presidential elections.

At least 10 people were killed and more than 100 injured in clashes during the take over.

A week later, when it became clear they did not enjoy popular support and after a threat from the regular army to step down or be ousted by force, the RSP withdrew.

Gen Diendere admitted the putsch had been “the biggest mistake”. “We knew the people were not in favour of it,” he said.

Subsequently Gen Gilbert Diendere’s assets were frozen.

*Murwanashyaka: One of the Rwandan rebel leaders, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison yesterday.

Three days of clashes in CAR: UN troops disperse protesters

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HE United Nation's, UN, peacekeepers fired warning shots in the air to disperse thousands of protesters calling for the rearming of the Central African Republic’s national army, as at least one person was killed in a third day of violence.

Some 30 people have been killed and dozens more injured in the riverside capital Bangui since the murder of a Muslim man sparked sectarian violence on Saturday in the city patrolled by French and

U.N. Troops.This is even as all the prisoners escaped from the main jail in the capital of Central African Republic on

Monday, a senior security source said, in a city where at least 30 people have been killed in three days of violence.

Cecil the Lion hunter bids to end trial

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AWYERS for the Zimbabwean hunter who led the expedition that killed famed lion Cecil have applied for his trial to be thrown out of court. Theo Bronkhorst has been charged with “failing to prevent an illegal hunt”.

His lawyer told the court the charge was “not clear and the circumstances do not con-

stitute a chargeable offence”, reports AFP news agency. The lion - a favourite at Hwange National Park - was shot by US dentist Walter Palmer with a bow and arrow.

Mr Bronkhorst denies any wrongdoing, saying he had obtained all the permits required to kill an elderly lion that was outside the national park boundaries.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

THIS WEEK September 29, 2015 World Heart Day. The World Heart Foundation organises the day to inform people about cardiovascular diseases, which are the biggest cause of death. The day promotes preventative measures to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

October 1, 2015 International Day of Older Persons. The UN marks the day to recognise the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives.

International Day of Older Persons is a special day for older persons or senior citizens all over the world.

SCREENING: Regular blood pressure check helps to detect early symptoms of hypertension.

Science World New partnership strengthens PHC gaps in Africa

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NEW partnership, the Primary Health Care Performance Initiative, PHCPI, that will support African countries to strengthen monitoring, tracking and sharing of key performance indicators for primary health care, has been While many countries have identified primary health care as an urgent priority, they lack the data needed to pinpoint weaknesses, understand their causes and drive improvements.

The partnership, launched weekend at an event co-hosted by the governments of Germany, Ghana and Norway, where German Chancellor Angela Merkel released a new framework, “Roadmap: Healthy Systems – Healthy Lives,” for global cooperation to strengthen health systems.

The launch of the two complementary initiatives held as world leaders met at the United Nations to adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

PHCPI partners highlighted the far-reaching benefits of stronger primary health care, including as a pathway to universal health coverage.

“For the first time, the world has set a goal with specific targets for universal health coverage by 2030,” says Dr Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group and co-founder of PHCPI. “To ensure that everyone has

Continues on page 49

WORLD HEART DAY: Experts worry over increasing hypertension among Nigerians

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale YPERTENSION is one subject every Nigerian should be wary of. This is because the numbers are increasing.

Fifteen to 20 years ago, about 11 percent of adult Nigerians were expected to have hypertension but today the story is different.

Cardiologists are now reporting scary figures of 30 percent and above among the populace.

This revelation is coming to light even more as cardiologists are expressing fears that some regions in Nigeria are reporting as high as 40 percent. Based on current report, 41 percent of Nigerians have hypertension.

Unfortunately, most Nigerians are ignorant of the fact that hypertension is hazardous to heart health. According to a recent survey hypertension rates in Nigeria jumped from 11 per cent in 1997 to 40 per cent in 2013.

Every year, the World Health Federation, WHF and the World Health Organisations, WHO, mark the World Health Day on 29 September to draw attention for people across the globe to take part in the world's biggest intervention against cardiovascular disease, CVD. This year focuses on creating healthy heart environments by ensuring that everyone has the chance to make healthy heart choices wherever they live, work and play. The day also encourages us all to reduce our cardiovascular risk, and promotes a heart-healthy planet for those around us.

Healthy heart choices: The theme for this year is "Healthy Heart Choices For Everyone, Everywhere'.

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WHO had set a target for reducing premature mortality from cardiovascular disease and other non communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25 per cent within 2025.

Speaking on this year's theme, experts urged Nigerians to make healthy heart choices.

Many Nigerians are ignorant of the fact that hypertension is hazardous to heart health

An Associate Professor of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Dr. Amam Mbakwem who noted that hypertension is one subject every Nigerian should be aware of said more blacks have hypertension than whites basically because the way blacks handle salt is a bit different.

With this year's theme, "know Your Numbers'', for the World Hypertension Day on Sunday, Mbakwem said that people tended to hold onto more salt because of the climate.

She explained that diet is another reason for the high rate of hypertensive cases in black people hence the need for Nigerians to make healthy heart choices. Nigerians stood more risk of hypertension because of their

lifestyles. In some recent studies involving trans fats, researchers found trans fat consumption was associated with a 34 percent increase in all-cause mortality, a 21 percent increase in the risk of coronary heart disease and a 28 percent increase in the risk of death from coronary heart disease.

The researchers stressed the need for dietary guidelines be carefully considered because of the health effects of recommendations for alternative macronutrients to replace trans fats and saturated fats.

Mbakwem said: "It is not just the numbers whether it is 120 or 140 but the damage that it causes because with blood pressure high in the system, it is heating the brains and it can damage the brains and when that happens, we talk about stroke.

Mbakwem urged every adult to know their blood pressure numbers by maintaining a good habit of regular monitoring and medical checks with home blood pressure checks.

In the views of Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, Emeritus Professor Akinkugbe, healthy nutrition is an important part of a healthy life, hence, the need for food manufacturers to provide education on heart-healthy foods.

“Food labelling across the world develops community awareness on healthy foods and provideopportunity for healthy food choices and the NHF Heart Check Food Labelling Programme is a systematic endorsement of food items certifying them healthy for consumption and heart friendly with emphasis on low fats and cholesterol, low sodium and low glucose.”

He said Nigerians should begin to make on-the-spot healthy Continues on page 49

Never again should a Nigerian child come down with polio — Prof. Oyewale Tomori

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HESE are great times for Nigeria...a situation I have always hoped for. I always was confident that my country will reach this stage.

This is an important milestone for Nigeria, although it took so long to reach. We still have a major milestone to remain polio free for two years more so as to be declared polio free, not just removal from list of polio endemic countries.

These two years will be tough, but we are poised to overcome any challenges to achieve polio free status by 2017. We must move our surveillance to a higher level of alert, our response to any polio case (if any) must be rapid, focused and complete; our government must continue to

Prof Oyewale Tomori. have the will and the commitment to see NO Nigerian child come down with polio EVER AGAIN.

Our traditional and community leaders must be fully engaged and involved in not only polio eradication but ensuring that every Nigerian child is protected from any vaccine preventable diseases.

Finally we must be experts at communicating with our people on the need to get their children vaccinated and take advantage of health interventions provided by government and had confidence.

I am a particularly delighted Nigerian today. In 1995, during the World Health Organisation Day lecture, I titled my lecture “Will Nigeria Be The Last To Eradicate Polio? That day 20 years ago, I looked into the future and hinged hope in my country that we will not be the last.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015—49

N2m will save Chijioke’s eyesight

By Gabriel Olawale

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ITHOUT urgent intervention, Onyenwe Chijioke, 27, may lose his eyesight completely as the left eye had already dried off. Chijioke who hails from Imo State woke up one day in 2012 with itchy eyes. “My eyes later started turning red and before I knew it, the left eye was giving me serious discomfort.”

Narrating his ordeal, Chijioke said he initially did not see it as a big problem, so he consulted a nearby pharmacy shop where he got eye drops.

After applying the eye drops, instead of experiencing relief, the situation became more complicated. “When the pains were much, I later visited Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt, where I was diagnosed for corneal eye disease, but was referred to Eye Foundation Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.

“Before I went to the Lagos hospital, the left eye had already become blind, but I could still see with the right eye, but presently the second eye is affected and the doctor says the problem can only be corrected with intervention that requires N2 million for artificial cornea transplant in India.”

Chijioke who prior to the incident was a shoe seller used to travel to Lagos or Togo and return to Port Harcourt, but can no longer trade in his condition.

“In my running up and down, I have raised N900,000 but the balance of N1.1 million to undergo the surgery is outstanding. The doctor has given me September ending as deadline so that I will not loss the right eye.”

In a statement, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Eyes Foundation

Hospital, Dr. F.O Oluyadi revealed that Chijioke is suffering from cornea adversity and requires a cornea transplant. “The cost of the transplant, admission and post operation medication amounts to N2 million.

Chijioke is appealing to well meaning Nigerians to help him raise funds for the surgery. In tears, he appealed that people should please save him from going completely blind. If you wish to assist Chijoke, send your donation to Chijioke Anthony Onyenwe, Diamond Bank 0051243707, or call 08148318987 for more details.

GOING BLIND: Chijioke Onyenwe.

The PHCPI will work with countries to expand availability of existing data, as well as develop additional indicators that countries can use to diagnose and monitor underlying challenges and promote country collaboration and improvements.

The partnership will collaborate with country partners on an ongoing basis and provide a platform for countries to share lessons and co-develop tools for improving primary health care. As part of this effort, PHCPI is partnering with the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage, originally established

by The Rockefeller Foundation. The Joint Learning Network currently includes 22 member countries committed to ensuring that essential health services are available and affordable for everyone who needs them.

New partnership strengthens PHC gaps in Africa World heart day

Continues from page 48 access to essential and affordable health services, countries must have strong primary health care systems to deliver them—that’s how we’ll reach the poorest and most vulnerable people with the care they need, in the most equitable way.”

As the foundation of health systems, primary health care connects people and families with trusted health workers and supportive systems throughout their lives and provides access to services ranging from family planning and routine immunizations to treatment of illness and management of chronic conditions. Health systems built on strong primary health care are more resilient, efficient and equitable.

“We know that better measurement can guide smarter, more effective planning and action,” says Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and a cofounder of PHCPI. “It’s time to get serious about tracking and measuring primary health care performance, so that countries have the data they need to efficiently direct

resources to improve the health of their citizens, especially women and children.”Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank Group, World Health Organisation collaborated to strengthen primary health care, advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goals.

PHCPI which brings together health policymakers, practitioners, advocates and development partners, and amongst others, will monitor primary health care vital signs.

Also in the pipeline is a new website, PHCperformanceinitiative.org, that tracks 25 “Vital Signs,” performance indicators for primary health care across 135 countries.

These indicators can help the global health community and countries better understand how well or poorly their primary health care systems are performing, and are intended to shine new light on what actually happens in health facilities.

Other expectations are to improve the quality of primary health care data.

Continues from page 48 food choices. NHF Executive Director, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye noted that nutrition was central to the major NCDs ravaging the world today.

WHO report: According to WHO report, number of deaths from hypertension, stroke, heart attacks and other circulatory diseases is on the rise, climbing from 12.3 million deaths to 17.3 million.The report also showed that efforts to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases appear to be working as the rise in deaths is slower than the overall growth of the population. This is coming on the heels of a recent survey that shows that hypertension rates in Nigeria jumped from 11 per cent in 1997 to 40 per cent in 2013.

Globally, the number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases increased by 41 percent between 1990 and 2013, climbing from 12.3 million deaths to 17.3 million deaths. Over the same period, death rates within specific age groups dropped by 39 percent, according to an analysis of data from 188 countries.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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WORRY That I objectify women a lot. Many times when I see a beautiful woman, I go straight to imagining having sex with her. That is the first thing that I think of and I feel dirty for being this way. What can I do about this? Elo Sexual desire is a primal human response that is embedded in male DNA. Every man experiences it. It does not make you dirty. Sexual desire is nature’s way of ensuring the survival of the human species. The day men stop wanting women is the day the human race begins to go extinct. It is not a coincidence that women’s bodies are this alluring. The female form was built to seduce and be desired. Men were built to see and desire.

We don’t have a choice in the matter. That is how our species is designed to survive on this planet. So men must be seduced. Women must get pregnant and babies must be born. Your sexual urges were predetermined millions of years ago.

So you don’t have to feel guilty about these sexual impulses provided you don’t go raping women. It is okay to appreciate the female form and still respect it. Selfcontrol is what separates normal people from sick perverts. Self-control is what ensures that we don’t pounce on women when we are seduced by their beauty because sex must be consensual. Once you have that control over your natural impulses, then you are a well-balanced person – Uche I have a really small penis. My mates in boarding school used to make fun of me back in the day. I thought I was still growing back then and that it will get bigger. But nothing has changed. I am an adult man now and I feel uncomfortable around women. I want enlargement – Justin Justin there are many enlargement options for you to choose from. A combination of Vimax and Machismo Penis Pump can help you gain three to four inches over time. Extenze Maximum Strength and VigRx are also effective penis enlargers so the choice is yours – Uche I have been using the Stud Extension Sleeve I bought from you for some months now. I just want to know

how much longer I can use it before discarding it. So far it works well – Benjamin The Stud Extender is used primarily for prolonging sexual action before ejaculation and for making the penis look bigger and fuller. If it is not torn, you can use it for as long as it lasts. Just wash it properly after use and store in a cool dry place – Uche I need a realistic vibrator that feels like the actual thing.

Not too big but big enough. If it vibrates, that will be okay too – Cindy The Jelly Chocolate Dream fits that description so I recommend it. There is also another version of it with a suction base that enables you to stick it to a bathroom wall or floor. It is called the Jelly Chocolate Wall Banger – Uche I have a similar problem. At 56 years, my erection is so soft that sex is impossible. It has been that way for two and a half years now. I want help but I am diabetic. I don’t know if anything can be done. Thanks – Chukwuemeka There are drugs for erectile dysfunction which can be used by diabetics. Libigrow is a good example and very effective too – Uche Please do you have Rhino enhancer? If you do, please how can I get it? I have heard so much about it. I am in Uyo – Festus Yes we do. Rhino 7 is available and can be delivered to you in Uyo or wherever you choose – Uche I just tested the Gladiator Cream. It took a while for me to climax. For some reason, I couldn’t believe that it can help me with premature ejaculation but it is working.

Thanks – Bukola You are welcome – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

50—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Emissions scandal: No cause for alarm, says VW Nigeria V

OLKSWAGEN AG representative in Nigeria, VW Centre has said that there is no cause for alarm over the recent Volkswagedn diesel scandal.

According to a top Volkswagen of Nigeria official, the company does not import diesel engine version of volkswage into the country due to the quality of diesel available in the local market.

Though the official said that the company will issue an official statement on the issue, it stated that only the petrol engine versions of Volkswagen products are available in the Nigerian market.

Meanwhile, some countries are already investigating the emission rigging scandal including USA, Germany, United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Others who have taken similar measures include Italy, France, South Korea, Canada, Norway and India.

Countries investigating emissions-rigging scandal United States: Scandal emerged following findings by the Environmental Protection Agency. Justice Department and New York regulators have launched criminal investigations Germany: Transport Ministry to send fact-finding committee to Volkswagen United Kingdom: Vehicle Certification Agency to re-run lab tests and compare with “real-world” driving emissions Switzerland: Task force set up to investigate

Italy: Spot checks to be carried out on at least 1,000 diesel vehicles, transport minister says France: Random checks on 100 diesel cars aimed at “ensuring the absence of fraud”, says Environment Minister Segolene Royal South Korea: Environment Ministry to investigate 4-5,000 Jetta, Golf and Audi A3 vehicles, could extend to all German diesel cars if problems found.

Canada: Environmental Agency investigating some 100,000 Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars. Norway and India opening fraud investigations. On Friday Switzerland temporarily banned the sale of Volkswagen (VW) diesel-engine models

Diesel engine scandal It said the move could affect 180,000 cars - not yet sold or registered - in the Euro5 emission category. The Swiss authorities have also set up a

taskforce to fully investigate the issue. A spokesman for the British department for transport said there were no plans for ban in the UK. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) told the BBC that it would join the US Environmental Protection Agency ’s (EPA) investigation into VW. The EPA’s findings of the scandal cover 482,000 cars in the US only, including the VWmanufactured Audi A3, and the VW brands Jetta, Beetle, Golf and Passat. But VW has admitted that about 11 million cars worldwide are fitted with the socalled “defeat device” - 2.8 million of them in Germany - and further costly recalls and refits are possible. Half of the company’s sales in Europe - VW’s biggest market - are for diesel cars. VW

shares plunged around 30% in the days after the scandal broke.

VW scandal: Company warned over test cheating years ago. A Volkswagen engineer warned the company about cheating over its emission tests as early 2011, a German newspaper reports.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung says the warning emerged during VW’s current investigation into the scandal. Separately, Bild am Sonntag said the internal inquiry had found that parts supplier Bosch had warned Volkswagen not to use its software illegally.

Volkswagen told the BBC they would not comment on “newspaper speculation”.

Last week VW apologised for cheating on emissions tests in the US. Some 11 million VW diesel

cars built since 2008 are affected by the scandal.

They had devices which could detect when the engine was being tested and could change the car ’s performance to improve results.

Volkswagen: The scandal explained. Citing unidentified sources, Bild said Bosch had warned Volkswagen as early as 2007 that its software should only be used in company tests and not for normal driving.

Last week VW’s chief executive Martin Winterkorn was forced out over the scandal and replaced by Matthias Mueller, the former head of Porsche. As well as shocking VW customers, the scandal has stunned investors in the car maker. The BBC has learned that debt products issued by

Ford commends AutoNation on Quality Service delivery

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HE Commercial Attaché, United States of America Embassy, Olga Ford, has commended the management of AutoNation Automotive Sales and Service centre for its quality of services

to motorists.

Ford made this observation recently when a USA team from the embassy and the home country paid a courtesy visit to AutoNation at its Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos facility. Others who were on the team were the Commercial Specialist, United States of America Embassy, Mr. Chamberlain Eke and the Director of US International T r a d e Administration, Mr. William Fanjoy.

Ford, who was delighted with the facilities deployed by AutoNation in delivering services to L-R: Commercial Specialist, USA Embassy, Mr. Chamberlain Eke; Director, US N i g e r i a n s , Export Assistance Centre, William Fanjoy; Chairman, AutoNation, Ugochukwu observed that Nsofor; Commercial Attaché, United States of America Embassy, Olga Ford; when the AutoNation the US team paid a courtesy call on the AutoNation premises in Ibeju-Lekki, is a frontline Lagos…on Tuesday, 22 September 2015. company that

the embassy needs to work with.

In his remarks, William who was visiting the AutoNation facility for the first time, stated that with what he has seen on ground, AutoNation’s facilities can compare favourably to others elsewhere. He said that, the facilities are of international standard.

Latest technology In his remark, the chairman of AutoNation, Ugochukwu Nsofor, told the delegation that his company does not compromise quality in service delivery.

He said “at AutoNation, we provide outstanding diagnosis capability, the latest technology for repairs, and cost saving scheduled preventative maintenance. All underpinned with care and delivered by the leading service advisors and technicians in the industry”.

He added that his company has a well stocked spare parts facility.

“We guarantee all the parts we supply as genuine OEM parts.

So you can be assured your vehicle will stay on the road

longer, with reliable new parts that will not disappoint”, he added.

In its after-sales workshops, the company has the state of the art body shop equipment, detailing machines, chassis stretching machine, sanding vacuum, brake lining re-surfacing machine, among others.

To ensure optimum delivery, AutoNation partners world renowned automotive brands like-Precision Auto Care for premium servicing and preventive maintenance; Sherwin Williams for automotive paints and finishes; Mirka for autobody equipment and Apt for spare parts etc.

The company generally engages in multi-branded vehicle sales, tyres, spare parts and After Sales Services. It also provides towing services and mobile workshops as well as Rentals and Leasing, valeting and detailing, collision damage repair etc. A subsidiary of the Kunech Group of Companies, AutoNation represents a onestop center for all automotive needs and is particularly targeted at Fleet customers.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 51

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52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 53

Blatter refuses to step down F

IFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted he has done nothing illegal and says he plans to remain in the role until February ’s

elections.

Blatter is under investigation from Swiss authorities over allegations of criminal mismanagement and

misappropriation, but in a statement from his lawyer Lorenz Erni he made it clear that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Diogu backs D’Tigress for Olympic ticket

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O -CAPTAIN of the national male basketball team, D’Tigers, Ike Diogu has, on behalf of his colleagues, thrown his weight behind their female compatriots, D’Tigress as they campaign in the 2015 A f r o b a s k e t Championship in Cameroun.

Diogu, who was an inspiration to his colleagues at the Afrobasket in Tunisia from the bench as he was sidelined by a calf muscle injury in a message to D’Tigress through the Nigeria Basketball Federation, said they are all waiting to celebrate with the ladies the Rio Olympic ticket they are gunning for in Cameroun.

In a one paragraph message, Diogu wrote “On behalf of the senior men’s national team we want to wish the D’Tigress good luck and we fully, God willing, expect to celebrate with them as they clinch a spot in next summer Olympics.”

Despite losing their first match against Angola, the ladies have despatched Egypt and Guinea and were expected to play Senegal in the fourth match of their group later Monday night.

D'Tigress Olayinka Sanni attempts to shoot.

Bullet donates boxing equipment to YSFON “Bullet Energy Drink

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HE Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, has announced it will take delivery of over 2,000 pieces of boxing equipment courtesy Bullet Energy Drink.

Public Relations Officer of the Grassroots Nigerian Boxing League, Tayo Afolabi, has said that the handing over would be in two batches. The equipment, she said, would be distributed across all the states in the country.

AfroBasket women

Mikel

Continues from BP

as make-weight in the deal taking the France star to Stamford Bridge.

PSG are aware that Matuidi is also being tracked by several European powerhouses apart from Chelsea and have lined up Mikel as his replacement should he depart the Parc des Princes in the near future, and if that is the case the Nigeria international will be purchased outright.

The 28 year-old and his Russian fiancee Olga Diyachenko recently welcomed their twins into the world and this

are the donnors of the equipment and fund.

This is because of their determination to bring back the glory days of boxing to Nigeria. The first part of the handover has taken place while the next will hold in four weeks’ time. The first beneficiaries are Ondo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, Abia, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun states. We will also unveil our partnership deal with them (Bullet Energy Drink),” she stated.

“President Blatter spoke to Fifa staff today and informed the staff that he was cooperating with the authorities, reiterated that he had done nothing illegal or improper and stated that he would remain as president of Fifa,” it read.

“On the Michel Platini matter, president Blatter on Friday shared with the Swiss authorities the fact that Mr Platini had a valuable employment relationship with Fifa serving as an advisor to the president beginning in 1998.

“He explained to the prosecutors that the payments were valid compensation and nothing more and were properly accounted for within Fifa including the withholding of Social Security contributions.

“Because of the continuing investigation president Blatter will answer no further questions at this time.”

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) announced on Friday its intention to try him over his dealings with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Uefa chief Michel Platini.

Earlier in September, allegations emerged which suggested Blatter had signed off on selling World Cup broadcasting rights to the CFU which was run by disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner - for a fraction of their value.

contributed to his decision to stay put in London in the first half of this season despite interest from outside the Premier League.

Fenerbahce and Besiktas have not locked up Mikel’s case in the drawer and it is understood that he will give the Istanbul clubs a definite answer in December.

Just like the 2014-15 campaign, the Super Eagles star has not featured much for Chelsea in the young season, with only 61 minutes of game time in the top flight after seven rounds.

Continues from BP attitude paid off along the way. They led by as many as eight points in the third quarter.

Angola’s poor shooting from beyond the arc not only exposed their struggles offensively, but it also boosted Egypt’s morale. Sara Masoud hit a long three-point to close the third quarter, and the North Africans never trailed again even though Angola cut the deficit to two points in the final seconds of the game.

Soraia Deghadi, one of the top performers in the tournament replied said, “I don’t really know. The coach may have a vision for me.”

In fact, Deghadi came

off the bench for the fourth time in a row, just to retransform Egypt’s offense.

Deghadi propelled Egypt with ten points and a game-high 5 assists.

Bottom Line: Against the odds Egypt, the youngest team in the tournament, who received a wild card invitation to participate in the tournament proved once again that discipline and tenacity always pays off. The reigning champions, on the other hand, played sloppy, turning the ball over 23 times, and never really matched Egypt’s quickness and determination to attack the basket.

Bayelsa upstage Heartland in Owerri

T

ROUBLED Bayelsa United beat Heartland 3-1 in a rescheduled Nigeria premier league match on Monday after the original fixture was moved due to heavy rain.

However, despite the home win Bayelsa remain rooted at the basement of the league table with 29 points from 31 matches.

Heartland are 10th on the table with 44 points.

Man of the match Samad Kadiri gave hosts Bayelsa the lead after 10 minutes with a volley from inside the box.

But Heartland drew level through M o h a m m e d Mohammed from close range in the 35th

•Ejike minute.

Six minutes later, Uche Okeke fired Bayelsa ahead again.

Bernard Ovoke made the game safe for Bayelsa in the 76th minute when he raced on to a pass by Kadiri before he shot past goalkeeper David Obiazo at the near post.

Martins sets Sounders record

•Martins

N

I G E R I A international Obafemi Martins set a club record after hitting target as Seattle

Sounders played out a 1 - 1 draw with Sporting Kansas City on Sunday night at Sporting Park.

The striker’s 32 minute goal was his fifth consecutive goal in the MLS, joining Fredy Montero in the history books as the only players to have netted in five straight games.

Stretching from August 30 - September 27, 2015, Obafemi Martins found the back of the net against Portland Timbers, Toronto, San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps and Sporting KC.

Heineken excites golfers at Nigeria Cup excitement that goes with it

T

HE 2015 edition of the Nigeria Cup will tee off at the golf section of the IkoyiClub1938 this weekend with the International premium lager beer, Heineken, set to bring excitement to the week-long event.

About 180 golfers are slugging it out in the finals of various events which the chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Lanre Kalejaiye said commenced on Saturday with the theme ‘Seven Shades of Green’ to showcase “ a key value that defines who we are, and celebrate a different shade of our national color – green,” he explained.

Heineken has been part of the annual golf event to celebrate the country’s independence and the

has been the talking point among participants and fun seekers. The international premium lager beer has made known its intention of continuous partnership with the annual event.

The senior brand manager Heineken,NgoziNkwojilast week noted that Nigerian Breweries through the brand has been partnering with Ikoyi Club for several years and is committed to the sponsorship.

“Ikoyi club is a prestigious club and Heineken is the most international premium lager beer in Nigeria and I thinkitisaperfectmatch.Our involvementwithgolfisabout value. We are committed to thedevelopmentofouryouth establishment young executives and well-being of Nigerians.

54 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Arsenal eye first win against Olympiacos P

ER Mertesacker claims that sealing back-to-back victories has given Arsenal a well-timed confidence boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Olympiacos.

Arsene Wenger’s side, playing in their 18th consecutive campaign, host the Greek champions today as they look for their first victory in Group F. “We were quite happy after the win [against Tottenham in the League Cup] in midweek. We took some of that confidence with us [to the Leicester game] and you could see that,” the defender told Arsenal’s official website.

“There is a little room

Injury hit Roma battle Bate

B

ATE boss Aleksan dr Yermakovich does not believe Roma will be any less of a threat as a result of a succession of injury problems.

Striker Edin Dzeko has been ruled out for a month with a knee injury and Wojciech Szczesny is due to be absent until November, while both club icon Francesco Totti and midfielder Seydou Keita are due to miss the Champions League group-stage clash this week.

Yermakovich, however, has warned his side not to underestimate Rudi Garcia’s outfit. "Three years ago we took on a Lille side coached by Rudi Garcia in the Champions League.

“We know Roma have a lot of injuries, but I don’t think that will influence their game. They have many good replacements. They have leaders in every line: Daniele De Rossi in defence, Miralem Pjanic in midfield, and in general they can all put in great performances”.

*Szczesny

*Sanchez

Mourinho seeks solace in Porto J

OSE M o u r i n h o makes an emotional return to Porto tonight and, not for the first time this season, he will seek some Champions League solace to make up for Chelsea’s patchy Premier League form.

Mourinho famously led Porto to Champions League glory in 2004 before moving to Stamford Bridge for his first stint in west London.

After reaffirming his standing as one the world’s best coaches during spells at Inter and Real Madrid, Mourinho returned to Chelsea in 2013, and won the Premier League title comfortably last season.

But Mourinho has endured a miserable start to 2014-15 domestically, with Saturday ’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United leaving Chelsea with just eight points from seven league games.

Mourinho described Chelsea’s first-half showing at St James’ Park as “minus one out of 10”, and he will be desperate for his side to show their quality in Tuesday’s trip to Estadio do Dragao.

Costa spots new beard for Porto IEGO Costa showD ed off an impressive beard as Chelsea

stepped up their preparations for their Champions League clash with Porto.

The striker, who served the first game of a threematch domestic suspension at the weekend, is expected to return to the side tnight. The Premier League champions are in Portugal to face Jose Mourinho’s former club, in what promises to be an enthralling game.

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*Costa

for improvement but I think we should take more confidence into the game on Tuesday in the Champions League.

“Obviously it is very tight but we want to continue it against Olympiacos and next weekend against Manchester United, too.

“We struggled defensively [at Leicester] but I’d say we got back to our striking force and more than four goals is something very special.

“At times we lacked defensive stability but that is normal at Leicester. It was good for me to get some game time [because] I still lack a bit of fitness.”

‘Valencia can still progress’

A

*Mourinho

S Valencia battle Lyon today, Alvaro Negredo has insisted that Spanish side have every chance of progressing far in this season’s Champions League.

“Lyon are very powerful physically, but we have our own strengths and know that we have to give 100 percent in order to get the three points.

“Despite not starting well [in the Champions League] with the home defeat to Zenit, Valencia still have time to correct the situation and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League”.

As Barca battle Leverkusen Enrique says Messi's irreplaceable L

UIS Enrique admits it will be hard for Barcelona to replace Lionel Messi as they prepare for today’s Champions League match versus Bayer Leverkusen at Camp Nou. “It’s a big challenge to play without Messi. It’s an added incentive to win for Messi, but he is irreplaceable,” said the Barca coach.

“It is always difficult to adapt. I am sure it will be an extra motivation for the players. Our philosophy will be the same and we’ll do what we have to do. I won’t ask a player to do more in order to make up for Messi’s absence. Neymar will keep being Neymar, he does that well.

“We are missing our best player, but are still

*Messi competitive. We will have to find a way to replace Messi and make sure we remain on track.

We are motivated to do well.

“I don’t know whether

the absence of Messi will affect our opponents’ motivation. We are just looking to get a good result against a strong opponent.

“Of course, it is a very

important game, because we drew our first game against Roma. If you want to progress, you have to win at home.

But it will be a difficult game.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015 — 55

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Blatter refuses to step down — Pg.53 I-N-S-I-D-E Arsenal eye first win

Today’s Champions League Fixtures BATE Borislov Barca Arsenal Bayern Munich Porto Macabi Telaviv Lyon Zenith

v v v v v v v v

Roma Leverkusen Olympiacos Dinamo Zagreb Chelsea Dynamo Kiev Valencia Gent

7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm

•Sanchez

Costa spots new beard for Porto

•Platini

PSG plot for Mikel L

IGUE 1 moneybags Paris Saint- Germain have started testing the waters with regards to the signing of John Obi Mikel in the January transfer window.

Chelsea are eyeing up a swoop for PSG’s defensive midfielder Blaise Matuidi when the market reopens and it has now come to light that Mikel could be used Continues on Page 53

•Costa

'Valencia can still progress'

•Blatter

•Mikel

AfroBasket Women: Egypt stun Angola E

GYPT caused the biggest upset at AfroBasket Women 2015 so far by defeating reigning champions Angola 53-52 on Monday.

The result ends Angola’s 18-game winning streak at AfroBasket Women

competition dating back to 24 September 2011 when they won their first c o n t i n e n t a l championship.

Egypt stepped on floor with nothing to lose, battling for all possessions, and the

Continues on Page 53

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Harm (6) 5 Area (6) 8 Unaware (8) 9 Raise (4) 10 Serpent (3) 12 Seat (5) 15 Skill (3) 17 Wrath (3) 18 Sphere (3) 19 Groove (3) 20 Famous (5) 21 Hatchet (3 22 Lettuce (3) 23 Obtained (3) 24 Tree (3) 26 Nest (5) 29 Consume (3) 33 Unfasten (4) 34 Amiss (8) 35 Disconnect (6) 36 Ruling (6)

ACROSS 2 Sponsorship (5) 3 Soon (4) 4 Precise (5) 5 Proportion (5) 6 Squall (4) 7 Bid (5) 10 Artery (5) 11 Throw (5) 12 Feeling (5) 13 Exterior (5) 14 Deposit (5) 15 Diminish (5) 16 Handle (5) 25 Because (5) 27 Youngster (5) 28 Bury (5) 30 Pinafore (5) 31 Roster (4) 32 Sprig (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Stop 4, Dug 6, Rash 8, Report 9, Tavern 10, Ale 12, Astir 14, Claim 15, Solid 18, Delete 20, Eraser 24, Genus 26, Siren 28, Given 30, Old 32, Diadem 33, Animal 34, Knew 35, Tan 36, Ever.

DOWN: 2, Tress, 3, Promise 4, Data 5, Gate 6, Rival 7, Servile 11, Lei 12, Aid 13, Rot 16, Leg 17, Den 19, Edition 21, Rug 22, Asinine 23, Run 25, Eel 27, Endow 29, Evade 30, Omit 31, Dawn.

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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C M Y K